Family holidays in Brazil

Most families will start in Rio where, within a few hours of arrival (direct from London) you can be strolling along the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, looking up at the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue. Cafés and bars hum to a samba soundtrack and around every corner you find kids kicking a football, hoping to be the next Pele.

But there is so much more to Brazil than Rio. Heading south, the Emerald Coast offers gorgeous colonial towns, secret fjords, islands covered in rainforest and the beautiful beaches of Ilha Grande. Venture inland and you will find the wildlife haven that is the Pantanal wetlands. Here you can take boat trips or ride horses while spotting capybaras, anacondas and jaguars.

An absolute must is getting drenched at the incredible Iguazu Falls, one of the natural wonders of the world, where you can pop across the border into Argentina (yet another passport stamp).

Further afield there are exciting journeys into the Amazon from Manaus – overnight in simple hammocks, luxury lodges or river boats. Or you can head to the northeast coast and explore the intriguing delights of Salvador de Bahia with its colourful culture and tropical beaches.

It’s a huge country and it can be difficult to know where to start. However, you can be sure that a family holiday in Brazil will be a holiday like no other!

Why take the kids?

Some of our favourite activities on family holidays in Brazil include:

1. Hiking up Sugarloaf Mountain for views over Corcovado
2. Learning to samba in Rio de Janeiro!
3. Discovering secret fjords and beaches from Paraty
4. Spotting hyacinth macaws and maybe even jaguar in the Pantanal
5. Getting soaked by the spray of the magnificent Iguazu Falls
6. Snorkelling amidst tropical fish in Bonito
7. Sleeping in hammocks deep in the Amazon jungle
8. Enjoying the colourful Afro-Brazilian culture of Salvador
9. Tasting traditional Bahian cuisine from a beach-front cabana

Check out our Brazil with kids blog for lots more ideas on exciting family-friendly activities.

The kids will be fascinated by pretty much everything on a family holiday in Brazil. This might be watching the locals play football on Rio’s Ipanema beach or cooling off in the waterfalls in the eco-adventure capital of Bonito. Fish for piranhas in the Pantanal or take a night safari in the Amazon. There is something for everyone and such a variety that children (and adults) of any age will be constantly entertained.

Distances are vast but there is an easy network of domestic flights that connects the different parts of the country. This limits the amount of driving required. Accommodation is lovely, with many beautiful historic family-friendly pousadas (inns). Many of these have pools, tropical gardens and hammocks that make for a relaxing base from which to explore.

With the lively beat of the samba ever present, Brazil is sure to rock its way into the heart of any fun-loving family.

Example family Brazil itineraries

All of our itineraries are bespoke. This means that they are tailor-made for your own specific family. We will take into account the ages of your children, your interests, your budget and so on.

However, to give you an idea of what you could do on family holidays in Brazil, have a look at our sample itineraries. Our Highlights of Southern Brazil starts in Rio and ends at Iguazu Falls. Or consider our Rio, Amazon & Salvador for a great combination of city, Amazon and beach. You may also want to check out our Brazil and Argentina for families itinerary which includes the delights of cosmopolitan Buenos Aires.

If you need further inspiration, check out some other places you can visit on a family trip to Brazil, and see examples of some of our favourite places to stay.  Lastly, check what the weather will be like at the time that you want to travel. Or simply get in touch with us for the best advice on family travel to Brazil.