Reading time: 5 minutes
The Iguazu Falls mark the end of our Argentinean journey. It's time to discover Brazil, our last country in South America.
In this article we detail our journey by road from Iguazu to Rio de Janeiro. Our article is quite short because once there, we realized that we might not have made the best choice in terms of itinerary. Nevertheless, you will find all the necessary details to make your journey according to your desires.
OUR TRIP: 21 days on site, from 25 November to 15 December 2019
WHERE? Brazil
TIME ZONE: -4h in winter, -5h in summer
CURRENCY: Brazilian Real (BRL): 1€ = 6 BRL in December 2020.
GETTING AROUND: We advise you to rent a car to be free to move around. We went through Movida but there are other rental companies.
WHY GO THERE? For the Atlantic coast, the beaches of Rio, its Corcovado, its Sugarloaf!
ACCESSIBILITY: Find all our addresses on our Mapstr map!
Stage 1: Iguazu - Curitiba (4 days, 3 nights)
We leave Iguazu to discover the Costa Verde from the inside. We spend a night in Cascavel before arriving in Curitiba. The city centre is worth a stop. We stroll through the Christmas market in Praça Osório. A few streets further on, we arrive at a colourful square where the Feira do Largo da Ordem, a fair that extends into the adjacent pedestrian streets, regularly takes place.
Movida: We rent a car at Iguazu airport on the Brazilian side for the duration of our stay.
Ibis Cascavel: We are staying in Cascavel at this hotel. Accessibility: The hotel's services are all easily accessible.
Novotel Curitiba: A superb hotel recently renovated. Accessibility: the room is well equipped except for the shower mixer tap installed on the same wall as the bench.
Largo's Bar: Between two pedestrian streets, have a beer and some tapas in the sun! Accessibility: only the terrace is accessible.
Stage 2: São Paulo (1 day, 2 nights)
We arrive on a Saturday evening in São Paulo. Unfortunately, our schedule left us no choice in the matter. If you plan to stop there during your stay, try to do it during the week to make the city more lively.
We wander through empty streets. We pass the imposing São Paulo Cathedral right next to the Praça da Sé. Between two showers, we take refuge in the few open shops. We go up to the municipal market for lunch. You have a lot of choice in terms of meals. We chose by chance the Picanharia Mercadão (Rua I, Box 31) which turned out to be very good!
On the way back, we lingered on Avenida Paulista. It becomes pedestrianised every Sunday.
Mercure Sao Paulo Alamedas: We chose it for its location not far from the city centre. Accessibility: The PRM room is large and well equipped. PRM access is via the hotel car park.
Capim Santo: A very good restaurant a stone's throw from the hotel. We opted for a tasting to discover the typical Brazilian dishes. Accessibility: The entrance is flat and the toilets are accessible.
Stage 3: Paraty (4 days, 3 nights)
We reach the coast at Paraty. This city was at its peak during the time of the Portuguese settlers. Its port was selected to store and load gold from the Minas Gerais region, which includes Ouro Preto.
The ships arrived from Portugal empty, weighted only with several tons of stones. Once unloaded, they left full of gold for the continent. These stones enabled the inhabitants of Paraty to shape the streets of the old town. We won't lie to you, you need good shoes or good wheels to walk them. None of the stones were laid flat to facilitate traffic!
Walk up to the marina via a footbridge over the sea (one step up) for a small view of the old town.
To the west of Paraty, a place well known to the locals is worth a visit. The Tobogan Waterfall is a swimming area with small waterfalls. You too can try to surf the water as it rushes over the rocks.
Finally, to the south of Paraty, the town of Trindade has the feel of a small seaside village. Many fish restaurants overlook the sandy beach.
Pousada Villa Harmonia : Just a few minutes from the city center, this pousada is in a quiet location. Accessibility: the accessible room is well equipped. Two drawbacks: it's damp and poorly lit.
Paraty
Bem Brasil: Sip a caipirinha on the terrace.
Casa do Fogo: Typical restaurant in Paraty. There is often live music. Accessibility: Two steps at the entrance and toilets not accessible.
Margarida Café: One of the most famous addresses in Paraty! Accessibility: one step at the entrance.
Trindade
Canto da Lua: The terrace on the beach is worth a visit. Accessibility: flat entrance and accessible toilets.
Stage 4: Rio de Janeiro (4 days, 5 nights)
This is it! We are in Rio, the penultimate stage of our three months in South America! Since our arrival in Brazil, we have been looking forward to discovering this emblematic city.
To make it easier to visit the various tourist sites, we recommend that you keep your rental car for an extra day or two. If you can't, all buses in the city are wheelchair accessible.
We start our visit with the Sugar Loaf, a 350-metre high moraine. A cable car has been built to get there. The view over the bay is splendid and you can even see Christ the Redeemer overlooking the city.
After getting lost on the way to the Corcovado, we finally arrived at the train departure point. We are assaulted by many guides who offer to take us directly to the top to avoid the queue. Don't hesitate to resist their offers, especially if you have reserved your train (at least 24 hours in advance). Climb in and enjoy the ride. Between the trees, you can get a glimpse of what awaits you at the top. The doors open, walk a few metres and Christ the Redeemer appears. This 38-metre high statue, which has become iconic since its construction in 1931, dominates the city. The view is breathtaking!
