Value Brazil: The emerald coast
9 days from £1,450
Explore the tour day by day, from the highlights to the quieter moments in between. Here’s how each day unfolds and what to expect along the way.
Rio de Janeiro is the most beguiling, seductive, intriguing and beautiful city on the continent. But it is a multi-layered place: Brazil’s economic indicators show that the gulf between the rich and the poor is the greatest of all Latin American countries. Sumptuous apartments overlook the sparkling bays against a backdrop of half-built slum dwellings, favelas, which cling precariously to the hillsides.
Rio enjoys a truly awesome location among towering jungle-clad granite mountains, fringed by white-to toffee coloured sandy beaches that swoop down into the Atlantic surf.
Windsor Copa is one of a popular and reliable chain of contemporary Brazilian hotels with a modern, Scandinavian-style, bright and sunny décor and good quality furnishings. The Windsor hotels pride themselves on their friendly and helpful service: this one is no exception.
The property offers good value, air-conditioned accommodation with a few frills – there is a small gym and a full service restaurant (the property does not have a pool, but it’s just one block away from Copacabana beach). Guest rooms are set over 12 floors, some with views over the street and a small balcony.
Take an exhilarating trip by open-topped jeep through tropical fruit-laden vegetation up the sheer-sided Corcovado Mountain to drink in the views from beside the famous Christ the Redeemer statue on the peak. Continue to Santa Teresa, the colonial heart of the city which sits on a hill close to the Cathedral in the busy centre.
This is a popular residential area for artists and TV personalities who occupy the stately shaded houses lining its cobbled streets. There are plenty of old-fashioned bars, or bodegas, and an ancient rickety tram still climbs around impossibly steep lanes lined by high walls sheltering museums, parks, art centres, smart restaurants and one or two luxury hotels.
Windsor Copa is one of a popular and reliable chain of contemporary Brazilian hotels with a modern, Scandinavian-style, bright and sunny décor and good quality furnishings. The Windsor hotels pride themselves on their friendly and helpful service: this one is no exception.
The property offers good value, air-conditioned accommodation with a few frills – there is a small gym and a full service restaurant (the property does not have a pool, but it’s just one block away from Copacabana beach). Guest rooms are set over 12 floors, some with views over the street and a small balcony.
You will be collected from your hotel for a shared drive down the Emerald Coast to colonial Paraty (4/4½-hours). The winding road is bordered by steep mountains covered in lush Atlantic forest on one side, and the ocean on the other. This enchanting bay-side town is steeped in history; Paratí, means ‘river of fish’ in the indigenous Tupi language.
The town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it’s not hard to see why as you wander through its local boutique-lined cobbled streets, explore glorious baroque churches and check out the local art work in one of the many contemporary galleries. The divine blue, gold and white painted Portuguese architecture has been carefully preserved, and the centre of the town is vehicle free. There are also some excellent places to eat freshly caught fish on the sea-front. The bay itself is dotted with tropical islands and, rising some 1,000m behind the town are forested mountains intersected by rivers and waterfalls.
The friendly and well-located Pousada do Principe occupies a graceful colonial building close to the picturesque old town. The large pool in the central courtyard, fringed by lovely, lush tropical greenery, is a particular selling point.
Guestrooms overlook the pool or gardens and are spacious and tastefully decorated with bright accents and large, comfortable beds draped with cheerful textiles. Staff are helpful and eager to please, and can book a range of excursions for you at reception.
There is a restaurant, bar and sitting room, all with exposed stone columns and carefully chosen reminders of the hotel’s historic pedigree.
Travel out to sea in the sheltered bay on the deck of a traditional three-masted schooner, in high season accompanied by other visitors and Brazilian couples and families. You’ll visit some of the virtually uninhabited little islands in the bay, each with its own hidden picture-perfect sandy coves where you can take a dip in the warm tropical waters. There’s lunch included and cool fruit juices to quench your thirst.
The friendly and well-located Pousada do Principe occupies a graceful colonial building close to the picturesque old town. The large pool in the central courtyard, fringed by lovely, lush tropical greenery, is a particular selling point.
Guestrooms overlook the pool or gardens and are spacious and tastefully decorated with bright accents and large, comfortable beds draped with cheerful textiles. Staff are helpful and eager to please, and can book a range of excursions for you at reception.
