Beaches and Waterfalls
An amazing trip around the highlights of Southern Brazil
Personalised journeys from start to finish
Every trip helps support Conservation
Every detail taken care of
What's included
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All internal flights
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Private airport transfers throughout
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All accommodation including breakfast (some hotels may include more meals & activities)
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Private tour of the Argentinean Side of the falls
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Speedboat trip at the falls
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Private full day tour of Rio
At a glance
This holiday to Brazil is a great balance of relaxing, beach and exploring. You begin your trip with a stay the at beach village of Buzios, often dubbed the Saint-Tropez of Brazil. Here you can enjoy many stunning beaches, a good nightlife and excellent restaurants.
You then head down to the breathtaking Iguassu falls in the south before finishing your trip with a balance of city life (and more beach) in Rio de Janeiro. You’ll have plenty of time to really get to know Rio and enjoy all it has to offer.
Example trip itinerary
Buzios
Transfer
Private transfer to Buzios
Accommodation in Buzios
- Restaurants & Bars
- Wellness centre
- Two private boats
- Fresh water and salt water pools
- Dry and steam saunas
- Oforu Japanese Bath and Jacuzzi
Insolito’s arrival in Buzios has really raised the standard for luxury accommodation in the area. The rooms are beautifully decorated in a chic style with retro references, and with great views across the bay.
The communal areas are equally well decorated and appointed with an excellent restaurant, jacuzzis, wet and dry sauna, spa, sea water pool and a beautiful fresh water infinity pool as well. The Belgian chef excels in desserts: the chocolate mousse we found in our room upon arrival was particularly memorable!
This the most luxurious and stylish hotel in Buzios, so if you love design, you’ll undoubtedly love Insolito. Just a few minutes by taxi from the waterfront where you’ll find the restaurants and bars of Buzios, Insolito benefits from being in a quiet area, yet within easy reach of the action.
- 32 rooms
- Pool & Spa
- Two restaurants
- Beach lounge on Brava beach
Casas Brancas is one of Buzios’ coolest hotels. Formerly two colonial mansions, the hotel’s whitewashed walls and understated high-quality decor make it a great place to relax and unwind.
The hotel is superbly located, looking out across the sea but also close to the main ‘Rua das Pedras’ street where many of the best restaurants and bars are to be found.
The facilities at Casas Brancas include a pleasant pool area and veranda, and excellent spa facilities.
- Two pools
- Jacuzzi
- Steam sauna
- Restaurant
- Fifteen rooms
Located in the village overlooking the sea Villa D’Este is an excellent boutique hotel option in Buzios. The rooms are tastefully decorated with the whitewashed walls and in keeping with the tangible Mediterranean feel of Buzios.
Rooms are comfortable and the hotel has two small but well positioned pools which offer stunning views across the bay.
The highlight of the hotel is the excellent master suite with a spacious private balcony including a private swimming pool.
Five Days in Buzios
Spend your time relaxing and enjoying the beautiful seaside town of Buzios. You'll have our guide to the best restaurants and beaches so you can make the most of your time here.
Iguassu Falls
Transfer
Private Transfer from Buzios to Rio Airport
Flight
Flight from Rio to Iguassu
Transfer
Private transfer from Iguassu airport to your hotel
Accommodation in Iguassu Falls
- Large outdoor pool
- Children's pool
- Cataratas Spa with five treatment rooms
- Cataratas Spa with 5 treatment rooms
- Poolside Restaurant
- Indoor restaurant with Veranda
- Bar with live music
- Tennis Court
Actually inside the national park on the Brazilian side, this luxury property is ideally located. Walking out from the lobby one can hear the thunder of the falls and the hotel is surrounded by lush tropical rainforest.
The hotel has been recently refurbished throughout to a high standard and in keeping with the colonial mansion style of the hotel’s original design.
The hotel has large rooms with high ceilings, hard wood flooring and period style furniture. There is a large pool area in the rear to relax at with a drink after a day exploring the falls.
