Rio de Janeiro & Costa Verde Tour

10 Days / 9 Nights

This exotic tour of Rio de Janeiro & the Costa Verde takes you first to Rio, to see the statue of Christ the Redeemer, the Botanical Gardens and Sugar Loaf Mountain as well as the city and its vibrant beach and nightlife culture.

After the big city, comes the scenic escape. You then travel down the Costa Verde, Brazil's most spectacular coastal route, to the charming colonial port of Paraty. This tiny town nestles at the bottom of the Serra do Mar mountain range, with Atlantic Rainforest, waterfalls and jungle trails. Boats from the colourful harbour take you out onto the bay to enjoy the clear waters and pristine beaches.

Your tour finishes away from the world on the Tropical Paradise of Ilha Grande. This rugged island is free from traffic and the cares of the world. You have world class beaches, jungle trails to remote beaches and mountain peaks, and boat trips for snorkelling and scuba diving with the marine life. You may also choose to do nothing but relax for your time on the island, and there is nowhere better to do this than Ilha Grande.

Combines With: Sao Paulo; Ilhabela; Iguazu Falls; Buenos Aires.

Best Time to Visit: This tour can be taken all year round with December to February being the hottest, most humid and busiest months, but also with more rainfall. April and May can bring the clearest skies, which last into the Tropic of Capricorn winter months of June, July and August.

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from $ 1,375 USD

10 Days / 9 Nights

Destinations Visited

Rio de Janeiro
Paraty
Ilha Grande
Costa Verde

Trip Style

Traditional

Activities Included

Wildlife Observation
Ecotourism
Beaches

Tailor Made Tours

All our Brazil and South America Tours, are completely flexible with regards to dates, duration or the tours, activities and accommodation that we can include. All the tours featured on our website are our recommendations based on our experience of how to make the very best of your time in South America. We can adjust these details in any way that you wish. We are here to organise a tour that suits you after all!

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Rio de Janeiro

Destination: Rio de Janeiro

After being welcomed on arrival in Rio de Janeiro, your Brazil Adventure Tours guide describes the Marvellous City during the journey to your hotel close to Ipanema or Copacabana Beaches. You pass along the edge of Guanabara Bay, with first glimpses of the city, the statue of Christ The Redeemer and Sugar Loaf Mountain. After a little orientation of the city and the area around your hotel, the rest of the day is then free to explore Rio and perhaps enjoy your first coconut water or a caipirinha cocktail at sunset from Arpoador, the headland between the two main beaches. Evening brings the chance to enjoy Brazilian cuisine for the first time.

Day 2

Rio & Christ the Redeemer

Destination: Rio de Janeiro

Your first tour of Rio takes you to the top of Corcovado, the steep 710m high mountain topped by the 31m statue of Christ The Redeemer. The views from the base across the city, beaches, mountains, the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, Guanabara Bay and the Atlantic Ocean are as spectacular as city views can be. You then drop through Santa Teresa and the Selaron Staircase to see the historic side of Rio, the Municipal Theatre and the grand buildings that date from the 19th Century and earlier. The modern Metropolitan Cathedral and the antique Arches of Lapa are two more of Rio\'s postcard sights. The afternoon and evening are free to relax.

Day 3

Cable Cars and Sugar Loaf Views

Destination: Rio de Janeiro

Morning brings a journey around the lagoon to the Botanical Gardens in the shadow of Christ the Redeemer. The gardens contain an array of tropical species, with palms, orchids and the pau brasil tree that gave its name to the country watched over by monkeys and toucans. You then travel to Sugar Loaf Mountain to ride the cable cars to the 396m summit. The views take in Copacabana Beach, the mountains behind the statue and those surrounding Rio on a clear day. Afternoon and evening are free with a typical Brazilian churrascaria barbeque being one option, while weekend evenings can bring a trip to the samba clubs of Lapa.

Day 4

Down the Costa Verde to Paraty

Destination: Rio de Janeiro to Paraty

In the morning, you will be picked up for your 3-4hr journey down the Costa Verde, Brazil\'s Emerald Coast and possibly its most spectacular coastal route. Jungle-covered mountains tower up to your right and tropical islands dot the sparkling blue Bay of Angra dos Reis to your left. Beaches are also visible between the palm trees, and waterfalls tumble down the mountainsides. After checking in to your Paraty hotel, you can spend the afternoon exploring the historic centre of the old port town. The harbour, the cobbled streets and the colourful colonial houses make a pleasurable wander, day or night, with plenty of cosy restaurants for dinner later.

