Brazil

Private Luxury Brazil Travel

Waves wash upon a golden shore where bouquets of colorful umbrellas offer refuge to sunbathers, and futbols ricochet between players sprinting in the sand. A braid of blackwater channels canopied by tight-knit jungle conceals the wonders of the Amazon. In the Pantanal, a lone jaguar takes a cautious drink from the riverbank, a coiled anaconda suns itself, and brilliant macaw wing from one palm tree to the next. 

Bem-vindo ao Brasil—welcome to Brazil.

What is Brazil Known For?

Copacabana and Carnival, soccer and samba might be the inspiration that calls you to Brazil, but experience tells us that your most treasured souvenirs will be those of the heart. What dreamy photos fail to capture is Brazil’s one-of-a-kind reverie which isn’t so much observed as it is felt.  

Brazil is many places, many things, and many faces. It is a way of life and a state of mind. A wellspring of emotion and creative expression, life in Brazil is lived out loud and in color.

Move through the country’s kaleidoscope of landscapes—from pulsing cities to tropical wilderness to dreamy beach enclaves—but not merely as a travel voyeur. In Brazil, we will curate a bespoke journey where luxury is a feeling, using our concierge key to unlock experiences that connect you to culture and community.

If we’ve done our job right, you might just meet a version of yourself enlivened by Brazilian verve—a little more carefree and imbued with esprit.

Brazil Travel Highlights

In Salvador, the birthplace of Afro-Brazilian culture, feel a bouncing drumbeat coax a sway from your hips.
Drifting through tunnel-like fingers of the Amazon by boat, be reminded of what it’s like to experience intrepid, childlike wonder.
In the Pantanal, feel your heart skip a beat while locking eyes with an unblinking jaguar. Once dusk casts its dark veil, set out on foot and wield a flashlight to reveal this wilderness’ shy, nocturnal cast of creatures, including tapir, ocelot, and caiman.
Gripped with a humidity hug in the rainforests that envelop Iguaçu Falls, feel wonderfully small next to the voracious cascade.
Swan dive into the azure waters that hem Brazil’s Green Coast.
Soundtrack your travels through Brazil with performances of Bossa Nova, a joyful mid-century genre of plucky guitar and percussion that sounds like a marriage of samba and American jazz.
In São Paulo, a surprising epicenter of design and tropical Brutalism, marvel at austere, often gravity-defying architecture.
Ignite your palate with slow-simmered stews—from beloved black bean feijoada to moqueca, a fish dish that sings in a tomato-coconut broth—and savory, flame-licked churrasco steak. 
Gaze upon the gem-pocked undulating dunes of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park.
Go barefoot in Trancoso to catch its beachy ease and boho bon vivant. 
During a Rio sunset, with toes in the sand and a perspiring caipirinha in hand, revel in a singular, overwhelming thought: life is good.  

Keep Reading: The Best Things to Do in Brazil

What to Expect on a Luxury Trip to Brazil

Memorable accommodations: Brazil has a strong culture of art, design, and architecture which can make picking accommodations feel like engagement ring shopping in a jewelry store—there are no bad options. Slumber in glitzy urban hotels or history-laden charmers in cities such as Rio and São Paulo; check into a boho-luxe sanctuaries enveloped by Atlantic forest on the Green Coast; or make a jungle lodges buried within the wilds of the Amazon your adventure base.
Expert guides: Whether you’re interested in Afro-Brazilian capoeira (martial dance) in Salvador, jaguar tracking in the Pantanal, or a multi-day art tour of Inhotim, friendly, English-speaking guides will offer context and expert insight, connecting you deeper to Brazil.
Exclusive experiences: Every trip we design is bespoke; there are no copy-and-paste itineraries. Your luxury Brazil trip can be sophisticated and refined in the city, off-grid in the wilderness, or a mix of both. Fill your days with private tours, classes, workshops, and excursions. Share your niche interests with your Brazil destination specialist, and we’ll do our best to unlock exclusive experiences with our golden concierge key.
Seamless, worry-free travel: Brazil is the world’s fifth-largest country and is slightly larger than the contiguous United States. Travelers will be relying on domestic flights to hasten travel between states. Within a region, you will navigate between destinations with a private car and driver. Extraordinary Journeys will coordinate all connections and transfers so you can enjoy seamless, worry-free travel.
24/7 In-destination support: Our job doesn’t end when your boarding pass is printed. Extraordinary Journeys is always by your side—even while traveling. We have reliable boots-on-the-ground support and a 24/7 concierge just a phone call away.  

