This 3 Week Brazil and Argentina itinerary takes you to five incredible destinations: the Amazon, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, the Mendoza wine region, and a scenic road trip through Salta.
After exploring both countries across multiple trips, we’ve created a seamless plan that helps you experience the very best of each place without the guesswork.
If you’re dreaming of a journey that blends nature, culture, food, wine, design, and adventure, this itinerary pulls all of those elements together in one place, backed by our real experiences.
3 Weeks in Brazil and Argentina
Day 1: São Paulo Days 2-4: The Amazon Days 5-9: Rio de Janeiro Days 10-12: Buenos Aires Days 13-15: Mendoza wine region Days 16-20: Salta road trip Day 21: Travel day home |
3 Week Brazil and Argentina Itinerary
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Regardless, we only recommend products or services we have used or that we believe will add value to our readers. Thank you for supporting us!Day 1: São Paulo (1 night)
After a long haul into Brazil, spend one night in São Paulo before flying onward to the Amazon.
It gives you buffer time for delays and lets you arrive in the rainforest rested instead of rushing straight from the airport.
We took an Uber from the airport to our hotel, and it was easy and quite affordable.
Our favourite thing about São Paulo was its architecture. The city isn’t afraid to take risks - mixing modernism, Brutalism, vertical gardens, and beautifully restored historic buildings into a skyline that feels experimental and constantly evolving.
Where to stay in São Paulo
Base yourself in the Avenida Paulista area - one of the safest and most central parts of the city, close to museums, restaurants, and São Paulo’s best hotels.
Our top hotel picks:
L’Hotel PortoBay São Paulo: A classic, comfortable stay just off Avenida Paulista. It’s quiet, polished, and ideal if you want something easy and stress-free for a quick stopover. This is where we stayed. Rosewood São Paulo: If you’re after something special, book the Rosewood. The restored maternity hospital, paired with Jean Nouvel’s vertical-garden tower and Philippe Starck interiors, makes it one of South America’s most striking sustainable hotels. 🛏️ Browse more hotels in São PauloSafety
Like Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo is a city where you want to stay aware. Keep your phone tucked away, avoid wearing anything flashy, and rely on Uber to get around. With those habits, you’ll feel much more at ease.
What to Do with One Day in São Paulo
Viewing Casa Bradesco's latest exhibition and dining at Tan Tan
Kick off your trip with some bubbles at Le Jardin
Start your trip with a glass of champagne at Le Jardin in the Rosewood. The hotel is unbelievable - modern Brazilian design at its best, mixing lush greenery, warm woods, sculptural furniture, and Brazilian art influences.
It’s the perfect place to celebrate the start of your adventure.
See Casa Bradesco's latest exhibition
Right next door, step into one of São Paulo’s most beautiful cultural spaces. The building itself is a work of art, showcasing the bold modernism the city is known for.
They’ve hosted exhibitions by major names in Brazilian and international art, like Anish Kapoor, and the scale of the space makes everything feel immersive.
Enjoy dinner + cocktails at Tan Tan
In the evening, Uber over to Tan Tan, one of the World’s 50 Best Bars. The setting is fun, the cocktails are inventive, and the small Japanese dishes are very tasty.
São Paulo has the largest Japanese population outside Japan, and you’ll feel that cultural influence in the food, flavours, and atmosphere.
Tan Tan is a popular spot, so be sure to book in advance.
Days 2-4: The Amazon (3 nights)
Sunset on the river, colourful macaws, and watching the sunrise from a canopy watchtower.
After your night in São Paulo, fly north into the world’s largest rainforest.
The Amazon was like nowhere we've been before. It's one of those places that feels almost mythical until you’re in it.
A few of our favourite moments:
🛶 Boating down the river to spot wildlife
🌄 Climbing a canopy watchtower at sunrise and hearing the forest come alive
🥂 Sipping champagne on the river at sunset
🥘 Trying Amazonian and traditional Brazilian dishes
🦜 Spotting colourful birds. Toucans, parrots, macaws, parakeets - the colours were unreal!
Where to stay in the Amazon
Option 1: Fly to Manaus - Gateway to classic Amazon lodges
Most travellers fly about 4 hours from São Paulo (GRU) to Manaus, the main hub for exploring the Brazilian Amazon.
There are a few flights a day, and from here you’ll find a wide range of river lodges along the Rio Negro.
These offer the classic Amazon experience - big river scenery, canoe trips, larger mammal sightings, piranha fishing, and comfortable eco-resorts at different price points.
Our top lodge picks around Manaus:
Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge, with boutique cabins and a pool overlooking the Rio Negro. Juma Amazon Lodge, known for its rustic-chic bungalows over the water.Both lodges are a 2 hr 45 min transfer from the airport by road and boat.
🛖 Browse more lodges around Manaus.Option 2: Fly to Cristalino Lodge on a private nature reserve
The lodge is deeply focused on conservation, with incredible birdwatching, guided nature walks, and 50-metre high canopy towers - among the tallest at any Amazon lodge.
