Overview
Seven days in Brazil sounds short, but it's enough to have a genuinely life-changing trip if you plan it right. The key is to resist the urge to see everything and instead commit to doing two or three things extremely well. This itinerary is built around Rio de Janeiro — Brazil's most iconic city — plus Iguaçu Falls, one of the natural wonders of the world. Both are accessible, well-touristed and easy to navigate for first-time visitors.
Flights to Rio de Janeiro (GIG or SDU airports) are available direct from most US and European hubs. Iguaçu Falls (IGU airport) is a 1.5-hour domestic flight from Rio, making it feasible even on a tight schedule.
Days 1–2: Rio de Janeiro
Day 1 — Arrive and acclimatise. Check in to your hotel in Ipanema or Barra da Tijuca (safest and most convenient areas). Walk the Copacabana or Ipanema beachfront in the late afternoon. For dinner, head to the General Osório area in Ipanema for excellent restaurants at every price point.
Day 2 — The big sights. Start at 7am with Christ the Redeemer (book tickets online the night before — queues are brutal after 9am). After the statue, take the cog train down and head to Sugarloaf Mountain for the afternoon cable car. Time the second cable car for sunset — the view from the top as the city lights up is one of Brazil's unmissable experiences. Evening: walk through Santa Teresa neighborhood and find a boteco for a caipirinha.
Day 3: Day Trip Options
You have two good options for day 3 depending on your interests:
Option A — Paraty (4 hrs each way): A perfectly preserved 17th-century colonial town on the coast. Cobblestone streets, colorful facades, waterfall swimming holes nearby and one of Brazil's best cachaça trails. Best done as an overnight, but the day trip by bus from Rio's Novo Rio terminal is doable.
Option B — Ilha Grande (2.5 hrs): A car-free island off the coast. Take the ferry from Angra dos Reis and spend the day on Lopes Mendes beach — one of Brazil's most beautiful. No roads, no cars, just jungle, trails and extraordinary water.
Days 4–5: Iguaçu Falls
Day 4 — Fly to Foz do Iguaçu. Morning flight from Rio Santos Dumont (SDU) to Foz do Iguaçu (IGU) — 1.5 hours. Check in and head straight to the Brazilian side of the falls in the afternoon. The Brazilian side is best for panoramic photos of the full sweep of all 275 waterfalls. Walk the 1.2km elevated trail and end at the viewing platform above Devil's Throat. If you have time, book the Macuco Safari boat tour (you will get completely soaked — worth it).
Day 5 — Argentine side. Cross the border to Puerto Iguazú (15 minutes, bring your passport). The Argentine side of Parque Nacional Iguazú has upper and lower catwalks that take you directly over and into the falls. This is the more immersive of the two sides — you walk across platforms with waterfalls thundering above and below you. Allow 4–5 hours. Return to Brazil in the afternoon.
Days 6–7: Back to Rio / Fly Out
Day 6: Morning flight back to Rio. Depending on your departure time, you have the afternoon free. Spend it on the beach at Ipanema, explore the Lapa arches and Santa Teresa neighborhood, or do a food tour of the Mercado do Peixe in Copacabana.
Day 7: Fly home from Galeão (GIG) international airport. Allow 3 hours before your international flight — traffic to GIG can be significant, especially in the mornings. The app-based shuttle Fretadão is reliable, or book a transfer through your hotel.
Budget & Practical Tips
A realistic 7-day Brazil budget (mid-range, per person sharing):
| Expense | Approx. Cost |
|---|---|
| International flights (US/EU → Rio) | $600–1,200 return |
| Rio → Iguaçu → Rio internal flights | $120–200 return |
| Accommodation (7 nights, mid-range) | $400–700 total |
| Food (all meals, 7 days) | $200–350 total |
| Activities & entrance fees | $150–250 total |
| Transport (Uber, transfers) | $80–150 total |
| Total estimate | $1,550–2,850 |
Packing for 1 Week
Brazil is a carry-on-only trip for 7 days if you pack smart. Essentials:
- Reef-safe sunscreen SPF50+ (Brazilian sun is intense)
- Insect repellent with DEET (essential for Iguaçu and any nature area)
- A waterproof bag or dry bag for Macuco Safari boat
- Comfortable walking shoes and flip flops
- A light rain jacket or poncho
- Adapter (Brazil uses Type N plugs)
- Photocopy of your passport and keep the original in the hotel safe