We sellected the most famous attractions in Brazil and the links to book in advance.
Tailormade Itinerary
You have two options – Plan your trip yourself or buy with travel agency. In any of these cases, if you are traveling with children or want a personalized itinerary to help with day by day activities, let us know. Send a message to the email maripelomundo@gmail.com or WhatsApp
Our Travel Plan offers:
• Day by day activities description
• How to buy tickets and tours
• Where to stay, where to eat, shop and how to get around
• 40 minutes on-line meeting for Q&A
• PDF e-book with whole itinerary
• Price: US$ 160.00 (up to 10 days trip) – Payment via Pay Pal
Questionnaire to understand your travel style If you want to plan on your own, here in the post with several tips and links to the official websites for ticket sales, accommodation and all the services you will need.
São Paulo City
They are pleasant neighborhoods to walk around in São Paulo with children without having any specific purpose such as shopping or gastronomy.
From Oscar Freire, going up Rua Augusta to Paulista.
You can leave the car or get off on the Oscar Freire metro and walk the entire street – there are branded stores, shops, cafes and restaurants. Oscar Freire has several collaborative spaces for handcrafted, funky products of all price ranges. The stores, as always, with beautiful decor and prices to match. Great tour! We ate at Tostado. Very good veggie burger.
The new CJ Shops – a more intimate, open and with the same luxury Garden City – is located at Haddock Lobo 1626, across Oscar Freire. Everything close by. The mall is in front of great restaurants and also has Gero on the rooftop.
Arriving at Rua Augusta, go up towards Paulista. It’s about 1400 meters. It is worth it. You will discover some galleries along the way, such as Vila San Pietro , which has shops and cafes in an environment surrounded by nature. A gem in Augusta. And for more tips on Rua Augusta, check here along with a great tip for a Japanese restaurant.
And if you want a route along Avenida Paulista, we’ve done several. We love this iconic avenue. Click here
A tour of Moema and Ibirapuera
Not only from Parque do Ibirapuera live the Paulistano and the tourist in São Paulo – although it is an unmissable place. And, in addition to the Park, there is the MAM and the Planetarium inside! How to visit MAM
In addition to the Park, a tip is to get to know a little more about the region and cross the bridge to the other side of Vinte e Três de Maio (on foot) and visit MAC USP . Amazing permanent exhibition (and the temporary ones too). At the moment you don’t need an appointment, but you have to take the proof of vaccine. Parking is free.
Visit the 7 floors, including the Vista Restaurant, and enjoy lunch admiring the Park. Or go down to the mezzanine and have a coffee at Vista Café.
By car, a few kilometers away you will find the Roller Jam. Recently opened, the space rents skates, has a birthday party and is all 80’s. Following the tips for children on vacation, we went skating in the best 80s style. The rink is super themed with neons and mirrored globes. The soundtrack is great, a trip back in time with all the hits of the roller era.
Skates can be rented on site and protective items (helmet..) are mandatory up to the age of 18. The staff is attentive and helps beginners. No one enters the track without first ensuring balance by walking off the track. There are also some games and a bar for snacks. Children, youth and adults of all ages were on the track yesterday. Unconventional parking close by. All very organized and with visible concern for safety. 👉👉 Roller Jam Moema Al. of the Nhambiquaras 1980 @rollerjammoema
Walking through downtown São Paulo and Liberdade neighborhood
We’ve been going to Bairro da Liberdade a lot. The Neighborhood is trending on Tik Tok. Lots of teenagers walking around the neighborhood behind WeCoffee and the shops. It has the Korean Market store with BTS products. Galvão Bueno is the one that is always crowded and has an exit to the Metro. I recommend getting to know the other streets around and taking a more cultural tour of Liberdade. See the tips in the Post here.
And in the very center, there is the Mirante do Vale (with the brand new Sampa Sky ) and the Farol Santander . There are also cafes, the São Bento monastery and the Copan building. All open to visitors. The walk is no longer so safe and pleasant, but the cultural richness is undeniable. Tour through downtown São Paulo
Pinheiros
Rua dos Pinheiros and Pedroso de Moraes . The Apothecary Lab is amazing. Beautiful decor and an attached cafe. Brasseurs also recently opened and this part of the street (along with Joaquim Antunes) came to life with Braz Elettrica, Le Jazz, Maní, Padoca do Maí, several new cafes, Baccio di Latte, Meats, Z Deli, Kez Bagel, Frida & Mina, Kotori, Cabana, Shops and Bars. And if you drink, don’t drive. Fradique Coutinho Metro Station comes out of nowhere in the middle of the bars.