There is a restaurant, bar and sitting room, all with exposed stone columns and carefully chosen reminders of the hotel’s historic pedigree.
Travel by ferry to beautiful Ilha Grande. This is the largest of many rugged, forested little islets studding the bays. In the 16th and 17th centuries it was a pirate’s lair, and later a leper colony was established there. Finally, it was home to a notorious prison, which accommodated not only political prisoners but also violent criminals. The penitentiary was closed in 1994 but developers were restrained by the island’s reputation, and now much of the inland territory is preserved in an ecological reserve.
The island was adopted by the backpacker set but now that there are low-key barefoot pousadas a variety of visitors makes the journey over. There’s nothing much to do apart from enjoy some of the continent’s most beautiful beaches and coves, accessible by track or boat.
There are few tracks connecting tiny settlements and no motorised vehicles are allowed. The Atlantic rainforest remains largely untouched, although several walking trails have been established, so you can appreciate prolific wildlife, including hummingbirds. The only town, Vila do Abraão, consists of a few houses and dirt roads. The island can get very crowded at holiday times.
The laid-back Pousada Naturalia has a lovely secluded setting on a steep slope behind the beach at Abraa᷉o. Its two wooden storeys are backed by rainforest; in fact, the tropical vegetation seems to permeate every nook and cranny of the place, lending it an exuberantly jungly ambience. The natural vibe and blending of indoor and outdoor spaces is typical of Ilha Grande’s pousadas, but in our opinion this one is a cut above the rest.
The simple guestrooms have no TV and are furnished in wood and bamboo. Their best feature is a relaxing private balcony, where you can swing in a hammock and take in the idyllic ocean views beyond the mantle of tropical foliage that surrounds you.
Another particularly charming feature is the breakfast room, set around a large boulder and often buzzing with hummingbirds. The hotel is a short walk from the centre of town, partly along the beach; a porter turns up to carry your bag when you arrive on the island.
Take the ferry back to mainland Brazil where you’ll join a scenic 3hr road transfer to Rio.
Windsor Copa is one of a popular and reliable chain of contemporary Brazilian hotels with a modern, Scandinavian-style, bright and sunny décor and good quality furnishings. The Windsor hotels pride themselves on their friendly and helpful service: this one is no exception.
The property offers good value, air-conditioned accommodation with a few frills – there is a small gym and a full service restaurant (the property does not have a pool, but it’s just one block away from Copacabana beach). Guest rooms are set over 12 floors, some with views over the street and a small balcony.
Depending on the time of your flight there may be time for a final optional excursion. Perhaps take the cable car to the top of Sugar Loaf mountain for a final view of Rio’s magnificent setting.
The places you’ll stay and explore on this tour. Here’s a closer look at each one and what makes it worth the trip.
Brazil - Rio de Janeiro
Waking up to your first view of Copacabana Beach is one of Brazil’s great travel moments, and Rio only builds from there. Granite peaks, rainforest-covered hills and golden sand meet a city that never quite sits still: samba spilling out of bars, football on the beach, Carnival taking over the streets once a year.
Brazil - Buzios, Paraty and Costa Verde
Rainforest-covered mountains plunge into emerald seas, colonial ports sit beside tropical bays and idyllic islands are fringed by white-sand beaches along one of Brazil’s most beautiful stretches of coastline. From glamorous Búzios Brazil to historic Paraty and the lush Costa Verde Brazil, this region is perfect for combining relaxation, culture and natural beauty.
The area around Rio de Janeiro, itself one of the most glamorous and colourful cities in the world, hosts some of the most exotic beaches, fringed by jungle vegetation, and some of the prettiest historic towns and villages, situated on tranquil bays peppered with tiny islands. This short holiday, with time spent on sun-drenched beaches but also beyond, begins in Rio on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, before heading down the coast to the historic colonial port of Paraty where you hop on a traditional schooner for a trip round the bay with a cocktail in your hand and a bit of swimming. Take a ferry to Ilha Grande, a vehicle-free, forest-cloaked island, once a backpacker’s secret but now studded with pretty barefoot pousadas (guest houses).
Kathryn Rhodes
All of our experts have lived or travelled extensively in Latin America, so you will receive unrivalled advice based on unique personal experiences.
