Next April, I’m planning a trip (the 1st) to Brazil. I’ll have 12 days there (not counting the 13th day for the return).
I’ll arrive on 22/04 in the early evening in Rio de Janeiro. The return flight is from São Paulo on 04/05 in the afternoon.
I know 12 days is very little for such a big country, which is why I’ll focus on a relatively small area: the southeast (though "small" is relative!).
I’ve started mapping out the main stops for my trip, which would be:
- Rio de Janeiro: 4 to 5 days?
- Ilha Grande and maybe Paraty: 2 to 3 days
- Iguazu Falls: Brazilian and Argentinian sides: 2 days
- São Paulo: 1 to 2 days
What do you think? Is this reasonable?
There are about 250/260 km between Rio and Paraty. I’d like to make the trip by rental car. What do you think?
A car is definitely much more practical and faster than the bus. 12/13 days is short—I can’t afford to lose too much time in transit.
To get to Ilha Grande, I understand there’s a ferry that shuttles between the mainland and the island. From which city can you take the ferry? Mangaratiba? Conceição de Jacareí? Angra dos Reis? If I arrive by rental car, where can I park it? I think cars are banned on the island, right?
That’s where I’m at with my planning. So many questions! 😕
A big thank you to anyone who takes the time to read my post and shares their valuable tips! 🙂
1 night in São Paulo seems enough to me. I wasn’t won over by this megacity...
For the falls, a full day on each side. They’re the most beautiful falls I’ve ever seen!
Rio, 3 full days.
I really liked Paraty (I don’t know Ilha Grande).
As for renting a car, it’s always much more convenient and faster than the bus.
You also get to see the landscapes better.
I rented one in Brazil without any issues (from Salvador de Bahia and in the Pantanal).
Happy planning!
Ponts du monde : concours de photos amical de juillet 2026
Rubrique Jeux Voyages
C'est le moment de poster vos meilleurs clichés !
My trip to this side of Brazil is a bit dated now, but I can still share my info—it’s up to you to check if it’s still current.
First off, bravo! Finally, someone who doesn’t want to visit all four corners of Brazil in 12 days! 😉
I loved Ilha Grande back then, especially if you’re into hiking—there are tons of walks to do (but it’s also great for chilling).
You get there via Angra dos Reis by ferry.
At the time, you could also reach it from Paraty by speedboat.
Paraty is really nice to visit too.
Iguazu—I’m like Atilla, I haven’t seen anything like it anywhere else in the world (though I haven’t seen the whole world). That said, the Brazilian side can easily be done in half a day, right after landing at the airport. A full day on the Argentine side, though—that’s a given.
The advantage of leaving the country from São Paulo (a choice or an obligation?) is that you can optimize your travel by avoiding round trips.
This is where my opinion differs on the mode of transport. You don’t need to rent a car—it won’t save you time or money.
That said, it depends if you’re traveling solo or with others…
The Rio/Angra bus is direct and drops you right by the ferry (just cross the road).
Double-check if you can still go from Ilha Grande to Paraty by boat.
Then take the bus from Paraty to São Paulo.
And a round-trip flight from São Paulo to Iguazu.
The bus saves you from having to backtrack to Rio or pay drop-off fees in São Paulo.
If you’re going to Ilha Grande, a car won’t be useful at all—same in Paraty, which isn’t that big.
For durations, I agree with Atilla: I wasn’t a fan of São Paulo, and 4 days in Rio is the bare minimum.
Paraty depends on your bus schedule.
Ilha Grande—a week or even a month would be great, but you don’t have that 🤪.
Happy planning! !
"Le véritable voyage de découverte ne consiste pas à chercher de nouveaux paysages, mais à avoir de nouveaux yeux."
Marcel Proust
Thanks Attila for your reply!
Yeah, I also think traveling by car is more convenient, plus I like being able to go at my own pace and stop along the way whenever I want...
I'm still on the fence a bit, but I think I'll rent a car.
For visiting Paraty, I'm still undecided. I might spend more time on Ilha Grande—the landscapes look amazing, right in the middle of nature!