Day 5

Tropical Islands and Crystal Waters

Destination: Paraty

Your Paraty day begins at the picturesque harbour, with brightly painted boats taking you into the bay to visit some of the tropical islands, secluded beaches and crystal clear coves. Stops for snorkelling, swimming and strolling along the sands come before lunch, usually served on board. The journey back is a pleasant cruise as the sun dips behind the mountains, bathing Paraty in rays. After arriving late afternoon, the evening is free once more to appreciate the renowned seafood restaurants of the town. Shops also open late, with local cachaça of different flavours from the distilleries nearby being a favourite souvenir of Paraty.

Day 6

Gold Trails, Waterfalls & Hidden Villages

Destination: Paraty

The day is full of possibilities around Paraty, with the The Old Gold Trail that tour takes you up in the hills along the road that used to connect Paraty with the mines of Minas Gerais which were 30 days\' walk away. You stop at waterfalls for swimming and perhaps even sliding down, and also visit an alambique to see how cachaça is made in a traditional rustic distillery. Alternative options include a trip over the hills of the Laranjeiras Peninsula to Trindade in the Serra da Bocaina National Park. You can also explore the old fort and some of the beaches close to town. Most tours begin in the morning and have you back in Paraty in the afternoon.

Day 7

Escape to Ilha Grande

Destination: Paraty to Ilha Grande

After breakfast you transfer an hour to Angra dos Reis where the morning boat takes you to the largest island in the bay, Ilha Grande. On arrival at Vila do Abraao, the main village of the island, you will be helped with your luggage as there are no vehicles on the island, so journeys on foot along the beaches are necessary. After checking in, the afternoon is free to enjoy the beach, swing in a hammock under the trees, or perhaps walk or kayak to the beaches at Praia Crena or Abraaozinho. In the shallows of Crena or Praia Canto, the end of the main beach, you can often find sea turtles feeding, and snorkelling with them is an island treat.

Day 8

Treasure Island Paradise

Destination: Ilha Grande

After breakfast you can walk down to the town pier where a boat takes you around the island to see all of Ilha Grande\'s stunning coastline (if the wind is strong, the boat may be restricted to the continental side only, as the Atlantic waves become too rough). You make stops in lagoons and off deserted beaches for snorkelling while tropical fish and sea turtles feed on the coral. You may also spot one of Ilha Grande\'s many wrecks in the surrounding waters, including a helicopter. After returning late afternoon, you can enjoy dinner on the beach under the stars, with nothing but the gentle sound of lapping waves and rustling palm leaves.

Day 9

Secluded Trails & Remote Beaches

Destination: Ilha Grande

A free day on Ilha Grande has many options. You can take the jungle trail or the boat and a short walk to Lopes Mendes, regularly voted as one of the very best beaches in Brazil. It is certainly not the only stunning beach on Ilha Grande, with the sands of Dois Rios, Aventureiro and Parnaoica featuring on island postcards. Reaching many of these beaches requires some effort, either by boat or by trails crossing the interior mountains. The reward is to spend the day almost alone on a beautiful Brazilian beach, a stretch of tropical paradise to yourselves. Be careful not to leave your return too late though - the jungle becomes very dark at sunset.

Day 10

Flying Home from Brazil

Destination: Ilha Grande to Rio de Janeiro & Away

An early departure takes you back to the Ilha Grande pier for your boat to Brazil! On arrival back on the mainland, you will be met at the marina for the transfer back along the Costa Verde to Rio de Janeiro. You will arrive with plenty of time to check in for your overnight international flight home, perhaps time to check your photos and your memories of this wonderfully exotic part of Brazil.

Prices

* Domestic Flights Estimated Price
N/A

** Prices Per Adult based on two people travelling and sharing accommodation
Simple B&B
from $1,375 USD Request Quote
3 Stars
from $1,650 USD Request Quote
4 Stars
from $1,950 USD Request Quote
5 Stars
from $3,375USD Request Quote
* Prices vary depending on travel dates and flight availability. Peak periods in Brazil including Carnaval, public holidays and Christmas/New Year usually require a minimum number of nights, so in these cases itineraries may need to be changed. ** Domestic flight prices are estimated on typical values when reserved six months before travel. Prices can never be guaranteed until reservations are made, and do usually become more expensive closer to the travel period.

* Domestic Flights Estimated Price ** Prices Per Adult based on two people travelling and sharing accommodation

N/A

Simple

3 Stars

4 Stars

Luxury

from

$1,375 USD

Request Quote

from

$1,650 USD

Request Quote

from

$1,950 USD

Request Quote

from

$3,375 USD

Request Quote

* Prices vary depending on travel dates and flight availability. Peak periods in Brazil including Carnaval, public holidays and Christmas/New Year usually require a minimum number of nights, so in these cases itineraries may need to be changed.

** Domestic flight prices are estimated on typical values when reserved six months before travel. Prices can never be guaranteed until reservations are made, and do usually become more expensive closer to the travel period.