Itineraries — Rio & Southeast

Rio and the Southeast is Brazil's historical and tourist heart, the region where most international arrivals converge and which embodies for many the very image of the country. From Rio de Janeiro, the Cidade Maravilhosa, to the chic peninsula of Búzios via the UNESCO colonial jewel of Paraty and the Baroque state of Minas Gerais, the region condenses essential Brazilian charms within a few hundred kilometres — ideal for a first Brazil trip or for a main stage of a multi-region itinerary.

The region is organised around Rio de Janeiro as central pivot — 6.7 million inhabitants, country's 2nd city, but above all one of the world's most spectacular thanks to its exceptional setting between ocean, bay and granite mountains. Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, Copacabana, Ipanema, Santa Teresa, Lapa, Sambódromo, Selarón steps — the concentration of world icons per km² is unmatched. It's also the world capital of Carnival (4 days late February-early March), bossa nova (born on Ipanema in the 1950s) and one of the world's great beach cities.

Around Rio gravitate several satellite destinations that magnificently complete the carioca trip. Búzios (200 km north-east, 3h drive) is Brazil's chic beach resort — 23 beaches, gourmet restaurants, relaxed but sophisticated atmosphere. Paraty (250 km south-west on the Costa Verde, 4h drive) is one of the country's most beautiful colonial villages — founded in 1667, UNESCO-listed in 2019, tropical bay dotted with islands. Petrópolis (60 km north, 1h30 drive) is the former summer imperial city of Brazil's emperors, perched at 800 m in the Serra dos Órgãos. Ilha Grande (car-free island, ferry from Angra dos Reis) is an ecological sanctuary of Atlantic forest.

Our advice for a first trip: combine Rio (3-4 nights) with Búzios (2 nights) for chic beach vibe OR Paraty (2-3 nights) for UNESCO colonial charm. The 7-9 day formula offers a complete carioca trip — Rio icon + beach/heritage interlude. For a more exhaustive trip, add Minas Gerais (Ouro Preto and Tiradentes, 4-5 nights) or extend to the Northeast (Salvador, 1h flight).