Brazil Trip – 19 Nights Through Agencies
FR

Translated into English.

Original post
NA
Hi there,

I’m planning a trip to Brazil in October and decided to go through an agency to organize our itinerary. I asked two agencies to put together a circuit with transfers, hotels, organized visits, and one domestic flight. I don’t speak Spanish or Portuguese. 6 nights in Rio 3 nights on Ilha Grande 3 nights in Paraty Domestic flight to Salvador for 3 nights 3 nights in Morro de São Paulo 1 night in Salvador before flying back to France. For this itinerary, I’m going with Tourlane, but I’m still waiting on the second quote from Comptoir des Voyages. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the itinerary and especially on these agencies—thanks for any feedback! 😊
nathalie69
HE Herodotos Regular ·
Good evening,

I’m looking for reviews on the itinerary and especially on the agencies, thanks for your feedback

I don’t have any opinions on the agencies since I don’t use them.

However, regarding the itinerary, I find it way too packed. Your agency will want to show you as much as possible in the least amount of time, so it’ll be a rush. There’s a high risk of frustration, not to mention exhaustion. For info, we spent three weeks in the state of Bahia alone—it’s as big as France, without the highways or the TGV.
https://www.myatlas.com/Herodote
PA Patrick91230 Globetrotter ·
Good evening,

Too many cities for too little time—Salvador de Bahia in just 1 day isn’t even worth it. You’ll spend way too much time in transit. Stick to 3 cities if you want to actually enjoy yourself a bit.
Cordialement, Patrick.
NA Nathalie69 Regular ·
hi

That’s exactly what I thought—the itinerary is with Tourlane, and they didn’t really get what we wanted. Not too much beach time, we love nature, but this is overkill. They’re talking about walks and hikes—lol, we’re not in that kind of shape. Plus, they blew our budget by 2000 €.

I got a second quote from Comptoirs des Voyages—it’s less packed: 5 nights in Rio 2 nights on Ilha Grande 2 nights in Paraty Flight from Rio to Salvador 2 nights in Salvador 2 nights in Imbassai It’s shorter, so I think I’ll add more nights if I go with this one.

Yesterday on Evaneos, I asked for a quote from a local agency.
nathalie69
HE Herodotos Regular ·
Hi,

In three weeks, you should limit yourself to just one of the two regions: the southeast (Rio and its area) OR the northeast (Bahia).

They’re suggesting super touristy spots (Paraty, Ilha Grande, Morro de São Paulo). Imbassai is a big beach resort. Ilha de Boipeba in the state of Bahia is a little gem.

https://www.google.fr/maps/place/Ilha+Boipoeba/@-13.62069, -38.9428326,13.45z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x73e89f78db516b7:0xbc46ce2204cdfdb0!8m2!3d-13.6157434!4d-38.9427257!16s%2Fg%2F11b6lkx_sw?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDIxOS4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

Check out this local agency. I haven’t used them, but they have a good reputation. You negotiate directly with them and avoid the middleman’s markup in France.
https://www.myatlas.com/Herodote
HE Herodotos Regular ·
You’ll get a glimpse of the small island of Boipeba in this travel journal:

https://www.myatlas.com/herodote/des-iles-pour-rever
https://www.myatlas.com/Herodote
AT Attila Globetrotter ·
Hello,

What are you looking for?

Your itinerary is just beach resorts and big cities.

If nature is what interests you, how about a combo of Rio and its surroundings plus Iguazu Falls?

Or something more unique: Rio + the Pantanal.

Colonial small towns: the area around Ouro Preto followed by Rio.

For a 15-day trip, I went to the Pantanal + Chapada dos Guimarães National Park, then Brasília, and finally Salvador de Bahia.

I once combined Iguazu Falls, Rio + Paraty, and the area around Ouro Preto—but over a longer period.

(All self-organized with car rentals when needed, so no agency tips to share!)
Un si beau paysage : concours de photos amical de juin 2026 Rubrique Jeux Voyages C'est le moment de voter!
DJ Djalma Globetrotter ·
Hi there,

You’re starting with the coastal areas of Angra dos Reis, Paraty, and Ilha Grande—great choices! But why head back north afterward? Having to return to Rio just to catch a flight doesn’t make much sense and wastes a lot of time. Instead, keep going toward Florianópolis or São Paulo to take an overnight bus to the Pantanal (Campo Grande) or even Iguaçu Falls. Then fly back to Rio. It means long bus rides, but overnight buses to the Pantanal (for example) are really comfortable.

PS: If you’re going to Ilha Grande, don’t just do a day trip! Spend 2 or 3 nights there—there are beautiful hikes inland and several nice beaches to explore.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XCOyB7WStI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2eI67iCbKY
NA Nathalie69 Regular ·
I just sent a request to the agency mentioned, thanks for your advice. I think we're gonna skip Ilha Grande
nathalie69
NA Nathalie69 Regular ·
Hello

We don’t want to visit Iguazu Falls (it’d require a flight), and we’d like to avoid that as much as possible. It might not be the same, but we’ve already seen Niagara Falls. In our itinerary, there’s actually a lot of beach time, so we’re thinking of skipping Ilha Grande. We enjoy walks, but not the conditions for long hikes, lol.
nathalie69
DJ Djalma Globetrotter ·
We don’t want to do Iguazu Falls (flight required)—we want to avoid that as much as possible. It might not be the same, but we’ve already seen Niagara Falls.

Not really the same at all. Iguazu Falls are way more beautiful and spectacular than Niagara! There are direct buses—15 or 16 a day from São Paulo to Iguaçu—including several overnight options with comfy sleeper berths. Same for Campo Grande (Pantanal).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XCOyB7WStI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2eI67iCbKY
AT Attila Globetrotter ·
travel by plane

Given the size of the country, flying often becomes a necessity.

it might not be the same, but we visited Niagara Falls.

No comparison.

Niagara Falls can't hold a candle to Iguazu Falls.😛
Un si beau paysage : concours de photos amical de juin 2026 Rubrique Jeux Voyages C'est le moment de voter!
MO Montagnard74 Globetrotter ·
Hi Nathalie, Well, here come the answers! 😉

I won’t stand out from the previous replies—with 15 days and if you don’t want to spend your time rushing between planes and buses, you’ll have to choose between the northeast and the southeast:

- One loop: Rio, Paraty, Ilha Grande, São Paulo, with a quick flight to Iguazu (which, I confirm after seeing both, has absolutely nothing to do with Niagara). Or - Rio, a flight to Bahia Bay, Boipeba (I confirm, it’s a little gem), and possibly the Chapada Diamantina (Lençóis) by bus if you’re dreaming of nature (there are some very accessible hikes). With a return flight to France from Salvador.

Check out my profile for travel journals on all these magical destinations! PS: Between Ilha Grande and Boipeba, there’s really no comparison 😉
"Le véritable voyage de découverte ne consiste pas à chercher de nouveaux paysages, mais à avoir de nouveaux yeux." Marcel Proust
DO Domigujan33 ·
Hi, I’m heading to Brazil for three weeks on March 9th. As everyone says, given the size of the country, you’ve got to make choices. For me, it’ll be a loop: Rio/Ilha Grande/Paraty/Iguazu/Belo Horizonte/Rio. I’ll arrive in Rio and leave the day after for Ilha Grande, then Paraty. After that, Iguazu for three nights (taking an overnight bus). Then a flight to Belo Horizonte and a gradual descent through the Minas Gerais region, visiting Ouro Preto, Tiradentes, etc., before arriving back in Rio for a few days before flying home to France (with Lufthansa). I’ve skipped the north and Salvador, which either deserve two extra weeks or a separate trip altogether 😉. Safe travels. Dominique
MO Montagnard74 Globetrotter ·
Hi there, Exactly the same itinerary I did in 2014! With a whole month, we were able to take our time. You’re gonna love it! Have a great trip
"Le véritable voyage de découverte ne consiste pas à chercher de nouveaux paysages, mais à avoir de nouveaux yeux." Marcel Proust
DJ Djalma Globetrotter ·
Arrival in Rio and departure the day after next for Ilha Grande then Paraty. Then Iguazu for three nights on site (by overnight bus). Then a flight to Belo Horizonte and gradually heading down through the Minas Gerais region for visits to Ouro Preto, Tiradentes, etc., and arriving back in Rio for several days before returning to France (with Lufthansa).

Yes, that sounds more reasonable, and your itinerary seems pretty good to me. I’m not familiar with Minas Gerais... From Iguazu, I wouldn’t have thought to find a flight to that destination.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XCOyB7WStI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2eI67iCbKY

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