As the world’s fifth largest country, it can be an intimidating task to narrow down where to go and what to see on your family vacation to Brazil. While the obvious choices like Rio de Janeiro, the Amazon, and Iguazu Falls are very tempting, this vast country has so much more to offer that you may not have yet considered. The coastlines are trailed by charming colonial towns, relaxing beach resorts, and paradise islands while the world’s biggest wetlands, the Pantanal Wetlands, is waiting to share its spectacular shows of nature near the Bolivian border. From the cities to its beaches, jungles, wetlands, and Wonders of the World, there are so many ways to experience this diverse country. Between all of its destinations, Brazil promises culture, adventure, art, and nature like you and your children will have never seen before — but what kind of Brazilian experience would your family prefer? To inspire your Brazilian family vacation, we have shared our top five ideas covering each of the country’s best destinations.

The Ultimate Family Amazon Jungle Adventure

Open your children’s eyes to the most powerful and beautiful entity on our planet — mother nature herself — on a family Amazon adventure. Allow them to see the vastness, diversity, and preciousness of our unique planet that the jungle displays so they gain a greater appreciation for and understanding of life itself. As a wild and untamed yet perfectly ordered ecosystem, there’s so much the Amazon can teach us, no matter what age we are.

Your Tarzan adventure begins in Brazil’s most remote and inaccessible city, Manaus, known as the doorway to the Brazilian Amazon. From here, you’ll be whisked away (not on a jungle vine) to your remote jungle lodge which, despite being miles from civilization, includes all of the luxuries you need to ensure your kids are comfortable. Plus, you’ll have access to a private local guide that possesses unparalleled knowledge and exceptional wisdom about life in this alien landscape. 

During your stay, they will take you on jungle trails to spot the local wildlife including sloths, macaws, snakes, tarantulas, and plenty of monkeys. Along the way, you’ll learn about the importance of the Amazon’s incredible ecosystem to our planet and its conservation. Your kids will also have the chance to do mangrove boat rides, piranha fishing, and even swim with pink dolphins! Although it will be hard to choose your highlight of the trip, one of the most special moments for us is introducing you to the native Caboclo community, one of the few Amazonian tribes still thriving in the wild. 

The Full Brazilian Experience: Rio de Janeiro and the Pantanal Wetlands

On the one hand, Brazil is a richly cultured country ruled by the colors, sounds, and flavors of its vivacious people. On the other hand, it’s a wonderfully wild country ruled by its lush landscapes and rainbow of wildlife. To experience the best of Brazil on your family vacation, you have to experience the brilliance of its contrasts. A trip from the raucous streets of Rio to the marshy plains of the Pantanal will offer an insight into the best that Brazil has to offer.

After even just a few days in Rio, you will get the full Brazilian city experience as you and your family join samba parties in the street, try new foods at the best Brazilian restaurants, explore its bouji and bohemian neighborhoods, and play on its famous beaches. Of course, you’ll also get to visit Christ the Redeemer which, as one of the New Wonders of the World, makes for an unforgettable family experience.

Although often overshadowed by the Amazon, Brazil’s Pantanal Wetlands (the largest wetlands on earth) is a phenomenal destination for your family to immerse in Brazil’s incredible natural world. From a photographic safari along the Mutum River to a 4×4 night safari, your luxury wetlands lodge will arrange adventurous ways for your family to explore the wetlands. Along the way, your kids will gain valuable insight into its invaluable ecosystem as they spot rare birds, otters, wolves, and perhaps even a jaguar.

The Wonders of Brazil: Christ the Redeemer and Iguazu Falls

Brazil is blessed to be home to two Wonders of the World: Christ the Redeemer and Iguazu Falls. To be clear, the prestigious Wonders of the World lists only honor the world’s most precious and venerated natural and man-made sights. To be able to behold two of them on one trip with the ones you love most is, therefore, an extraordinary opportunity to create powerful memories together. 

