Brazil Beach Life: Rio Carnival Edition
Brazil Beach Life: Rio Carnival Edition
The trip in a nutshell
This is a trip designed and realised entirely by an experienced WeRoad Travel Coordinator. The Coordinator takes care of the whole trip: from defining the itinerary to selecting accommodation and on-site experiences. Via WeRoad website you can book the trip and manage it in your personal area, just like any other WeRoad.
Ready to live your best life between swaying palms, pulsating parties, and pure paradise? Begin in São Paulo, the country’s thriving cultural powerhouse, where sleek skyscrapers blend with colorful street art and buzzing nightlife. From there, set off to the charming colonial town of Paraty, wandering its cobblestone streets, sipping freshly brewed Brazilian coffee, and marveling at vibrant historic façades.
Next, unwind on the unspoiled shores of Ilha Grande, where crystal-clear waters beckon you to swim among tropical fish and hike through emerald-green jungles alive with exotic wildlife. Feel the gentle ocean breeze as you lounge on golden sands, savor traditional feijoada by the sea, and watch breathtaking sunsets over the Atlantic horizon.
And then—Rio de Janeiro. As the rhythm of samba fills every street and the city prepares to explode in color, you’ll immerse yourself in the world-renowned Rio Carnival. Dance alongside dazzling samba schools, don feathered headdresses, and join the street parties that transform neighborhoods like Lapa and Santa Teresa into a nonstop festival. Marvel at the spectacle of elaborate floats, glittering costumes, and infectious energy that make the Carnival an absolute bucket-list event.
You'll conquer Sugarloaf's heights, sip caipirinhas on the sand, and lose yourself in samba-fueled nights. This is Brazil in its rawest, most vibrant form—with the Rio Carnival as a breathtaking finale.
Travel mood
Physical effort
Entry requirements
What do I need to enter Brazil?
Passport: At least 6 months of residual validity from the date of entry into Brazil.
Visa:
UK, EU, and most European citizens can enter Brazil visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism.
US, Canada, and Australia: Starting April 10, 2025, citizens will require an e-visa to enter Brazil. The application can be made online in advance.
Certificate (Vaccines or COVID-19):
No COVID-19 vaccination or testing requirements are currently in place.
Yellow fever vaccination is recommended (not mandatory), especially if you plan to visit other areas of Brazil or travel to/from countries with a risk of yellow fever.
Arrival and departure
This trip starts in Sao Paolo and ends in Rio de Janeiro. On the first day of the trip we will meet by 5pm, on the last day you can leave at anytime. Find out more about the meeting here!.
What's included
9 nights accommodation in shared rooms with a private bathroom
Overnight bus from Sao Paolo to Paraty
Transfer from Paraty to Ilha Grande
Transfer from Ilha Grande to Rio de Janeiro
Private Boat Tour in Ilha Grande
Entrance tickets to Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain included
All breakfasts
Admission to the Sambodromo to witness one of the world's most unique events: the parade of Samba schools
- Travel Coordinator services
- Free cancellation with 100% refund up to 31 days before departure
Itinerary
We land in Brazil—bem-vindos!
São Paulo Welcome
Our adventure begins in the vibrant metropolis of São Paulo. After checking into our hotel and freshening up, we’ll officially kick off the tour at 5 PM with a welcome meeting to get to know our group and Travel Coordinator. Then it’s time to dive into the city’s buzzing nightlife or grab our first caipirinha together! This is just the beginning, and the energy is already electric.
Included: overnight stay, breakfast
Money pot: possible activities or transport
Not included: airport transfer, meals, and drinks
Urban Vibes & Night Voyage
Exploring São Paulo & Night Bus to Paraty
We spend the day getting to know the real São Paulo. From the colorful murals of Beco do Batman to the bustling Avenida Paulista, we’ll explore the city's coolest corners. Expect a deep dive into local culture, art, and the tastiest street food. As the sun sets, we hop on our night bus and head toward the coast—next stop: Paraty, where colonial charm and crystal-clear waters await.
Included: night bus from São Paulo to Paraty
Money pot: possible activities or transport
Not included: meals and drinks
Colonial Charms of Paraty
Beach Vibes & Boat Adventures
Good morning, paradise!
We arrive in Paraty, one of Brazil’s most picturesque towns. Cobbled streets, colorful buildings, and a laid-back vibe make it feel like time stands still here. But we’re not staying still for long—today we set sail on a schooner boat tour around the bay, stopping at hidden beaches and snorkeling spots. Think tropical vibes, turquoise water, and sunshine for days. In the evening, we stroll the town’s lantern-lit streets and soak it all in.
