Argentina, Uruguay & Brazil Adventure – Self-Launched

Fly into Ezeiza International Airport (EZE). Skip the expensive taxi — take the Manuel Tienda León bus (~USD17) directly to the city centre. Check into a well-rated hostel in Palermo or San Telmo. Spend the evening exploring your neighbourhood, grab a choripán from a street stall and sink into the BA nightlife at your own pace.

🚌Manuel Tienda León airport bus to city centre (~£13)

🛏Hostel in Palermo/San Telmo — e.g. Milhouse Avenue Hostel or El Galpon Hostel (~£14–18/night in a dorm)

• →Airport bus transfer via Manuel Tienda León (~£13)
• →Self-guided evening wander through Palermo or San Telmo
• →Dinner at a local parrilla (Argentine steakhouse)

Buenos Aires rewards slow exploration. Walk the colourful Caminito street in La Boca, browse the San Telmo antique market, and watch impromptu tango performances for free in Plaza Dorrego. Book a guided bike tour via GetYourGuide (~£20) to hit the major highlights efficiently. For the evening, seek out a mid-range tango show — Rojo Tango or a milonga at a local club is far cheaper than tour-operator packages.

🚌Subte metro day pass (~£2) or walking

🛏Hostel in Palermo/San Telmo (~£14–18/night)

• →Self-guided walk: La Boca, Caminito, San Telmo
• →Guided city bike tour via GetYourGuide (~£20)
• →Free tango street performances in Plaza Dorrego
• →Optional: milonga tango night at a local club (~£10–15)

Take the Buquebus or Colonia Express high-speed ferry from the Puerto Madero terminal in Buenos Aires to Colonia del Sacramento (~1 hour, ~£25–35 each way, book ahead online). Arrive and spend the afternoon lost in the UNESCO-listed cobblestone Barrio Histórico. Rent a golf cart or bicycle (~£8) to explore at your own pace. Sunset drinks by the lighthouse are a must.

🚌Buquebus/Colonia Express ferry (~£30 one-way, book at buquebus.com)

🛏Guesthouse or hostel in Colonia Histórico — e.g. Hostel El Capitan (~£15–20/night)

• →Buquebus/Colonia Express ferry Buenos Aires → Colonia (~£30)
• →Self-guided walk of the Barrio Histórico (free)
• →Bicycle or golf cart rental (~£8)
• →Sunset at the Colonia Lighthouse

Catch a COT or Turil bus from Colonia to Montevideo (~2.5 hours, ~£8). Check into a hostel in the Ciudad Vieja. Hire a bike from one of the many rental shops and cycle the famous Rambla waterfront promenade (the longest in the world). Visit the Estadio Centenario, home of the first FIFA World Cup, with a small museum entry fee (~£4).

🚌COT/Turil intercity bus (~£8)

🛏Hostel in Ciudad Vieja or Centro — e.g. Hostel Montevideo (~£14–18/night dorm)

• →COT/Turil bus Colonia → Montevideo (~£8, ~2.5 hrs)
• →Bike rental and cycle along the Rambla waterfront (~£8)
• →Visit Estadio Centenario & football museum (~£4)
• →Explore Ciudad Vieja on foot (free)

A full day to soak up Montevideo. Visit the Mercado del Puerto for a legendary grilled lunch surrounded by live Candombe music. Head to the Carnival Museum (Museo del Carnaval, ~£4) for a riot of colour and culture. Beach lovers can head to Pocitos Beach. For a day trip, buses to Punta del Este run regularly from Tres Cruces terminal (~£10 return, 2 hours).

🚌Local bus or walking (~£2)

🛏Hostel in Ciudad Vieja or Centro (~£14–18/night)

• →Mercado del Puerto — lunch among the parrillas (~£10–15)
• →Museo del Carnaval (~£4)
• →Pocitos Beach (free)
• →Optional day trip to Punta del Este by bus (~£10 return)

Take a COOT or Turil bus from Montevideo's Tres Cruces terminal to Mercedes (~3.5 hours, ~£12). From Mercedes, arrange a transfer or taxi to a working estancia (ranch). Several genuine estancias around the Soriano department accept independent travellers — try Estancia Panagea or search via estanciasdeluruguay.com. Full board is typically included in the ranch rate (~£60–80/night all-in).

🚌COOT/Turil intercity bus (~£12) + local taxi to estancia (~£10)

🛏Working estancia near Mercedes — full board (~£60–80/night per person, all meals included)

• →Bus Montevideo → Mercedes (~£12, ~3.5 hrs)
• →Arrive at estancia, evening bonfire and barbecue (included in stay)

A highlight of the whole trip. Your estancia day typically includes horseback riding through the countryside, a guided hike, empanada-making with the ranch family, and a classic Uruguayan asado barbecue in the evening. This is genuine gaucho culture — not a performance. Most reputable estancias include all of this in the accommodation rate. Relax around the bonfire under a sky full of stars.

