Landing in Rio de Janeiro, our local representative will be waiting for you at the airport to greet and take you to your hotel. Once you’ve settled into your accommodation in Rio de Janeiro, the rest of the day is free to explore some of our favorite local spots. Stroll along the long boulevards next to the beaches of Ipanema, Leblon, and of course Copacabana while humming the song, Girl from Ipanema’. Along the way, you’ll find plenty of huts selling delicious freshly squeezed juices and coconuts which will refresh you as you soak up the breathtaking cityscape of Rio de Janeiro and realize why the city is known as The Marvelous City’!

Relax and watch the sunset at the beach before going out for dinner at one of the restaurants along the promenade. We recommend trying one of Brazil’s most famous and traditional dishes, feijoada carioca (a stew of beans with beef and pork served with white rice and farofa) washed down with a refreshing caipirinha cocktail or a local beer Brahma and Skol are our favorites! Following dinner, you can go back to your hotel to relax or go to one of the local samba bars to dance the night away!

Included: Transfer from Rio Airport to Hotel with English speaking driver; Accommodation in Rio. (Meals – None).

The tour starts at 9 am at the meeting point: in front of the famous “Copacabana Palace Hotel”, an icon of the ’30s / ’40s golden Copacabana years. After learning a bit about this place, you will walk a few blocks to get to the Subway Metro Station, main´s Carioca´s transport around the city every day. You will then reach the Municipal Theatre built on an eclectic style in the first years of the XX century, located in the center of the city. A few blocks away, you will find and jump in the Bondinho Santa Teresa, a cable car built in 1872 that runs on the top of an old aqueduct called Arcos da Lapa. After few stations, we reach the bohemian neighborhood of Santa Teresa, passing by many old antique mansions from the first years of the XX century. You will find here the Parque das Ruinas (closed on Mondays), an old Palace ruins that was rebuilt and became the center of many arts and cultural activities of the city with panoramic views in all its splendor. If clouds allow, you will see from here the City Center, Sugarloaf, Guanabara Bay, and many others. A few Kodak moments later, you will get to the Selarón Colourful Stairs, a cultural main spot at Lapa neighborhood, the core of the Carioca´s nights. Finally, you will enjoy the Confiteria Colombo, an old Art Nouveau coffee store from the latest 1800, chosen as one of the ten most beautiful coffee stores in the world (closed on Sundays). When this visit is over, you will either we dropped at the Sugarloaf to get into the cable car or take the metro back to the Copacabana Palace where the tour ends. Our guide will give you directions on how to get to the Christ the Redeemer by your own in the afternoon or can pre-buy your Christ the Redeemer entrance fee as availability can be little during some periods.

Following the tour and returning to your hotel or heading straight for the beach, the rest of the day is free to spend at leisure. Tonight keep to the beachside restaurants and feast on a long list of salgadinhos (finger food) such as fried cod cakes, all washed down with a nice cold caipirinha be careful though, their sweet and smooth taste packs quite a punch, so drink them with caution!

Included: Private excursion with Guide and Public Transportation; Accommodation in Rio. (Meals – Breakfast).

Day at leisure to take our optional tour: Backgrounds of Carnival

Rio is internationally recognized for its grandiose Carnival Parade and Samba. But only a few people know how the parades are made. With this tour, you will get to know the origins of this world known festivity, visiting the Sambadrome (Carnaval stadium) and its cultural center; the revitalized port area where the samba has its roots, including a visit to the charming port area neighborhood of Morro da Conceicao, an old hidden historical area nowadays full of artists and ateliers; the historical site Pedra do Sal, where the samba started, familiarize yourself with the African-Brazilian culture, the period of slavery and all the pillars that have supported the modern day Carnival. Undoubtedly the highlight of the tour is the visit to a samba school atelier, where you can experience how the carnival in Rio is being done behind the scenes and the impressive and gigantic work of designing and building all the magnificent floats that will be used in the famous parade at the Sambadrome during carnival.

Included: Accommodation in Rio. (Meals – Breakfast).

This morning a transfer will take you to Paraty. The Costa Verde is one of Brazil’s most spectacular stretches of coastline. No matter where you are arriving from, you’ll be sure to enjoy the journey where you’ll be able to admire the verdant green jungle-covered mountains that drop directly into the blue ocean. Waterfalls can also be seen tumbling down the sides, while golden stretches of sand appear between the palm trees at the back of the beaches. Situated amid jutting peninsulas and secluded beaches you’ll discover the colonial town of Paraty.