For those who are assiduous, you already know Cantina Giggio and Nello’s, Gael, Pirajá…
A little further or further back (2.5 km) from there is the Instituto Tomie Ohtake, which I love. Always quiet space, with new exhibitions, almost always free. The traditional Ofner is at the front, but the novelty is Bario. A restaurant bar from the 80s, with a lot of Pinball machines, drinks, hamburgers and a decor that matches the Roller Jam. Pure neon. If you don’t like this style, there’s Botanikafé, Lanchonete da Cidade, Fábrica da Dengo (which has a video on youtube).
We went to see the Christmas decorations in the malls and the always classic Iguatemi chain. This year Tarte Maison opened a kiosk just for beautiful Christmas products. I really like these two malls, and you can take a combined tour:
Iguatemi + Museu da Casa Brasileira or
JK Iguatemi + People’s Park
And speaking of Shopping JK, some restaurants and stores closed, but a lot of news appeared. Explore calmly.
For a short stay in Rio, the tip is to stay at the Prodigy, which is located at Santos Dumont airport. Beautiful hotel, great value, and perfect location for a weekend away.
A beautiful and iconic hotel. It is worth staying at Copacabana and enjoying the hotel’s luxury, glamor and location in front of Copacabana beach. Bar and restaurant, swimming pool and all the additional services for a perfect stay in Rio.
Free downtown tour
We went to Largo da Carioca for the tour that started at 10:30 am. https://freewalkertours.com/ A group of foreign tourists were already waiting there. If you prefer, take the private tour just for your family, click here to schedule
Buy your flight arriving in Santos Dumond SDU – in addition to being close to the center, it has this visually wonderful arrival. Window!
You can do a lot on foot, by rented bike or scooter. For longer distances and up to four people, you can take a taxi or uber. If you want a cost-effective private transfer to schedule several routes and tours let me know and I’ll give you the contacts of the ones I used in Rio and I really liked WhatsApp
I always prefer official taxis, especially when leaving the airport. Or the transfers I already know. There is heavy traffic at various times, so it is important to calculate this when traveling to and from the airport.
1. Copacabana Fort and Fort Museum
Army Museum and Fort of Copacabana – you can walk around it or do the full visit by purchasing the museum ticket. The fort was inaugurated in 1914. It is well worth the visit. Around the Forte there are two cafes and a beautiful view of Copacabana beach.
2. Beach Kiosks
For coconut water, fast food, ice cream, a juice… there are many beach kiosks. Make sure they are clean before ordering full meals.
3. Leblon
Leblon is a neighborhood where there are more expensive apartments and a great offer of restaurants and bars. There are two more elegant malls such as Shopping Leblon and Rio Design. Even so, depending on the day, the beaches that are usually quieter, are also crowded. The sunset in Leblon is a separate event.
Don’t forget sunscreen, water, a hat… the sun can be strong. There are chairs and umbrellas for rent on the beaches. Don’t skimp if you have kids. It is worth it.
4. Sights
Each item is worth a full post. But here’s the list:
Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon (Pedalinhos and bike)
Selaron Staircase
corcovado
Sugarloaf cable car
Arcos da Lapa and old town
Aquarium
Botanical Garden – Parque Lage
MAM
Not every child enjoys taking a long walking tour. For the little ones, this can be a great option on a cool day. Anyway, the kids loved seeing Escadaria Selarón from the transfer window because they had already seen it on TV shows.
Urca is an old and very traditional neighborhood in Rio, for tourists, it is where the Sugar Loaf Cable Car, Praia Vermelha and Urca Mureta are located, among other beautiful corners. There are several bars near the wall and that’s why it became famous and instagrammable. If you have children, a juice on the wall or a boat trip.
The Sugar Loaf Cable Car is a tour that I recommend at least once in a lifetime. It is the symbol of Rio along with the corcovado and very iconic. Of course the kids love it. In the photo you can see the ticket price in January 2021. Set aside at least 3 hours for the full tour.
And returning by car or walking, you will see the aqueduct – Arcos da Lapa. Nothing to do there, but a historic spot. City tours always go there. Get in touch and we’ll give you some up-to-date information about a city tour in Rio.