- 169 rooms
- Spa
- Restaurant with views of the falls
- Outdoor pool
- Heated indoor pool
- Tennis Court
- Gym
The Melia Iguazu is the only hotel within the grounds of the national park on the Argentinean side of the Falls.
It has 169 modern rooms of a good standard – some of which feature views of the falls – which are only a short walk away.
There are a wide range of dining facilities, with the ‘Garganta del Diablo’ restaurant one of the best in the area, as well as swimming pools, spa and a gym.
- 14 rooms
- Set in 360 hectares private nature reserve
- Extensive library
- Lounge
- Restaurant
- Walkways
- Watchtower
- Swimming pool
Located in unspoilt rainforest some thirty minutes away from the park and nearby town, Puerto Bemberg is a beautifully refurbished colonial building and a very comfortable oasis from which to explore. This is a hotel for those who wish to do more than see just the falls allowing guests to see more of the surrounding area and the lush rainforest around it. Being based here rather than in the town, one has a much closer connection with the nature and landscape.
There are fourteen comfortable and well appointed rooms, decorated in a modern-rustic style with earthy hues, and antique furniture with comfortable king size beds and verandas looking out over the garden.
The hotel has a good sized swimming pool and walkways through the grounds including one runway which extends out along the tree tops for an amazing view of the landscape below. There’s a real charm and history to this location and the hotel’s design both encompasses and respects that aspect; the homely communal areas including a library, living room and art collection.
Activities possible within the 380-hectare grounds include: Bird and animal watching, trekking through the jungle, motorboat trips on the river and visits to other waterfalls. The hotel is 45-minute ‘door to door’ to Igaussu Falls.
Private tour to Iguassu Falls Argentinean side, including boat trip
A stunning tour of Iguassu, where you'll get a chance to really get up close to the falls. Your guide will pick you up from your hotel and bring you by private vehicle to the entrance of the park on the Argentinian side. You'll then be taking the rest of the tour mainly on foot. Exploring the various wooden walkways that lead through the national park close up to the many chutes of the falls.
One of the most spectacular sites of the falls is the Devil's Throat, which sees the largest flow of water. In order to visit the Devil’s Throat, you must board the train at the Main Station or at the Cataratas Station, close to the Upper Circuit. For those who love trekking, there's the one-kilometre-long Sendero Verde (Green Trail) that connects the Visitors Centre to the Cataratas Station and to the Upper Circuit.
Once you're at the Devil’s Throat Station, you'll have to walk for 1.100 metres on a flat catwalk built over the Upper Iguassu River. This catwalk crosses several islands. Once you get to the end of the catwalks, you'll be surprised by a strategic lookout point resting on the side of the gorgeous Devil’s Throat.
Gran Aventura by Boat
Going up river in these boats specially prepared to get to the base of Iguassu Falls and to be able to admire and feel them from up close. Whirlpools, waves and currents provoked by the Falls make this an unmissable part of any visit to the park.
Your guide will bring you to the starting point where large trucks specially adapted to this tour will take you and the other visitors to explore six kilometres in the humid subtropical forest as far as the banks of the Iguazu River, downstream from the Falls. From here you will board special high powered Zodiac boats that will take you, at high speed, to enjoy one of the most unforgettable experiences in the region: the direct and wet contact with the mighty Iguassu Falls. After this incredible trip participants will get off the boat at the base of the Falls, on catwalk that connects to the lower visitation circuit of the Falls. This tour can be started in the reverse direction, from this catwalk downwards ending with the jungle truck ride.
Transfer
Private transfer from your hotel to Iguassu airport
Flight
Flight from Iguassu to Rio
Rio de Janeiro
Transfer
Private transfer GIG Airport to Rio de Janeiro and Hotel
Accommodation in Rio de Janeiro
- Rooftop infinity pool
- Fasano Al-Mare Seafood Restaurant
- Baretto-Londra Bar
- Lobby Bar
- Beach Service
- Spa
The Fasano Rio is the most stylish hotel in Rio. Set on Ipanema beach front and designed by Phillipe Starck, this is a stunning property. The Fasano brings an air of understated cool and luxury that has been somewhat lacking in some of the other beach-front hotels in Rio.