Brazil Travel FAQs

When is the Best Time to Travel to Brazil?

There is no bad time to travel Brazil, just busy times. November through March attracts the most visitors, thanks to drier, warm weather, and a host of holidays. “Summer”—December, January, and Februrary—is peak season. To avoid throngs of tourists, consider traveling outside of Christmas, Carnival, and Easter.

Keep in mind that regions close to the equator will have a stable, year-round tropical climate while the south will experience broader fluctuations in temperature and precipitation that are opposite of the United States’s seasons.

Regionally, these are the best times to visit the different parts of Brazil:

Amazon Rainforest: The dry season runs from July through December. This is when water levels are at their lowest, yielding better conditions for hiking, navigating waterways, and the ability to access more remote areas. With less humidity, it’s a more comfortable time for outdoor adventuring and wildlife viewing. The wet season spans January to June. The Amazon Rainforest is lush and in bloom, giving wildlife a bit of extra cover and camouflage. Rains raise water levels, creating a unique experience of paddling through flooded forests and the opportunity to observe aquatic wildlife. Birdwatching is better, too, as the bright florals attract avian life.
Pantanal: The best wildlife viewing opportunities occur during the dry season, from May through October. Keep in mind that peak season is July, August, and September. November through April are not ideal for Pantanal travel because rainfall and flooding disperse wildlife, making for less reliable game spotting. Some lodges even close during the wet season.
Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo & The Green Coast: Rio and São Paulo can be visited year-round. If you want some hot sun, the heat and humidity peak in summer (December, January, and February) with temperatures in the 90s and 100s. Winter (June to September) is mild, dipping down to the high 50’s. As you move from the Atlantic coast inland toward the mountains, the climate becomes cooler. As such, the Ouro Preto area and São Paulo are cooler than Rio.
Bahia: Located nearer to the Equator, the state of Bahia boasts a tropical climate and temperatures are reliably hot. If you’re near the coast, you’ll feel the relief of a year-round breeze. June and July can experience some rain.
Iguaçu Falls: Iguaçu Falls is broadly considered a year-round destination. If you’re looking for the most epic cascade, October and December experience the highest volumes of water. It’s an absolute spectacle, but it’s also technically spring time, so you may have to endure a bit of precipitation courtesy of wet season showers. April, May, September, and October strike a good balance: not quite so hot, not too wet, and the falls are running. Iguaçu Falls is a world-famous icon and well-frequented by South American travelers, too. For this reason, we recommend against visiting during Easter and during July’s domestic (“winter”) holidays when the site becomes extremely crowded.
Lençóis Maranhenses National Park: If you’re hoping to visit these undulating dunes while they feature gem-pocketed lagoons, you will need to travel in late June, July, August, and September. Outside these months, the famous lagoons could be dry.

Related Reading: The Best Time to Travel to Brazil: A Month-By-Month Guide

Where to Travel in Brazil

Brazil is a large country with many diverse regions. For example, travelers might be surprised to learn that it takes a four-hour direct flight to reach Manaus, the gateway city to the Amazon Rainforest, from Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. To get a good feel for Brazil without feeling too rushed, you’ll want to spend up to two weeks in Brazil; eight days would be the absolute minimum.

These are the regions that Extraordinary Journeys Brazil Specialists love to combine on a luxury Brazil travel itinerary.

