samba on the streets, sugarloaf at sunset, beaches so blue they look like they're from pinterest, and your first caipirinha with the gals … brazil has been living on our vision board for YEARS, and it's one of the most requested destinations in our DMs ever!! soooo... we've done it! we've launched our gals who travel brazil trip!!
you. us. girls trip. brazil. do we even need to say more??
samba on the streets, sugarloaf at sunset, beaches so blue they look like they're from pinterest, and your first caipirinha with the gals … brazil has been living on our vision board for YEARS, and it's one of the most requested destinations in our DMs ever!! soooo... we've done it! we've launched our gals who travel brazil trip!!
We've put together the ultimate 9 day route: rio de janeiro, island paradise ilha grande, cobbled, colourful paraty, and big-city são paulo. it's the perfect mix of iconic sights, beach days and nights out. let's get into it!!
is 9 days enough for brazil?
for a first trip? yes!! brazil is HUGE (like, bigger-than-europe huge), so you can't see it all in one go. but 9 days is perfect for the classic southeast coast: 3 days in rio, 2 on ilha grande, 2 in paraty and a final night in são paulo. you get the icons, the islands AND the city, without spending your whole trip in transit.
your 9 day brazil itinerary at a glance
the highlights
day 1 - rio de janeiro - touchdown, welcome dinner & first caipirinhas
day 2 - rio de janeiro - visit christ the redeemer, sugarloaf mountain, santa teresa
day 3 - rio de janeiro - local community project, visit copacabana beach, watch sunset over rio's stunning coastline
day 4 - ilha grande - travel by ferry to the island, paddleboarding or kayaking at sunset!!
day 5 - ilha grande - catch a short taxi boat and 30 minute hike to lopes mendes beach!!
day 6 - travel to paraty and go cachaça tasting
day 7 - paraty - island-hopping boat trip & visit lagoa azul
day 8 - são paulo - road trip to the big city & final night out
day 9 - são paulo - chilled checkout
day by day
day 1: bem-vindo ao rio!! 🇧🇷
land at rio's galeão airport (GIG), drop your bags and let it sink in… you're actually in rio!! take the afternoon slow, as jet lag is real. then in the evening it's time for a welcome dinner, your first proper caipirinha and your first taste of rio after dark.
gals who travel tip 💌 sort your airport transfer before you fly. booking an uber or 99 from inside the terminal, or using the official taxi booths, is the way to go. more on that in our brazil safety guide.
day 2: christ the redeemer & sugarloaf mountain 🗻
today's the BIG one!! first up, christ the redeemer, one of the new seven wonders of the world, standing on top of corcovado mountain with views over the whole city. it's a total pinch-me moment, so go early to beat the crowds (and get the pics!!). then it's up sugarloaf mountain by cable car for 360° views of rio's beaches, mountains and bays. golden hour up here hits DIFFERENT. in the afternoon, wander santa teresa, rio's arty, bohemian hilltop neighbourhood, full of colourful houses, street art and tiny bars. finish at the famous selarón steps (the lapa steps), covered in over 2,000 tiles from all around the world. can you find one from home??
day 3: favela community experience & copacabana 🏖️
visit planeterras local community project, learning about community in the favelas of rio, schooling and learn traditional dance!! this afternoon is beach time: copacabana beach to be specific!! beach volleyball, dips in the atlantic, fresh coconuts, açaí bowls and some serious people-watching. then we'll head to a sunset viewpoint to watch the sky turn pink over the city. rio sunsets are a whole event, and locals literally clap when the sun goes down. we love that for them.
day 4: hello, ilha grande 🏝️
bye bye city, hello island paradise!! we're catching the ferry to ilha grande, a jungle-covered island with no cars, no roads, just beaches, boats and flip-flops. honestly, you'll feel your shoulders drop the second you step off the ferry. this afternoon, it's paddleboarding or kayaking in the calm turquoise bays then it's golden hour, a cold drink on the sand and dinner by the water.