The rooms are immaculately decorated with a combination of period pieces, original artwork and chic-modern style. We recommend the Deluxe sea view category or above. Each has a private balcony with views out to sea and king size beds with Egyptian cotton sheets and goose down pillows. For that extra touch of luxury and pampering, there is also butler service.
The facilities include an excellent bar, perhaps the city’s best seafood restaurant and a stunning rooftop infinity pool.
- Large outdoor pool area
- Rooftop tennis court
- Beach service
- Gym
- Spa
- Hair Salon
- Two restaurants
- Two bars
An iconic hotel for an iconic city, the Copacabana Palace is synonymous with Rio de Janeiro and is very much a destination in itself.
The rooms, facilities and service here are truly first class and you will feel very special lounging in the beautiful pool area, which is one of the most elegant in all the city.
The hotel is a short distance from the more fashionable districts (Copacabana no longer being the top of the pile) and you may find yourself making a short taxi ride to the best restaurants, bars and beaches.
Service at the Copacabana Palace is the best in the city.
- Two pools including large infinity pool with panoramic views
- Lounge
- Private dining (on request)
This luxury boutique hotel is a very different, and much more personal experience than the large beach front chain hotels. Set in an exclusive hill-side neighbourhood surrounded by ocean and rainforest, the pace of life here is slower and more refined. The nine rooms and communal areas are all immaculately decorated, each with their own individual style.
All rooms come with a sea view, and exquisite bathrooms. The communal areas also look out across the sea and the lush tropical vegetation and it’s not uncommon to see monkeys playing in the trees as you enjoy your breakfast on the veranda.
Being the size it is, the hotel cannot offer the same level of infrastructure as its larger competitors. However, the owners are very accommodating and will do their very best to make you feel special during your stay, and this is surely one of the most romantic places to stay in Rio.
The Hotel, being located as it is, is a fifteen minute taxi ride from the best districts for restaurants and beaches. But this is the sacrifice for such an exclusive and unique location, there is also a stunning beach just a short distance from the hotel itself.
- Small Rooftop pool
- Spa area
- Gym
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Beach service
Located in the elegant upmarket neighbourhood of Leblon, the Marina All Suites is close to many of the best restaurants in Rio and is located directly on the beach.
This is arguably one of the best positions in the city and this is the only five star hotel in Leblon. In addition to the standard suites, there are a number of individually designed suites each with their own character. This is a smaller hotel and lacks some of the infrastructure of its larger competitors, however this helps to give a ’boutique’ feel with more personal service.
- Pool
- Full spa
- Restaurant
- Lounge
Set in the charming old colonial neighbourhood of Santa Teresa this hotel offers a different approach to the Rio experience away from the high rise beach hotels. The location up on the hill offers a great viewpoint from which to admire the city and an oasis of calm in which to relax.
The hotel has full spa facilities, beautifully decorated rooms and great pool area. Formally a colonial farm house the building has been carefully restored and converted with its history in mind and a light modern touch; using old woods and natural fabric but cut with clean modern lines. Rooms are also equipped with all modern comforts that you would expect in a contemporary luxury hotel.
Five days in Rio
Day free to explore and Enjoy the city at your leisure. You'll have a full set of recommendations and advice from us on how best to enjoy the city.
Private full day tour of Rio
You will be met at your hotel by your expert, English-speaking Carioca guide and a private vehicle will be waiting to start your city tour of Rio. What's in the tour exactly is up to you, and according your pace and preference it will include the following elements.
Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado mountain
Christ the Redeemer statue is Rio’s most famous attraction with his arms stretched out, he looks to be blessing the entire city. At 710 metres above the centre on the Corcovado hill, the statue is surrounded by wide, open terraces from where you get unbeatable vistas of the city's impressive littoral, the southern neighbourhoods of Copacabana and Ipanema, the Lagoon, the Sugar Loaf and the town of Niterói.
