Brazil 10 Day Itinerary: Rio, Iguazu and Salvador

The best Brazil 10 day itinerary for a first trip is Rio de Janeiro (3–4 days), Iguazu Falls (2–3) and Salvador (3). The must-dos: Christ the Redeemer by train (€44, 4.4/5 from 5,437 reviews), a full-day tour of both sides of the falls (€39, 4.9/5 from 2,357 reviews) and a Pelourinho walking tour (€40, 4.9/5). Our catalogue lists 1,156 activities across Brazil, from €6, with a median of €69; this route costs about €650 in activities.

Prices, ratings and review counts updated on November 9, 2026 from the GetYourGuide catalogue. Tours Brasil is a GetYourGuide affiliate: booking through our links costs you the same and we earn a small commission.

Ten days will not cover all of Brazil, but they are enough for three very different sides of it: the most famous city, one of the world’s great natural wonders and the capital of Afro-Brazilian culture. The route works in this order with two domestic flights and no long road transfers. Every price and rating comes from the Tours Brasil catalogue of things to do in Brazil.

The 10 essential activities on this route

Christ the Redeemer: Corcovado train ticket — €44, 4.4/5 from 5,437 reviews. Go first thing to beat the queues.
Sugarloaf cable car — €42, 4.6/5 from 4,049 reviews. The best view of Guanabara Bay, ideally at sunset.
Rocinha favela walking tour with a local guide — €30, 4.8/5 from 4,629 reviews, 2–3 hours.
Rio rainforest hike to waterfalls and caves — €59, 4.8/5 from 3,843 reviews, 5 hours in the Tijuca Forest.
Football match at Maracanã with private transfer — €79, 4.9/5 from 2,080 reviews. If a game is on, do not miss it.
Iguazu Falls: full day in Brazil and Argentina — €39, 4.9/5 from 2,357 reviews, 10 hours.
Brazilian side of the falls plus Macuco Safari — €157, 4.6/5 from 523 reviews, 6–8 hours, including the boat ride towards the falls.
Itaipu Dam with entry ticket — €25, 4.3/5 from 190 reviews, 3 hours. One of the world’s largest hydroelectric plants.
Historic Pelourinho walking tour — €40, 4.9/5 from 90 reviews. Salvador’s UNESCO-listed colonial centre.
Morro de São Paulo day trip — €76, 4.5/5 from 126 reviews, with pickup. A car-free island with warm-water beaches.

With extra time or budget: the Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande day trip from Rio (€69, 4.6/5 from 2,497 reviews) or a capoeira class at Mestre Bimba’s school in Salvador (€36, 4.9/5).

Quick comparison: price, rating and pickup

Activity	From	Rating	Reviews	Duration	Spanish guide	Pickup
Christ the Redeemer by train (Rio)	€44	4.4/5	5437	—	No	No
Sugarloaf cable car (Rio)	€42	4.6/5	4049	1 d	No	No
Rocinha walking tour (Rio)	€30	4.8/5	4629	2-3 h	Yes	No
Tijuca Forest hike (Rio)	€59	4.8/5	3843	5 h	Yes	No
Iguazu Falls, Brazil and Argentina	€39	4.9/5	2357	10 h	Yes	No
Falls + Macuco Safari boat	€157	4.6/5	523	6-8 h	Yes	No
Pelourinho walking tour (Salvador)	€40	4.9/5	90	—	No	No
Morro de São Paulo (from Salvador)	€76	4.5/5	126	4 h	Yes	Yes

Catalogue data as of November 9, 2026

Best seller Rio de Janeiro Cristo Redentor: ticket de entrada en el tren del Corcovado 4.4 (5,437) from€44

Rio de Janeiro8 h Río de Janeiro: 6 paradas en lugares destacados con almuerzo SpanishPickup 4.4 (5,615) from€114

Rio de Janeiro2-3 h Río de Janeiro: tour a pie por la favela Rocinha con guía local Spanish 4.8 (4,629) from~~€33~~€30

Best seller Rio de Janeiro1 d Teleférico Pan de Azúcar 4.6 (4,049) from€42

Rio de Janeiro5 h Selva de Río: ruta de senderismo por cascadas, fauna y cuevas Spanish 4.8 (3,843) from~~€65~~€59

Rio de Janeiro8-9 h Río: Cristo Redentor, Pan de Azúcar, Selarón y almuerzo con barbacoa SpanishPickup 4.5 (3,377) from€66

How to split the 10 days

Rio de Janeiro, 4 days: Christ, Sugarloaf, the beach and a neighbourhood with a guide; your arrival day is usually half lost to the flight. See the best tours in Rio. Foz do Iguaçu, 2–3 days: one full day covers both sides of the falls, a second adds Macuco or Itaipu; read Iguazu Falls: Brazil or Argentina side. Salvador, 3 days: the old town, an island and a capoeira night; see things to do in Salvador.