The Museum of Tomorrow, we have a complete post – so if you want to know more, go straight to the post. click here The Museum of Tomorrow is one of the symbols of the revitalization of the Port Zone of Rio. It was opened on December 19, 2015. It is located in Guanabara Bay, in front of Praça Mauá. It revitalizes five million square meters of the Port Region that was in the process of degradation.
Next to the Museum of Tomorrow is the Museum of Modern Art.
6. Boat trip on the river
We met Cassio and booked this tour. Nautical Tourism is starting to expand in Brazil. It’s not just for a select group. Send a message to the email maripelomundo@gmail.com or WhatsApp and we’ll send you the contacts for you to schedule.
This was my first experience on a sailboat. Cassio and his son Daniel are great, they give us all the instructions before the tour, boat equipped with gel alcohol, thermometer and utensils for the pandemic season, respecting social distance. Great ride for kids too, they work very safely.
7. Beaches
There are several, Flamengo, Botafogo, Ipanema, Leblon, Copacabana, Arpoador, Vermelha, Barra, Recreio…. the best beach is the one closest to your accommodation, especially if you have children.
8. Confeitaria Colombo, Café 18 do Forte and snacks
Two cafes at Forte de Copacabana: 1) One of them is Café do Forte (from the famous Confeitaria Colombo – over 125 years in Rio). A cleaner and smaller version, but in the same style as the Confeitaria downtown. It faces the city’s postcards, Copacabana Beach. 2) Café 18 do Forte: Brazilian food with veggie and coffee options, drinks and breakfast. Loved the coffee and the attentive service and a delicious cake.
There is no shortage of restaurants in the city. There are also malls with a food court. The list would be immense. It’s for a next post.
9. Water Sports
Copacabana beach has equipment rental for SUP and kayaking. In Leblon we saw surf lessons for children and a lot of Kite.
Pizzeria Guanabara Av. Ataulfo de Paiva, 1228 – Leblon, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 22440-035, Brazil
+55 21 2294-0797
Jobi Bar www.jobibar.com.br/ Avenida Ataulfo de Paiva, 1166, Loja B – Leblon, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 22440-035, Brazil
+55 21 2274-5055
Confeitaria Colombo www.confeitariacolombo.com.br/ Founded in 1894, Cultural and artistic heritage of the city
Gonçalves Dias, 32 – Centro, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 20050-030, Brazil
+55 21 2505-1500
Manaus – Amazonia
Manaus may not be the first destination for a vacation trip, but it is one of the most striking and interesting to go with children. Contact with nature happens 100% of the time. Children love and are delighted with everything, with plants, animals and adventure.
Manaus: Planning, Hotels and Tours
Planning is important and necessary. Be sure to read some of the posts I’ve written here on the blog to start planning your trip.
If you are taking a short trip or already want to see a lot in one day, there is a very good tour that includes Meeting of the rivers, Swimming with the dolphins and going to the jungle hotel. Passing by the Municipal Market, the port made by the English, and buildings made by the French with colonial architecture mixed with the stilts.
If you need an indication of the guide who did the tours and help to organize hotel and tours, let us know. Send an email to maripelomundo@gmail.com
The boat transports adults and children. Always wear a life jacket on children to ensure safe travel.
TOURS IN MANAUS: JACARÉ FOCUS AND PONTA NEGRA BEACH
We just landed in Manaus and right away we were welcomed by Olímpio Carneiro, a native of Ceará who has lived in Manaus for 30 years and besides being the owner of the tourist agency is passionate about the region. He told us what we already knew, … read more
Where to stay in Manaus
There are many hotels in Manaus. For a complete experience, I stayed at the Hotel de Selva.
The Amazon represents more than half of the remaining tropical forests on the planet and comprises the greatest biodiversity in a tropical forest in the world. It is one of the six great Brazilian biomes and it is very close to us. Amazon with children … read more
other hotels
If that’s not your option or you don’t want to stay there every day, there are amazing hotels in Manaus.
Hotel Villa Amazônia
It is 70 meters from the Palace of Justice and has a swimming pool, restaurant, gym and garden. One of the best in town. Click here for price and booking
A destination that I’ve always wanted to visit is the Amazon. At first I thought the ticket prices would be very expensive, but as always, curiosity got the better of me. And, in the midst of unpretentious searches for air tickets, I saw that the Brasilia – Manaus plane ticket was very affordable (400 reais round trip per person).
Next step was to ask for tips from friends who have already been to this region. What was our surprise when we discovered that almost none of my friends know the Amazon and very few were excited about our vacation destination.
