📍 Brazil

BRAZIL XXL: SÃO PAULO TO IGUAZU, BAHIA AND RIO JOURNEY

Megacities stand alongside waterfalls, the Amazon roars, colonial towns whisper, beaches stretch endlessly. Brazil XXL is the ultimate continent-country.

≈ 39
Days
11018
Km
22
Stops
📖 13 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

São Paulo, Iguazu Falls, the Amazon, Salvador de Bahia, Recife, Northeast beaches and Rio. Three weeks to discover all the Brazils.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Sao Paulo

metropolis financial energy pulse

🔍

Discover

1
São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP) and Avenida Paulista
2
Ibirapuera Park: Oscar Niemeyer pavilions
3
Historic Center: Pátio do Colégio, Catedral da Sé
🎯

Activities

Urban street-food walk in Liberdade
Sunset at the Edifício Copan viewpoint
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 443 km
Travel time: 6h30
2
Day

Curitiba

southern city green planning

🔍

Discover

1
Curitiba Botanical Garden (Art Nouveau greenhouse)
2
Oscar Niemeyer Museum (MON)
3
Historic center: Largo da Ordem
🎯

Activities

Tanguá Park: panoramic walk
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 298 km
Travel time: 4h36
3
Day

Florianopolis

island state lagoon bridge

🔍

Discover

1
Florianópolis Center and Mercado Público
2
Lagoa da Conceição and dunes
3
Praia Joaquina or Campeche (your choice)
🎯

Activities

Short hike to Lagoinha do Leste (partial round trip if time permits)
Seafood tasting on the waterfront
✈️
Next stop
✈️ Flight / transfer day
Distance: 627 km
Travel time: 11h24
4
Day

Pato Branco

frontier agriculture heartland

🔍

Discover

1
Mountain route SC→PR (rural views and valleys)
2
Pato Branco Center: Praça Presidente Vargas
🎯

Activities

Urban stroll and neighborhood cafés
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 334 km
Travel time: 6h12
5
Day

Foz Do Iguacu

waterfall cascade mist roar

🔍

Discover

1
Iguaçu National Park (Brazilian side): walkways and Devil's Throat
2
Bird Center (Parque das Aves)
🎯

Activities

Macuco Safari boat option (baptism of the falls)
Sunset viewpoint
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 521 km
Travel time: 8h54
6
Day

Dourados

agricultural frontier development

🔍

Discover

1
Itaipu Binacional (dam viewpoint, morning)
2
Stop in Cascavel: Praça do Migrante
🎯

Activities

Route PR→MS through the countryside (photo stops)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 225 km
Travel time: 3h36
7
Day

Campo Grande

plateau city central gateway

🔍

Discover

1
Indigenous Nations Park
2
Campo Grande Municipal Market (Mercadão)
🎯

Activities

Southern Pantanal detour (viewpoints/interpretation centers if open)
✈️
Next stop
✈️ Flight / transfer day
Distance: 711 km
Travel time: 10h42
8
Day

Cuiaba

wetland gateway pantanal access

🔍

Discover

1
Cuiabá center: Praça Alencastro and cathedral
2
Pantanal Natural History Museum (if time permits)
🎯

Activities

Chapada dos Guimarães (short trek to Véu de Noiva—if arriving early)
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 523 km
Travel time: 9h36
9
Day

Barra Do Garcas

river confluence crystal pools

🔍

Discover

1
Cristo Rei do Araguaia Viewpoint
2
Rio Araguaia river beaches (seasonal)
🎯

Activities

Swimming/relaxing on the banks (depending on conditions)
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 557 km
Travel time: 10h06
10
Day

Brasilia

futuristic capital architecture

🔍

Discover

1
Ministries Esplanade and Praça dos Três Poderes
2
Metropolitan Cathedral of Brasília (Niemeyer)
3
National Congress (exteriors)
🎯

Activities

UNESCO architecture circuit (Brazilian modernism)
✈️
Next stop
✈️ Flight / transfer day
Distance: 616 km
Travel time: 10h12
11
Day

Barreiras

cerrado plateau transition zone

🔍

Discover

1
Planaltina/Chapada dos Veadeiros (panorama stop if detour made the day before)
2
Historic center of Barreiras (Praça Castro Alves)
🎯

Activities

Rio Grande walk (docks/riverbanks)
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 467 km
Travel time: 7h24
12
Day