Christ the Redeemer is a 30-meter-tall statue of Jesus overlooking the city of Rio de Janeiro from Corcovado Mountain. Whether the statue has any spiritual meaning to your family or not, it’s an incredible feeling to be in its presence. Its splendor is matched by the views over Rio from its feet. The scenes of this bowl-shaped city surrounded by tropical mountains and long sandy beaches are nothing short of iconic. Of course, this is just one of many special experiences you can have in this city as you explore its unique neighborhoods like Botafogo, Santa Teresa, and not forgetting Ipanema. 

Then, fly to the humid sub-tropics of southern Brazil where the world’s largest waterfall system lies. Consisting of 275 drops, some 82 meters high, this U-shaped waterfall will have everyone’s jaw on the floor as you witness its force and feel its energy ripple through you. Between hiking, kayaking, and even white water rafting, there are so many fun ways the whole family can explore Iguazu. After an energetic and adventurous couple of weeks in Brazil, spend your last few days lying poolside, playing golf, or indulging in the spa at a luxury resort as your kids splash around.

A Celebration of Brazilian Culture: Rio Carnival, Ilha Grande, and Salvador

Allow your children to experience the world through the eyes of Brazil on a trip that captures the essence of its culture. There’s no better place to begin immersing in Brazilian culture and lifestyle than at Rio Carnival. A five-day celebration of dance, color, music, expression, and life coined as the ‘greatest show on earth’. What could be more inspiring for your curious kids than the joy found in the freedom of expression and the sense of global community that Carnival emanates?  

After days of singing and dancing, wind it down with a relaxing few days on the most magnificent tropical islands in Brazil, Ilha Grande, located just off the Rio de Janeiro coast. Since it’s largely undeveloped, Ilha Grande is covered in lush forest and lined with white sandy beaches, making it an optimal location for hiking, boating, snorkeling, sunbathing, and other fun family island activities. 

Round off your Brazilian experience in Salvador, the country’s most cultural city. Here, you will find the best of Brazil’s colonial and African heritage which have merged to create a colorful city that loves to dance, eat, and laugh. As you pass rainbow-painted 17th-century colonial buildings, expect to see Afro-Brazilian women dancing in the street and the scent of moqueca, tapioca, and other traditional Brazilian dishes waft through the air. By the end of your trip, the whole family will have renewed vigor and vitality for life inspired by the inimitable vibrancy of Brazilian culture. 

A Balanced Brazil: Adventure in the Amazon and Relaxation in Buzios

Sometimes, vacationing with kids can be stressful which is why the ideal trip involves both exciting and adventurous family activities and time to wind down and relax. In Brazil, there’s no better place for adventure than the Amazon and no better place to kick back than the bouji beach resort town of Buzios. 

During your stay at a remote jungle lodge deep in the untamed Amazon near Manaus, you and your kids will get the once-in-a-lifetime chance to get up close to rarely sighted flora and fauna safe in the hands of an expert jungle guide. From jungle treks and boat rides to wildlife spotting and piranha fishing, there is so much adventure to be had for all ages. As you explore the world’s wildest and richest natural landscapes, nature will be sure to impart some worldly wisdom to you and your family along the way. After all, nature is the world’s greatest teacher.

From Manaus, you’ll fly to Buzios located on Brazil’s Costa del Sol 175 km east of Rio de Janeiro. While the Amazon is all about immersing in the wild elements of the Amazon, Buzios is all about being pampered at high-end hotel resorts, eating well at upscale restaurants, and drinking caipirinhas while your children play at one of the peninsula’s 27 pristine beaches. No wonder it’s known as the St Tropez of Brazil. These experiences may be completely opposite, but together they provide a polarized experience of brilliant Brazil.

Create Your Own Family Brazil Vacation for 2024

While these five Brazilian family vacations are some of our most highly recommended ideas, you can create your own itinerary with our Totally Latin America Brazil experts. Whether you want culture, beaches, nature, adventure, or a combination of them all, browse through some of our luxury Brazil tours here to get the perfect trip, or we can create your ideal itinerary of destinations complete with hotel bookings, guided tours, restaurant reservations, and more. Get in touch with us here to get started.