Rio de Janeiro, Salvador da Bahia, and Praia do Forte
11 Days/9 Nights
From $2,459 per person
(Dbl. Occupancy, Not Incl. Airfare)
Overview
Explore the cultural highlights and scenic beaches of Brazil on this captivating tour. Beginning in Rio de Janeiro, you will visit Corcovado and Sugar Loaf Mountain and enjoy a multi-cultural dinner show. Then, head to Salvador da Bahia to learn about the history of the country’s former capital and center of Afro-Brazilian culture. You will have a guided walk of the upper city (Pelhourinho), a Unesco World Heritage site, and a panoramic tour of the lower city, including a stop at the Mercado Modelo for some shopping. The final part of the tour takes you to the small beach village of Praia do Forte to experience the area’s pristine beaches.
Lodging and Meals: This tour includes accommodations for 9 nights (3 nights in Rio de Janeiro, 3 nights in Salvador da Bahia, and 3 nights in Praia do Forte), and 14 meals (9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 4 dinners).
Best Time to Go: October-April.
Destinations: South America, Brazil, and Argentina.
Interests: Culture & History and Sun & Beach.
Places Visited: Rio de Janeiro, Iguazu Falls, and Salvador da Bahia.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Rio de Janeiro.
Day 2: Rio de Janeiro-Multicultural Dinner Show.
In the evening, you will have a multicultural dinner show at Teatro Lebron that brings different cultures of Brazil to the stage. The show perfectly combines a variety of Brazilian dances that developed from African rhythms via the slave trade and from the natives that lived in Brazil before colonization. The presentation combines diversity and culture: the Ziriguidum from the Northeast, the Folklore from Amazon, the Capoeira from Bahia, and samba dance from Rio de Janeiro. Overnight in Rio de Janeiro. (D)
Notes: 1.) Check-in time in Rio de Janeiro is typically 2:00 PM. We can request early check-in for you but cannot guarantee it. 2.) The multicultural dinner show is available on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Day 3: Rio de Janeiro-Christ the Redeemer Statue (Corcovado)-Sugarloaf Mountain.
Over a million tourists each year visit the world famous Sugar Loaf Mountain, which has become an iconic symbol of the city of Rio de Janeiro. Rising up from a small peninsula at the entrance of Guanabara Bay, its name is said to refer to its resemblance to the traditional shape of a concentrated, refined sugar loaf. The journey to the top is made in glass cable-cars. The first cable-car takes you to the top of Urca Hill, which rises 215 meters above sea level and offers spectacular views of the entire bay and its surrounding islands. From Urca Hill, you continue in a second cable-car to the top of Sugar Loaf which rises 395 meters above sea level and offers a 360 degree view of the entire city including Botafogo and Copacabana Beaches, Corcovado Mountain, and downtown Rio de Janeiro. (Duration: approximately 8 hours. Lunch will be served at Estrela do Sul BBQ). Following the tour, you will be returned to your hotel. Overnight in Rio de Janeiro. (B,L)
Day 4: Rio de Janeiro.
Day 5: Rio de Janeiro-Salvador da Bahia.
Day 6: Salvador da Bahia-Historic Center Walking Tour-Bahia by Night Folklore Show.
In the evening, you will visit the Miguel Santana Theatre in Pelhourinho, for a folkloric show presented by the Bahia Folklore Company (Balé Folclórico da Bahia), one of the most respected folklore dance troupes in the world. The performance includes a presentation of multiple African dance traditions that heavily influenced the Bahian culture. You will see the Candomblé (dance in honor of the gods); Puxada de Rede, a song by fishermen in honor of Yemanjá, the goddess of the sea; Maculelê, an acrobatic stick and sword dance with its origins in the cane fields; Capoeira, a martial art/dance of Angolan origin and the Samba de Roda, a spinning, swirling version of the exuberant national dance. Optional dinner at a local restaurant (not included). Overnight in Salvador da Bahia. (B)
Day 7: Salvador da Bahia-Panoramic City Tour.
The tour continues to the Monserrat district with its panoramic view of the city and then on to the Mercado Modelo, a thriving market for local goods and souvenirs. This is also where you can test your bargaining talents! After the tour, you will be returned to your hotel. Overnight in Salvador da Bahia. (B)
Note: The Bonfim Church is closed on Mondays.
Day 8: Salvador da Bahia-Praia do Forte.
Day 9: Praia do Forte.
Day 10: Praia do Forte.
Day 11: Praia do Forte-Salvador da Bahia.
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
What's Included
Price Includes
- South American Vacations’ expert pre-departure planning services and documentation.
- Airport/hotel transfers including baggage handling.
- Hotel accommodations including taxes and service charges.
- Excursions as indicated on the itinerary including all applicable entrance fees.
- Meals as indicated on the itinerary.
- Local, English-speaking tour guides.
Price Does Not Include
- International airfare.
- Domestic airfare.
- Meals not indicated on the itinerary.
- Gratuities, gifts, and personal items.
- Travel insurance.
We will be happy to quote the cost of airfare and travel insurance and to make these arrangements for you.
Accommodations
Rio de Janeiro