Rio de Janeiro

A dazzling first or last stop on any Brazil travel itinerary, Rio de Janeiro is a cosmopolitan city seated between the azure Atlantic and a crown of lush, jungle-carpeted mountains. Famous for iconic landmarks such as the towering Christ the Redeemer statue and Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain), and anointed with world-class beaches (Copacabana and Ipanema), travelers are captivated by the city’s gorgeous vistas, dynamic culture, and glitz. But Rio is not just a place on the map; it is as much a feeling to embody. Life revolves around the gravitational pull of Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, a stage for surfers, sun-seekers, families, and spirited games of futbol and footvolley; Bosa Nova beats mingle with lively samba rhythms; Carnival and celebrations of all spades bring reverie to the streets; and a rich history sees Portuguese colonial charm collide with modernist waterfront towers. If you want to pique all five senses—day or night—do it in Rio.  

São Paulo

The largest city in Brazil, São Paulo’s megacity energy and lack of city center can be a bit disorienting from the outside, but travelers would be remiss to skip it. São Paulo, an economic powerhouse, thrums with upbeat, fast-paced energy. It’s also, by comparative standards, a “newer” city molded by strong Brutalist and Art Deco influences, and cradled by greenery and parks. An undeniable concrete jungle, the city’s dull facades have been transformed into vibrant canvases, creating a tapestry of street art. A melting pot of cultures, São Paulo is also an epicenter for design, gastronomy, and shopping. We recommend making the charming neighborhood of Jardins your home away from home. People watch from trendy cafes, shop upscale boutiques, and enjoy guided excursions into other neighborhoods like bohemian and artsy Vila Madalena.  

The Amazon Rainforest

A wild world of verdant tropical forest threaded by ancient, curlicue rivers and webbed by lakes, tributaries, and islands, Brazil’s Amazon Rainforest calls out to intrepid travelers. It’s an invitation to canoe through flooded forests, to hike jungle trails, and to watch the sunset dip below a treetop horizon from a sentinel observation tower. After dark, walk the rainforest, while your senses fire as a cast of night creatures begin to stir. Spending time in the Amazon, you’ll be astounded by the biodiversity—from animals and insects to birdlife and flora—both familiar and alien. There is much to learn from the Amazon—from the Indigenous communities who call it home to lessons in interconnectedness and conservation.  

The Pantanal

Located in south-central Brazil, the Pantanal is the world’s largest tropical wetland and a vital global ecosystem. Unlike the dense Amazon Rainforest, the Pantanal is largely characterized by flat, grassy flood plain, overlaid by a mosaic of rivers, lagoons, forest, and wetlands. Water levels rise and fall by the season; periods of dramatic flooding are followed by dry spells, creating an ever-shifting landscape and movement of wildlife. Travelers might encounter jaguar, giant otter, caiman, tapir, anteaters, anaconda, capybara, and a myriad of bird life (including the striking hyacinth macaw) on game drives, boat tours, on foot or horseback.

Brazil’s Green Coast

Brazil’s Costa Verde or Green Coast is an idyllic stretch of coastline within driving distance of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Tucked between lush Atlantic Forest and hemmed by emerald shallows lies a string of charming beach towns. Fall into the unique personality of each while imbibing jaw-dropping sunsets, cruising the craggy coast, and taking refreshing dips in the ocean. Our favorite enclaves include colonial-quaint Paraty and chic Buzios. For a total escape to an island paradise, take a boat ride to llha Grande and play castaway at Asalem Seaside Hideaway.  

Salvador de Bahia & Beyond

Start your journey through the state of Bahia in Salvador. Notable, the city was the first capital of Brazil—assuring visitors plenty of fascinating history to chew into—and today, is the Blackest city outside of Africa. Opportunities to learn about and admire expressions of Afro-Brazilian culture are everywhere. Watch in awe as dancers perform capoeira (a martial dance), feel your hips move as samba fills the streets, savor spicy stews, and learn about the roots of Carnival. In the UNESCO-designated city center, you’ll learn how Salvador was the New World’s first slave market. With widened eyes, you’ll better appreciate how the echos of a dark past lend vibrancy to modern-day Brazil.