10-day itinerary: Rio, Iguazu and Salvador

Day 1: arrive in Rio, settle into Copacabana or Ipanema and ride the Sugarloaf cable car at sunset (€42).

Day 2: Christ the Redeemer early (€44), then the Rocinha walking tour (€30). Activities: €74.

Day 3: a rainforest hike (€59) and, if there is a game, football at Maracanã (€79). Activities: €138.

Day 4: beach morning, flight to Foz do Iguaçu and the Itaipu Dam in the afternoon (€25).

Day 5: the Brazil and Argentina falls tour (€39, 10 hours). Bring your passport for the border.

Day 6: back to the Brazilian side with the falls and Macuco Safari tour (€157).

Day 7: fly to Salvador (usually with a connection) and catch a capoeira, samba and drumming night (€25).

Day 8: the Pelourinho walking tour (€40) and a capoeira class (€36). Activities: €76.

Day 9: a full-day trip to Morro de São Paulo (€76, pickup included).

Day 10: a free morning at Barra beach and the lighthouse, then your flight home from Salvador.

Total: about €652 per person in activities. Budget version: skip Maracanã and Macuco and swap Morro for a Praia do Forte day trip (€38), for about €378.

How much does a 10-day Brazil trip cost in activities?

Rio de Janeiro: 361 activities, from €17, median €79. Christ and Sugarloaf cost €42–44 each.
Foz do Iguaçu: 111 activities, from €13, median €97. Two-sided falls tours cost €35–46.
Salvador: 40 activities, from €19, median €59, the cheapest stop on the route.
Whole route: about €650 in activities with every extra, or about €380 on a budget.

International flights, two domestic flights and hotels come on top; we leave them out because they vary so much by date.

Plan your trip

Flights: fly into Rio and out of Salvador on an open-jaw ticket so you never backtrack. Rio to Foz do Iguaçu takes about 2 hours; Foz to Salvador usually connects via São Paulo or Rio. When to go: September to November balances all three stops: drier in Salvador, pleasant in Rio and good water levels at Iguazu. December to March is hotter and the falls carry more water; Carnival in February pushes prices up.

Where to stay: Copacabana or Ipanema in Rio, the centre or Avenida das Cataratas in Foz, and the Pelourinho, Santo Antônio or Barra in Salvador. Want a longer route? See our most popular tours in Brazil.

Practical tips

Book domestic flights first: they set the pace of the trip and get pricier close to the date.
Carry your passport at Iguazu: the two-sided tour crosses into Argentina.
You will get soaked on the Macuco Safari; bring a dry bag and a change of clothes.
In Rio, save Christ and Sugarloaf for clear days and swap days if it dawns cloudy.
The 10 activities on this route add up to more than 23,000 reviews; 6 list a Spanish-speaking guide, so check each page for English options.

FAQ

Is 10 days enough for Brazil?

Not for the whole country, but enough for three well-chosen stops. Rio, Iguazu and Salvador combine city, nature and culture with only two domestic flights.

How many days should I spend in each place?

Four in Rio, two or three at Iguazu and three in Salvador.

What is the top-rated activity on this route?

The two-sided Iguazu Falls tour (4.9/5 from 2,357 reviews) and the Maracanã match (4.9/5 from 2,080). The most-reviewed is the Christ the Redeemer train, with 5,437 reviews.

How much do the activities cost?

About €652 per person with every extra in this itinerary, or about €378 on a budget.

How do I get from Rio to Iguazu and on to Salvador?

By plane. Rio–Foz do Iguaçu takes about 2 hours; Foz–Salvador usually needs a connection.

Do I need a visa for Brazil?

Since 10 April 2025, US, Canadian and Australian citizens need an e-visa to visit Brazil. UK and EU passport holders do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days. Always check the official Brazilian consulate website before travelling.

Brazil in 10 days: Rio, Iguazu and Salvador itinerary