Included: breakfast, boat tour from Paraty
Money pot: additional activities or transport
Not included: meals and drinks
Into the Green – Ilha Grande
This is Beach Life
After a relaxed breakfast, we travel to Angra dos Reis and catch the ferry to our next destination: Ilha Grande. This car-free island is a natural wonderland full of lush jungle, sandy beaches, and ocean adventures. Once we arrive, we settle into our pousada and head straight to the beach. The rest of the day is all about slowing down and soaking up the island vibes. Sunset views and island breezes are guaranteed.
Included: overnight stay with breakfast, transfer from Paraty to Angra dos Reis and boat from Paraty to Ilha Grande
Money pot: possible activities or transport
Not included: meals and drinks
lha Grande
Sun, Sea & Chill
Today, we set off on a full-day private boat tour to some of Ilha Grande’s most stunning spots. We'll visit Cataguases, the clear waters of Ilhas Botinas, and the pristine beaches of Piedade and Dentista. Expect turquoise seas, white sands, and plenty of time for relaxing. Don’t forget your sunscreen and waterproof camera!
Included: overnight stay with breakfast, private boat tour
Money pot: optional activities and transport
Not included: meals and drinks not mentioned
Farewell to Ilha Grande & Onward to Rio
Sunrise Trek & Travel to Rio de Janeiro
Wake up early for an optional hike through lush forest trails to Praia Lopes Mendes, a picture-perfect beach often ranked among the best in the world. In the afternoon, we make our way to Rio de Janeiro by boat and van. Once we arrive, we settle into our hotel in this vibrant city where samba, surf, and sunsets rule.
Included: overnight stay with breakfast and transfer from Ilha Grande to Rio de Janeiro
Money pot: optional activities and transport
Not included: meals and drinks not mentioned
Rio’s Iconic Heights
Christ the Redeemer & Sugarloaf Magic
We kick off our time in Rio with a visit to two of its most legendary landmarks: Christ the Redeemer Statue and Sugarloaf Mountain. These must-see sights offer unforgettable views over the city’s mountains, beaches, and favelas. Cameras ready—this is one of the most awe-inspiring days of the trip.
Included: overnight stay with breakfast. Tickets to Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf included
Money pot: optional activities and transport
Not included: meals and drinks not mentioned
Rio Carnival to the rhythm of samba
We get swept away by the party!
We are so ready to get swept up in Rio Carnival: it is the most famous in the world and every year millions of travellers come here to see it with their own eyes! The festive air reaches every neighbourhood of the city, the so-called blocos, which are an integral part of the celebrations. The locals in these neighbourhoods keep the tradition alive, taking to the streets and parading in costume, dancing and playing the music they compose themselves. One thing is certain: sequins, extravagant make-up and bright colours are welcome here, so it's your chance to be bold!
Parade with personalised costumes at the expense of the individual participant (optional and to be booked well in advance - costumes will remain the property of the participant as a souvenir of the event).
Meals to be paid for by the individual participant.
The show at the Sambodromo!
The most beautiful show in all of Brazil!
The party never ends in Rio: Carnival is lived and celebrated all day and all night, so let's get ready for another day of partying - caipirinha in hand! Today is even more special because we are off to the Sambodromo to admire the parade of Brazil's most important samba schools: the floats are breathtaking and the dancers incredible and engaging!
Admission to the Sambodromo on day 11 (to watch the parade of Brazil's most famous Samba schools) is included in the trip fee.
Mardi Gras: the last day of Carnival
Relaxation or more partying?
Today is Mardi Gras, the last day of Carnival celebrations, and the city is still partying. After the two days just gone, we can decide whether to continue dancing to samba rhythms in the streets of Rio, or to take it easy and spend some time on the beach - Copacabana is a strong draw! Of course, it's not every day you get to be in Brazil during the days of carnival, so even if we spend the day enjoying the sun and the sea... tonight we go out to celebrate some more! After the farewell dinner, let's enjoy the last night of Carnival and join the party!
Meals and excursions are the responsibility of the individual participant.
Goodbye Brazil!
Check out and goodbye
Hard to believe after all these incredible memories, however, unfortunately we have reached the end of our journey: it was full of emotions and moments we will never forget. Say goodbye to our fellow travellers. Until the next WeRoad adventure!
End of WeRoad services.
N. B. The tour program may be subject to changes for reasons not foreseeable and external to WeRoad's control (weather conditions, holidays, strikes, etc.).

The travel coordinators
Our travel coordinators are chosen because they are people like you. Not only are they the best travel buddy you could hope for, but they're trained professionals guaranteed to show you a travel experience like never before
Available dates
Travel coordinator
Jason Andreas Michael Phillipe
2 people interested
Travel coordinator
Jason Andreas Michael Phillipe
2 people interested
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
Round-trip flights are not included in any of our trips because we like to give you autonomy and flexibility: you can choose the airline you want to fly with, the departure airport that suits you best, and how many and which stops you want to make.
