Brazil Uncovered: A Journey Through São Paulo, Paraty, Ilha Grande & Rio

Hello! Welcome to our Brazil travel blog.

When we first started planning this trip, we were overly ambitious. We wanted to see everything: the Amazon rainforest, Iguacu Falls, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro… you name it. But as we began researching, reality hit us. Brazil is massive, the destinations are far apart, and while domestic flights are available, they can be quite expensive. With only 10 days in hand, we realized it wasn’t practical to cover all those places at once.

Since our Brazil visa is valid for the next five years, we decided to save some destinations for future trips and focus this time on a simpler route: São Paulo to Rio. While exploring options, we discovered there are many beautiful spots along this stretch like Paraty and Ilha Grande perfect for a scenic road trip through mountains and beaches. And honestly, we didn’t regret a thing. Every place we visited had its own kind of magic, and we enjoyed every bit of it.

Now, a quick note on visas:

Holding an Indian passport, Canadian PR, and a US tourist visa, I still needed a Brazilian visa. The process is a bit lengthy but extremely straightforward. The website clearly outlines all the requirements, and the team is very responsive. We applied months in advance, mailed our passports, and got them stamped without any issues. Once that was done, we were all set.

Unlike our previous travels where everything was planned and booked, this trip was completely impromptu. We had no fixed itinerary, no hotel reservations, and no real idea of what to expect. What we didn’t know at the time was that almost no one speaks English there😖 something we discovered very quickly!

Flights ✈: We flew from Toronto to São Paulo and later returned from Rio to Toronto, both legs involving layovers. Our round-trip tickets came to about 1,800 CAD for two people. We booked with Avianca though, to be honest, I wouldn’t recommend the airline unless you’re getting a fare that’s noticeably cheaper than other options.

Where We Stayed 🏩

São Paulo:

We only stayed in São Paulo for a day, so we booked an Airbnb instead of a hotel. While the location was great, right next to the Vila Mariana metro station. The check-in process wasn’t very smooth. The language barrier made things a bit tricky, and we had to coordinate quite a bit with the host. In hindsight, a hotel might have been easier, but given how expensive hotels are in downtown São Paulo, the Airbnb was a practical choice.

Airbnb: Studios Modernos e Completos ao Lado da Estação Vila Mariana - 1 night - 127 USD

Paraty:

In Paraty, we wanted something a little special, so we booked one of the nicer boutique hotels in town. Only after arriving did we learn that a recent cyclone had caused power outages, so we spent the entire stay without electricity! Surprisingly, the hotel handled it beautifully. They lit candles everywhere, giving the whole place an unexpectedly romantic vibe. Plus, it was just a short walk from downtown.

Boutique Hotel Carpe Diem - 1 night - 154 USD

Ilha Grande:

Ilha Grande was where we truly splurged, and it was absolutely worth it. We stayed at a beautiful boutique property with its own private beach. The best accommodation of our entire trip. Peaceful, scenic, and pure bliss. One important thing to note: this hotel isn’t directly accessible from the main town of Ilha Grande. But they do offer a private boat service for pickup and drop-off, as long as you notify them at least an hour in advance. If you love privacy, quiet surroundings, and a bit of exclusivity, this place delivers exactly those vibes.

Pousada Papiro Boutique - 2 nights - 298 USD

Rio de Janeiro:

For Rio, we wanted to be right in the heart of the city, so we chose a hotel in downtown with amazing views. The location helped us make the most of our time there.

Rio Othon Palace - 3 nights - 775 USD

Pro Tip : Credit cards work everywhere in Brazil, even with street vendors. We never faced an issue using ours.💸

Getting Around: Public transportation in Brazil is surprisingly efficient, and we didn’t need to rent a car at all during our trip. 🚘

São Paulo & Rio: Uber was fantastic in both cities. Reliable, affordable, and widely available. São Paulo’s metro system is also very convenient and easy to use.