It’s the only lodge in the entire reserve, so it falls into the higher-end category - but it delivers, with spacious rooms, exceptional meals, and beautifully crafted spaces that open to the forest.
Getting there takes a bit more planning: flights leave from VCP Airport (around 1.5 hr from São Paulo), on specific days of the week. The flight is just under 3 hours. From Alta Floresta Airport, it's an easy 1.5 hour transfer to the lodge.
✔️ Top Tip: Book a room with air conditioning - we can’t imagine doing this trip without it.
A few things that surprised us
You can swim in the river - piranhas are scavengers, not the movie-style predators we imagined.
We couldn't believe how loud the rainforest became at sunrise. We genuinely thought we heard a fighter jet flying overhead, but it was the howler monkeys.
We also didn’t see a single snake. I was hoping for an anaconda sighting, but they’re much rarer than you’d think - reassuring if snakes make you nervous.
✔️ Top Tip: We highly recommend packing insect-repellent clothing like Craghoppers and tucking your socks over your pants to avoid picking up ticks.Days 5-9: Rio de Janeiro (5 nights)
After three nights in the Amazon, Rio feels like stepping into a completely different side of Brazil: beach culture, bohemian neighbourhoods, iconic mountains, and a music scene that’s woven into everyday life.
It’s the best place to balance your jungle adventures with sun, food, and city energy.
Five days in Rio is just enough to settle into the city’s rhythm. Over two trips, we’ve found the perfect mix of Rio’s iconic sights and local favourites, from famous viewpoints to neighbourhood hangouts.
Getting from the Amazon to Rio de Janeiro
Most Amazon lodges include a transfer back to the airport. From there, fly directly to Rio’s Galeão Airport (GIG). Once you land, take an Uber to your hotel.
Uber is the safest and most convenient way to travel around Rio. It's also quite affordable.
✈️ Compare flights to Rio de Janeiro.Best neighbourhood to stay in Rio de Janeiro
Ipanema is the best place to base yourself. It blends a local feel with plenty of energy, and you’ll have great beaches, restaurants, and bars just steps away.
Being so close to the beach also means you can leave your valuables behind and enjoy swimming stress free.
Our top hotel picks in Ipanema are: Hotel Arpoador for its beachfront access and rooftop views, and Ipanema Inn for its cozy, boutique feel just steps from the beach. 🛏️ Browse more stays in IpanemaWhat to do in Rio de Janeiro
Clockwise from top left: La Carioca kiosk on Leblon Beach, lagoon-side lunch at Ocya Ilha, drinks in Santa Teresa neighbourhood, the cafe in Parque Lage
See our full 5 Day Rio de Janeiro itinerary, which includes the best things to do in the city:
Itinerary Highlights:
🏖️ Spend beach days the Carioca way on two non-touristy beaches.
📸 See the city’s iconic sights: Sugarloaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer, and the historic mansion at Parque Lage.
🎶 Dive into Rio's music scene with bossa nova nights, live jazz, and samba sessions that spill onto the streets.
🌅 Watch the sunset from two beloved local spots.
🎨 Walk up the colourful Escadaria Selarón and explore Santa Teresa’s bohemian streets, bars, and creative shops.
🛴 Enjoy an oceanfront breakfast, then ride an electric scooter down Copacabana Beach to Leme Beach.
🛍️ Shop contemporary Brazilian designers in Ipanema.
🐟 Escape the city for a lagoon-side lunch at Ocya Ilha, then watch hang gliders land on Praia do Pepino.
🔗 Read the 5 Day Rio de Janeiro Itinerary here.
Days 10-12: Buenos Aires (3 nights)
Flying from Rio to Buenos Aires feels like stepping into a different creative world.
While Rio expresses its culture outdoors through beach rituals, open-air music, and golden-hour gatherings, Buenos Aires is moodier and more romantic.
It’s shaped by tango, literature, asado nights, wine culture, and an identity that blends European influence with Argentine soul.
In three days, you’ll get a taste of Palermo’s local hotspots, Recoleta’s Parisian charm, and the tango-filled streets of San Telmo.
Getting from Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires
Fly directly from Rio (GIG) to Buenos Aires (EZE). The flight is about 3 hours.
We recommend arriving by 12pm, so you have enough time to settle into your hotel and enjoy your first day in Palermo.
✈️ Compare flights from Rio to Buenos Aires.Best neighbourhood to stay in Buenos Aires
Palermo is the best base for exploring the city's buzzing restaurants, cocktail bars, and independent shops.
Home Hotel is our favourite place to stay - its tranquil garden and pool feel like a hidden oasis in the middle of the city. 🛏️ Browse more stays in PalermoWhat to do in Buenos Aires
Clockwise from top left: Don Julio steakhouse, El Ateneo Grand Splendid bookstore, leather shopping in Palermo, live music at El Boliche de Roberto
See our full 3 Day Buenos Aires Itinerary, which includes the best things to do in the city and standout places to eat and drink.
Itinerary Highlights:
🛍️ Shop Argentine design and handcrafted leather pieces at Palermo’s independent boutiques.