Visit the neighbourhood of Santa Teresa
The faded grandeur of this part of the city, often referred to as the Montmartre of Rio, set into the hills close to the centre of town, still retains a rich cultural atmosphere of art, music and history. Mansions line the narrow streets struggling with the encroaching vegetation and incline, and is still home to many painters cafes and artists studios. You can stop for a drink or lunch at one of the many charming restaurants, bistros and cafes that populate Santa Teresa’s lively streets. Your guide will also take you to the Ruins Park, a cultural centre in the remains of a 19th century house which has a Belvedere that commands some of the best views over Rio.
Tour the historic centre of Rio
Your guide will escort you through the narrow 19th century streets at your required pace, stopping at the magnificent Baroque churches and the ruins of the old port from where most of Brazil’s gold left for its long journey to Europe. You will also see many other culturally interesting and historical attractions that illustrate the city’s rich and varied heritage.
Visit Sugar Loaf mountain
This massive granite rock, 396 metres tall, is one of the city’s most emblematic landmarks, adorning many a postcard. You will take the cable car with your guide from the Guanabara Bay entrance in the Urca district. At the zenith the view of Rio and its neighbourhoods sprawled over bays, coves, and appearing from dense green hillsides is unrivalled and quite spectacular.
Transfer
Private transfer to Rio de Janeiro airport
We design private journeys for people who wish to go beyond the typical and experiencing something truly special. Our amazing team of travel designers, concierges and local guides work together to create unique journeys that get deep under the skin of where you’re visiting.
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Beaches and Waterfalls
How we work
This holiday to Brazil is a great balance of relaxing, beach and exploring. You begin your trip with a stay the at beach village of Buzios, often dubbed the Saint-Tropez of Brazil. Here you can enjoy many stunning beaches, a good nightlife and excellent restaurants. You then head down to the breathtaking Iguassu falls in the south before finishing your trip with a balance of city life (and more beach) in Rio de Janeiro. You’ll have plenty of time to really get to know Rio and enjoy all it has to offer. | Whats included?
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Days 1-6 |
Buzios |
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Flights & transfers
Private transfer to Buzios |
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Accommodation in Buzios
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Insolito - $$$$$
Insolito’s arrival in Buzios has really raised the standard for luxury accommodation in...
•
Casas Brancas - $$$$$
Casas Brancas is one of Buzios’ coolest hotels. Formerly two colonial mansions, the...
•
Vila D’Este - $$$$$
Located in the village overlooking the sea Villa D’Este is an excellent boutique hotel...
|
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| Five Days in Buzios Spend your time relaxing and enjoying the beautiful seaside town of Buzios. You'll have our guide to the best restaurants and beaches so you can make the most of your time here. |
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Days 6-8 |
Iguassu Falls |
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Flights & transfers
Private Transfer from Buzios to Rio Airport |
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| Flight from Rio to Iguassu | |
| Private transfer from Iguassu airport to your hotel | |
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Accommodation in Iguassu Falls
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Hotel Das Cataratas - $$$$$
Actually inside the national park on the Brazilian side, this luxury property is ideally...
•
Melia Iguazu - $$$$$
The Melia Iguazu is the only hotel within the grounds of the national park on the Argentinean...