Thanks again! 😉
Thanks so much, Montagnard74, for your reply and your invaluable help!
For Ilha Grande, you’ve confirmed what I was feeling—this island looks amazing!
I can’t wait to see Iguaçu Falls! It’s sure to be spectacular! I’m planning to spend 2 days there, hopefully.
Yes, my return flight to France will be from São Paulo. It was a choice to avoid backtracking to Rio, save time (given my short stay), and try to make the most of my time on the ground.
Regarding transportation, I fully understand your opinion/advice. Yes, renting a car would mean leaving it parked during my visit to Ilha Grande… so it’d be useless during that time.
I really love having a certain freedom of movement—not being dependent on public transport (schedules, etc.). With a car, I can go at my own pace and soak in the scenery even more. Basically, I can stop wherever and whenever I want.
I’ll need the car for the trip from Rio to São Paulo, passing through Ilha Grande and Paraty.
I’ll return the car at São Paulo airport, and from there, I’ll take a domestic flight to Foz do Iguaçu. On my travels, I’ve often rented a car, except in big cities. In Rio, for example, I won’t need one.
I’ll keep thinking about this. My decision about renting a car isn’t final yet. Time’s running out, though… only three and a half months until the trip!
Good evening,
I’m following this thread because your itinerary sounds just like what I’m planning—Rio, Ilha Grande, and Iguaçu over 12 days with two nieces who want to travel with me but don’t have unlimited time off.
I’d love to explore Rio’s bay thoroughly, inside and out, so I’m thinking 4 days there...
But I’m not sure if we need a guide for safety or if it’s doable solo (the girls are in their fifties, and one speaks fluent Portuguese).
4 days on Ilha Grande for hiking and beaches,
3 days in Iguaçu to experience its vastness...
I hope you can share your experiences when you return!
Best,
Marie
Cannelle2008
La difficulté ce n'est pas de rêver mais d'accepter et de comprendre les rêves des autres. ZHANG XIANLIANG
For Rio’s major sites (Corcovado), you don’t need a guide—especially if someone in the group speaks Portuguese.
For more "edgy" spots like favelas, it’s a good idea to have a guide who can show you "their" Rio.
For safety, the usual rules apply: travel light, avoid flashy items, and steer clear of nighttime outings.
"Le véritable voyage de découverte ne consiste pas à chercher de nouveaux paysages, mais à avoir de nouveaux yeux."
Marcel Proust
Hello, in my opinion it’s definitely better to do Rio / Paraty / SP by car, especially since the BR-101 highway between Rio and Paraty is pretty scenic.
But it’s toll-by-camera, so the rental company will charge your card afterward.
Traffic and roads are fine once you leave the big cities, and car rental plus gas aren’t too expensive. Just keep in mind that Paraty is a rather pricey town.
A nice beach near Paraty (which isn’t a beach town): Trindade
Thanks Dennis2 for your feedback!
In the end, I’m gonna skip Paraty. 12/13 days is too short!
I’ll stay 4/5 days in Rio, 2 to 3 days on Ilha Grande, 2 days in Iguaçu, and 1 to 2 days in São Paulo.
I’m still really unsure about the rental car route.
After checking the distances on Google Maps, I think I’ll just do a round trip by car between Rio (Copacabana) and Conceição de Jacareí. It’s not that far: 124 km, about 1.5 to 2 hours by road. I’ll leave early in the morning. After visiting Ilha Grande, I’ll head back to Rio and take a domestic flight to Foz do Iguaçu from there. What do you think??
Initially, I’d considered driving from Rio to São Paulo with Ilha Grande as a stop, then continuing to São Paulo to catch a flight to Iguaçu.
The catch is that there’s still almost 400 km between Conceição de Jacareí and São Paulo (airport)! Not sure I’d save time with that route.
Hi there,
If you're not going to Paraty and there are only two of you, renting a car becomes less and less worthwhile.
Picking it up, the time it takes to get it, parking while you stay on the island, returning it, filling up the tank on the way back...