Bom Jesus Pi

mountain plateau escarpment

🔍

Discover

1
Bom Jesus center: Praça Marcos Aurélio
2
Senhor do Bonfim Church
🎯

Activities

BA→PI route through the Cerrado (photo stops)
✈️
Next stop
✈️ Flight / transfer day
Distance: 610 km
Travel time: 9h54
13
Day

Teresina

river city middle northeast

🔍

Discover

1
Ponte Estaiada Complex (urban view)
2
City Park / Potycabana Park
🎯

Activities

Teresina artisan market
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 341 km
Travel time: 6h42
14
Day

Parnaiba

delta lagoon coastal gateway

🔍

Discover

1
Historic center of Parnaíba
2
Porto das Barcas
🎯

Activities

Boat excursion in the Delta do Parnaíba (mangroves)
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 477 km
Travel time: 6h54
15
Day

Fortaleza

northeast capital beach city

🔍

Discover

1
Iracema Beach and English Bridge
2
Dragão do Mar Center (culture)
🎯

Activities

Swimming/relaxing Praia do Futuro
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 518 km
Travel time: 7h48
16
Day

Natal

beach dune city vacation

🔍

Discover

1
Forte dos Reis Magos
2
Historic center of Natal
🎯

Activities

Buggy on the dunes of Genipabu (local classic)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 281 km
Travel time: 4h18
17
Day

Recife

pernambuco cultural colonial

🔍

Discover

1
Recife Antigo: Praça do Marco Zero
2
Boa Viagem (seafront)
🎯

Activities

Olinda option (UNESCO) at the end of the day: viewpoints
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 511 km
Travel time: 8h24
18
Day

Aracaju

beach city sergipe coast

🔍

Discover

1
Orla de Atalaia (promenade)
2
Mercado Municipal Antônio Franco
🎯

Activities

Seaside walk at sunset
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 383 km
Travel time: 6h06
19
Day

Salvador

bahia colonial historic soul

🔍

Discover

1
Pelourinho (UNESCO): Largo do Pelourinho, baroque churches
2
Elevador Lacerda & Mercado Modelo (Baía de Todos os Santos)
🎯

Activities

Afro-Bahian music in the evening (historic district)
Swimming and relaxation on the beaches of southern Bahia coast
✈️
Next stop
✈️ Flight / transfer day
Distance: 706 km
Travel time: 10h
20
Day

Porto Seguro

discovery coast historic beach

🔍

Discover

1
Historic Center of Porto Seguro and colonial churches
2
Arraial d'Ajuda / Praia do Espelho (depending on timing)
🎯

Activities

Mining Museums (short guided tour)
Road return to São Paulo (planning / late departure or D+1)
✈️
Next stop
✈️ Flight / transfer day
Distance: 1031 km
Travel time: 10h
21
Day

Ouro Preto

gold mining colonial mountain

🔍

Discover

1
Historic center of Ouro Preto (UNESCO): Praça Tiradentes
2
Baroque churches: São Francisco de Assis / Nossa Senhora do Pilar
🎯

Activities

Mining Museums (short guided tour)
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 408 km
Travel time: 7h30
22
Day

Rio De Janeiro

iconic peak beach grandeur

🔍

Discover

1
Christ the Redeemer (Corcovado)
2
Sugarloaf Mountain (Urca cable car)
3
Copacabana / Ipanema (walk)
🎯

Activities

Road return to São Paulo (planning / late departure or D+1)
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 430 km
Travel time: 6h

🗺️ Itinerary map

🗺️ Nearby itineraries

🛡️ Travel advice - Brazil

Check official recommendations

UK Foreign Travel Advice →

❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Summer (December-March): Peak tourist season, hottest weather, Carnival season, highest prices, crowded beaches, vibrant atmosphere.

Fall (April-June): Excellent weather, fewer crowds, good prices, ideal for most regions, comfortable temperatures.

Winter (July-September): Dry season in most regions, perfect for Pantanal wildlife, cooler temperatures, great for cultural activities.

Spring (October-November): Good weather returning, moderate crowds, reasonable prices, excellent for outdoor activities.

Regional Variations: Amazon best May-September (dry season), Northeast beaches year-round, South cooler June-August.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 31 and 47 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in Brazil?

Carnival energy, Amazon rainforest, and pristine beaches create the ultimate South American adventure. Experience vibrant cities, incredible biodiversity, and passionate culture from Rio's beaches to Pantanal wetlands. Samba music, capoeira martial arts, and incredible football culture showcase national spirit. Brazil offers unparalleled natural wonders with infectious cultural energy.