3 Star – Copa Sul Hotel

4 Star – Arena Copacabana Hotel

5 Star – Miramar Hotel by Windsor

Deluxe – Copacabana Palace Hotel
Salvador da Bahia

3 Star – Pestana Convento do Carmo Bahia

4 Star – Wish Hotel da Bahia

5 Star – Hotel Fasano Salvador

Boutique – Hotel Villa Bahia
Praia do Forte

5 Star – Tivoli Ecoresort Praia do Forte
Additional Details
Group Private: All airport/hotel transfers are private. In Rio de Janeiro, the Corcovado and Sugarloaf Mountain excursion is a group tour for single passengers and 3 Star accommodations, and private for 4 Star, 5 Star, and Deluxe accommodation. In Iguazu Falls, the tours of the Brazilian and Argentinian side are group tours for single passengers and 3 Star accommodations and private for 4 Star, 5 Star, and Deluxe accommodations. The Great Adventure Tour is a group tour. In Salvador, the historic center walking tour, Bahia by Night folklore show (transfers), and panoramic city tour are private. The transfers to/from Praia do Forte are private.
Elevations: N/a.
Passport/Visa: For Brazil, U.S., Australian, British, and Canadian citizens require a passport valid for at least six months from date of entry, an onward or return ticket, and proof of sufficient funds to cover their stay. Citizens of other countries are advised to contact the Brazilian embassy in their country before traveling. For Argentina, U.S., Australian, Canadian, and EU citizens require a valid passport (for the duration of your visit) and return ticket for stays of up to 90 days. Australian and Canadian citizens are required to pay a reciprocity fee of $100 and $75 respectively (subject to change without notice due to currency fluctuations or other reasons) online, and must show proof of payment prior to arrival. The reciprocity fee for U.S. citizens has been suspended until further notice. For citizens of Australia, this fee covers unlimited entries to Argentina for 10 years, while citizens of Canada are charged the fee every time they enter the country (or $150 for multiple visits within five years). The fee can be paid online at ProvinciaNet.com.ar. You will need to register in order to make the payment. Citizens of other countries are advised to contact the embassy of Argentina in their country before traveling.
Travel Insurance: In order to protect your travel investment from unforeseen circumstances that may arise before or during your trip, we strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance. We offer Allianz Global Assistance’s Classic Comprehensive and other plans. The Benefits and Coverage Limits are summarized on our Travel Insurance page. Call your travel counselor if you have any questions or to purchase a plan.
To Book This Trip: We require a non-refundable deposit of $500 per person plus the cost of the international airfare (if we make the arrangements for you). The balance of the trip cost is due 60 days prior to departure.
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