The bus, with the Costa Verde company, will be faster and cheaper.
Another option could be the fast shuttle that picks you up from your accommodation and drops you off on the island. On the way back, you can also be dropped off directly at the airport. Many companies offer this service—I found one at random: https://www.easytransferbrazil.com/
"Le véritable voyage de découverte ne consiste pas à chercher de nouveaux paysages, mais à avoir de nouveaux yeux."
Marcel Proust
I’m well aware of the downsides of renting a car. After thinking it over and weighing the pros and cons, a rental car might not be the most practical option.
Taking the bus with Costa Verde would be the most budget-friendly solution, but ugh... having to drag my suitcase to the bus station isn’t exactly appealing!
The fast shuttle option sounds great, though!! I didn’t know this kind of service existed—picking you up right at your hotel and dropping you off directly at the airport is such a game-changer!! No need to stress about organizing transport. Apparently, the company handles everything. I’ll look into it more closely, but so far, I’m really tempted!! 🙂
For Easytransferbrazil.com, the prices aren’t listed on their website. You have to contact them by phone or email to book.
Do you have any idea what the round-trip price might be?
Where did you find this company’s contact info? Through a search engine? Are there many companies like this? Should I compare prices and play the competition, or are the rates usually similar?
Either way, thank you SO much for your help!! 🙂
Hi there,
For the bus with Costa Verde, it would be the cheapest option, but... you have to drag your suitcase to the bus station, meh!
Uber is your friend!!
For Easytransferbrazil.com, the prices aren't listed on the site. You have to contact them by phone or email to book.
Any idea how much a round trip would cost?
I used a shuttle service to get back from Ilha Grande, but it was so long ago I don’t remember the prices.
From what I recall, it wasn’t cheap, though. But you get what you pay for.
Where did you find this company’s contact info? Through a search engine? Are there many of these companies? Should I compare prices and play the competition, or are the prices all similar?
I found them on Rome2Rio by searching Rio/Paraty—they list the shuttle option.
I remember there were several companies to choose from. Try Googling it.
In my opinion, the prices are probably all in the same ballpark.
Anyway, a big THANK YOU for your help!! 🙂
That’s what this site is for—it’s alive because of this!
"Le véritable voyage de découverte ne consiste pas à chercher de nouveaux paysages, mais à avoir de nouveaux yeux."
Marcel Proust
Yes, indeed, Uber is really convenient. In fact, it's a mode of transport I use in almost all my trips.
After some research, there’s actually a wide choice of shuttles running between Rio and Ilha Grande, and even to the airport! Prices are affordable, between 35 and 50 €. That’s awesome!!
So, I’ve decided—I’m ditching the rental car.
Now, I just need to fine-tune things: the return trip to the airport needs to align with my domestic flight between Rio and Iguazu!
I haven’t booked the domestic flights yet, but I’ll get on that soon!
I’m about to book a boutique hotel halfway between Copacabana and Ipanema—it looks really nice!
On Ilha Grande, the accommodation options seem plentiful.
My trip is planned for April 22nd, so time’s running out!
Now that I’ve settled on the transfer between Rio and Ilha Grande, I can finalize all my accommodation bookings: Rio, Ilha Grande, Iguazu, and I’m thinking one night in São Paulo.
Thanks again, Montagnard74!
So glad I could help plan this amazing trip!
Brazil is in my top 3 destinations after two month-long stays—what a mix of incredible sites and the kindness of its people!
You’re gonna love it! 😊
"Le véritable voyage de découverte ne consiste pas à chercher de nouveaux paysages, mais à avoir de nouveaux yeux."
Marcel Proust
Like Cannelle, I’m following this thread, hoping to chime in later ).
For quite some time, I’ve been trying to fit Iguaçu Falls into a trip. I was initially leaning toward combining it with the NOA in the Salta region, but your route seems like a great alternative (very different vibe)—and maybe even cheaper.
Anyway, I’m jotting down all the tips from this thread😉.
Si tu diffères de moi, mon frère, loin de me léser, tu m'enrichis (Saint Exupéry)
Je pars dans 4 semaines j'arrive à RIO j'irai très certainement à Ilha Grande et mon voyage se terminera à floripa, mais es ce que tu conseilles Ilha Grande…
Je recherche le moyen le moins cher pour aller à Ilha Grande depuis Rio. J'ai vu que nous pouvions prendre le bus depuis la gare routière vers angra dos reis…
J atterrie a Rio de Janeiro (Brésil) pour février et j aimerai redescendre jusqu'en argentine (buenos aires) et remonter jusqu'en Bolivie. Auriez vous un…
Quel est le meilleur itinéraire à adopter pour voyager entre Rio de Janeiro et Lima? Quelles villes du Brésil et du Pérou sont essentielles à visiter? Merci.
Je veux partir l'an prochain, de mi-mai à mi-août 2010 seul ou avec quelqu'un et ce en vélo.. Pouvez-vous me dire quel itinéraire serait le "mieux" ou le plus…
My partner and I are planning our 3-week trip to Ecuador for the summer of 2027. Yes, we’re getting a head start—we’re planning to visit the Galapagos Islands and want to make the most of our budget.
While researching online, I keep coming across ToutEquateur. Has anyone here used them before?
I’ve seen some interesting prices, especially for Amazon stays and Galapagos cruises, but I’m wondering if it’s worth booking through them or if I could get better deals by contacting lodges or boats directly (though I don’t speak much Spanish).
If you have any firsthand experiences to share, I’d love to hear them.
Hi everyone,
We're planning a trip to southern Chile in November. Here's our tentative itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Santiago, then a flight the next day to Balmaceda where we'll pick up a rental car to reach Coyhaique.
Day 3: Walk in the Coyhaique National Reserve, then continue to Puerto Chacabuco. Return to Coyhaique for the second night.
Day 4: Drive to Villa Cerro Castillo for a hike in the national park. Continue to Puerto Tranquilo and stay there for 3 nights.
Day 5: Boat tour on Laguna San Rafael.
Day 6: Day trip to Monte San Valentin Glacier.
Day 7: Excursion to the Marble Chapels, then drive to Puerto Guadal. We'll stay there for 3 nights.
Day 8: Walk along Lago Carrera and return to Puerto Guadal.
Day 9: Rio Baker Valley and, if possible, a glacier excursion.
Day 10: Drive to Cochrane and hike in Tamango National Reserve. We'll stay 2 nights in Cochrane.
Day 11: Walk in the Chacabuco Valley.
Day 12: Drive to Caleta Tortel. We'll stay there for 2 nights.
Day 13: Cruise in the Rio Baker delta.
Day 14: Return to Cochrane.
Day 15: Return to Balmaceda in two stages.
Day 16: Continue the return journey.
Day 17: Return the rental car and head back to Santiago.
After this, we're also planning to explore northern Santiago. I'll post about that part once I have a clearer idea of the route.
What do you think of this itinerary? Is it doable in 17 days?
Thanks in advance for your tips and recommendations.
martine
Hi everyone! So happy to be back on this forum—it’s packed with such useful info! 🙂 My husband and I are planning a 2.5-week self-drive trip to Colombia at the end of the year, including some domestic flights. My first question is: is it possible, easy, and safe to do a road trip in Colombia?
Below is our draft itinerary (with questions at each stop):
29/11: France → Colombia. Overnight in Bogotá.
30/11: Exploring Bogotá: La Candelaria and Montserrate.
01/12: Gold Museum (closed on Mondays). Drive to Zipaquirá (1.5 hrs) to visit the Salt Cathedral. Then drive to Villa de Leyva (3 hrs). Explore the town. Overnight in Villa de Leyva.
02/12: Return to Bogotá via Laguna de Guatavita (5 hrs). Is it worth the detour? Overnight in Bogotá.
03/12: Flight to Pereira. Drive to Salento. Overnight in Salento.
04/12: Cocora Valley (hike among the wax palms) followed by a drive around the area. Are there any waterfalls or other sights nearby?
05/12: Visit a coffee finca—any recommendations? Then explore the surroundings: Filandia, Manizales, waterfalls? Hot springs? Which ones?
06/12: Flight to Medellín.
07/12: Exploring Medellín: Centro, Plaza Botero, Comuna 13. How do you visit Comuna 13? Is it easy to get around Medellín? Metro? Buses?
08/12: Drive to Guatapé (2 hrs). Visit the town, stroll around the lake, then El Peñol. Overnight in Guatapé.
09/12: Return to Medellín.
10/12: Flight to Santa Marta. Drive to a hotel near Tayrona Park.
11/12: Tayrona—El Zaino entrance.
12/12: Tayrona—Palangana entrance, then Bahia Concha and Santa Marta. What do you think?
13/12: Drive to Minca (45 mins). Can we reach the village by car? Pozo Azul and Marinka waterfalls. Overnight in Minca (or back in Tayrona?).
14/12: Drive to Puerto Nao (5 hrs). Stop in Ciénaga on the way + boat tour in Nueva Venecia and/or Buena Vista? Not enough time? Overnight in Puerto Nao.
15/12: Exploring Cartagena: Centro, Getsemaní, the walls + La Boquilla if we have time.
16/12: La Boquilla (is it really worth it?) if we didn’t have time yesterday, then back to the beach.
17/12: Return to France.
So, what do you think? Is this doable, or should we tweak it? Thanks in advance for your invaluable feedback and tips! 🙂
Hi there, I’ll be in Brazil from December 10th to the end of February.
I’ve sketched out a rough itinerary but I’m not sure how to arrange it—considering the climate, year-end holidays, and Carnival.
Basically, I’m thinking of the Amazon, the Northeast coast with Lençóis Maranhenses National Park (but skipping Chapada Diamantina),
Ouro Preto, Paraty, and Ilha Grande—but no Rio visit.
Is this doable in 3 months?
Which direction should I take for this itinerary?
Thanks in advance!
Hi everyone, does anyone know the agency Ventura Travel Agency (not ventura travel)? After lots of research and quotes, it’s the only one offering Uyuni at a reasonable price while meeting all the criteria: transfer to the border, private-room accommodation, and a very fair rate. Other agencies or guides either offer shared rooms, no border transfer, or prices that are way too high. But I’d love to hear some reviews about this agency. Thanks in advance!
Hi everyone,
We're planning a trip to Chile to visit the Atacama Desert and then head toward Putre, Lauca, Salar de Surire, etc.
Which would be the better time to go, April or November?
Is an SUV enough?
Looking forward to your tips!
Hi everyone, French travelers in Chile—what credit cards do you use for your various car rentals in the country? I’m traveling in September and was planning to switch my regular debit card (a VISA PREMIER in deferred debit mode) for the deposit guarantee.
My rentals are with Figal in Punta Arenas, Econautos in Arica, and Chilean Rent a Car in Temuco, and all of them want the deposit on a credit card. For me, deferred debit *should* work, but I’ve read comments saying the opposite.
How’s it actually working on the ground with these rental companies right now? Will a deferred debit card work, or not at all?
In France, banks don’t issue credit cards, right—or am I mistaken?
Hi everyone, is it still possible to travel in Ecuador outside the Amazon region? If so, do you have a reliable agency to recommend? All your recent experiences from the past few months would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much
Hi,
We’re heading to Buenos Aires for 3 days in November and would like to do a guided tour of a few neighborhoods. There are "free" tours, but none in French. Does anyone have a guide to recommend so we can really get to know the city beyond just the architecture?
Thanks
Hi there,
I’m desperately looking for info on the schedules and routes of (shared) boats to visit the islands of Lake Titicaca.
From what I’ve found, there’s a *combi* (bus) that leaves from Puno to go to Llachon. Where do you catch it? What are the schedules and frequency? Does it take about 1 hour?
Then in Llachon, you can take a boat to Amantani (45 min). Same question—where do you check for frequency and schedule?
After that, from Amantani, boats go to Taquile and then Uros. Do you have enough time to visit the islands between two boats? Frequency and schedule?
The goal is to do this tour independently (no agency) over 2 days. Thanks for any tips you might have!
I just got back from a trip to Bolivia and wow—what a wake-up call. It’s not the easiest country, but it’s absolutely stunning.
I started with Isla del Sol, perfect for easing into the altitude at a relaxed pace. Try to stay in the northern part of the island—it’s quieter and the views are insane. And the trout there? Unreal. Quick tip: bring cash in small bills; they almost never have change, and cards are rarely accepted.
Next up, La Paz. The city’s pretty wild, built in every direction. I did a few hikes in the area, including the famous Charquini Lagoon (the blue lake) at over 5,000 m—let’s just say I struggled 😅 but it was so beautiful it was totally worth it.
After that, I headed to Sajama. It’s cool, especially for the hot springs, and I stayed in Tomarapi. But honestly, if you’re short on time, you can skip it without too many regrets.
The highlight of the trip: the Salar. I did it starting from Tupiza, and I *highly* recommend going Tupiza → Uyuni. Way less crowded at the start and the landscapes are super varied. For the tour, I used SplitYourGuide to find a group, and it worked out great. Super handy for splitting costs and meeting people.
I wrapped up in Sucre—this city is gorgeous, all white, with such a chill vibe. And the salteñas + ice cream? Next level 😋
Bottom line: Bolivia’s a bit rough around the edges, sometimes exhausting (shoutout to the altitude), but it’s 1000% worth it.
If you’ve got questions or need tips, I’m happy to help!
Martin
I was planning to go to Réunion and stay in half-board accommodation with non-professionals, but it seems that’s not really the custom there—or maybe my budget isn’t big enough.
So, since I’ve already traveled around Ecuador and Peru, I’m now looking at Argentina, especially for its mountains (like the ones in Réunion that tempted me, even though—frustratingly—I could only admire them from below).
I plan to get around by bus and don’t know in advance where I’ll sleep, so I won’t book ahead. If I like a place, I might stay for several days.
I know that in Chile, it’s easy to find half-board accommodation, but what about in Argentina?
I’d like to stay with locals in half-board without it being a professional setup. I’m not sure if this is common practice there. It’s up to me to find someone willing to host me.
What do you think?
What would be a fair price (keeping in mind that 40 to 50 € is the max I can spend on accommodation, breakfast, and dinner)?
Hi everyone,
We’re heading to Patagonia for three weeks in November, starting from Coyhaique in Chile.
We won’t have a car, and I’m struggling to find information about transportation options for a few parts of the itinerary we’d like to do:
1) From Perito Moreno (the town, near Los Antiguos), we’d like to travel down Ruta 40 to visit Perito Moreno National Park and then cross into Chile via the Paso Roballos (at the latitude of Bajo Caracoles) to reach the road to Cochrane. Without a car, it seems we’ll need to use private agencies to get to the national park—do you have any recommendations or suggestions? Also, does anyone know if it’s possible to cross into Chile via Paso Roballos (from Bajo Caracoles) without a rental car? That is, without having to go all the way down to El Chaltén or back up toward Perito Moreno/Los Antiguos, etc.?
2) The second stretch that seems a bit tricky (though still easier, in theory) is from Caleta Tortel to Villa O’Higgins on the Chilean side. Do we have to go back through Cochrane, or are there ways to get directly from Tortel to Villa O’Higgins?
3) Finally, we’d like to hike into Argentina (El Chaltén) from O’Higgins. Any recommendations for this? Do we need to go through an agency? What’s the estimated duration of the trek?
As you’ve probably gathered, we want to visit some off-the-beaten-path spots but don’t have a car, so we’re looking for the best possible compromises.
Thanks so much in advance for all your suggestions!
Thomas
Hi,
we’re planning a round trip from San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, to Salta, Argentina, in two months. On the way there, we’ll take the northern route via Susques, Route 27, then 52. But for the return, we were thinking of taking the southern route via San Antonio de los Cobres, Route 51, then 23. Is it similar to the northern route in terms of road surface? How busy is it, and are there gas stations? Basically, should we be worried about doing it in an SUV that’s supposedly 4x4 but has regular road tires and no second spare wheel, obviously...
