3-Week Brazil Tour Packages
Have you imagined biking through Buenos Aires' Palermo parks, and diving into three weeks across Brazil? You'll experience Iguazu's 275 waterfalls, Salvador's Pelourinho colonial center, Amazon rainforest lodges, Rio's Sugarloaf Mountain, São Paulo's street art, and immerse yourself in South America's largest country properly. What an adventure!
Insider tips: Recommended 3-week Brazil tour itineraries
Compiled by
NadineBrazil travel expert at TourRadar
17 Day Argentina & Brazil Itinerary, incl. Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro
A 17-day Brazilian adventure showcases 4 remarkable cities. Marvel at Foz do Iguacu's cascades, ascend to Rio's Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain, wander colonial Paraty's coastal beauty, and relax on Vila do Abraao's beaches. Daily breakfast and transfers included.
- Days 1-3
Buenos Aires
Start exploring Argentina's bustling capital. Visit La Boca early morning for the best photo light. Take a bike tour through upscale Recoleta and leafy Palermo. End your day at a tango show in San Telmo – pick the 10:30 PM show since locals don't eat until after 9 PM anyway.
- Days 4-7
Iguazu Falls Region
Book a "cama suite" overnight bus to Puerto Iguazu for better sleep. Spend your first day getting used to the town and tropical weather. Visit the Argentine side of the falls right when it opens at 8 AM to avoid crowds and heat. Head to Devil's Throat first before it gets packed. The Brazilian side has a shorter trail but gets you closer to the falls. Your phone will get wet, so bring a waterproof case.
- Days 8-11
Rio de Janeiro
After another overnight bus, settle into Copacabana. It's close to the beach and has good transport options. Visit Sugarloaf Mountain around 4 PM to see both daytime views and sunset. Before going to Christ the Redeemer, check the webcam – morning fog usually sticks around until 10 AM. The "Big Dude" tour covers main attractions well, but leave time to wander through artsy Santa Teresa on your own.
- Days 12-13
Paraty
Plan for a 4-hour trip from Rio – longer on weekends. Watch your step on the historic center's slick cobblestones. "The boat trip to the nearby islands was a highlight – but book a smaller boat tour instead of the larger party boats for a more relaxed experience," one traveler shared.
- Days 14-17
Ilha Grande
Catch the first boat from Angra dos Reis to get the most out of your island time. Book a place in Vila do Abraão where everything happens. Get to Lopes Mendes beach early before others arrive. Take the 10 AM boat back instead of the 1 PM one to avoid missing your flight from Rio due to coastal traffic.
15 Day Brazil & Argentina Itinerary, incl. Iguazu Falls and Rio de Janeiro
A 15-day Brazilian tour winds through 6 vibrant cities. Stand before Iguazu Falls' Devil's Throat and Rio's Christ the Redeemer. Immerse in São Paulo's urban energy, cruise Paraty's waters on Netuno II, and spend 3 nights in Ilha Grande's tropical paradise before Rio's finale.
- Days 1-3
Iguazu Falls
Begin your journey in Puerto Iguazu, Argentina. Spend your first full day exploring the Argentine side. Take the Lower Trail to see Two Sisters and Bossetti Falls, then catch the Jungle Train to Devil's Throat. Start at Devil's Throat early (7:45 AM pickup) to beat the crowds and catch stunning morning rainbows in the mist. Visit the Brazilian side on day two for excellent panoramic views. The walkways are shorter but perfect for photos. Don't forget a waterproof phone case. You'll need it at Devil's Throat.
- Days 4-6
São Paulo
Take a night bus from Foz do Iguacu (15 hours). Pack warm layers since the buses run cold. Stay in Vila Madalena to be close to great street art and cafes. Check out the Sunday antique fair at Praça Benedito Calixto for local culture and live Brazilian music.
- Days 7-8
Paraty
An easy 7-hour bus ride brings you to this colonial town. The historic center's streets flood at high tide, so bring water-resistant sandals. Take a boat to nearby islands for snorkeling. Boats leave the main pier at 10 AM. Looking for the clearest water? Head to Praia do Pontal, about 40 minutes from the harbor.