🚌On-site (no transport needed)

🛏Working estancia near Mercedes (full board, included)

• →Horseback riding through the countryside (included in stay)
• →Guided nature hike (included in stay)
• →Empanada-making class with ranch family (included in stay)
• →Traditional asado barbecue & bonfire (included in stay)

Head back to Mercedes and catch a long-distance sleeper bus (coche cama) towards Puerto Iguazú. The most practical routing is Mercedes → Montevideo or Buenos Aires → Puerto Iguazú via Pluma or Crucero del Norte. Book via omnilineas.com or directly at the terminal. An overnight coche cama bus (~£35–50) is comfortable and saves a night's accommodation — recline seats, snacks and movies included.

🚌Overnight sleeper bus Montevideo/Mercedes → Puerto Iguazú (~£40, ~18 hrs)

🛏Overnight coche cama sleeper bus (saves accommodation cost)

• →Transfer from estancia to bus terminal (~£10)
• →Board overnight sleeper bus to Puerto Iguazú (~£40)

Arrive in Puerto Iguazú in the morning. Book a guided visit to the Yarará Indigenous Guaraní community through the Iguazú Jungle lodge or local tour operators (~£15–20) — this directly supports the community and offers an authentic cultural and ecological experience. In the afternoon, cross the border to Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil (public bus from Puerto Iguazú terminal, ~£2). Explore the town and optionally visit the Parque das Aves bird park (~£15), home to 500+ bird species including toucans and parrots.

🚌Public bus Puerto Iguazú ↔ Foz do Iguaçu (~£2 each way)

🛏Hostel in Puerto Iguazú or Foz do Iguaçu — e.g. Tetris Container Hostel or Natura Iguazú (~£12–16/night)

• →Guaraní community rainforest visit (~£15–20, book locally)
• →Border crossing by public bus to Foz do Iguaçu (~£2)
• →Optional: Parque das Aves bird park (~£15)
• →Optional: Brazilian side of Iguazú Falls (book separately, ~£18)

Today is unmissable. Buy your entry ticket to Parque Nacional Iguazú on the Argentine side (~£18) at the gate or online at iguazuargentina.com. Follow the Upper and Lower Circuit trails and the Devil's Throat catwalk for jaw-dropping close-up views. Arrive early (gates open 8am) to beat the crowds. The optional Gran Aventura boat ride (~£20) will soak you to the skin — absolutely worth it. Allow a full day.

🚌Local bus or hostel shuttle to park entrance (~£3 return)

🛏Hostel in Puerto Iguazú (~£12–16/night)

• →Parque Nacional Iguazú (Argentine side) entry (~£18)
• →Upper Circuit, Lower Circuit & Devil's Throat walkway (included in entry)
• →Eco-train between circuits (included in entry)
• →Optional: Gran Aventura boat ride under the falls (~£20)

Fly from Foz do Iguaçu (IGU) to São Paulo (GRU or CGH). Book independently via LATAM, GOL or Azul — internal Brazilian flights booked in advance can be ~£50–80. From São Paulo, take a Reunião or Colitur bus from Tietê bus terminal to Paraty (~£20, ~5 hours). Arrive in the evening and stroll the magical pedestrianised colonial centre — cars are banned, the streets are lit by lanterns.

🚌Domestic flight IGU→GRU (~£70) + intercity bus São Paulo→Paraty (~£20)

🛏Pousada or hostel in Paraty — e.g. Che Lagarto Hostel Paraty or Pousada Arte Urquijo (~£14–20/night)

• →Fly Foz do Iguaçu → São Paulo (~£60–80, book via latamairlines.com or voegol.com)
• →Bus São Paulo Tietê terminal → Paraty (~£20, ~5 hrs)
• →Evening stroll of Paraty's colonial centro histórico (free)

Paraty overdelivers on every front. In the morning, take a cachaça distillery tour (~£10) — Paraty is the spiritual home of Brazil's national spirit. Book a schooner island-hopping boat tour through the bay (departs from the harbour, ~£20–25, includes snorkelling stops). For jungle lovers, the Mata Atlântica rainforest behind town offers waterfall trails — hire a guide via GetYourGuide or ask at your hostel. Alternatively, book a 4x4 jeep tour to the Gold Trail (~£25).