Starting to search the internet…
A site that I usually research a lot is TripAdvisor and there I got in touch with an agency that received us and that we can recommend without fear. To know more details send an email to maripelomundo@gmail.com or WhatsApp
At first our intention was to stay just 4 days, but talking to Olimpio, we decided to stay 4 days in Manaus and 3 days doing the famous Island Safari. Our decision was based on travelers who left their reports of how a trip through the Amazon rainforest can be transformative.
The trip schedule was quite extensive and the tours we were most looking forward to doing:
swim with pink dolphins,
visit the meeting of the waters,
walk in the jungle and
see up close the ritual of an indigenous tribe.
Family trip to the Amazon
I know that planning is essential to increase the chances of a perfect trip and satisfaction increases when we have the opportunity to live unique experiences and discover new worlds in the company of the people we love the most, the family.
My biggest expectation on the trip was to be able to show my daughter a whole new world of what she knows, show new cultures and realities.
“You have to ask yourself why we cling to our expectations, because the expected is what keeps us stable, still standing, the expected is just the beginning. The unexpected is what changes our lives.”
Unknown author.
Our trip was everything I had hoped for and more. That’s why we want to share some tips from this experience, and definitely recommend the destination. Mostly with children.
We have gathered tips, information and our experiences in Foz do Iguaçu and Puerto Iguazu for you to set up your trip from end to end. For me, one of the places with the most beautiful nature in Brazil and worth contemplating. I hope this itinerary helps you plan your trip!!! Use the links to help the blog and get in touch if you need a Custom Roadmap .
Route Foz do Iguaçu (BR) and Puerto Iguazu (AR)
Iguaçu National Park is located in Paraná and is a Brazilian protected area, belonging to the group of Conservation Units. It is 17 km from the center of Foz do Iguaçu and 5 km from the Airport. The Park has an area of 169,695.88 hectares. It is administered by ICMBio.
They are not connected to each other by land (only by water). The connection is made by the Tancredo Neves bridge between the cities of Foz do Iguaçu and Puerto Iguazú.
The Iguazú National Park is located in the province of Misiones and is a protected area created in Argentina in 1934. It is 7 km from the center of Puerto Iguazú. The Park has an area of 67,000 hectares. The Park became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.
plan your trip
By booking through the links, you help the blog and guarantee the lowest prices and many tips for your next trips.
On a weekend trip you can do many tours, but the ideal to be able to enjoy the hotel, the places and also get to know Puerto Iguazu is to stay 5 days. Our suggestion in Puerto Iguazú is to stay in one of the beautiful jungle hotels.
3 days in Foz do Iguaçu and 2 days in Puerto Iguazu
If you need an indication of a travel agency to organize your trip – hotel and/or tours – contact us by email maripelomundo@gmail.com
How to get
There are direct flights to Foz do Iguaçu International Airport (IGU) – GOL OR LATAM. Check the airline’s website.
It’s very easy to get to Foz do Iguaçu! And to arrive with peace of mind, schedule a transfer to your hotel.
Those who go to Foz do Iguaçu for the first time usually have the following questions : Should I stay inside the Park? In the city center? or in a Resort type hotel? All three options are great because Foz do Iguaçu is a tourist destination with many options.
Where to stay in Foz
Our lodging suggestion is the Wyndham Golden Foz ( booking blog link or Hoteis.com blog link ) Hotel well located, central and close to all attractions in Foz do Iguaçu. Restaurant, shop and swimming pool. Great breakfast and good value for money. There are several highly rated hotels in Foz do Iguaçu and some are quite old. the Wyndham is all modern and has spacious rooms.
For those who want an exclusive experience close to the Falls, without a doubt the Belmond Hotel das Cataratas is the best option. By booking at this hotel, you are exempt from the park fee (which must be included in the rate). You can come and go as you please. There is a bus from the park itself or a taxi. There is a choice of the hotel restaurant at night or the hotel and park during the day. If you only have one day in Foz and the goal is to see the Falls, this hotel is worth the investment.
This is the only hotel located inside the Park on the Brazilian side, just as the Gran Meliá is the only one located inside the Parque do Lago Argentino. It is a luxury hotel Read our experience at Hotel das Cataratas hereOther hotels
If you choose these hotels, you will not be able to walk to restaurants and shops, but it is very easy to get around by taxi and uber in Foz. So do not worry. These are great hotels, great for family, kids and vacations. Some are close to a water park or shopping mall. They’re all great!