I’ve seen that we can stop over in San Antonio de los Cobres.
Thanks for your feedback.
Raf.
Hi,
we’ll be in Calama at the end of March 2026, and I’m looking for a reliable car rental there for a 7-day road trip to Salta, Argentina. But I’m struggling with the car rental agencies in Calama because the reviews can be scary. I saw Gyg, which has great ratings, but I’m a bit wary (5/5 from 59 reviews—either the guy’s amazing or it’s fake...), but I can’t find any recent reviews on VF in general.
For Punta Arenas, I booked with Dachelet and didn’t have any issues with email exchanges.
Thanks in advance.
Raf.
I’m planning the trip of my dreams for next November—Chile!
I’d love to get your thoughts on my potential itinerary. I know it’s a big investment in terms of both time and money, so every bit of feedback, suggestion, or info helps immensely. Thank you in advance!!
1-Flight to Santiago
2-Explore Santiago
3-Explore Santiago
4-Bus from STG to Valpo (2h) + visit Valparaíso + night in Viña
5-Visit Valparaíso + bus back to STG (2h)
6-Flight to Calama + bus to San Pedro + explore and acclimate in San Pedro + car rental in the afternoon (+Chaxa?)
7-(Very early) Valle del Arcoíris + Laguna Cejar + Valle de la Luna
Good evening,
We’d love to go in November to enjoy some beautiful beaches for about two weeks, preferably around Bahia, as November/December seems like a great time.
We’ve already traveled to Brazil several times and know the south of Rio as well as the region between São Luís and Fortaleza, and Chapada Diamantina...
What advice would you give us: the south with Itaparica, Morro de São Paulo, Boipeba, Barra Grande—or all four? Or maybe the north?
Thanks in advance for your help
Hi everyone, it’s been a while since I last posted!
First time in South America for me, my wife, and our 7-year-old son. I’ve put together this itinerary and would love to hear your thoughts:
Bogotá 28/07 – 30/07: Arrival. Which neighborhood and outings would you recommend?
Flight to
2 Filandia 30/07 – 03/08: (255 €). Waterfalls and horseback riding,
Cocora Valley,
Hiking,
Nearby villages.
Flight to
3 Tayrona 03/08 – 07/08: Hotel La Casablanca
Hike with Tierra Nevada and the Kogui village (any feedback?). Return by inner tube for the little one.
Short night hike.
Second hike to La Piscina, etc., return by 🐎.
4 Cartagena 07/08 – 10/08: Air-conditioned bus.
Staying in Getsemaní? Mangroves & the Castle, exploring the city.
5 Bogotá 10/08 – 12/08
Feel free to share your feedback!
Have a great day!
Hi,
During an upcoming trip to Peru, we’ll have one day to explore around Arequipa (excluding Colca Canyon) with a car and driver.
We’ve got a few options:
- Toro Muerto petroglyphs and dinosaur footprints at Querulpa
- Ruta del Sillar and Quebrada de Culebrillas
We’re a group of 6 friends with an average age of 70, all mobile, and we’re planning a trip to Peru in September/October 2026. Below is an idea of what we’re looking for: a French-speaking guide, accommodation in 3-star hotels or homestays with comfort.
Duration: 16 to 20 days on-site.
Visit the main sites with immersion in the culture and way of life.
Which francophone agency in Peru would you recommend? Thanks
Hi there!
I’m putting together my itinerary for Brazil, looking for beautiful natural spots with wildlife, flora, and great hikes...
I’ve come across the Cananeia / Super Agui / Ilha do Mel region and the PETAR / Intervales / Alto Ribeira area.
Has anyone here been to these places? If so, do you have any recommendations for accommodations and activities?
Thanks in advance!
Best,
Olivier 🌍
I’ll be in ARICA in northern Chile at the end of May 2026 and want to get to TACNA.
Are there taxis, buses, or collectivos that run the border crossing route?
