Land in the capital of Samba and enjoy a few days visiting the city and beaches. 

Things to do:
Check the full guide for Rio here

Stay:
I loved the historical part of town, Santa Theresa is a beautiful and safe neighbourhood to stay in. You’re also close to Lapa where you’ll find the best nightlife in the city. If you’d rather stay by the beach I would recommend Leblon or Ipanema over Copacabana. As the latter is very touristy and, in my opinion, a little rundown. I also really liked staying in Lemme at Aquarela do Lemme hostel & guest house. The views are beautiful from there.

Travel:
2.5h to 4h from Rio. You can get a private transfer or else get a bus from Rio Novo station to Conceição de Jacareí, then a boat from there directly to Ihla Grande

Things to do:
This beautiful island has gorgeous beaches made of fine white sand and clear blue waters. You can chill, go on hikes to remote beaches or even go on a boat tour around the island. We did the boat tour and found it a bit too touristy for our liking. Also, it was all in Portuguese so we didn’t get any insights from the guide. If you’re after some peace and quiet by the beach, I would recommend doing one of the hikes instead.

Travel:
4h drive from Rio, count about 6h+ by bus


Things to do:
It’s a marvellous old colonial town with a rich history. I would recommend, first and foremost, to do the walking tour. You can then do a jeep tour around the nearby waterfalls and cachaca distillery. The local alcohol of Brazil used in Caipirinhas comes from Paraty so it’s a great place to try and buy Cachaca. Lastly, I would recommend doing a boat trip on the river. You can either book in advance or show up at the pier and negotiate directly with one of the local sailers.

Travel: 6h by bus from Paraty, you can book it directly on Busbud

Things to do:
A lot of people give this city a miss in Brazil. I personally quite liked it. The locals were very friendly and you’ll find amazing restaurants here along with beautiful museums. I would recommend staying in Vila Madalena, it’s a hip neighbourhood with lots of bars, cafes and graffitis. It’s also one of the safest spot in town too.

Eat at… Banana Verde, a lovely vegetarian restaurant.

Travel:
Fly from São Paulo to Salvador (2h25) and get a boat from there. The boat journey takes 1.5 hours.

Things to do:
Morro de São Paulo is a lively little island. it is known for its beautiful beaches, clear waters, and laid-back atmosphere. The village is car-free, and transportation is mainly by foot or by horse-drawn carts. With its vibrant nightlife, diverse restaurants, and a range of water activities, I would recommend going to beach number four and beyond as the first beaches are very crowded.

Travel:
Take a boat back from Morro de Sao Paulo back to Salvador.

Things to do:
Possibly my favourite city in whole of Brazil, I fell in love with Salvador. There are so many things to do and eat whilst you’re there. Here’s a list of a few:

• Wander through Pelourinho's historic streets.

• Ride the Elevador Lacerda for panoramic views.

• Eat a traditional moqueca (fish stew) at Donna Suzanna

• Eat at the hip restaurant Poro, the tuna there is divine.

• Relax at Farol da Barra's beach and lighthouse. Make sure to stay for sunset there too.

• Visit the colorful Igreja do Bonfim.

• Wander the bustling street of Direita de Santo Antônio where you’ll discover an array of restaurants, cafe and local shops.

• Do the Carnival in Salvador. I did both Rio and Salvador and found the latter easier as a tourist. All the entertainment is easy to find and the atmosphere is amazing.

• Do a walking tour

Travel:
Get a direct bus from Salvador, should take about 7 hours.

Things to do:
This lush national park is filled with trails. I did the wonderful and popular Vale do Pati. It’s a beautiful 3 days trek. Expect to some breathtaking landscapes and snakes along the way too..

Book with…
I would recommend booking your hikes directly with Hostel Albergue de Lençóis Backpackers. Their price is competitive and their guides are friendly and very knowledgeable. The only downside is that they only speak Portuguese.

Travel:
There are direct flights from Chapada to Belo Horizonte so it’s a quick and easy way to make your way back down south for your flight.

Things to do:
Use this place as a layover, go straight to Ouro Preto if you can from here.

Travel:
From Belo Horizonte count about 2h+ by bus.

Things to do:
This is a beautiful, well-preserved colonial town. Whilst you’re there you can visit local churches or admire the works of sculptor Aleijadinho. It’s a great place to get lost and wander the charming historic center's cobblestone streets. Take a tour of the Mina da Passagem gold mine, relax at Praça Tiradentes, and enjoy nature at Cachoeira do Bromado.

Travel:
Get a bus from Ouro Preto to Rio which should take 7h+

Things to do:
Relax and enjoy your last couple of days in one of Brazilian’s best cities!