Itinerary Overview

Days 1–3: Rio de Janeiro → Days 4–5: Iguazu Falls → Days 6–7: Salvador. All segments involve direct flights (approximately 2–3 hours), balancing a dynamic pace with downtime. To add the Amazon, extend the trip to 10 days by inserting Manaus after Salvador; families with children can swap Salvador for Florianópolis, known for its beaches and eco-tourism.

Days 1–3: Rio de Janeiro – Mountains, Sea, and City Vibes

• Day 1: Arrive at Galeão Airport (GIG) → Stroll along Copacabana Beach to adjust to the time zone → Watch the sunset from Sugarloaf Mountain in the evening, then dine at a local restaurant in the backstreets near the beach.
• Day 2: Take the morning train up Corcovado Mountain to see Christ the Redeemer (book tickets in advance and choose the earliest shift to avoid crowds) → Explore Tijuca Forest in the afternoon → Enjoy samba music in Lapa at night.
• Day 3: Ride the cable car in two stages to Sugarloaf Mountain → Visit the Selarón Steps → Explore the Santa Teresa neighborhood → Watch the sunset at Ipanema Beach.

Days 4–5: Iguazu Falls – Temple of Water

• Day 4: Fly to Foz do Iguaçu (IGU) → Walk the trails on the Brazilian side of the national park, approaching Devil’s Throat along the clifftop paths to experience the horseshoe-shaped waterfall formed by 275 cascades; don’t forget to bring a rain poncho.
• Day 5: Enter the park early to walk the panoramic trail or take a helicopter ride (optional). Holders of U.S. or Argentine visas can cross into the Argentine side; without a visa, stay on the Brazilian side and take a speedboat for a close-up waterfall plunge.

Days 6–7: Salvador – Heart of Afro-Brazilian Culture

• Day 6: Fly to Salvador (SSA) → Admire the colorful colonial buildings in Pelourinho Historic District → Visit the gold-lining interior of São Francisco Church → Watch a capoeira performance in the evening.
• Day 7: Tie ribbons at Bonfim Church in the morning → Enjoy a seafood stew lunch by the Ribeira Beach → Depart from the airport in the evening.

Tips

• Tickets for Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain can be booked online; cable cars may close in bad weather, so allow flexibility in your schedule.
• Domestic flight fares in Brazil often exclude checked baggage—check when purchasing tickets. Don’t confuse Rio’s two airports (GIG is mainly for international flights, while SDU is typically used for domestic routes).
• Flights between the three cities take about 2–3 hours each; allow a 3-hour buffer when arranging connections. Afternoon flights are more prone to delays during peak season, so opt for morning slots if possible.
• Salvador is hotter—stay sun-protected and hydrated. Evening activities are concentrated in the historic tourist district.