🚌Walking/local boat (~£2–5)

🛏Pousada or hostel in Paraty (~£14–20/night)

• →Cachaça distillery tour (~£10)
• →Schooner island-hopping & snorkelling tour (~£20–25, book at the harbour)
• →Optional: 4x4 jeep tour through Atlantic Rainforest & Gold Trail (~£25)
• →Optional: Horseback riding with waterfall swim (~£30)
• →Optional: Day trip to Trindade surf beach (~£5 by local bus)

Take a local bus or taxi from Paraty to Conceição de Jacarei (Tarituba) or Angra dos Reis (~1–1.5 hrs, ~£5–10), then hop on a public ferry to Ilha Grande (~£5, ~1 hour). No cars exist on Ilha Grande — leave your troubles on the mainland. Check in to a pousada in Vila do Abraão, grab a caipirinha at a beach bar and watch the sunset paint the bay gold.

🚌Local bus + public ferry (~£13 total)

🛏Pousada or hostel on Ilha Grande — e.g. Pousada Naturalia or Che Lagarto Ilha Grande (~£15–22/night)

• →Bus/taxi Paraty → ferry port (~£8)
• →Ferry to Ilha Grande (~£5, ~1 hr)
• →Explore Vila do Abraão on foot (free)
• →Sunset drinks at a beach bar

One of Brazil's most beautiful islands is yours to explore. Hike the famous Lopes Mendes trail (~3 hours each way, free) to one of South America's most spectacular beaches. Or take the boat tour around the island (~£20) visiting Lagoa Azul, Freguesia de Santana and hidden coves. Snorkelling gear can be rented cheaply in the village (~£5). For a challenge, hike to Pico do Papagaio (~3–4 hours, guide recommended ~£15) for panoramic island views.

🚌On foot or water taxis (~£3–8)

🛏Pousada or hostel on Ilha Grande (~£15–22/night)

• →Hike to Lopes Mendes beach (free, ~3 hrs each way)
• →Optional: Boat tour around the island (~£20)
• →Snorkelling gear rental (~£5)
• →Optional: Guided hike to Pico do Papagaio (~£15)

Take the morning ferry from Ilha Grande to Angra dos Reis (~£5), then a comfortable intercity bus (1001 or Costa Verde) to Rio de Janeiro Novo Rio terminal (~£12, ~2.5 hours). Check into a hostel in Santa Teresa, Lapa or Ipanema. Spend the afternoon at Copacabana or Ipanema beach — free and fabulous. The evening is yours: Rio's nightlife in Lapa (live forró and samba from ~£3 entry) or a quiet dinner in Santa Teresa.

🚌Ferry + intercity bus (~£17 total)

🛏Hostel in Santa Teresa, Lapa or Ipanema — e.g. Rio Hostel Santa Teresa or Mango Tree Hostel (~£16–22/night)

• →Ferry Ilha Grande → Angra dos Reis (~£5)
• →Bus Angra dos Reis → Rio de Janeiro (~£12, ~2.5 hrs)
• →Afternoon on Copacabana or Ipanema beach (free)
• →Evening in Lapa: live samba & forró bars (~£3–5 entry)

Book a community-led favela tour through Rocinha or Santa Marta via a reputable operator like Favela Santa Marta Experience or Be a Local (~£20–25) — these directly employ local guides and reinvest in the community. Capoeira classes are often part of the experience. In the afternoon, book a combo city tour via GetYourGuide (~£35–45) covering Christ the Redeemer (cog train included), Sugarloaf Mountain cable car, and the Lapa Arches. Alternatively, take the cog train to Christ the Redeemer independently (~£22 return) and Sugarloaf separately (~£18).

🚌Metro day pass (~£4) + cog train & cable car (included above)

🛏Hostel in Santa Teresa, Lapa or Ipanema (~£16–22/night)

• →Community-led favela tour with Capoeira class (~£20–25, book via belocalrio.com)
• →Christ the Redeemer via Trem do Corcovado cog train (~£22, book at tremdocorcovado.rio)
• →Sugarloaf Mountain cable car (~£18, book at bondinho.com.br)
• →Lapa Arches & Selarón Steps (free)
• →Optional: Football match at Maracanã (~£15–30 depending on fixture)

Your adventure ends today. Rio's Galeão International Airport (GIG) handles most international flights; domestic flights use Santos Dumont (SDU). Take the BRT Transcarioca or an app taxi (99 or Uber, ~£15–20) to the airport. If your flight is late, spend the morning on Ipanema beach one last time or grab a final açaí bowl from a street vendor. Consider booking onward travel to Buenos Aires or São Paulo if extending your trip.

🚌BRT Transcarioca or Uber to Galeão Airport (~£15–20)

🛏Check out of hostel

• →Final morning on Ipanema or Copacabana beach (free)
• →Transfer to Galeão Airport via BRT or Uber (~£15–20)