day 5: lopes mendes beach day 🥥
hop on a taxi boat to lopes mendes, often voted one of the most beautiful beaches in brazil. think powder-white sand, jungle right up to the beach and bright blue waves. spend the day swimming, sunbathing and playing volleyball, then wander over to praia do pouso, a calmer bay that's perfect for a float.
gals who travel tip 💌 take cash! plenty of spots on ilha grande prefer reais, and you'll want some for snacks and caipirinhas on the beach.
day 6: paraty & cachaça tasting 🎨
take the ferry and bus to paraty, one of the prettiest little towns in the whole of brazil. picture cobbled streets, whitewashed houses with bright doors, boutique shops and hidden cafés. the afternoon is yours to explore, then we'll head out on a walking tour to learn about paraty's colonial history before a cachaça tasting. cachaça is brazil's national spirit and the base of every caipirinha, so consider this research 🍹
gals who travel tip 💌 pack flat shoes!! paraty's cobbles are gorgeous but they are NOT heel-friendly.
day 7: island hopping in paraty 🚤
today is basically a music video. we're spending the day on the water, island hopping to praia vermelha, praia da lula, ilha comprida and the famous lagoa azul (the blue lagoon), with swimming, snorkelling, floating and tanning all day long. each stop is prettier than the last. mermaid mode: ON 🧜♀️
day 8: next stop, são paulo 🏙️
road trip day!! it's a few hours on the bus to são paulo, brazil's biggest city and a total contrast to the beach life. load up on snacks, make a playlist and go through the camera roll. tonight, it's one last dinner and drinks together to celebrate the most incredible week.
day 9: chilled checkout 🧳
and just like that, it's over (we're not crying, you are). if you're staying longer, são paulo is SO good for a couple of days: street art in beco do batman, the markets, rooftop bars and some of the best food in south america. fly home from são paulo guarulhos (GRU).
getting around brazil
- ferries and taxi boats get you to and around ilha grande. taxi boats are the easiest way to reach the more remote beaches like lopes mendes
- buses link rio, the ferry port, paraty and são paulo. they're comfy and cheap, just keep your bag with you
- uber and 99 are the easiest way to get around rio and são paulo. always book in the app
- fly into rio (GIG) and out of são paulo (GRU) so you're not doubling back on yourself
- on our trip, all internal transport is included, so the ferries, taxi boats and buses are all sorted for you!!
when's the best time to go?
november to march: summer on the southeast coast. hot, lively, perfect beach weather, with tropical rainstorms that come and go (it's rainy season in rio, so pack a light raincoat!)
april to october: drier, a little cooler and perfect for sightseeing and hiking
carnival (february or early march): the biggest party on the planet!! it's unforgettable, but it's busy and expensive, so book waaay in advance
what to pack for brazil
- bikinis (plural!!) and a sarong
- make sure to have a phone strap!!
- havaianas, obviously, and flat shoes for paraty's cobbles
- a crossbody bag for the cities
- reef-safe sun cream, a hat and sunglasses, because the sun is no joke
- a light raincoat for summer storms
- a dry bag for boat days
- insect repellent for the island
- cash (reais) for ilha grande
- and leave behind: fancy jewellery, and your vape. vapes are illegal in brazil and can be confiscated at the airport!!
Is brazil safe for solo female travellers?
brazil takes a bit more street-smarts than most places, especially in the big cities. but with the right habits, it's an amazing trip for solo gals. we've put everything you need to know in our honest brazil safety guide.
want the whole thing sorted?
you could plan all of this yourself… OR you could let us do it!! our gals who travel brazil trip follows this exact route. you get:
- a local guide the whole way (the best person to have in rio, trust us)
- christ the redeemer, sugarloaf, ilha grande paddleboarding, lopes mendes, a cachaça tasting and the paraty island-hopping boat trip
- all internal transport and breakfasts included
- twin and triple rooms shared with the gals
- a whole group of new besties for caipirinhas at sunset 🍹
if you have any questions on where to visit, what to eat, or when to travel drop us a message on instagram or speak to our team on live chat!!
can't wait to see you in rio <3