•
Puerto Bemberg - $$$$$
Located in unspoilt rainforest some thirty minutes away from the park and nearby town, Puerto...
|
|
| Private tour to Iguassu Falls Argentinean side, including boat trip A stunning tour of Iguassu, where you'll get a chance to really get up close to the falls. Your guide will pick you up from your hotel and bring you by private vehicle to the entrance of the park on the Argentinian side. You'll then be taking the rest of the tour mainly on foot. Exploring the various wooden walkways that lead through the national park close up to the many chutes of the falls. One of the most spectacular sites of the falls is the Devil's Throat, which sees the largest flow of water. In order to visit the Devil’s Throat, you must board the train at the Main Station or at the Cataratas Station, close to the Upper Circuit. For those who love trekking, there's the one-kilometre-long Sendero Verde (Green Trail) that connects the Visitors Centre to the Cataratas Station and to the Upper Circuit. Once you're at the Devil’s Throat Station, you'll have to walk for 1.100 metres on a flat catwalk built over the Upper Iguassu River. This catwalk crosses several islands. Once you get to the end of the catwalks, you'll be surprised by a strategic lookout point resting on the side of the gorgeous Devil’s Throat. |
|
| Private tour to Iguassu Falls Argentinean side, including boat trip A stunning tour of Iguassu, where you'll get a chance to really get up close to the falls. Your guide will pick you up from your hotel and bring you by private vehicle to the entrance of the park on the Argentinian side. You'll then be taking the rest of the tour mainly on foot. Exploring the various wooden walkways that lead through the national park close up to the many chutes of the falls. One of the most spectacular sites of the falls is the Devil's Throat, which sees the largest flow of water. In order to visit the Devil’s Throat, you must board the train at the Main Station or at the Cataratas Station, close to the Upper Circuit. For those who love trekking, there's the one-kilometre-long Sendero Verde (Green Trail) that connects the Visitors Centre to the Cataratas Station and to the Upper Circuit. Once you're at the Devil’s Throat Station, you'll have to walk for 1.100 metres on a flat catwalk built over the Upper Iguassu River. This catwalk crosses several islands. Once you get to the end of the catwalks, you'll be surprised by a strategic lookout point resting on the side of the gorgeous Devil’s Throat. |
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Flights & transfers
Private transfer from your hotel to Iguassu airport |
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| Flight from Iguassu to Rio | |
Days 8-13 |
Rio de Janeiro |
|
Flights & transfers
Private transfer GIG Airport to Rio de Janeiro and Hotel |
|
|
Accommodation in Rio de Janeiro
•
Fasano Rio - $$$$$
The Fasano Rio is the most stylish hotel in Rio. Set on Ipanema beach front and designed by...
•
Copacabana Palace - $$$$$
An iconic hotel for an iconic city, the Copacabana Palace is synonymous with Rio de Janeiro...
•
La Suite - $$$$$
This luxury boutique hotel is a very different, and much more personal experience than the...
•
Marina All Suites - $$$$$
Located in the elegant upmarket neighbourhood of Leblon, the Marina All Suites is close to...
•
Hotel Santa Teresa - $$$$$
Set in the charming old colonial neighbourhood of Santa Teresa this hotel offers a different...
|
|
| Five days in Rio Day free to explore and Enjoy the city at your leisure. You'll have a full set of recommendations and advice from us on how best to enjoy the city. |
|
| Private full day tour of Rio You will be met at your hotel by your expert, English-speaking Carioca guide and a private vehicle will be waiting to start your city tour of Rio. What's in the tour exactly is up to you, and according your pace and preference it will include the following elements. |
|
| Private tour of Rio de Janeiro You'll be met at your hotel by your expert, English-speaking Carioca guide and a private vehicle will be waiting to start your city tour of Rio. Your guide will tailor the tour to how you wish, taking into account your pace and preference. Enjoy a tour of the Santa Teresa neighbourhood, often referred to as the Montmartre of Rio, set into the hills close to the centre of town, which still retains a rich cultural atmosphere of art, music and history. Then head over to the historic centre of Rio where your guide will escort you through the narrow 19th-century streets at your required pace, stopping at the magnificent Baroque churches and the ruins of the old port from where most of Brazil’s gold left for its long journey to Europe. Next, you'll choose between visiting Christ the Redeemer or Sugar Loaf Mountain, Rio’s most famous attractions. At 710 metres above the centre on the Corcovado Hill, the statue of Christ is surrounded by wide, open terraces from where you get unbeatable vistas of the city's impressive littoral, the southern neighbourhoods of Copacabana and Ipanema, the lagoon, the Sugar Loaf and the town of Niterói. Sugar Loaf Mountain is a massive granite rock, which sits 396 metres tall and is one of the city’s most emblematic landmarks, adorning many a postcard. |