There are tours for several days in Foz. Impossible to do it all in one weekend. Book in advance, especially on weekends and holidays. In addition to the park, there is the Wax Museum, Valley of the Dinosaurs and Dreamland Wonders of the World and several malls.
One of the favorite walks of children in Foz do Iguaçu is certainly the Parque das Aves. The park is not very big and the visit lasts around one to two hours. Another very educational and interesting tour is the Itaipu Power Plant. It is very beautiful, peaceful and with an incredible view.
The must-sees in my opinion for a first trip : Parque das Aves, Cataratas, Marco das Três Fronteiras and Itaipu.
The must-sees for those with small children : Parque das Aves, Waterfalls, Water Park, Valley of the Dinosaurs and Movie Cars
The must-sees for couples and celebrations : Helicopter Tour, Macuco Safari, Three Borders Landmark and Puerto Iguazu
The must-sees for a group of friends : Macuco Safari, Craft Beer, Itaipu, Puerto Iguazu and Marco das Três Fronteiras.
Inaugurated in 1903, Marco das Três Fronteiras was completely revitalized in 2015 and 2016, with the implementation of a new tourist project.
In addition to the beautiful natural landscape, which is the meeting of the Iguaçu and Paraná rivers, and consequently Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay, the Marco honors the Jesuit Missions.
There is a visual and sound environment, a 12-minute projection of Cabeza de Vaca, the first white man to see the Iguaçu Falls in 1542. A play structure for children, a great restaurant (see our post) and a souvenirs.
There is a cinema with a documentary that tells the whole history of the place. It’s worth watching.
The restaurant is great for a coffee or meal. The place is super nice, the landscape is beautiful ( see our post ). There is a dance show
Movie Cars Entertainment is a new theme park in Foz do Iguaçu that presents a fun concept based on the cinematic immersion of visitors through scenarios and cars from the history of cinema. The venue features more than 40 vehicles in 24 historic movie sets from world cinema. Official website: www.moviecars.com.br
You need to have your ID up to date to cross the border. (To go to Duty Free it is not necessary to go through Customs, but to go to Puerto Iguazu yes). Check the consulate website for the rules.
Since 2005, when the government organized the Reserve, 15 hotels with three, four and five star ratings and spaces for social, cultural and sports activities have been built. 263 has been attributed to the Guarani communities around the Iguaçu National Park.
The union of Mbya and the inns, allows the tourist to enjoy tours helped by native guides, acquire various handicrafts and participate in typical festivities of the Guarani culture.
Where to stay in Puerto Iguazu
Our accommodation suggestion is to visit a Jungle Hotel in Puerto Iguazu : Loi Suites is one of them ( booking blog link or Hoteis.com blog link) Jungle Hotel with swimming pool, rooms overlooking the river, Spa service , Kids Room, Pool Bar and Restaurant.
Other Jungle Hotels
Selva Iryapu is a complex of 600 hectares and accommodates a group of Lodges in the Reserve that offers a unique experience of accommodation and gastronomy.
Just as the Hotel das Cataratas on the Brazilian side is inside the park, in Argentina, the hotel is the Gran Meliá. Beautiful too. It doesn’t have the same view and proximity to the Falls but it’s a great experience too.
La Aripuca is a tourist attraction in Puerto Iguazú and the visit is guided, with initial information about the attraction. The tour lasts an average of 1 hour, with a short walk through a natural environment, highlighting La Aripuca, the main construction of the place.
At 17 meters high and weighing 500,000 kg, the building reproduces on a large scale a traditional indigenous trap known as “arapuca”. Official website: http://www.aripuca.com.ar/
What is very interesting in Puerto Iguazú is being able to be in another country having traveled less than 20 km. Another language, another culture and other foods. Take the opportunity to buy wines, alfajor, eat well and walk around.
Swimming Pool Hotel das Cataratas -Foz do Iguacu, Brazil Photo: Publicity
Hotels outside the park
We’ve selected a list of hotels outside the park that are highly rated by guests and that have the possibility of an extra bed to accommodate families.
Although I say “downtown” it’s not the same thing as saying it in São Paulo. This is the view from the hotel, although it is close to the establishments and shops in downtown Foz do Iguaçu. Breakfast is very complete. A breakfast that caters to a large number of tourists in high season.
As colaboradoras e as Friends Connection de Mari Pelo Mundo compartilham o olhar e as experiências, contribuindo com o planejamento de viagens de pessoas que adoram se jogar nesse mundo.