Tour overview

This 8-day small-group trip explores Brazil's Costa Verde, the green coast between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, where Atlantic rainforest tumbles down to quiet bays, colonial towns and tropical islands. Groups have up to 16 travellers aged 15 and over, with a leader throughout. You travel by shared transfer, ferry and boat and stay seven nights in hotels and pousadas, with three nights on the island of Ilha Grande. Breakfast is included on most days, leaving plenty of freedom to try moqueca fish stews, fresh seafood and caipirinhas in beachside restaurants.

Your adventure begins at 1pm in Rio de Janeiro, the Marvellous City, with time to soak up the atmosphere of Copacabana or Ipanema before the group meeting. The next morning a shared transfer takes you along the coast to Paraty, a beautifully preserved colonial town of cobbled streets, whitewashed churches and colourful doorways, once a port for Brazilian gold.

Read more

A free day in Paraty lets you choose your own adventure: perhaps a schooner trip among the islands and beaches of the bay, a visit to a traditional cachaça distillery, or a walk to waterfalls in the surrounding rainforest of the Serra da Bocaina.

A transfer to Angra dos Reis and a ferry bring you to Ilha Grande, a car-free island of rainforest, mountains and more than a hundred beaches, once a pirate hideout and later a prison island. Two full free days let you hike jungle trails to beaches such as Lopes Mendes, often named among Brazil's most beautiful, snorkel in clear lagoons or simply relax in the village of Abraão. On the seventh day you take a boat to the mainland and return to Rio for a final evening, perhaps with a visit to Sugarloaf Mountain or Christ the Redeemer.

The physical rating is medium, with optional hiking and some boat transfers. This trip suits travellers who want an easy-going taste of Brazil's coast, with plenty of free time and a sociable group. Pack swimwear, sandals and good shoes for the island trails. Departures run year-round, with the drier months from April to October. A light rain jacket is useful.

Trip highlights

  • Arrival in Rio de Janeiro (Day 1)
  • Colonial Paraty (Day 2)
  • A free day on Paraty Bay (Day 3)
  • Ferry to Ilha Grande (Day 4)
  • Lopes Mendes beach (Day 5)
  • Rainforest trails on Ilha Grande (Day 6)

Your route

4 stops from Rio de Janeiro to Ilha Grande

8-day route: Rio de Janeiro – Paraty – Angra dos Reis – Ilha Grande – Rio de Janeiro
  1. Rio de Janeiro Days 1 & 7–8
  2. Paraty Days 2–3
  3. Trindade Day 3
  4. Ilha Grande Days 4–6

Why choose this tour

Brazil's Costa Verde in a relaxed week, at a great price. Three nights on a car-free island of beaches and rainforest.

Best suited to

  • Beach and nature lovers
  • Travellers on a budget
  • Solo travellers looking for a group
  • First-time visitors to Brazil
Colonial houses in Paraty

Day-by-day itinerary

8 days from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

  1. Day 1 · Rio de Janeiro Arrive in Rio

    A group meeting from 1pm.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  2. Day 2 · Paraty Paraty

    Along the coast to the colonial town.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  3. Day 3 · Paraty Bay Paraty

    A free day for boats or waterfalls.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  4. Day 4 · Angra dos Reis, Ilha Grande Ilha Grande

    A ferry to the island.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  5. Day 5 · Lopes Mendes Ilha Grande

    A free day for beaches and trails.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  6. Day 6 · Abraão Ilha Grande

    Another free day on the island.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  7. Day 7 · Rio de Janeiro Rio

    Boat and road back to Rio.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  8. Day 8 · Rio de Janeiro Trip ends

    The trip ends after breakfast.

    Meals
    Breakfast
Copacabana beach in Rio

Where you stay

  • Rio de Janeiro (1 night) Hotel
  • Paraty (2 nights) Hotel
  • Ilha Grande (3 nights) Hotel
  • Rio de Janeiro (1 night) Hotel

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 7 nights in hotels
  • Meals 4 breakfasts
  • Shared transfers, ferry and boat
  • Time in Paraty
  • Three nights on Ilha Grande
  • Leader throughout

Not included

  • Flights
  • Optional activities such as boat trips
  • Meals not included 3 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners
  • Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
Boats at sunset in Paraty

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want many included activities — there are several free days
  • You want luxury
  • You want to see the Amazon
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 2–4 and 8 · Lunch: none included · Dinner: none included
FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Brazil
A beach cove fringed by rainforest

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £645 per person, twin share, tour only. 78 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

What can I do on Ilha Grande?

Hike rainforest trails, visit beaches such as Lopes Mendes, snorkel or take a boat trip.

Are there cars on Ilha Grande?

No, the island is car-free, so you travel on foot or by boat.

Are many activities included?

This trip includes transport and accommodation, with free days to choose your own activities.

Do I need a visa?

UK visitors do not usually need a visa for a holiday stay in Brazil. Check before you travel.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 15.

How many people travel together?

Up to 16 travellers, with a leader.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary

Similar routes

11 days · 2 departure dates

Discover Brazil: Rio, Paraty, Iguaçu & the Amazon – 11 Days

On offer · save up to 20% From £4,076
25 days · 58 departure dates

Bolivia to Brazil for 18–35s: Uyuni, Uruguay & Rio – 25 Days

From £3,215
6 days · 2 departure dates

Rio Carnival Experience: Sambadrome & Street Parties – 6 Days

From £2,895
14 days · 9 departure dates

Solo Chile, Argentina & Brazil with Flights – 14 Days

Flights included From £5,819 incl. flights

More tours in Brazil

21 days · 58 departure dates

Best of Peru, Argentina & Brazil: Lima to Rio – 21 Days

From £5,746
14 days · 9 departure dates

Pure Brazil: Salvador, the Amazon, Pantanal, Iguaçu & Rio – 14 Days

From £4,995
19 days · 6 departure dates

Brazil, Argentina & Patagonia with Flights: Rio to Santiago – 19 Days

Flights included From £7,838 incl. flights
14 days · 7 departure dates

Chile, Argentina & Brazil with Flights: Andes, Iguazú & Rio – 14 Days

Flights included From £4,249 incl. flights
9 days

Pantanal Jaguar Safari: Paraguay River & Araras Lodge – 9 Days

Dates on request

Combine with

Tours in neighbouring countries.

13 days · 9 departure dates

Cycling the Lake District of Chile & Argentina – 13 Days

On offer · save up to 20% From £3,936
15 days · 8 departure dates

Machu Picchu & Galapagos Island-Hopping: Cusco to Quito – 15 Days

On offer · save up to 20% From £5,026
18 days · 8 departure dates

Andes to Atacama with Flights: Machu Picchu, Uyuni & Chile – 18 Days

Flights included From £9,190 incl. flights
13 days · 6 departure dates

Argentina, Bolivia & Chile: Salta, Uyuni & Atacama – 13 Days

From £5,429

Explore more

From £645
See dates & prices