Self-Launched Brazil Journey: Iguaçu Falls to Rio de Janeiro

Fly into Foz do Iguaçu Airport (IGU). Most international travellers connect via São Paulo (GRU) or Rio de Janeiro (GIG) — domestic flights with LATAM or Gol typically cost £60–90 each way booked in advance. Take the local Executivo bus from the airport to the city centre for around £1. Check into your hostel in Foz do Iguaçu and get your bearings. The town has a good range of lively hostels near the national park entrance.

🚌Domestic flight to Foz do Iguaçu from São Paulo (~£70 avg). Airport Executivo bus to city centre (~£1).

🛏Hostel in Foz do Iguaçu — e.g. Tetris Container Hostel or Paudimar Hostel (~£12–18/night in a dorm)

• →Arrive and settle in — no transfers needed, use the local airport bus
• →Grab a churrasco dinner at a local rodízio restaurant (all-you-can-eat from ~£8)
• →Pick up a local SIM card at the airport or a phone shop in town

Head to Parque Nacional do Iguaçu on the Brazilian side for the famous panoramic views across the falls. Entry is around £12 and includes a shuttle bus through the park. The walkways bring you right to the edge of the Devil's Throat cascade — bring a dry bag for your camera. This side is best for photographs. In the evening, look for free or low-cost talks at the visitor centre or connect with hostel staff who often arrange informal nature walks.

🚌Local bus from town to the national park entrance (~£1.50 each way).

🛏Hostel in Foz do Iguaçu (~£12–18/night dorm)

• →Parque Nacional do Iguaçu — Brazilian side entry (~£12, self-bookable at the gate or online)
• →Walk the panoramic waterfall trails and take the shuttle bus to the main viewpoints
• →Evening: optional local biologist-led nature walk (ask at your hostel, ~£15–20 pp)

Cross the border into Argentina to visit the Argentine side of the falls — this is widely considered the more dramatic perspective, with walkways that go right above the cascades. Entry to Parque Nacional Iguazú costs around £12. Don't miss the Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat) upper walkway. Book a boat ride through the falls via Gran Aventura or Iguazú Jungle directly — expect to get soaked and pay around £20–25. Return to Foz do Iguaçu for the night.

🚌Public bus from Foz do Iguaçu to Puerto Iguazú (~£2 each way). Local bus to Argentine park entrance (~£2).

🛏Hostel in Foz do Iguaçu (~£12–18/night dorm)

• →Border crossing to Argentina — bring your passport (no visa required for most nationalities)
• →Parque Nacional Iguazú, Argentine side (~£12 entry)
• →Boat tour beneath the falls via Gran Aventura (~£20–25, bookable at the park)

Catch an early morning flight back to São Paulo (Congonhas or Guarulhos airport). Book via LATAM or Gol — around £60–90. Take the Guarucoop taxi or Airport Bus Service to the city centre. Book a São Paulo food and architecture walking tour via GetYourGuide (~£25–35) — these typically take in the iconic Mercado Municipal (Mercadão), where you can sample the famous mortadella sandwich and fresh coconut water. The Liberdade Japanese district and Paulista Avenue are great for self-exploration in the afternoon.

🚌Domestic flight Foz do Iguaçu → São Paulo (~£70). Airport bus or metro to centre (~£3).

🛏Hostel in São Paulo — e.g. Selina Vila Madalena or Guest Urban (~£15–22/night dorm)

• →Fly Foz do Iguaçu to São Paulo (~£70 avg, book in advance)
• →São Paulo food and architecture walking tour via GetYourGuide (~£25–35)
• →Self-explore Mercado Municipal — try the mortadella sandwich and água de coco (~£5)
• →Wander Avenida Paulista and the MASP art museum (free on Tuesdays, ~£8 otherwise)

Take the comfortable bus from São Paulo's Tietê bus terminal to Paraty with Reunidas or Costa Verde — journey takes around 5–6 hours and costs approximately £15–20. On arrival in Paraty, check into a pousada or hostel in the historic centre. Arrange a community visit to the nearby Quilombo Campinho da Independência — these visits can be booked through local tour agencies in Paraty for around £20–30 and include a traditional lunch of rice, beans, and local vegetables. Optionally visit the Alambique Muquém cachaça distillery for a tasting (~£5).