Smaller towns like Ilha Grande: Since Ilha Grande is an island, cars aren’t even allowed. Everything is walkable, and boat taxis take care of the rest. You truly don’t need any personal vehicle here.

Intercity travel: We took a FlexiBus from São Paulo to Paraty, and it was a comfortable, budget-friendly option.

I also noticed that many places are set in hilly areas, so using public transport or ride-sharing felt much safer and more practical than driving ourselves.

Day 1: Exploring São Paulo 

After landing in São Paulo, the very first thing we did was pick up a local SIM card with unlimited data. The network worked flawlessly everywhere we traveled, so this is definitely a must-have for anyone visiting Brazil.

We headed straight to our Airbnb, but since we arrived around 11 a.m. and check-in wasn’t until 3 p.m., we had some time to explore the area. We decided to visit Ibirapuera Park, one of São Paulo’s top attractions, and it was the perfect way to start our trip. The park is huge, lively, and beautiful. We ended up spending a couple of relaxing hours there.

Once we finally checked in and freshened up, we took the metro to downtown São Paulo. The metro was clean, efficient, and very easy to navigate. A great experience overall. Downtown had tall buildings, busy streets, and lots of energy. It carried that classic metropolitan vibe.

São Paulo

We tried some street food (including grilled corn!) and wandered around until evening. For dinner, we picked a Japanese restaurant for sushi and for good reason. São Paulo has the second-largest Japanese community outside Japan, so sushi is practically a must-try here. And yes, it was absolutely worth it.

Day 2: The Journey to Paraty

We checked out of our Airbnb and headed to catch our 12 p.m. FlexBus to Paraty. Unfortunately, the bus was delayed by two hours, so we ended up waiting at the station longer than expected. That’s the thing with public transportation. Delays happen, and you just roll with it. 👮

Once we finally began the journey, I understood why the bus may have been running late. The route was incredibly scenic but also quite narrow and winding, with steep mountain roads and sharp turns. It was beautiful, but definitely not an easy drive.

By the time we arrived in Paraty, it was already dark. We headed straight to our hotel, only to learn that the town had been experiencing power outages for the past few days due to a recent cyclone. Despite that, we wanted to make the most of our evening, so we went out for dinner.

Paraty

We found a cute little restaurant tucked away in the cobblestone streets of Paraty, and it was such a lovely experience; Delicious food, good drinks, and the cozy charm of the historic town. When we returned to our hotel, the entire place was lit with candles. I honestly couldn’t remember the last time I spent a night by candlelight. It felt unexpectedly calming and romantic, and we ended the day on a peaceful note. 💏

Day 3: Paraty Mornings & Off to Ilha Grande

We woke up early and headed straight to the beach for a refreshing morning dip. The water was calm, the weather was perfect, and since everything in Paraty is within walking distance, it felt so easy and relaxing. After spending some time by the ocean, we returned to our hotel and enjoyed a delicious breakfast.

Paraty itself is a small, charming town - apart from strolling through its colorful, cobblestone streets, there isn’t a long list of activities to do. So we decided to move on to our next destination, Ilha Grande, later that afternoon. We booked our transfer online and then spent the rest of the morning exploring Paraty a bit more.

The town is incredibly peaceful and unbelievably picturesque. Total Pinterest vibes everywhere you look. We even joined a local alcohol-making class, which turned out to be unexpectedly fun. There are a few sightseeing options around, but we felt satisfied with what we’d seen and decided to keep things simple.

Around 3 p.m., our Ilha Grande transfer picked us up. The journey involved a 1.5-hour drive followed by a 40-minute boat ride. By the time we reached our hotel, it was around 7:30 p.m. We had a lovely dinner right by the ocean, and since our room was literally steps from the beach, I fell asleep to the sound of the waves - pure bliss.

At night, I couldn’t really see much of the property, but when I woke up the next morning… wow. It was stunning. The place looked even fancier and more beautiful than I imagined.

