Brazil in 10 Days

Complete Itinerary: Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo & Salvador

Day 1-5: Rio de Janeiro (5 days)

Day 1: Christ the Redeemer (R$97 van + entrance, book online to skip line). Sunset at Sugarloaf Mountain (R$140 cable car). ICONIC views - worth every centavo!

Day 2: Copacabana Beach morning walk (FREE), Ipanema Beach afternoon (FREE). Evening: Lapa arches, samba clubs (cover R$30-60). Try caipirinha R$15-25!

Day 3: Santa Teresa neighborhood (bohemian, street art, FREE to walk), Selarón Steps (FREE colorful mosaic stairs), Lapa neighborhood nightlife.

Day 4: Tijuca Forest hike (FREE, largest urban forest), waterfalls, or hang gliding Pedra Bonita (R$500-800 tandem flight - bucket list!).

Day 5: Day trip: Ilha Grande (3h bus R$100 + ferry R$30) pristine beaches OR Búzios (2.5h bus R$80, charming beach town). Both beautiful!

Day 6-8: São Paulo or Salvador

Option A - São Paulo (cosmopolitan): Flight Rio-SP (1h, R$200-400). MASP Museum (R$60, iconic building), Ibirapuera Park (FREE), Paulista Avenue, Japanese food in Liberdade (best outside Japan!). Museums close Mondays.

Option B - Salvador (Afro-Brazilian culture): Flight Rio-Salvador (2h, R$300-600). Pelourinho historic center (UNESCO, colorful colonial buildings FREE), capoeira shows (R$40-80), African cuisine acarajé R$10-15.

Day 9-10: Iguazu Falls or Back to Rio

Option A - Iguazu Falls: Flight R$400-800. World's most impressive waterfalls (bigger than Niagara!). Brazilian side (R$89) for panoramic views, Argentine side (AR$8,000) for close-up walkways. 2 days needed for both sides.

Option B - More Rio: Botanical Garden (R$72), Maracanã Stadium tour (R$80), favela tour with local guide (R$150-250, safe with guide), beach kiosks sunset.

Transportation

• Rio Metro: R$5.80 single, R$19 day pass (Copa-Ipanema line essential)
• Uber/99: Very affordable, safer than buses at night (R$15-40 most trips)
• Domestic flights: Book in advance Gol/Azul/LATAM (R$200-600)
• Intercity buses: Comfortable, cheap (Rio-SP R$100-150, 6h)
• Rio taxis: Use apps only - street taxis may overcharge tourists

Food

• Kilo restaurant: R$40-60/kg (pile plate high, weigh it!)
• Pão de queijo: R$3-6 (cheese bread snack)
• Açaí bowl: R$15-30 (healthy breakfast)
• Feijoada (national dish): R$50-80 per person
• Beach beer: R$8-15 (vendors walk beach with coolers)
• Churrascaria rodízio: R$80-150 all-you-can-eat grilled meat
• Coxinha/pastel street snacks: R$5-10

Language and Culture

Language: Portuguese (NOT Spanish!). English limited outside tourist areas. Key phrases: "Quanto custa?" (how much), "Obrigado/a" (thanks).

Safety: Stay aware. Don't flash expensive items. Use Uber at night. Favela tours ONLY with guides. Tourist areas generally safe daytime.

Tipping: 10% service charge usually included. Round up if not.

Best Time to Visit

• Summer (Dec-Feb): HOT (35°C+), beach season, Carnival Feb/Mar, very crowded
• Fall (Mar-May): Perfect weather, fewer crowds, reasonable prices
• Winter (Jun-Aug): Mild (20-25°C), dry, cheapest, good for cities
• Spring (Sep-Nov): Warm, flowers, moderate crowds
• Carnival: Feb/Mar (2025: Feb 28-Mar 5) - book 6+ months ahead!

Money-Saving Tips

• Eat at kilo restaurants - fresh food, you control portions/cost
• Beach vendors cheaper than kiosks (beer R$8 vs R$15)
• Free activities: ALL beaches free, hiking, walking tours
• Buy water at supermarkets R$3 vs R$8 tourist areas
• Happy hour (after work): Beer R$5-8, snacks included
• Stay in Flamengo/Botafogo (cheaper than Copacabana, same metro access)