If we only had 2 weeks: South Brazil itinerary

We’re lucky enough that our location independent business means that we can travel extra slow. If this is an option to you, we strongly recommend that you take your time, really getting to know and appreciate each country you’re in rather than try to cram as many passport stamps as you can into a few months. We would advise at least one month in each country in Latin America, perhaps with the exception of Panama, which has less going on.

However, that’s not always possible, as we are often asked by people who only have a 2 week holiday from their jobs where we would prioritise in the given time.

So behold! Here is our 2 weeks South Brazil itinerary for anyone who is tight on time but still wants to soak up the best that this incredible country has to offer.

Remember, Brazil is GINORMOUS, like almost the size of Europe ginormous, and plane or bus transport internally tends to be both long and relatively expensive compared to the Latin American average. It’s not unusual to see 20, 30 and 40-hour buses running up and down the country, but luckily we have guides for you on what to look for in a night bus in South America and how to stay safe and comfortable on night buses.

When planning your 2 weeks South Brazil itinerary, you need to factor in these increased travel times, as well as the fact that routes between cities can’t always be assumed to exist, even if they are both major or they look close on the map.

Brazil needs a bit more travel prep than other countries in Latin America, in our experience!

As you only have 2 weeks in South Brazil, we highly recommend you fly as much as you can afford so as to save time – for the below 2 weeks South Brazil itinerary, this would mean flying from Rio de Janeiro to Florianópolis, then Florianópolis to Foz do Iguaçu, and Iguaçu back to Rio.

This is a super-tight trip plan; if you want a more relaxed 2 weeks South Brazil itinerary we’d recommend taking out the trip to Ilha Grande and instead spending more time exploring Rio de Janeiro.

If you’d like to get a little more off the beaten path, make sure to check out our 2 weeks North Brazil itinerary too.

How to spend 2 weeks in South Brazil:

Here’s a quick run-down of my suggested 2 weeks South Brazil itinerary with recommended places to stay; below I’ll tell you more about what to do in each of these destinations.

What not to miss in your 2 weeks South Brazil itinerary:

Days 1-3: Rio de Janeiro

What a way to start off your 2 weeks South Brazil itinerary with a stay in one of the most vibrant cities in South America! This place is crammed with stuff to do, from iconic landmarks like Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain to street parties and football stadiums.

Check out our 14 things to do in Rio de Janeiro to see what you should get up to, and make sure you get to grips with the best neighbourhoods in Rio before you go so you know the vibes of the areas you visit.

Days 4-7: Ilha Grande

This island (which is called ‘Big Island’ but is actually circumnavigable by foot if you’re up to it) is a paradise fave of Rio natives, and its car-free roads just add to the appeal. The beaches here are famously gorgeous, as are the hikes you can take to waterfalls in all corners of the island.

To get there, jump on the earliest 2.5-hour bus from Rio to Conceição de Jacareí and take the boat over to the island.

Spend your two full days here surfing at Lopes Mendes Beach, snorkelling at Lagoa Azul, or hiking to Cachoeira de Feiticeira waterfall and the Pico do Papagaio. Renting a moped is one of the best ways to get around!

On the final day, get yourself back to Rio de Janeiro ready to take a flight to Florianópolis the following morning.

Day 8-10: Florianópolis

A city and an island break all in one easy destination! Florianópolis has lots for everyone, including dunes, natural pools and dance nights, making it a solid choice for a 2 weeks South Brazil itinerary.

Fly in from Rio as early in the morning as you can bear, then get to hiring a car and visiting the smaller towns of the Santa Catarina island to surf, beach-bum, hike and party.

The towns all have a very different vibe, as explained in this where to stay in Florianópolis guide.

Days 11-13: Foz do Iguaçu

A highlight of any 2 weeks South Brazil itinerary! Foz do Iguaçu (or Iguazu Falls) is an awe-inspiring sprawl of huge waterfalls that will take your breath away from every angle. And there are many angles to explore – the best are spending a day on the Argentinian side (easily accessible by taxi from Brazil) and then doing a half day on the Brazilian side.

There is a Paraguayan side too, but it’s known as being the least epic of the three.

Don’t miss out on taking a boat ride out into the waterfalls themselves – the extra cost is worth it!

You can also check out the tri-border here where Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay meet; there’s a bit of an amusement area built up around it.

Got 3 weeks in South Brazil?

Excellent! For a 3 weeks South Brazil itinerary, we’d recommend spending a few more days in Rio to explore more of the different areas the city has – there is more than enough to do in Rio de Janeiro!

If you feel you’d rather not spend more time in a city, a 3-day trip to the beaches of Arraial do Cabo is just a few hours from Rio.

You could also fit in a few days into your South Brazil itinerary in the beautiful colonial town of Paraty (don’t miss Praia de Trinidade!), perhaps with a stint in São Paulo afterwards instead of heading straight back to Rio.

If you haven’t yet decided where in Latin America to spend your 2 weeks holiday, you might also want to check these out before booking those flights!

• 2 weeks North Brazil itinerary
• 2 weeks Uruguay itinerary
• 2 weeks Peru itinerary
• 2 weeks Colombia itinerary
• 2 weeks Ecuador itinerary
• 2 weeks Belize itinerary
• 2 weeks Guatemala itinerary
• Which country to visit in Latin America?

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Last Updated on 23 April 2023 by Cuppa to Copa Travels