Starting a trip in southern Brazil (without Iguaçu): is it worth it?

Hey, honestly, yes—the south of Brazil is definitely worth the detour, especially if you’ve got nearly two months ahead of you. That said, I’d recommend skipping Porto Alegre for a first trip; it seems less interesting than other spots in the region.

If you land in São Paulo, you can take it easy heading down the coast, stopping by Ilha Grande and Paraty before reaching Florianópolis. It’s a nice mix of beaches, nature, small colonial towns, and that classic Brazilian vibe. Florianópolis is totally worth it if you love beaches, hiking, and places where you can easily settle in for a few days.

After that, you can gradually make your way up to Rio, where you could easily spend several days without getting bored, then keep heading north.

For an itinerary until mid-February, I’d suggest: - 2-3 days in São Paulo to get a feel for the city; - 5-7 days in Paraty and Ilha Grande, with their colonial villages, beaches, and hikes; - 5-7 days in Florianópolis (or even longer if you really like the vibe); - 5-6 days in Rio de Janeiro—it’d be a shame to rush through it; - A few days in Bahia, exploring Salvador, Morro de São Paulo, or the Chapada Diamantina region if you enjoy hiking (in my opinion, this is where the trip can take on a whole new dimension, with a culture and atmosphere quite different from the south).

You could also push further to Recife and Olinda, or even head northeast to the beaches around Maceió or João Pessoa if you’re prioritizing sun and sea.

One small heads-up: December to February is Brazilian summer, but that doesn’t mean guaranteed sunshine everywhere. The south can get heavy rain and really humid days, even if the heat and beaches are still a big draw. If your goal is to maximize good weather, I’d focus a good chunk of the trip on the Nordeste, though I wouldn’t rule out Florianópolis entirely.

And since you’ve already been to Iguaçu, no need to go back—you’ve got plenty to fill those seven weeks without rushing from place to place.

Stick with São Paulo, then the southeast coast, followed by Florianópolis, Rio, Bahia, and the Nordeste. You might even want to take a domestic flight to save time on transport.

Brazil is huge—better to savor a few regions than try to tick every box on the map. And if you’re traveling solo, you’ll probably meet tons of people in hostels, especially around the beaches.

Have an amazing trip—you’re heading out at a perfect time for this kind of adventure!

Thanks so much for the reply—I’ll think about it. I’ll get back to you if I need more info. So, further inland, it’s non-stop rain, right?

You're welcome! And no, not necessarily! The main thing is that in the south and southeast, December to February is a hot and fairly humid period, with occasional big storms and several days of rain. But that doesn’t mean it rains non-stop as soon as you move away from the coast. In the Northeast, especially around Bahia and further north, you can also have great conditions during this time. Chapada Diamantina might be trickier for hikes because of the rain, but it’s not necessarily off-limits. You should mainly choose regions based on seasonal weather rather than systematically opposing the coast and inland areas.

Thanks a lot, I’ll keep that in mind.

You’re welcome. And no, not necessarily! The thing is, in the south and southeast, December to February is a hot and fairly humid period, with occasional heavy storms and several days of rain. But that doesn’t mean it rains nonstop as soon as you leave the coast. In the Northeast, especially around Bahia and further north, you can also have great conditions at that time. Chapada Diamantina might be trickier for hikes because of the rain, but it’s not necessarily off the table. You should really pick regions based on seasonal weather rather than systematically opposing the coast and the interior.