The practical detail for this tour, all in one place. Transport, accommodation, what’s included and what to pack, so you know exactly what to expect before you go.
- Transport
2 scenic road journeys (longest 4/5hrs); 2 boat journeys (1.5hrs).
- Accommodation
Small, friendly hotels, colonial or modern in style with well-equipped rooms, private bathroom and heating.
- Meals
Breakfast daily, lunch day 4.
- Guides
We carefully select our local partners, some of whom we have worked with for over 25 years. Their English-speaking guides understand the expectations of our clients very well, and are consistently singled out for praise by the latter on their return.
- Summary Of Nights
9 days, 8 nights: Rio 2; Paraty 2; Ilha Grande 3; Rio 1.
- Optional Excursions
There are a number of half-, full-day or longer excursions or activities you may wish to consider in order to customise your holiday to cater for your interests. Please contact us to discuss these further or to add them to your itinerary before you depart. A selection of these:
- Cable car ride up Sugar Loaf Mountain
- Rio by Night – Samba show
- Currency
The unit of currency in Brazil is the ‘real’ (plural reais).
- How To Take It
Cash machines are available in all major cities and towns, and so taking a debit or credit card with a PIN number is the most convenient way of withdrawing money while on your trip, and in most shops and restaurants you can also pay by card. However, since cards can get lost, damaged, withheld or blocked, you should not rely exclusively on a card to access funds. We recommend that additionally you take a reasonable quantity of US dollars cash (no more than is covered by your insurance), which you can exchange into local currency, and possibly some travellers’ cheques, though these are gradually falling out of use (American Express are the most widely accepted). Dollar bills should be in good condition, soiled or torn bills may be refused. You can take sterling, but the exchange rate is not always competitive or even available, restricting the number of places where you can change money. There are no ATMs in Ilha Grande, be sure to change money to local currency before you go there.
- Daily Spend
A budget of around US$40-$70 per day should cover the cost of not-included meals, drinks, local transport, tips and the odd souvenir. Prices of meals and drinks in standard restaurants are more or less the same as in Britain, perhaps a bit cheaper.
- Tipping
Tips are expected and local guides often rely on their tip as a significant proportion of their income.
Most service industry workers will expect a tip of some kind and so it is useful to have spare change for hotel porters, taxi drivers and the like. It is common to leave 10 – 12% in restaurants.
- Insurance
Travel insurance is essential.
Details of our recommended policy can be found on the Travel Insurance page.
- Airport Taxes
If you have purchased your flights through Journey Latin America, the international departure tax is usually included in the ticket.
- Trip Suitability
There are no long days of travel on this trip.
This holiday is suitable for all, including families (although you cannot book the latter with us online unless you require accommodation based on double occupancy rooms). In other cases, and if you have a disability or other special requirements, please call us.
In the summer months of December to March the weather is extremely hot and humid, you might bear this in mind if travelling with small children or the elderly.
- Climate
In tropical Rio December to February are the hottest and most humid months, with temperatures reaching 40°C, and rain which falls in brief, heavy showers.
From June to September, temperatures are more moderate (18-23°C) and there is plenty of sunshine, but cold fronts can usher in periods of up to several days of cloud and drizzle. Weather-wise, March to June are good months for this holiday: it can rain at any time, but the sun can shine at any time too!
- Clothing And Special Equipment
For day-to-day wear you should take light, loose-fitting, breathable clothes. (Of course, especially in Rio, the locals will often opt for tighter garments!) Comfortable shoes are important for walking and sandals are perfect for hot weather.
A sun hat, sun block, insect repellent and sunglasses are essential, and in winter – June to August – you should take a light fleece or jacket for cool nights and a waterproof layer, as well as swimwear. Note that in the Brazilian winter you can have lovely warm days in the mid-twenties centigrade when a northern European would be happy to sit on the beach but you won’t find many Brazilians hardy enough to do so! There can be cool, dull, drizzly days too. An umbrella is handy: especially in summer, the rain can be short-lived but falls in the form of a tropical deluge, when a rain jacket may not offer much protection. Take insect repellent to Ilha Grande. - Vaccinations
Preventative vaccinations are recommended against the following; typhoid; polio; tetanus; hepatitis A. For specific requirements you must consult your GP.