When you’ve filled your cup with culture, depart the city for some time in nature. Hang out in boho Trancoso (probably in a macrame hammock) or escape into the wild environs of the Cerrado (Brazilian savannah) or Chapada da Diamantina National Park.

Minas Gerias

A visit to modern-day Minas Gerias brings history buffs well off Brazil’s well-trodden tourist routes to colonial cities preserved in time. Best experienced as a privately guided road trip bookended by Belo Horizonte and Rio de Janeiro (travel in either direction), make the charming, cobblestone towns of Ouro Preto and Tiradentes your anchors. Enveloped by picture-pretty hills, adorned with white-washed facades topped with red roofs, and dotted with handsome Baroque churches, you’ll get a sense of the inordinate gold mining wealth and history that passed through Minas Gerias. Ibitipoca, Miranda, and Petropolis make splendid stop-offs, too. Art and design lovers will appreciate touring Minas Gerias’ Oscar Niemeyer-designed buildings and Inhotim, a 1,945-acre museum of contemporary art and botanical garden.  

Iguaçu Falls

Straddling the border of Brazil and Argentina, Iguaçu Falls is an awe-inspiring waterfall that braids together 275 thundering cascades. Measuring more than 1.5 miles wide and dropping 262 feet along a series of cataracts, this spectacular curtain of water is inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is counted among the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Travelers can traverse a network of catwalks to cross gorges next to bursting water, approach the falls at the waterline during an exhilarating powerboat ride, and explore the adjacent rainforest where tapir, giant anteaters, howler monkeys, ocelot, jaguar, and cayman roam.

Lençóis Maranhenses National Park

Situated in remote northeastern Brazil, Lençóis Maranhenses National Park is a broad swath of sand dunes hemmed by the Atlantic Ocean, attracting travelers with its otherworldly beauty. With the arrival of winter rains (June through September), water pools in the depressions, creating a vast span of gem-colored lagoons that stretch across an endless horizon. The contrast between the powder-white sand and crystal-clear freshwater creates a sublime, dreamlike setting. Take a dip in the lagoons, explore the area on guided quad tours, go hiking, and point your camera in any direction to snap mesmerizing photos.  

Jericoacoara 

A small fishing village in northeastern Brazil ensconced by national park, Jericoacoara‘s flawless beaches attract kitesurfers, windsurfers, and sunseekers. A laid-back vibe is felt underfoot, where the streets are paved with sand. The town eschews street lighting, giving it a distinct village feel. Explore nearby Lagoa Paradiso, climb Sunset Dune to watch the sun slink beneath the Atlantic horizon, and catch capoeira on the beach. A trip to Jerichocoara pairs with Lençóis Maranhenses.

Fernando de Noronha

An isolated archipelago 220 miles adrift from the northern Brazilian Coast, Fernando de Noronha is a paradisical eco-sanctuary. Volcanic peaks skirted by sandy beaches rise from turquoise water that teem with resident dolphins, turtles, tuna, reef sharks, and rays. Fiercely protected, there is a limit on the number of travelers who can visit, making the destination an exclusive escape. Given the logistics of visiting Fernando do Noronha in far, northeast Brazil, you’ll want to spend two to five days here.

Florianópolis

If you want a beach escape without going off-grid, point your compass to glamorous Florianópolis. The city is located in southern Brazil, on Santa Catarina Island which is hugged by more than 40 beaches, each with their own personality and standout scenery. Hike to hidden, untouched golden beaches or dip into a saltwater surf scene. Beaches aside, Florianópolis pleases with its colonial charm, nightlife, culture, and gastronomy. Florianópolis is no stranger to international jet setters and well-heeled vacationers from Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Catering to the ultra-luxe is Ponta dos Ganchos, one of the best resorts in all of Brazil.  

Explore Brazil on a Map

Easy Extensions

Brazil is extremely well connected to all other South American capitals and even regional airports throughout the continent. It’s easy to travel to Argentina (especially via Iguazu Falls, which shares a border with Brazil), Patagonia, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Uruguay.

The Best Luxury Hotels & Lodges in Brazil