After that, bus to AREQUIPA (Peru): any bus company you’d recommend?
Hi there,
We’re spending 3 weeks in Brazil, arriving in São Paulo—a couple plus a teen—and we’ll have a rental car.
We especially love nature: hiking, wildlife watching, birds, etc.
We’re planning to wrap up with a week around Paraty and Ilha Grande.
We’re not really into visiting big cities like São Paulo or Rio unless you think we’d be missing out big time.
So we’ve got 2 weeks to explore the south/southwest region of São Paulo.
What do you recommend?
National parks? Off-the-beaten-path nature spots? Iguazu Falls?
Hi there,
Do you have any recommendations for comfortable accommodation in Leyva and Barichara? We're also looking for a guide to explore the areas around these two towns (parks, waterfalls, etc.).
Thanks for your tips!
I visited Colombia in January 2016 and I’m heading back from August 6th to 17th with the same airline to see how things have changed. Starting August 18th, I’ll continue with independent exploration. I prefer slow travel and enjoying places at my own pace.
Any tips—especially for getting around or must-see spots—are welcome!
Thu Aug 06. Fly Montreal to Bogotá 20:55-04:05+1 Air Canada
Fri Aug 07. Bogotá
Sat Aug 08. Bogotá
Sun Aug 09. Bogotá
Mon Aug 10. Fly Bogotá to Medellín
Tue Aug 11. Medellín - Explore Guatapé
Wed Aug 12. Comuna 8 & Hill of Values - PM Fly to Pereira
Thu Aug 13. Montenegro
Fri Aug 14. Salento - Cocora Valley
Sat Aug 15. Fly to Cartagena
Sun Aug 16. Explore Cartagena
Mon Aug 17. Explore Cartagena
Tue Aug 18. Fly Cartagena to Cali 12:20-14:55 Latam
Wed Aug 19. Cali
Thu Aug 20. Cali
Fri Aug 21. Cali
Sat Aug 22. Bus Cali to Popayán 09:00-13:00
Sun Aug 23. Popayán
Mon Aug 24. Popayán
Tue Aug 25. Popayán - Day trip to Silvia (Market Day)
Wed Aug 26. Overland Popayán to Tierradentro by public transportation 4h, 100km
Thu Aug 27. Tierradentro
Fri Aug 28. Tierradentro
Sat Aug 29. Overland Tierradentro to Garzón via La Plata
Sun Aug 30. Bus Garzón to San Agustín 10:30-13:00
Mon Aug 31. San Agustín
Tue Sep 01. San Agustín
Wed Sep 02. San Agustín
Thu Sep 03. San Agustín
Fri Sep 04. Overland San Agustín to Tatacoa Desert via Neiva
Sat Sep 05. Tatacoa Desert
Sun Sep 06. Fly to Bogotá via Neiva 16:00-17:00 Latam
Mon Sep 07. Bogotá
Tue Sep 08. Fly Bogotá to Montreal 09:00-16:30 Air Canada
Hi there,
Three years ago during a trip to Java (no, I didn’t post in the wrong forum!), I came across the address of former miners who had switched to “tourism” and organized nighttime ascents of the Kawah Ijen volcano and descents into the crater.
So I was thinking—maybe there are miners on the salt flats too, either former or still active, who do the same thing. If you’ve had an experience like this, I’d love any tips you can share.
Thanks in advance.
Hi there, since there isn’t much recent info on how to get to MP, I’d love to know if there have been any improvements to the "route" to Hydroelectrica. Is it feasible to drive there in February? And is it still possible to walk all the way to Aguas Calientes? I think I read somewhere that it’s no longer allowed??
Do you think I can buy Machu Picchu entrance tickets last-minute at that time of year, given the weather?
A group of friends and I are heading to Brazil in March 2019 and we’d love to attend the Carnival parade. I could really use your help because I’m struggling to find reviews for online ticket sellers for Carnival.
I came across rio-carnival—is this a reliable agency?
Do you have other agencies to recommend or experiences to share?
Any advice is welcome.