🏛️ Wander Recoleta’s Parisian-like streets, visit its most beautiful bookstore, and enjoy afternoon tea inside a Belle Époque landmark.
💃 Explore historic San Telmo's cobblestoned streets, antique markets, and deep tango roots.
🎶 Explore the city's creative nightlife scene and listen to music at local favourites.
🥩 Experience Argentina’s iconic asado at one of the world’s most famous parrillas.
🔗 Read the 3 Day Buenos Aires Itinerary here.
Days 13 - 15: Mendoza Wine Region (3 nights)
After a lively few days in Buenos Aires, Mendoza shifts the pace completely. This high-altitude desert framed by the Andes is the heart of Argentina’s wine culture.
Three days is enough to explore the Uco Valley's architectural wineries, enjoy relaxed vineyard lunches, taste Malbecs in historic Luján de Cuyo, and unwind at your hotel in the countryside.
Getting from Buenos Aires to Mendoza
Fly directly from Aeroparque (AEP) - the city’s central airport - to Mendoza (MDZ). It’s an easy 2-hour flight.
Take an early flight, so you can fit in a wine tasting the first day.
✈️ Compare flights from Buenos Aires to Mendoza.Best area to stay in Mendoza
Casa de Huespedes La Azul in the Uco Valley
Base yourself in the Uco Valley, the quieter and more scenic part of Mendoza, home to the region’s highest-altitude vineyards.
This is where you’ll get sweeping Andes views, wide-open vineyards, and some of Mendoza’s most architecturally impressive wineries.
We love staying at Casa de Huéspedes La Azul - a warm, family-run vineyard hotel with incredible sunrises, home-style dinners, and some of the best hospitality we’ve had in Argentina. 🛏️ Browse more stays in the Uco ValleyWhat to do in the Mendoza Wine Region
Impressive wineries and scenic lunches in Mendoza
See our full 3 Day Mendoza Itinerary, which includes the best things to do in the wine region.
Itinerary Highlights:
🏛️ Visit the Uco Valley's architecturally striking wineries, Zuccardi Valle de Uco and Bodega Alfa Crux.
🍷 Taste wines at Viña Cobos, home to Argentina’s first-ever 100-point Malbec
🌄 Spend downtime at your boutique hotel with peaceful vineyard and Andes views.
🥗 Enjoy a long vineyard lunch at family-run Bodega La Azul.
🥂 Spend a day in historic Luján de Cuyo with sparkling at Chandon and a Michelin-level wine lunch.
🏺 Tour Catena Zapata’s iconic pyramid winery, a World’s Best Vineyards hall-of-famer.
🔗 Read the 3 Day Mendoza Itinerary here.
Days 16-20: Salta Province (5 nights)
Tucked beside Chile’s Atacama Desert, Salta is one of Argentina’s best kept secrets.
It has some of the most dramatic landscapes in South America and is deeply tied to Indigenous and Andean traditions.
This five-day road trip is one of the best we’ve ever done, with surreal rock formations, centuries-old haciendas, the world's highest altitude vineyards, and a remarkable James Turrell museum tucked away in the desert.
Getting from Mendoza to Salta
Fly directly from Mendoza to Salta - it's around a 1.5 hour flight.
At the airport, pick up your rental car - you won't need a 4x4, but an AWD makes the gravel stretches more comfortable.
🚗 Compare car rental rates in Salta.What to do on your Salta road trip
Road trip through Salta Province
See our full 5 Day Salta Road Trip Itinerary, which includes the route, where to stay, and the best stops along the way:
Itinerary Highlights:
🌄 Road trip through some of Argentina’s most dramatic landscapes and quirky adobe towns.
🍷 Visit Bodega Colomé for high-altitude wines and a sunset viewing of the James Turrell Museum.
🏜️ Drive the surreal rock formations of Quebrada de las Flechas on the way to Cafayate.
🛏️ Stay in centuries-old haciendas.
🍇 Go winery hopping around Cafayate.
🐴 Take a canyon horseback ride through the Quebrada de las Conchas.
🔗 Read the 5 Day Salta Itinerary here.
Day 21: Travel Day Home
Since you'll be departing from Salta in the evening on Day 20, keep this day flexible for connections and your long-haul journey home.
Enjoy your 3 weeks in Brazil and Argentina!
Get started on booking your trip to Brazil and Argentina
- 🛏️ Book your accommodation: in the Amazon, Sao Paulo, Rio, Buenos Aires, Mendoza, and Salta
- 🚕 Hire your private driver: in Mendoza
- 🚗 Book your car rental: in Salta
- 🛫 Book your flights: use Skyscanner to compare flights across different airlines (we recommend booking direct with the airline however).
Don't forget about travel insurance
👩⚕️ For affordable travel insurance: go with SafetyWing - it's budget-friendly and you can even buy it while abroad, but note the max medical coverage is $250,000 USD. 🏥 For comprehensive travel insurance: go with World Nomads - it's more expensive, but the max emergency medical coverage is $5-10 million, depending on the plan.Save this Argentina and Brazil itinerary for later:
