South America · Brazil

Hi everyone! I’m looking for accommodation in these three destinations, with a budget of 100 € per person max including breakfast. I’d prefer places by the water for the first two spots and somewhere halfway between the main sights for Iguazu. Could you help me out? Thanks! 😊

Good evening, We're leaving from January 26 to February 7 with our two kids, aged 23 and 27. I'm hoping to visit Iguazu, Rio, Ilha Grande, or Cabo Frio. I have a few questions. - Should we visit Rio with a guide, considering we want to explore favelas and hike to reach the main sites? And how many days should we plan for it? - How many days for Ilha Grande, and is the weather favorable during this period? Is it a must-see? - What do you think of Cabo Frio? In terms of organization, is it better to visit Iguazu at the beginning, middle, or end of our stay, departing from São Paulo or Rio? We haven’t bought our flight tickets yet, so I can arrange to arrive or depart from Rio/São Paulo. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences and opinions!

Hi everyone,

I’m planning my trip to Brazil in March 2025 (finally!) and I’d love to hear your thoughts on Ilha Grande and Paraty. We’ll be arriving from Rio and departing from Paraty (heading to São Paulo). How can we best organize these transfers—can we book the different transports on the spot? How much time is ideal to stay in these two places to enjoy them without doing long hikes? Do you have an estimated budget? Thanks for your feedback! Dominique

Hi, We’re considering a discovery trip to Brazil in summer 2025 for a maximum of 3 weeks, transport included. Since the must-see sites are very far apart, we’ve selected the ones that seemed the most spectacular and have little or no equivalent elsewhere in the world. Here’s what we’re thinking: Outbound: 1 day Paris → São Paulo Iguaçu: 2 days Transfer: 1 day via São Paulo or Rio and São Luís Lençóis National Park: 3 days Transfer: 1 day via São Luís Salvador de Bahia: 2 days Transfer: 1 day via Rio Rio: 4 days Return: 1 day What do you think? I was thinking of adding a stop that’s easily accessible without flying from one of the places above. Ilha Grande? Tinharé Island? Any other suggestions? Thanks in advance for your tips! Virginie

Hi,

After reading tons of posts, blogs, and travel journals... there’s almost nothing about exploring Brazil by camper van. All the RTW (round-the-world) trips seem to skip this country. So why? Safety seems to be the main (and only?) reason. But we cross Pakistan, for example. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts. PS: If you’ve got any links about this destination by camper van, I’d love to check them out.

Top 15 Brazilian eating habits that surprise the French 😮

Brazil is a multicultural country, and its history has shaped a very unique cuisine, influenced by European, African, Japanese, and Indigenous traditions. Its food culture is quite different from what we’re used to in France, and Brazilian eating habits often surprise French travelers exploring the land of samba and soccer.

Check out the full article here: https://les-voyages-de-adelaide.fr/top-15-des-habitudes-alimentaires-bresiliennes-qui-surprennent-les-francais/

Enjoy your meal,

Ivan Bahia

Hi everyone, On August 15th, we’ll be flying from São Paulo to Salvador de Bahia (which airline should we choose?) to spend about ten days there. Since we haven’t had a vacation in two years, we’d like to avoid spending too much time on the road and instead discover some picturesque spots that aren’t too crowded with tourists... Any tips? We’re already planning to spend 2-3 days in Salvador, and then what? I think two other nearby destinations where we could wander around would be ideal: Praia do Forte, Itaparica, Loreto de São Paulo, Cachoeira, or any other must-see places? Thanks for your help

Hi,

I’m leaving for Brazil in two weeks with my partner and just realized I made a mistake on the flight ticket regarding the middle name. Usually, I never include one, but this time I wanted to add my partner’s middle name—and instead of putting it on his ticket, I put it on mine. So now I have an incorrect middle name (a male one, no less!). Otherwise, the first and last names are correct. Do you think this could cause a problem, given that the middle name is optional? Thanks!

Hello, We’re a couple in our sixties and we’ve just spent 22 days in Brazil, from October 29th to November 21st. We flew from Marseille via Lisbon—outbound to Rio, and back from Recife. Our itinerary: 4 days in Rio 4 days on Ilha Grande 2 days in Paraty 4 days in Salvador 4 days on Boïpeba 4 days in Olinda The transfer between Boïpeba and Recife took us 2 days—boats, taxis, and a flight. We stayed in Airbnbs except in Paraty, where we were in a pousada, and during the Boïpeba–Recife transfer, when we booked a hotel near the airport. Our flights were with Gol and Azul. Transfers from Rio were arranged through Paraty Tour. In Rio, we used a local agency to visit Corcovado and Sugarloaf Mountain.

Happy to answer any questions! Marc

Hello,

As part of a 10-month trip to explore and discover South America, we’d like to start our journey in northern Brazil since the timing is perfect for traveling up the Amazon. We’re traveling as a family of five with three kids aged 6, 9, and 18.

Our plan is to leave from Manaus and reach Yurimaguas in Peru via the Amazon, mostly by boat. Since we have plenty of time, we can take breaks to explore the different stops along the way that are worth it. The idea is to eventually head to Colombia via Ecuador later on.

So far, we’ve identified the following stops: - Manaus - Tabatinga - Iquitos - Sumiria Reserve (we’d like to stay there for a week) - Yurimaguas.

We’re thinking of traveling in a cabin/hammock for the longest leg (Manaus to Tabatinga) and just in hammocks for the shorter trips (max 3 days).

I have a few questions: 1. From a safety perspective, is the area we’re planning to cross safe, considering we’ll be with our three kids, the youngest being 6? 2. Isn’t this route a bit too ambitious for our kids? 3. We’re considering adding the Santarém/Manaus leg. Is Santarém a city worth adding to the itinerary? 4. Among the planned stops, which ones deserve a special visit? 5. Do the boat trips always include meals on board, or should we be careful when booking? 6. What would be a reasonable estimate for the duration of this trip to fully enjoy it?

I’ve read quite a bit—like trying to board early to get the best hammock spots, and that travel times can vary depending on currents, stops, and potential technical issues. But that’s not a problem since we have all the time in the world! :)

We’d love to hear from anyone who’s traveled in this area before!

Thanks so much in advance for your help in planning our trip.

Rémy, Céline, Antoine, Sacha, and Paul

Hello, We're a family with three boys aged 8 to 14, and we'll be in Brazil next April. We land at GRU around 4 PM on a Saturday and want to head straight to Paraty. I've seen several options:

Private taxi: Do you have any contacts for private drivers or companies that could transport all five of us directly from the airport and that I can book in advance? I’ve already reached out to a few, but the rates are really high.

Uber: I tested the app from France, but it doesn’t offer vehicles for 5 people (Uber XL). Is that the case locally too, or is it because I’m testing from France?

99app: I couldn’t install the app from France to test it.

Bus: Take a bus from the bus station, either directly in the evening (departures around 9 PM and 10:30 PM—7-hour trip) or the next morning. This isn’t my preferred option because I’d either have to take a late bus right after we arrive (and I’m not sure how safe the area is at night, based on what I’ve read) or book a hotel to go the next morning and lose a night.

Thanks for your help.

Hi everyone, I’m planning to spend about a week in the Amazon in April or May—the dates aren’t set yet—flying in and out of Manaus. I’d love to hear about the must-see spots in Manaus besides the theater and the Amazon Museum. After that, I’d like to take a boat trip on the Amazon or the Rio Negro to escape the city and find some peace for a 3- or 4-day trek in the forest. I also saw that the town of Presidente Figueiredo is worth visiting for all the waterfalls nearby. If you’ve been to Manaus and have any recommendations, I’d love to hear them. Have a great day, everyone.

Hi there,

I’m planning to ride from Manaus to Lábrea via Humaitá and then continue along the Transamazonian from Lábrea to João Pessoa by motorcycle. I’m looking for recent info on the condition of this route (paved sections, dirt tracks, etc.). Thanks for any tips you can share!

Hey everyone, currently in Brazil. We're on a world trip and we'd like to buy a truck to continue our journey. Ideally, we're looking for something equipped and not too expensive. The question is: where can we find a cheap, good second-hand small truck? Also, how complicated is the paperwork for the registration, etc.?

Thanks for your replies! Cheers

Chapada Diamantina National Park (also known as Brazil’s Grand Canyon) will begin reopening gradually, in phases and by village. Mucugê, for example, will be fully accessible starting August 31st. The only restrictions still to be clarified are events with more than 10 people and schools. I’ll post updates on the other villages in the park as soon as they’re available. Warm tropical greetings from Salvador da Bahia, Ivan Bahia Guide

Hello, Here’s our account of our two weeks in Brazil’s Northeast from March 25 to April 9, 2017. We’re two couples in our fifties. Our itinerary: São Paulo, São Luís, Lençóis Maranhenses Park, the Parnaíba Delta, Jericoacoara, Icaraí de Amontada, Pipa, Olinda, and back to São Paulo. Our budget came to 1400 € per person, excluding international flights.

For food, in a restaurant, a fish or meat dish for two people served with rice, black beans in sauce, and cassava flour costs an average of 80 BRL. You can eat more cheaply on the street, in self-service spots, or in ‘per kilo’ restaurants. At all the pousadas, breakfast was included: it was always very good, hearty, and doubled as our midday meal. Bottled water (1.5 liters): between 2 and 4 BRL Caipirinha: between 5 and 10 BRL

For organization, we used a local guide, Danielisson, to arrange the "Route of Emotions" from São Luís to Jericoacoara (Days 3 to 7). He’s reliable, speaks French very well, and is passionate about his country. The organization was flawless. We highly recommend him. For the rest of the trip, we used cars with drivers or taxis instead of public transport. With four of us, it wasn’t too expensive and was much simpler. We don’t regret not renting a car at all—many roads are unpaved or in very poor condition. Danielisson Pereira: danielissonpereira@yahoo.co.uk Skype: danielissonpereira (Facebook) Phone: 55 (98) 991634424 / 981721946

Weather-wise, March-April is the rainy season, so it’s the low season. Downsides: occasional heavy storms, not everything is open (hotels, restaurants, shops…), but upsides: hardly any tourists and lower prices. Temperature-wise: between 25-30°C year-round, 24/7. Health-wise: a few mosquitoes, nothing serious, but bring protection. Day 1: International flight from Lyon to Paris to São Paulo. We went through São Paulo because my husband was there for work. Hotel: Monreale Hotel: 20 minutes from the airport (free shuttle). For those extending a business trip with a vacation, you can leave your luggage at the hotel for free with no time constraints. Day 2: São Luís Flight from São Paulo to São Luís (3.5 hours). We arrived in São Luís in the rain. It felt very strange—the city was deserted. It was Sunday, so everything was closed (don’t count on a currency exchange office or travel agency being open). We struggled to find a restaurant for the evening. Half a day is more than enough to explore the city, but we really liked all the colorful colonial houses. Flight São Paulo/São Luís: 118 € Taxi from airport to pousada: 50 BRL for 4 Pousada Portas da Amazônia: 33 € per room



Day 3: Journey to Atins Shared minibus to Barreirinhas (about 4 hours—paved road) where we left our big bags, then a private boat down the Preguiças River to Atins. Stop at Vassouras, where we discovered our first lagoons and enjoyed excellent fish prepared by locals, then at Mandacaru to climb the lighthouse for a 360-degree view. Atins is a small fishing village lost in the sand. During our visit in the low season, almost everything was closed, so it was very quiet.



Day 4: Trek in Lençóis Maranhenses Park At 4 AM, we set off for a two-day trek in the Lençóis Park. One hour by 4x4 to reach the starting point. The sun was just rising. At first, there was some vegetation, but then it was just white sand and lagoons, which, contrary to what we thought, were already quite full for the season. As we went on, the landscapes got more and more beautiful. We never got tired of it. The weather was a bit cloudy but no rain, which was ideal to avoid the heat. We took occasional dips in the clear freshwater. Around noon, we arrived at Baixa Grande oasis. Rest and overnight in hammocks with a local family.

Day 5: Trek in Lençóis Maranhenses Park We left the oasis at 5 AM. Compared to the day before, we walked higher up, along the dune ridges, and it was even more stunning. Plus, the sun was shining. It was simply magical. Around noon, we climbed the last dune—on the other side, there was no more sand, just vegetation. A 4x4 was waiting to take us back to Barreirinhas (17 km). A few notes on the trek: - The 6-7 hours of walking are easy. The sand is hard, nothing like walking on a beach. We wore sandals or sneakers. We often got our feet wet crossing lagoons: at first, we took off our shoes, but later, we crossed fully dressed. Everything dries in 5 minutes! - Even with clouds, we got sunburned, so it’s best to wear long sleeves and pants (in addition to a cap, sunscreen, lip balm, water…). - It’s impossible to navigate the desert alone. With the wind, the dunes change shape and position regularly. A guide is essential.



Day 6: Parnaíba Delta A Jeep took us to Tutoia, where we boarded a boat for the Parnaíba Delta. Nothing exceptional. Normally, you can see red ibises at sunset, but we weren’t lucky—they were in their breeding season, so we couldn’t get close. We slept on Canary Island, next to a pretty fishing village.



Day 7: Journey to Jericoacoara Boat to Tatus port, then a car to Jericoacoara (via Parnaíba and Camocim). From Camocim onward, it’s a sandy track. We arrived in Jericoacoara in the late afternoon—it was a brutal return to civilization 😅: tourists, shops, restaurants, pousadas, and that’s during the low season! Pousada Capim Verde: 120 BRL (basic rooms but well-located and cheap)



Day 8: Buggy tour Classic buggy tour (offered by all Jeri agencies) to Lagoa do Paraíso. Unfortunately, it rained a lot, and we cut our ride short. That was the only day slightly "ruined" by the weather. Buggy: 270 BRL

Day 9: Icaraí de Amontada To find some "peace," we headed to Icaraí de Amontada. On the way, alternating wind farms and coconut plantations. Icaraizinho is a village with a stunning beach (as long as you look toward the coconut trees, not the wind turbines). Little wind at this time of year, so no tourists. Pousada Pais Tropical (run by French owners): very nice, right on the beach. Taxi Jericoacoara–Icaraí de Amontada: 340 BRL Day 10: Transfer day to Pipa Taxi Icaraí–Fortaleza: 350 BRL Flight Fortaleza–Natal: 37 € per person Taxi Natal–Pipa: 180 BRL Pousada in Pipa: Aconchego, run by French owners. Great welcome, quiet, perfectly located in the city center.

Day 11: Pipa – Dolphin Beach Skeptical, we set off in the morning before high tide (afterward, it’s hard to pass) to try and see dolphins. And we saw them! Mothers with their calves swimming in the waves, appearing where and when you least expect them. They’re not afraid of humans and pop up just a few meters away. It’s unforgettable. No need to take a boat tour—they come to the same spot and stay for 5-10 minutes. For those who don’t want to swim (there were waves and surf when we were there), the dolphins are visible from the beach.

Day 12: Pipa – Tibau do Sul via the beaches A lovely hike where you go from one beach to another until Tibau do Sul: 2 hours of brisk walking! We stayed a while by the lagoon before taking a shuttle back to Pipa. Shuttle: 2.5 BRL per person



Day 13: Pipa – Dolphin Beach We wanted more—it was too good, and we saw them all day long.

Day 14: Recife A taxi took us to Olinda, where we’d booked a pousada. In the afternoon, we took the bus to Recife: some pretty facades, but nothing unforgettable. Taxi Pipa–Olinda: 400 BRL Bus Olinda–Recife: about 4 BRL per person per trip (45 min) Pousada Villa Olinda (in Olinda): 99 BRL—very well located

Day 15: Olinda All day walking around Olinda, a small town with colorful houses and many churches. In the late evening, we flew to São Paulo. Uber Olinda–Recife airport: 32 BRL Flight Recife–São Paulo: 123 €



Day 16: São Paulo The hotel in Guarulhos is about an hour by public transport from downtown São Paulo. Short on time, we didn’t see much of the city. We went to Avenida Paulista: it was a Sunday, with lots of cultural and sports events, and the avenue was closed to cars. It was nice. Then we walked down to Ibirapuera Park, but it was marathon day, and we couldn’t get in. Bus Guarulhos–first metro station: 4.70 BRL Metro ticket: 3.8 BRL

Conclusion: With this second trip to Brazil, we discovered another side of the country—a poorer region with fewer infrastructures than the Rio area. The trek in Lençóis Maranhenses Park was the highlight of the trip—landscapes you won’t see anywhere else in the world, worth the trip on their own. We also won’t forget swimming with the dolphins in Pipa.