As of 2018, visitors to Brazil travelling on our holidays should be protected with a vaccination against yellow fever, and carry the corresponding certificate. In April 2013, the World Health Organisation Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation concluded that a single primary dose of yellow fever vaccine is sufficient to confer sustained immunity and lifelong protection against yellow fever disease, and that a booster dose is not needed.
You can also find helpful information on the Masta Travel Health website.
- Visas
Holders of a full British passport do not require a visa, although passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the trip begins. Anyone with a different nationality should enquire with us or check with the relevant consulate.
If flying to the US, or via the US you will need to fill in your online ESTA application.
- Do I need a visa to visit Brazil?
British passport holders don’t need a visa for tourist visits of up to 90 days. Your passport should be valid for at least six months from the start of your trip. If you’re routing through the US, you’ll need an ESTA in advance. Always check the latest entry requirements before you travel, as rules can change.
- How do I get to Brazil from the UK?
British Airways flies direct from London Heathrow to both Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, taking around 11.5 hours to Rio. There are also connecting routes via Lisbon, Madrid and other European hubs. We arrange all flights and transfers, and can quote them separately based on your dates.
- What’s the best way to travel around Brazil?
The country’s size makes domestic flights the most practical way to cover long distances, with most routes connecting through São Paulo or Rio. Within regions, we arrange private transfers and guided excursions. In the Pantanal, travel is by 4×4 and boat from your lodge, and in the Amazon, river transport is part of the experience.
- What currency does Brazil use?
The official currency is the Brazilian real. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in cities and tourist areas, and ATMs are available in most towns, though some have withdrawal limits. Carry some cash for tips, smaller purchases and rural areas. We’ll advise on the latest currency situation before you travel.
- How long should I spend in Brazil?
Two weeks works well for a first trip, pairing Rio with Iguazú Falls and either the Amazon or the Pantanal. To go further and add Salvador, the northeast beaches or Fernando de Noronha, allow three weeks or more. We’ll help you build an itinerary that makes the most of your time.
- What language is spoken in Brazil?
Portuguese is the official language, and Brazil is the only Portuguese-speaking country in South America. English is spoken in hotels and tourist areas, less so beyond them, so a few words of Portuguese go a long way and are always warmly received.
- Is Brazil safe for travellers?
The tourist areas of Brazil are generally safe and well visited. As in any large city, take sensible precautions in Rio and São Paulo, keeping an eye on your surroundings, avoiding flashy valuables and using licensed taxis or ride apps. We plan every itinerary carefully with trusted local partners, and our Travel Experts will advise on anything specific to your route.
- What countries can I combine with Brazil?
Brazil pairs naturally with Argentina, taking in both sides of Iguazú Falls and adding Buenos Aires or Patagonia. Peru combines well for a broader South America itinerary, and Uruguay is an easy connection from the south. Our Travel Experts can design a multi-country trip around you.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
Rosie embarked on a year-long backpacking trip across Latin America. She is excited to share her knowledge and experiences with others.
Finn discovered his passion for travel on an extensive 18-month trip to Latin America, experiencing the vibrant Carnaval in Rio, the end-of-the-world city of Ushuaia, trekking the Andes and volunteering on the Galápagos Islands.
Maggie visited Latin America on her first backpacking trip when she was 19. Since then, she has taken every opportunity to travel, and has managed to explore a lot of the region in subsequent trips.
Gary discovered what he had been missing with his first foray into the wilds of Latin America. In his role as Product Manager, he combines this personal obsession with years of industry experience to help ensure that travellers will fall for the region every bit as much as he has.
Things to do
We proudly offer the widest range of activities, excursions and one-of-a-kind experiences across all our destinations, tried and tested personally by our travel experts.
Accommodation
Browse our unrivalled portfolio of accommodation. Every option has been carefully chosen by our team of travel experts, so you can rest assured that you will relax in utter comfort
Laid-back guesthouse with a lovely secluded setting and an exuberantly jungly ambience. Rooms have spectacular ocean views from their private balconies.
Friendly and well-located hotel occupying a graceful colonial building, with tastefully decorated rooms and a large pool fringed by tropical greenery.
Windsor Copa is a good value, mid-range hotel just a short stroll from Copacabana beach
Papagaio
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