The next day we decided to visit the city centre. From the hotel we took a taxi to theSelarón stairs. The place is very popular with tourists and rightly so. It is entirely covered with ceramic tiles of all colours. For our armchair readers, unfortunately there is no really accessible place to see it.
Our walk takes us to the Museum of Tomorrow (Museu do Amanhã), passing by the municipal theatre.
Despite the hustle and bustle of a city of this size, walking is not a problem. We return to Copacabana beach where the stalls selling grilled fish, açai and coconuts follow one another.
We end our city tour at the Copacabana Fort, just outside our hotel. Completely quiet, it's the perfect place for a Sunday stroll with family or friends. It offers a superb view (not accessible) of Copacabana. Enjoy a hearty brunch in one of the restaurants before heading to the beach! We recommend ending your day with a sunset on Ipanema, one of the most beautiful of our stay in Brazil!
Fairmont Copacabana: Between the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, you can't miss it! Take in the view from the infinity pool on the 6th floor overlooking the bay of Rio! One of the best views! The cocktails and restaurants are delicious! We're crazy about the breakfast! Accessibility: The entire team will be delighted to help you access the various services (Spa, gym, pool...), so don't hesitate to ask.
Café 18 do Forte: In the heart of Copacabana Fort, enjoy brunch on the terrace in the shade of the trees! Don't forget to book, as it's often fully booked! Accessibility: only the terrace is accessible.
We had dined at the restaurant Zuka but unfortunately it closed. We didn't have time to try them out but Nosso and Zazá Bistrô in the heart of Ipanema were recommended.
Finally, if you want a great ice cream, go to Vero!
Pao de Azucar : Two cable cars take you to the top of Sugarloaf for a breathtaking view! Fares: R$114 per person, R$57 for PRM and accompanying persons. Accessibility: The cable car is fully accessible including the toilets. You go up first with your companion.
Corcovado: Hop on the cogwheel train to discover this new wonder of the world! Prices: R$88 (high season) or R$71 (low season) for the train per person. Online booking is essential. Guides also offer to take you up and skip the queue but it will cost you R$95 per person. A minibus service is also available for R$80 per person. Accessibility: The train is fully accessible. Once at the top there are two escalators which a park employee will assist you with.
Copacabana Fort: Discover the fort from every angle. Rates: R$6 per person, free for PRM and accompanying persons. Accessibility: Fully accessible including toilets.
Copacabana Beach: Numerous accessible toilets are available all along the beach.
Stage 6: Belo Horizonte - Ouro Preto (2 days, 3 nights)
We leave Rio de Janeiro and head inland towards Belo Horizonte. The road between the two cities is long and there are few places to stop. We added this last stage to our journey in order to get closer to the mining town ofOuro Preto.
It was here that the Portuguese settlers came to collect gold to load their ships. Their influence can be seen in the architecture of the buildings throughout the city.
The city centre is a few streets around the Praça Tiradentes :
- To the south, the Museum of Inconfidence (wheelchair accessible) traces the history of the rebellion led by Tiradentes, Portugal's first advocate of independent government. A few streets away, theChurch of St. Francis of Assisi is one of the city's Baroque treasures.
- To the north of the square, walk up the street towards theIgreja de Nossa Senhora das Mercês e da Misericórdia. From here, you'll have a fine view of all these colonial buildings. Next door, the Museum of Science and Technology where you can learn more about mining. Unfortunately, it is not wheelchair accessible.
Ibis Belo Horizonte: The hotel consists of two buildings. Reception is in an old house from the turn of the century. Rooms are in the newer part. Accessibility: only breakfast is difficult to access. Service is on the second floor of the old house, but the team will be happy to bring you whatever you want.
Belo Horizonte
Yes - Nós Temos Café: The perfect place for brunch with, as the name suggests, great coffee! Accessibility: fully accessible and equipped toilets.
Ouro Preto
Chopp Real: Right next to the Praça Tiradentes, have a good meal before hitting the pavement! Accessibility: Only the terrace is accessible.
Ouro Preto
Armazaem Rural: This small shop offers handmade beers and coffee. You can also find handmade pottery just behind the main entrance. Accessibility: There is a step to enter.
Stage 7: Rio de Janeiro, continuation and end (1 day, 2 nights)
For our last day, we decide to take our time. After a morning of swimming at the hotel, we go to visit the Santa Teresa district. Quite small but totally in its juice, we let ourselves be charmed by the local craft sellers.
We spend the evening at the Portella where a Bossa Nova singer takes us away from our return to Paris blues.
MGallery Santa Teresa: In the heights of Rio, this hotel is a haven of peace. Enjoy the pool and its wonderful cocktails at dusk, perfect! Accessibility: There are two accessible rooms. The restaurant is not accessible but room service is available.
Portella: Just a stone's throw from the MGallery Santa Teresa, order a mix of appetizers and you won't be disappointed! Live concerts are frequent, so don't hesitate to ask them as you walk past! Accessibility: there's a 20 cm step to get in.
This is the end of our 3 and a half month journey through South America. We are going to summarize all our trips in a summary article so that you can find all the practical information you need to organize a trip like ours!