🚌Bus from São Paulo Tietê to Paraty (~£18). Walking within Paraty historic centre.

🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Paraty historic centre — e.g. Che Lagarto Paraty or Pousada Arte Urquijo (~£14–20/night dorm or basic private)

• →Bus from São Paulo (Tietê terminal) to Paraty with Reunidas (~£18, ~5–6 hrs)
• →Quilombo community visit and cultural lunch (~£20–30, book via local Paraty tour agencies)
• →Optional: cachaça distillery visit and tasting (~£5)

Paraty's bay is dotted with over 60 islands and hidden beaches — the classic way to explore them is by schooner (saveiro). Book a shared schooner day trip directly from the pier in Paraty — this costs around £15–20 per person for a full day and visits three or four beaches and islands, with snorkelling stops. The boat typically departs around 10am and returns by 5pm. Pack your own snacks and drinks to keep costs down. The cobblestone streets of the historic centre are a UNESCO World Heritage site and perfect for an evening stroll.

🚌Walking to the pier. All island hopping included in schooner tour.

🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Paraty historic centre (~£14–20/night)

• →Full-day shared schooner tour of Paraty Bay islands and beaches (~£15–20, book at the pier)
• →Snorkelling at Ilha do Pelado or Praia do Sono
• →Evening: explore Paraty's illuminated colonial streets and grab a caipirinha at a local bar (~£3)

Catch the morning bus from Paraty to Rio de Janeiro with Costa Verde — the journey takes around 4 hours and costs approximately £12–15. Buses arrive at the Rodoviária Novo Rio bus terminal; from there, take the metro or a taxi to Copacabana or Ipanema (~£5 metro, £12–15 taxi). Check into your hostel, drop your bags, and head straight to Copacabana beach. In the evening, look for a free samba street show in Lapa or book a samba show through Klook (~£20–30).

🚌Bus Paraty → Rio de Janeiro (~£13). Metro from Novo Rio terminal to Copacabana (~£1.50).

🛏Hostel in Copacabana or Ipanema — e.g. Mango Tree Hostel or Stone of a Beach Hostel (~£15–22/night dorm)

• →Bus from Paraty to Rio de Janeiro with Costa Verde (~£13, ~4 hrs)
• →First look at Copacabana Beach — free
• →Optional: evening samba show in Lapa (~£20–30 via Klook or direct booking)

Dedicate the day to Rio's iconic sights. Book Christ the Redeemer tickets in advance online (~£20 including the cog train from Cosme Velho) — queues are long without pre-booking. Head to Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar) in the afternoon — cable car tickets are around £20 and the sunset views are unmatched. In between, grab lunch at a per-kilo buffet (a Brazilian staple, ~£6–8). The beach is free; rent a cadeira (chair) and guarda-sol (umbrella) for ~£4 if you want the full experience.

🚌Metro and Uber/bus around the city (~£5–8 for the day).

🛏Hostel in Copacabana or Ipanema (~£15–22/night dorm)

• →Christ the Redeemer via cog train (~£20, book online in advance at tremdocorcovado.com.br)
• →Per-kilo lunch buffet — a Rio staple (~£7)
• →Sugarloaf Mountain cable car (~£20, book at bondinho.com.br)
• →Sunset from Sugarloaf Mountain
• →Evening on Copacabana or Ipanema beach promenade — free

Enjoy a final breakfast at your hostel or grab a pão de queijo (cheese bread) and coffee at a padaria (bakery) for a couple of reais. Head to Galeão International Airport (GIG) — allow at least 3 hours before your flight. The Airport Bus Service runs direct from Copacabana to GIG for around £5, or take an Uber for ~£15–20. Safe travels!

🚌Airport Bus Service from Copacabana to Galeão Airport (~£5).

🛏Check out of hostel

• →Final breakfast at a local padaria — pão de queijo and coffee (~£2–3)
• →Last walk along Ipanema Beach if time allows
• →Transfer to Galeão Airport (GIG) via Airport Bus Service (~£5) or Uber (~£15)