After settling into your hotel, your local private guide will pick you up from your accommodation to start the walking tour of Paraty. The town of Paraty is different from most of the other colonial towns as it full of character and originality which earned its spot as a Historic National Monument and as a UNESCO Heritage site. Your knowledgeable guide will take you through the narrow cobbled streets while telling you about the legends and history from the last century. Stopping along the way as several intricately decorated churches, the museum, and some of the old and beautifully restored houses. You’ll be happily snapping away and taking videos of this historic, living and breathing museum.

Following your walking tour and with a better understanding and orientation to the town, you have the rest of the day to relax and spend at your leisure. Paraty is one of the most well-known producers of Brazil’s sugar cane liquor, cachaça. In fact, Paraty and its surroundings are so renowned for the liquor that up until about a century ago, what is today called cachaça was actually known as Parati. You can head out to one of the nearby distilleries or just try your way through the many varieties at one of the artisan cachaça shops in the historical center.

Included: Group transfer from Rio to Paraty; Walking city tour with a private guide; Accommodation in Paraty. (Meals – Breakfast).

Note: Entrance fees are not included.

Day at leisure to take our optional tour: Schooner Cruise

Following pickup at your hotel in Paraty, transfer to the pier to board your boat. Meet your local guide and friendly crew, climb on board, and find a comfortable spot to soak up the sun and scenery. Admire the emerald-green waters of Paraty Bay, part of the Bay of Ilha Grande, as you sail out to sea. As the schooner sails among the 1,000 islands in the bay, the captain will pick 4 snorkel spots; the route and choice of snorkeling locations change every day.

The boat will always stop at Ilha Comprida, known by the locals as ‘nature’s aquarium’. Put on the provided mask, snorkel and flippers and jump in. Swim among large groups of tropical fish who are used to human interaction and will swim right up to snorkelers. The high-visibility conditions here make for fantastic underwater photo ops. Back onboard the boat, enjoy a snack of fruit and relax onboard as you return to the pier after a half-day of exploring Paraty Bay. Transfer to your Paraty hotel for drop-off.

Included: Accommodation in Paraty. (Meals – Breakfast).

Leaving Paraty behind, your transfer will take you to Angra port, where you’ll connect with the ferry that will take you to Ilha Grande. Please be mindful there are set departure times throughout the day.

The Costa Verde is one of Brazil’s most spectacular stretches of coastline. The small coastal town of Angra dos Reis, just a 2 hours drive from Paraty is where the smooth ferry ride to Ilha Grande will depart from, giving you plenty of time on-board to appreciate the magnificent scenery of mountains, jungle, cliffs, islands, bays and the deep blue ocean. After about 1 hour 30 minutes, the ferry will arrive at the charming main village of Ilha Grande, Vila do Abraão. Stretching quietly along the coast, you’ll be able to explore the beautiful main village of the island with its quaint church and palm trees after settling into your accommodation. As cars are prohibited on the island, in order to preserve its natural beauty, peace, and quiet, you’ll make your way to your accommodation on foot. The rest of the day is free to explore the beautiful little beaches close to the Vila do Abraao such as Praia Abraãozinho and Praia Crena before watching the sunset over the Atlantic.

Included: Group transfer from Paraty to Angra Port; Flexboat from Angra to Ilha Grande in Group service; Accommodation in Ilha Grande. (Meals – Breakfast).

Today you are free to roam the trails and relax on the beaches of Ilha Grande. Behind all the beauty of this paradise island, Ilha Grande has a very interesting history to explore. Centuries ago it was used as a leper colony, later as a prison and the first Europeans to arrive here were pirates waiting to attack ships laden with gold leaving from the ports of Paraty and Angra dos Reis. The island’s somewhat dark history meant it took it a while to be fully settled however, this slow development has helped make Ilha Grande into a picture-perfect paradise.

Home to one of the richest ecosystems in the world, head out along the nature trails that crisscross the island, winding through the pristine Atlantic rainforest and jungle filled with monkeys, butterflies, and exotic birds. These enchanting trails will take you up hills to stunning viewpoints of the island and endless ocean views as well as bring you to secluded waterfalls and deserted beaches. We recommend hiking the trail that will take you to Lopes Mendes beach which year on year is voted as one of the best beaches in Brazil and the world. Despite being one of the most sought after paradises on the planet, the long stretch of white sand will make you feel like you have this heavenly beach to yourself.

Included: Accommodation in Ilha Grande. (Meals – Breakfast).

Ferry to Conceiçao de Jacarei and shared transfer to the airport in Rio for your flight back home or onto another exciting destination!

Included: Ferry from Ilha Grande to Conceicao de Jacarei in group service; Group transfer from Conceicao de Jacarei to Rio de Janeiro. (Meals – Breakfast).