Brazil: Rio, Iguazu Falls & Salvador in 11 Days
Brazil
Overview
Brazil's scale means this route covers a lot of ground by domestic flight: Rio de Janeiro's beaches, favela-view mountains and iconic Christ the Redeemer, the genuinely overwhelming Iguazu Falls on the Argentine border, and Salvador da Bahia's colourful colonial old town and Afro-Brazilian culture on the northeast coast to finish.
- Duration
- 11 days
- Pace
- Balanced
- Transport
- Mixed
- Estimated budget (comfortable)
- US$1,600–US$2,100
Route
1. Rio de Janeiro2. Foz do Iguaçu3. Salvador
Highlights
- Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain cable car in Rio
- Walking the trails beneath Iguazu Falls, one of the world's most powerful waterfall systems
- Salvador's Pelourinho old town and live Afro-Brazilian music
- Copacabana and Ipanema beach days in Rio
Worth knowing
- Domestic flights are necessary — Brazil's distances are enormous
- Some Rio neighbourhoods require awareness of where tourists should and shouldn't wander after dark
- Iguazu is best seen from both the Brazilian and Argentine sides if time allows, adding a border crossing
Day by day
Day 1
Rio de JaneiroMain activities
- Arrive, settle in
- Copacabana beach evening
Overnight: Rio de Janeiro
Day 2
Rio de JaneiroMain activities
- Christ the Redeemer
- Santa Teresa neighbourhood
Overnight: Rio de Janeiro
Day 3
Rio de JaneiroMain activities
- Sugarloaf Mountain cable car
- Ipanema beach
Overnight: Rio de Janeiro
Day 4
Rio de JaneiroMain activities
- Free beach day
Optional additions
- Tijuca National Park hike
Overnight: Rio de Janeiro
Day 5
Rio de Janeiro → Foz do IguaçuMain activities
- Flight (~2.5h)
- Brazilian side of the falls
~2.5 hours flightOvernight: Foz do Iguaçu
Day 6
Foz do IguaçuMain activities
- Argentine side of the falls (border crossing)
Optional additions
- Itaipu Dam tour
Overnight: Foz do Iguaçu
Day 7
Foz do Iguaçu → SalvadorMain activities
- Flight via São Paulo (~4.5h total)
- Pelourinho old town evening
~4.5 hours totalOvernight: Salvador
Day 8
SalvadorMain activities
- Pelourinho historic centre
- Live Afro-Brazilian music
Overnight: Salvador
Day 9
SalvadorMain activities
- Beach day at Porto da Barra
Optional additions
- Mercado Modelo
Overnight: Salvador
Day 10
SalvadorMain activities
- Free day
Optional additions
- Ilha de Itaparica boat day trip
Overnight: Salvador
Day 11
SalvadorMain activities
- Departure
Overnight: Salvador
Alternatives
Shorter version · 7 days
Drop Salvador and go directly Rio → Iguazu Falls → home.
Longer extension · 15 days
Add a few days in São Paulo for its food and museum scene between Iguazu and Salvador.