Brazil is a pretty country full of cool cities and stunning nature!
Brazil Tips:
Brush up on your Portuguese! Even though the surrounding countries predominately speak Spanish, there is no Spanish in Brazil. Google Translate is another great option.
Be aware—Brazil is not somewhere I would recommend for a solo trip or for inexperienced travelers. The crime rates in the cities are quite high, so it is a place to be aware and make good choices.
Check out my Argentina blog here!
Iguazu Falls:
Iguazu Falls are shared by Argentina and Brazil, and each side offers different perspectives. The Brazilian side is slightly more impressive because you can really take in the expansiveness of the falls. Check out my recommendations for the Argentina side here.
Both sides offer luggage storage so if you are flying in or out it is very convenient. Once you enter the park there is a bus that will take you to various stops for the trail or safari. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for coati and monkeys!
The Circuit Trail has several lookouts along the way offering different viewpoints of the falls. At the end of the trail it ventures out over the river in front of The Devil’s Throat and you will get quite wet. There is also an elevator you can go up for a different view here. It takes about 1 hour to complete the trail.
Get out on the water with Macuco Safari: This tour starts with an electric trolley through the jungle followed by a short hike and then a boat ride. You will get absolutely soaked going under the falls. There is no need to book in advance, the tours go every ~20 minutes. It is quite expensive for what you do.
Foz do Iguaçu is the city on the Brazilian side of the falls. It is a much larger city than Puerto Iguazu in Argentina. Maki Sushi is a delicious spot for lunch or dinner.
Venture into Paraguay: Walk across the border and then grab an Uber to Monday Falls. This is a large waterfall with a couple of different viewpoints. The admission fee is $12 and cash-only.
Iguazu Falls
São Paulo:
São Paulo is a really cool city. There is lots of street art, some great breweries and overall good vibes.
Croma Beer Co.: My favorite brewery in town! They are located in the Pinheiros neighborhood and have a huge tap list. The beers were all great and they also have a food menu.
Trilha Cervejaria: A great brewery with a few different taprooms across the city. The Perdizes space is a cool spot with a small food menu and friendly staff.
Bareō Cervejaria: A smaller brewery making stellar IPAs. Worth going out of your way for!
Wander Avenida Paulista: This is the main street of the city that is full of shops, restaurants, bars and more!
Museu Afro Brasil: A large museum focused on the Black experience in Brazil. There are a plethora of different exhibits here. The entrance fee is $3.
Parque Ibirapuera: The museum is located inside this massive park! Many folks rent bikes to explore the park that is home to a few museums, gardens, and more.
Check out the Liberdad area for ramen: This neighborhood becomes a madhouse during the lunch rush, so prepare for crowds and waitlists, but it is a cool experience. We ended up at Ikkousha which had tasty ramen and delicious Gyoza.
Dogma Cervejaria: A solid brewery with a few locations across the city. The Pinheiros taproom has a small food menu and chill vibes.
Nellos: A fantastic spot for authentic Italian eats. This is a popular spot amongst locals.
Esconderijo Juan Caloto: A unique brewery with Western vibes near the park. The tap list is Sour heavy and the Sours are indeed great. They also offer cocktails and food.
Batman Alley: An alley of street art that is pretty cool.
Pinacoteca de São Paulo: A unique art museum with a variety of exhibits. The entrance fee is $6.
Mug: A coffee spot with a few locations in town—the coffee is great, but the food was very disappointing.
Sugarloaf Mountain
Rio de Janeiro:
Rio is a quick one hour flight from São Paulo and arguably a must-visit while in the area. Rio is a place where you should be very aware of your surroundings due to the crime rate and favelas.
Christ the Redeemer Statue: This is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and an iconic place. You will take a tram up, which you can get tickets for in advance to skip some of the line. Expect crowds and prepare for it to be potentially cloudy at the top even if it is a clear day on the ground.
Hocus Pocus DNA: A solid brewery with 14 taps and a food menu. The vibes here are great. Located in a row with Pizzaria Secreta and Over Hop.
Pizzaria Secreta: A delicious spot for pizza and cocktails. Highly recommend!
Over Hop Brewpub: Another brewery option next to Hocus Pocus with a smaller tap list. They also offer food.
Hit the beach! Rio is full of beautiful beaches with warm ocean water.
Teva Deli: A delicious spot for breakfast and lunch in Copacabana. Their sister restaurant is open for dinner.
Brewteco Botafogo: A beer bar with cocktails and a full food menu on the rooftop of a mall with stellar views.
Prana: A tasty spot for lunch in the Lebelon area. They have a vegan and vegetarian menu with good vibes.
Escadaria Selarón: A pretty but very crowded staircase—it’s a bit difficult to appreciate or see the stairs with the number of people.
Sugarloaf Mountain: This mountain is reached via a cable car that leads to a nice view of the area. It is very crowded and takes a very long time to complete even if you buy tickets online, but it is pretty.
Parque Lage: A nice park that is home to a Palacio that you can pay to enter, but expect long lines.
Museum of Tomorrow: This museum looks really cool but unfortunately it didn’t logistically fit into our plans. I wanted to include it as a recommendation because I think it looks awesome!