Day 4: Exploring Ilha Grande’s Beaches

We started the day with a delicious breakfast, complete with tropical fruits like fresh mango, the perfect fuel for a day by the water. The sea right by our hotel was so crystal clear that I could see fish swimming just by standing on the shore. No snorkeling gear needed!

We checked with the hotel reception about sightseeing options, and they suggested dropping us off at Ilha Grande town. By 10 a.m., we were on another boat heading to Lopes Mendes Beach, one of the most famous beaches on the island. The journey took about an hour by boat, followed by a 20-minute hike to reach the beach.

Lopes Mendes was beautiful, but the water was quite cold, so we spent the afternoon enjoying the scenery and the beach itself. Honestly, I’d say it’s a bit overrated. Ilha Grande has around nine beaches, each with its own charm, and it’s impossible to cover them all in a day or two. Even a three-day stay isn’t enough to fully explore the island. With limited time, we could only visit this one, but it was still a memorable experience.

Ilha Grande

Afterwards, we stopped at a lovely local restaurant for a late lunch. As the evening approached, we headed back to our hotel and spent the rest of the day relaxing, listening to the waves, and soaking in the peaceful island vibes.

Day 5: Ilha Grande to Rio de Janeiro

We spent the morning enjoying the private beach at our resort. The water was crystal clear, and I have to admit- I actually preferred our hotel’s beach to Lopes Mendes! After a leisurely swim, we had a hearty breakfast and got ready for the journey to Rio.

We booked an Uber transfer from Angra dos Reis to Rio, which included about a 1-hour boat ride followed by a 1-hour drive. By 3 p.m., we had arrived in Rio, checked into our hotel, and enjoyed the welcome drinks before heading straight to the beach.

Rio’s beaches are lively and vibrant, especially in the evening. We spent the night there soaking in the atmosphere, exploring street vendors, doing a bit of street shopping, and even getting our hair braided. It was the perfect introduction to the city before our more adventurous plans the next day.

Day 6: Helicopter Tour & Tijuca Forest Adventure

We started the day with a hearty breakfast before heading out for an experience we had been looking forward to- a helicopter tour with Rio2Fly. We arrived about an hour early, completed all the formalities, and soon we were soaring above Rio. The views were absolutely breathtaking, especially the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue. While the tour was a bit pricey at around 407 CAD per person, seeing the city from above was completely worth it. Easily the best views of Rio we experienced on the trip.

After the helicopter ride, we returned to the hotel to rest briefly before our next adventure. At 2 p.m., we had a transfer booked for a tour of Tijuca Forest, a 6-hour guided experience. Our guide shared fascinating insights about the forest’s history, flora, and fauna as we explored. There was a little hiking involved, so we were glad we wore comfortable clothes and proper hiking shoes. The scenery was stunning, and I would highly recommend this tour. It’s a must-do for anyone visiting Rio. It costed us 100 CAD/person.

In the evening, we experienced another local highlight Bip Bip: a samba music club run by an elderly local artist. The place had an incredible vibe, with live performances by seasoned musicians practicing traditional samba. It was intimate, authentic, and truly unforgettable. A perfect way to end an adventurous day in Rio.

Bip Bip

Day 7: Full-Day Rio Sightseeing

We booked a full-day Rio sightseeing tour online, and it turned out to be an excellent way to see the city. The day started with a tour of downtown Rio de Janeiro, where we soaked in the vibrant city life and historic architecture. Next, we visited the Brazil Carnival Museum, which was colorful, lively, and gave great insight into the world-famous festival.

From there, we headed to a football stadium, then explored the famous Selarón Steps, with their iconic colorful tiles. The highlight of the day was the visit to Sugarloaf Mountain, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the city and coastline. The full day trip costed us 214 CAD/person.

It was a full day packed with Rio’s best sights, ending with dinner at a renowned and slightly pricey restaurant Marius Degustare- but worth it for the experience and ambiance. A perfect way to wrap up a complete Rio day.

Day 8-Day 9: Fly back to Toronto.🏠✈