From Carnival to the Amazon: My Ultimate Brazil Itinerary

Why Brazil in February and March?

February and March are a fantastic time for a Brazil holiday if you enjoy warm weather, vibrant festivals and lush green landscapes. Carnival in Rio falls around this time, making it the perfect opportunity to pair the world’s most famous party with some of Brazil’s most extraordinary natural and cultural highlights.

This itinerary is designed for travellers who:

• Want to see Brazil’s “must‑see” sights without feeling rushed
• Love a mix of cities, culture, wildlife, waterfalls and beaches
• Prefer privately guided or small‑group experiences
• Like the idea of having all logistics, transfers and hotels carefully arranged in advance

As a Travel Counsellor, I work with trusted partners across Brazil to bring all of this together in a way that feels effortless when you travel, along with everything being fully protected.

Rio de Janeiro: Beaches, Icons & Carnival Magic - First impressions of the “Marvellous City”

Your journey begins in Rio de Janeiro, one of the most spectacularly located cities in the world. On arrival, a private transfer takes you straight to your hotel along Copacabana or Ipanema, where you can drop your bags, open the curtains and drink in those ocean views.

The rest of the day is about easing into Rio’s rhythm:

• A stroll along Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon
• Fresh coconuts and tropical juices from beachside kiosks
• Watching the sunset over the water as locals play beach volleyball and football

I remember this moment from my own travels when I thought to myself: “Now I’m really in Brazil!”

Iconic Rio in a day: Christ the Redeemer & Sugarloaf

A full‑day guided tour then introduces you to the city’s iconic landmarks, including:

• Christ the Redeemer: Travel up Corcovado Mountain through the Tijuca National Park to stand beneath the famous statue that looks out over the city. It is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a must on any Rio de Janeiro itinerary.
• Sugarloaf Mountain: Ride the cable car up to enjoy 360° views over Guanabara Bay, Copacabana Beach and the city’s dramatic patchwork of mountains and sea.
• Rio’s historic centre: Wander past colonial churches, grand buildings and lively streets that tell the story of Rio’s rich cultural heritage.

Having a guide here makes a huge difference, helping you understand what you are seeing rather than just ticking off viewpoints.

Experiencing Rio Carnival in style

One of the absolute highlights of this Brazil itinerary is an unforgettable night at the Rio Carnival parade in the Sambódromo.

Rather than squeezing into the general stands, you watch the samba schools from Lounge Carioca (Sector 7), a premium camarote that blends the full Carnival atmosphere with real comfort:

• Open bar with a selection of drinks
• Gourmet buffet
• Climate‑controlled lounge with space to relax between parades
• Balcony terrace with privileged views directly over the procession

From here you can watch as Rio’s top samba schools tell their stories in dazzling costumes, music and choreography. It is colourful, emotional and utterly unique.

Iguazu Falls: Brazil & Argentina’s Waterfall Wonder

Flying to the Falls

From Rio you fly to Foz do Iguaçu, the Brazilian gateway to the Iguazu Falls, one of the world’s most impressive waterfall systems and a true bucket‑list experience.

Brazilian side of Iguazu & Macuco Safari

On the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls, a private guided tour takes you along a 1.2‑kilometre trail with ever‑changing panoramic views. More than 275 individual cascades stretch along a three‑kilometre front, framed by dense tropical forest. Keep an eye out for the beautiful butterflies and the cheeky racoons stealing food from the restaurant.

To add a touch of adventure, this itinerary also includes the Macuco Safari, a classic Iguazu experience:

• Open‑vehicle ride through the forest with a guide pointing out flora and fauna
• Optional short hike to a smaller waterfall
• Exhilarating speedboat ride up the river, passing rocks, jungle and rainbows
• A very refreshing “natural shower” as the boat edges in close to the falls

You will get wet, but you will leave grinning.

Argentinian side of Iguazu: up close to the falls

The next day you cross into Argentina to explore the Argentinian side of Iguazu Falls, which gives you a closer, more immersive perspective.

A small train carries you to the Devil’s Throat viewpoint, where you stand right at the edge of the falls, then you follow raised walkways above and around the cascades. The trails weave through jungle, offering countless viewpoints and photo opportunities.

Manaus & The Amazon: Into the Green Heart of Brazil

Gateway to the Amazon: Manaus

From Foz do Iguaçu you fly to Manaus, a city in the heart of the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest and the starting point for many Amazon tours from Manaus.

You spend a little time here first, staying in a stylish city hotel and exploring with a private guide. Highlights include:

• The ornate Teatro Amazonas opera house, built during the rubber boom
• The Adolpho Lisboa Market, a lively market filled with Amazonian fruits, spices and handicrafts
• A visit to the Museum of the Indian and key landmarks such as the Floating Port and Rio Negro Palace

It is a fascinating blend of history, culture and everyday life at the edge of the rainforest.

Deeper into the rainforest: Amazon lodge experience

Then it is time to head deeper into the Amazon. A combination of boat and road transfers takes you out to your Amazon jungle lodge, set amidst lush rainforest and away from the city.

Here you switch to an all‑inclusive programme of guided activities, with typical days including:

• Sunrise excursions: Dawn is the most magical time in the rainforest. As light creeps over the canopy, the jungle bursts into sound with birds, monkeys and frogs.
• Guided jungle walks: Learn about medicinal plants, try to spot wildlife and discover how local communities have learned to live in harmony with the forest.
• Canoe trips through narrow igarapés (waterways) and igapós (flooded forest), where the reflections and sounds are mesmerising.
• Piranha fishing: Far more fun than scary, and a favourite with many guests.
• Night‑time caiman spotting: Glide along the river in the dark, scanning for the glinting eyes of caimans and alligators. Your expert guide may carefully bring a smaller one close so you can see it properly before releasing it back.

You will also visit a local Amazonian community, where you can ask questions about daily life, see how staples like cassava and Brazil nuts are produced and gain a deeper appreciation of the challenges of living in such a remote and fragile environment.

All meals and most activities are included, so you can simply immerse yourself in the experience of the Brazilian Amazon.

Salvador da Bahia: Afro‑Brazilian Soul & Colonial Charm

Leaving the forest behind, you fly to Salvador da Bahia, on Brazil’s northeastern coast. This is the city where Portuguese and African influences blend into something uniquely Brazilian.

Pelourinho & historic Salvador

You stay in a characterful pousada in the historic centre and explore with a private Pelourinho walking tour. This colourful UNESCO World Heritage Site is filled with:

• Narrow cobbled streets lined with pastel‑coloured colonial buildings
• Elegant churches and baroque façades
• Street music, capoeira displays and an unmistakable Afro‑Brazilian energy

Your tour may include:

• Dique do Tororó, with its striking Orixá sculptures
• The Mercado Modelo craft market, perfect for local art and souvenirs
• The beautiful Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Pretos, an important symbol of Afro‑Brazilian faith and resilience
• A ride on the Lacerda Elevator, linking the upper and lower towns and giving wonderful views of All Saints Bay

Salvador is a city best savoured slowly. With free days built into your Brazil itinerary, you can explore museums, join an evening music or dance show, sample local dishes like moqueca (a coconut seafood stew) and acarajé (black‑eyed pea fritters), or simply people‑watch in a square with a cold drink.

Ilha Grande: Trails, Turquoise Water & Time to Unwind

After soaking up the culture of Salvador, you fly back to Rio, then travel along the coast to catch a speedboat out to Ilha Grande, a lush, car‑free island that feels like a tropical hideaway.

Paradise island with a story

Ilha Grande has a surprisingly dramatic past: once a hideout for pirates, later a leper colony and then the site of a high‑security prison. Its slow development means much of the island remains wild and pristine today, covered in Atlantic rainforest and edged with beautiful beaches.

During your stay you can:

• Hike forest trails alive with monkeys, butterflies and exotic birds
• Discover waterfalls and secluded coves
• Spend lazy days on the sand or snorkelling in clear water

One of the classic walks takes you to Lopes Mendes, a long, white‑sand beach frequently listed as one of the most beautiful in Brazil and the world.

Blue Lagoon boat tour

Your time on Ilha Grande also includes a Blue Lagoon boat tour, a half‑day group excursion that takes you to some of the island’s prettiest bays and snorkelling spots.

Although entry into the lagoon itself is restricted, you will swim and snorkel in calm, turquoise water just outside it, surrounded by colourful fish. It is a relaxed, scenic trip that showcases why Ilha Grande is such a favourite for Brazil beach holidays.

With several free days here, you can choose how active or relaxed you want to be: more hikes, more boat trips or simply a hammock, a book and the sound of the waves.

Back to Rio & Home

The final part of your Brazil itinerary brings you back to Rio de Janeiro by boat and private transfer for one last night in the city. It is a chance for some final shopping, a last stroll along the beachfront or a farewell caipirinha at sunset.

The next day, a private transfer takes you to the airport for your flight home, full of memories of Carnival, waterfalls, rainforest, music and golden beaches.

Is this Brazil itinerary right for you?

This 23‑day journey through Brazil is ideal if you:

• Want to experience the country’s big‑name highlights in one trip
• Enjoy a balance of cities, culture, wildlife and beach time
• Prefer private transfers, guided tours and carefully chosen accommodation
• Like the idea of having everything tailored to you, rather than following a one‑size‑fits‑all group tour

It can also be adapted. We can:

• Make it shorter or longer
• Add more beach time or more Amazon time
• Adjust the level of hotels and pousadas
• Build in extra experiences, from food tours and samba lessons to additional hiking or snorkelling

Every itinerary I create is personalised, planned with care and fully protected through Travel Counsellors, so you can travel with confidence.

Ready to plan your own Brazil holiday?

If this has sparked ideas for your own Brazil holiday in 2026 or beyond, I would love to help design a trip that feels just right for you, whether that is this route from Rio and Iguazu Falls to the Amazon, Salvador and Ilha Grande, or something completely bespoke. Together we will create an itinerary that lets you experience the very best of Brazil, your way.