|
| Private tour of Rio de Janeiro You'll be met at your hotel by your expert, English-speaking Carioca guide and a private vehicle will be waiting to start your city tour of Rio. Your guide will tailor the tour to how you wish, taking into account your pace and preference. Enjoy a tour of the Santa Teresa neighbourhood, often referred to as the Montmartre of Rio, set into the hills close to the centre of town, which still retains a rich cultural atmosphere of art, music and history. Then head over to the historic centre of Rio where your guide will escort you through the narrow 19th-century streets at your required pace, stopping at the magnificent Baroque churches and the ruins of the old port from where most of Brazil’s gold left for its long journey to Europe. Next, you'll choose between visiting Christ the Redeemer or Sugar Loaf Mountain, Rio’s most famous attractions. At 710 metres above the centre on the Corcovado Hill, the statue of Christ is surrounded by wide, open terraces from where you get unbeatable vistas of the city's impressive littoral, the southern neighbourhoods of Copacabana and Ipanema, the lagoon, the Sugar Loaf and the town of Niterói. Sugar Loaf Mountain is a massive granite rock, which sits 396 metres tall and is one of the city’s most emblematic landmarks, adorning many a postcard. |
|
| Private tour of Rio de Janeiro You'll be met at your hotel by your expert, English-speaking Carioca guide and a private vehicle will be waiting to start your city tour of Rio. Your guide will tailor the tour to how you wish, taking into account your pace and preference. Enjoy a tour of the Santa Teresa neighbourhood, often referred to as the Montmartre of Rio, set into the hills close to the centre of town, which still retains a rich cultural atmosphere of art, music and history. Then head over to the historic centre of Rio where your guide will escort you through the narrow 19th-century streets at your required pace, stopping at the magnificent Baroque churches and the ruins of the old port from where most of Brazil’s gold left for its long journey to Europe. Next, you'll choose between visiting Christ the Redeemer or Sugar Loaf Mountain, Rio’s most famous attractions. At 710 metres above the centre on the Corcovado Hill, the statue of Christ is surrounded by wide, open terraces from where you get unbeatable vistas of the city's impressive littoral, the southern neighbourhoods of Copacabana and Ipanema, the lagoon, the Sugar Loaf and the town of Niterói. Sugar Loaf Mountain is a massive granite rock, which sits 396 metres tall and is one of the city’s most emblematic landmarks, adorning many a postcard. |
|
| Private tour of Rio de Janeiro You'll be met at your hotel by your expert, English-speaking Carioca guide and a private vehicle will be waiting to start your city tour of Rio. Your guide will tailor the tour to how you wish, taking into account your pace and preference. Enjoy a tour of the Santa Teresa neighbourhood, often referred to as the Montmartre of Rio, set into the hills close to the centre of town, which still retains a rich cultural atmosphere of art, music and history. Then head over to the historic centre of Rio where your guide will escort you through the narrow 19th-century streets at your required pace, stopping at the magnificent Baroque churches and the ruins of the old port from where most of Brazil’s gold left for its long journey to Europe. Next, you'll choose between visiting Christ the Redeemer or Sugar Loaf Mountain, Rio’s most famous attractions. At 710 metres above the centre on the Corcovado Hill, the statue of Christ is surrounded by wide, open terraces from where you get unbeatable vistas of the city's impressive littoral, the southern neighbourhoods of Copacabana and Ipanema, the lagoon, the Sugar Loaf and the town of Niterói. Sugar Loaf Mountain is a massive granite rock, which sits 396 metres tall and is one of the city’s most emblematic landmarks, adorning many a postcard. |
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Flights & transfers
Private transfer to Rio de Janeiro airport |
