Discover Brazil’s lush Costa Verde, The Green Coast, on a holiday tailor-made for you.
Your journey begins in Rio de Janeiro, a city of striking contrasts and natural beauty. Explore Tijuca National Park, set high above the city, and take in the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue that sits on top of Corcovado Mountain.
Continue to Paraty, a charming colonial town with a UNESCO-listed Old Quarter. Walk down its cobbled streets and visit a local distillery to learn how Brazil’s traditional spirit, cachaça, is made.
End your trip with a stay on the peaceful island of Ilha Grande. Don’t miss the stunning Lopes Mendes Beach—one of Brazil’s finest—while here.
Trip Highlights
- Drive through Tijuca National Park, and head to Corcovado, a granite peak with the Christ the Redeemer statue
- Discover two different sides of Paraty, view picturesque waterfalls and learn about Brazilian liquor
- Explore the beautiful and secluded Lopes Mendes Beach while in Ilha Grande
- Soak in the stunning coastline of Rio de Janeiro and explore beaches such as Copacabana & Ipanema
Start your Journey
Rio de Janeiro
Arrive at the airport. You will be driven to your hotel, accompanied by your guide.
Rio de Janeiro, brimming with colour, life and vitality, is one of Brazil’s most iconic cities. Explore the beauty and energy of this city and take in its major attractions such as Copacabana, Sugar Loaf, the fabulous beaches and of course the magnificent subtropical rainforests. From samba to Caipirinha cocktails, there is so much to experience in vibrant Rio.
Private Jeep Tour in Rio
Discover Rio de Janeiro’s top sights in an open Hummer-style Jeep. Start in Tijuca National Park, part of the Atlantic Forest Biosphere Reserve. As you explore the rugged forest trails and pass waterfalls, spot monkeys and iguanas. Continue to Corcovado to see Christ the Redeemer, the iconic Art Deco statue and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. You can also take in sweeping views over Copacabana and Ipanema. Then ride two cable cars to the summit of Sugar Loaf Mountain for 360-degree views of the city. End your tour at the 350-acre Botanical Garden, featuring over 7,000 species of tropical plants.
Private Cooking Class in Rio de Janeiro
Learn to prepare classic Brazilian dishes during this relaxed, hands-on class. Meet your chef and spend a few hours mastering key techniques. Choose to make feijoada (a black bean and meat stew) or moqueca (a Bahian seafood stew with coconut milk). For dessert, opt for brigadeiro (a chocolate treat) or cheese with guava paste. The recipes use ingredients that are easily available, so you can recreate the dishes at home as well. Along the way, pick up cooking tips and discover the cultural influences behind Brazilian cuisine. Then sit down to enjoy the delicious dishes you cooked before wrapping up.
Watch Traditional Brazilian Dances at Night
Experience the energy and joy of Brazil’s rich musical and dance traditions during this vibrant performance. Sit back and enjoy around 16 dance styles, from Bossa Nova and Samba to Lambada, Carimbó, Forró, Frevo, Xaxado and Boleadeiras. Watch capoeira – a striking blend of dance and martial arts – and enjoy rhythms from across Brazil, including the Amazon, Pampas and Pernambuco. With colourful costumes, acrobatics and graceful choreography, this show offers a lively journey through Brazilian culture and folklore.
Paraty
Your Portuguese-speaking chauffeur will drive you from Rio de Janeiro to Paraty. This is a 4-hour journey.
Paraty sits on Brazil’s Costa Verde in Rio state. This historic town, dating back to 1667, showcases architecture that has remained unchanged for over 250 years. Set against jungle-covered mountains and fringed by around 50 beaches and 65 islands, Paraty is ideal for diving, hiking and cycling. It also hosts the FLIP International Literary Festival each July and the Paraty Bourbon Jazz Festival since 2009.
Private Tour of Paraty
On this guided tour, explore on foot the colonial treasures of Paraty and hear exciting tales that offer insight into the history of this picturesque colonial town. Highlights here include four beautiful churches and two colonial forts. The charming, car-free town centre is listed on the National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage, and you can still find horses and carts in use here.
Group Tour of Waterfalls and Cachaça Distillery
Discover two sides of Paraty on this fun-filled tour. Start with a trip to the Serra da Bocaina National Forest, a protected Atlantic tropical rainforest. Visit the stunning Pedra Branca waterfall and spot local wildlife with your expert guide. Then head to Tobogã waterfall, where you can slide 90 feet down a smooth rock into a natural pool, if you like. Next, stop by a cachaça distillery to see how Brazil’s famous sugarcane spirit is made and aged in wooden barrels. End the tour with lunch by the Perequê River, where you can also enjoy a refreshing dip before heading back.
Ilha Grande
Travel in a shared vehicle from your hotel in Paraty to your hotel in Ilha Grande.
Ilha Grande, a rugged island of waterfalls, mountains and hidden bays, offers the ultimate outdoor escape. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this tropical paradise has a laid-back vibe. Once home to a high-security prison, the long isolation helped preserve the area’s natural beauty. Accessible only by boat, the island is now a state park and nature reserve. Hike forest trails, discover quiet beaches and coves, and snorkel in clear waters teeming with marine life. Ilha Grande’s social centre is the village of Abraão, which has a few bars and restaurants. There are no cars, banks, ATMs and other signs of modernisation, adding to its charm.
Included Activities at Caicara Ilha Grande
Caiçara Pousada is a relaxed beachfront guest house on Abraão Beach, within walking distance of the pier and Vila do Abraão centre. When you book a three-night stay at this charming property you can enjoy an included guided trip to the stunning, secluded Lopes Mendes Beach. Accessible only by foot or boat, it’s famed for its white sand, clear waters and surf-friendly waves. Take a scenic boat ride via Pouso Beach, followed by a 20-minute walk to Lopes Mendes, where you can relax and soak up the views. Alternatively, join a trek along a 4.5-mile trail, which is steep and challenging in parts. An expert guide will accompany you, and share insights along the way.
Rio de Janeiro
Travel in a public boat from Abraao to the mainland. Once you reach, you will be transferred to Rio de Janeiro in a private vehicle. This is approximately a four-hour journey.
Group Cagarras Island Boat Tour
Set off on a thrilling speedboat trip to the Cagarras Archipelago. This is a great way to take in Rio’s stunning coastline from the water. Depart from Urca Pier, passing the historic São João Baptista Fortress and circling the iconic Sugarloaf Mountain. Stop at Praia Vermelha (Red Beach) for a swim or to enjoy the views, then cruise past Copacabana and Ipanema beaches. Cross Guanabara Bay to the uninhabited Cagarras Islands, where you can swim and snorkel alongside turtles, tropical fish, and possibly dolphins. Your skipper will share insights into the area’s rich marine life. On the way back, pass the Santa Cruz Fortress, Adao and Eva beaches. See the Niterói Contemporary Art Museum before returning to shore.
On your last day, a Portuguese-speaking chauffeur will drive you to the airport. Catch your international flight to your next destination.
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Includes
- Meals and accommodations as specified in the itinerary
- Transportation services as specified in the itinerary
- Any excursions and activities as specified in the itinerary
- Your Trip Coordination Team: Dedicated support throughout your journey, with a primary, personal point of contact. Plus, in case of emergencies while you’re traveling, our trip coordination team are available 24/7 by phone
Excludes
- Entrance fees and meals, unless mentioned in the itinerary description
- Tips and personal expenses
- Visa and tourism fees
- Travel, health, and cancellation insurance
- International airfare
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