RIO TO IGUAZU – 7 Days

An exotic mix of beach and mountains, with its colorful colonial neighborhoods and modernist big-city style, Rio is a must-see destination to add to your bucket list. This is the cariocas’ land, as locals call themselves, where the pass of time is synonymous with the rhythm of samba…

Many people think of Brazil as merely an amazing paradise beach… and they are not entirely wrong. But, this mysterious and passionate corner of the globe is much more than just a pristine sandy utopia…

In the fifth-largest country of the world, centuries of immigration from all kinds of ethnic backgrounds has created a rich culture whose main language is Portuguese (the local version is called brasilero) — it is the only country on the continent where people don’t speak Spanish!

Upon arrival to Rio’s airport, we’ll be waiting to provide transportation to your hotel. Enjoy your leisure time today exploring this vibrant city — you have just arrived in one of the powerhouses of South America!

Rio de Janeiro (‘River of January’ in Portuguese), which was classified as a Cultural Landscape by UNESCO, is a metropolitan gem tucked between the mountains and the sea. Rio is best-known for its bossanova (sultry Brazilian music genre), mouth-watering feijoada (a traditional bean and pork stew), refreshing caipirinhas (classic Brazilian cocktail), and the beaming smiles of its people.

Say Hueque tips

The perfect place to try all these things is the bohemian Lapa neighbourhood which sits at the edge of the historical downtown hub. Enjoy the day mingling with locals in this incredible part of the city — stop by the Aqueduto da Carioca to take a picture with its magnificent white arches, and visit the Escalera de Selaron (Selaron’s stairway), a 215-step stairway decorated with tiles from all around the world. Find the beautiful images and messages hidden throughout its multicolored steps! Discover even more ideas on how to spend your time in the city in our Rio de Janeiro Travel Guide.

It’s time to leave Brazilian territory and start the second part of this tropical adventure. At the appropriate time, we’ll pick you up at your hotel and take you to the domestic airport to take your flight to Foz do Iguaçu, the urban tween sister of Puerto Iguazú city in Argentina. Upon arrival, we’ll be waiting to drive you to your hotel.

The small border town of Puerto Iguazú is the gateway to visit the impressive Iguazú Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders and a UNESCO World Heritage site, making it a must-see destination for any traveler visiting Argentina.

Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport and provided a transfer to your hotel. Answer the call of vacation by taking time to kick back and relax at your hotel. If you’re eager to explore, you can visit the Hito Tres Fronteras, a viewpoint west of the town center that stands high above the turbulent reddish-brown junction of the Iguazú and Paraná rivers, and which forms the Triple Frontera, or ‘Triple Border’, between Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. Or, if you’re an animal-lover, you could visit the Güirá Oga (the ‘House of Birds’ in native Guaraní language), a sanctuary for animals hurt by illegal hunting and trapping.

Say Hueque tips

Check out our recommendations on where to eat dinner in Puerto Iguazú. Try out two local river-fish dishes: the Pacu (related to the piranha, though completely harmless) and the Surubi. Take a look at our Iguazú Falls travel guide for more practical tips.

Iguazú Eco Fee: This is a mandatory tax that you have to pay once you get to your hotel in Iguazú. It’s about $5 USD per guest, per night, and it varies according to your hotel category. Only cash is accepted.

After breakfast, we’ll take you on a 3-4  hour excursion to the Brazilian side of the Iguazú Falls. Don´t forget your passport! While Argentina has 80% of the falls on its side, Brazil has the indisputably best panoramic view.

On the Argentine side you will have the sensation of being right inside the falls, but only by visiting the Brazilian side can you fully appreciate the immensity of Iguazú Falls. Take your time to enjoy and grasp the immensity of it, to stroll the different walkways and feel the mist of water on your face. Take the boardwalk over the Salto Santa María, it feels like walking on the surface of the water. Get closer to The Devil’s Throat and appreciate the power of the water! We are sure that this is a day you will never forget.

At the end of this experience we’ll drive you back to your hotel to enjoy your last night in Argentina.

We’ve come to the end of your journey. We know you’ll take home the best memories from this trip! At the appropriate hour, we’ll take you to the international airport for your flight back home.

If you’re not ready to throw in the towel just yet, take some trip-extension ideas from our comprehensive travel itineraries and keep on exploring other incredible destinations in South America.