- Days 9-11
Ilha Grande
Catch the 8:30 AM transfer via Angra dos Reis to reach this car-free island. Stay in the main town, Vila do Abraão. The hike to Lopes Mendes beach takes about 2.5 hours. It's challenging but rewards you with one of Brazil's most beautiful beaches. Stick to marked trails to avoid getting lost in the Atlantic Forest.
- Days 12-15
Rio de Janeiro
Welcome to the Cidade Maravilhosa. Take the morning boat from Ilha Grande to arrive in daylight. Start your city tour at Christ the Redeemer before clouds appear (usually by 11 AM). Visit the Selaron Steps in Lapa in mid-afternoon for the best photos. End your day at Sugarloaf Mountain for sunset. The last cable car goes up at 7:40 PM.
Buenos Aires to Rio Explorer (16 destinations)
A 17-day trip through Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil hits 11 destinations including Buenos Aires, UNESCO-listed Barrio Historico in Colonia del Sacramento, and Rio de Janeiro. Spend 3 nights at an estancia near Mercedes with traditional asado dinners and horseback riding, then see both sides of Iguazu Falls.
Buenos Aires Argentina
34 miColonia del sacramento Uruguay
215 miTacuarembo Uruguay
432 miPuerto Iguazu Argentina
3 miFoz Do Iguacu Brazil
Iguazu Falls Argentina
3 miPuerto Iguazu Argentina
739 miShow 4 more
Rio de Janeiro Brazil
98 miParaty Brazil
9 miTrindade Brazil
9 miParaty Brazil
31 miIlha Grande Brazil
3 miVila do Abraao Brazil
3 miIlha Grande Brazil
17 miMangaratiba Brazil
53 miRio de Janeiro Brazil
Brazil 20 Day Tour Packages You'll Love
Buenos Aires to Rio with Paraty and Ilha Grande(17 Days)
Iguazu to Rio + Paraty and Ilha Grande (15 Days)
Buenos Aires to Rio Explorer (16 destinations)
Pantanal and Beaches - Iguazu Falls to Rio Adventure (20 Days)
Along the Amazon and the Rio Negro - An Exclusive Cruise through Pristine and Hidden Nature - Rio, vibrant and timeless, and an exceptional stay at Iguazu Falls (port-to-port cruise)
Buenos Aires to Rio Explorer (19 destinations)
Rio to Iguazu Falls + Ilha Grande and Paraty (15 days)
The Great Brazil Round Trip
Brasilianisches Quartett
Brasilien Rundreise - 17 Tage authentische Kontraste
What people love about 3-week Brazil tours
- Buenos Aires to Rio Explorer
Hi did this trip as one of the four legs of the longer "South American Explorer" trip. It was excellent and I had an awesome time. It was run efficiently with lots of support for those who wanted it but the freedom to do what you want for those who don't want to be stuck with the group. The accomodation is hotels and a homestay and I thought this was very good value for money too. Overall I would say to look to see if the program suits you as you do move a fair bit, but the point of the Basix style tours is to allow you to see lots of places fairly cheaply and quickly. So if that's not what you're looking for it's not for you. It does also include overnight bus journeys. Some people hate this, but I find that the buses are very good and that it allows you to fit more into your trip. I would definitely recommend this trip to people. If you want to see photos or more details of what the trip included day to day I wrote a travel blog of all the places we visited on the tour, which you can find at: robyn-in-southamerica.blogspot.com
Rio, Illa grande and Iguazu were amazing and all travel arrangements were efficiently sorted out . I was disappointed in São Paulo as I had to make my own arrangements to the hotel and back to the bus station . It is a huge city and I felt intimated and did not do any tours. This is a concrete jungle and only known for good food . I just walked around the hotel to food and craft markets. Overall good value for my tour and great country to visit .
Rio to Iguazu Falls + Ilha Grande and Paraty (15 days)