Since flights are not included, you also have more flexibility with your travel dates: if possible, you can arrive at your destination a few days earlier or return home a bit later – or even continue independently to a nearby destination!
This is the question of all questions, and here’s the answer, broken down into points!
The Money Pot is a common fund collected in local currency from all tour participants and managed by your Travel Coordinator.
It is used to streamline paymentsfor extra activities, goods and services that the whole group decides to do and to guarantee flexibility in choosing activities and excursions at the destination in line with the mood of the group.
It is typically collected on the first day of the trip in local currency, although at times, the Travel Coordinator may ask for it to be paid before departure.
You’ll find the amount of the money pot on the website under the section ‘What’s included in the money pot’ – how do you get there? Look for ‘What’s included’, scroll down to ‘Money pot? Click here’, and you’ll find the details.
The amount varies depending on the destination chosen.
It is used exclusively for group expenses that ALL participants decide to take part in.
It is estimated based on the experiences of other groups but can vary depending on the needs of the group itself. As such, the Travel Coordinator may need to increase the amount during the trip.
If not all of the money pot is used, the difference will be returned to all participants at the end of the trip in equal amounts.
The Money Pot also covers the Travel Coordinator’s share of the activities included in the money pot, except for those activities that are free for the Travel Coordinator.
If you pay in advance part of the money pot before the trip for certain non-refundable optional activities, unfortunately, the amount cannot be refunded in case of trip cancellation.
We offer several payment methods to meet all needs:
1. Credit or debit card from Visa, Mastercard, or American Express.
2. Installment payments for certain countries only
If you choose the deposit and balance option, you can pay the balance from your MyWeRoad Personal Area via bank transfer.
Anyone who books a WeRoad trip has the option to cancel or modify the trip – including both the dates and the destination – free of charge up to 31 days before departure. In case of cancellation, you will receive a 100% refund of the WeRoad trip price. If you make a change, a price adjustment will be applied to the new trip chosen – meaning, if the new trip is cheaper, we will refund the difference; if it’s more expensive, you will need to pay the difference.
If you’ve purchased the Flexible Cancellation Option (which you can add in the first step of the booking process), you can request a cancellation or trip change until 8 days before departure. In case of cancellation, you’ll receive a 100% refund of the WeRoad trip price, minus the cost of the Flexible Cancellation option.
How to request a cancellation or change to your trip? Send us an email at [email protected] or a WhatsApp on +447716573700. Please share the booking reference for the trip you want to cancel or change, and, in case of a change, the new trip you would like to join.
In general, we always choose local accommodations, avoiding large hotel chains, because we love to experience the culture of the place and, whenever possible, contribute to the local economy. Typically, our accommodations are hotels, apartments, guesthouses, and hostels run by local entrepreneurs, with the same standard maintained across all trips in the same destination.
For our Collection trips, which are our premium category, the accommodations are always 4 or 5-star or carefully selected boutique hotels.
The list of accommodations for your trip will be shared with you by your Travel Coordinator between 5 and 3 days before departure, along with other useful details for your adventure!
If you're wondering why WeRoad trips have a money pot, we’re assuming you already know what it is. If not, or if you have any doubts, we invite you to read all the information here!
Let’s quickly recap: The Money Pot is a common fund collected in local currency from all tour participants and managed by your Travel Coordinator. It’s used to speed up payments for extra activities, goods and services that the whole group decides to do and to guarantee flexibility in choosing activities and excursions at the destination in line with the mood of the group.
But let’s get to the point: why the money pot? First of all: it gives us a lot of flexibility. In all WeRoad trips you will have a bunch of Must See/Must Do activities already included - these are experiences, places or activities that simply cannot be missed! Any extra activities is decided by the group, why? Because each group is unique and may have particular wants or desires and the Money Pot allows each group to customise their trip to make it perfect for their requirements!
It also helps us speed up payments – imagine being in the subway in New York City, one by one purchasing the ticket...a nightmare right? Thanks to the Money Pot, the Travel Coordinator can simply purchase the tickets for everyone making the entire processes smoother! Any leftover money will be returned at the end of the trip and split equally amongst all participants.
In some destinations, buying goods or services on site is more economical as you are able to negotiate the price - places like Morocco, or South East Asia, bargaining is part of the culture. As such, our Travel Coordinators will be able to secure the best deal for all participants.
The amount of the money pot is specified in each trip – look for this button
which will take you to a detailed breakdown for each trip, like this:
WeRoad is not authorised to provide this information due to privacy reasons.
However, there is a solution - you can connect with your travel buddies by joining our Facebook group. Look for a post related to your trip, or ask the group admins for help in connecting with your future travel companions!
If a Travel Coordinator has already been assigned to the trip you're interested in, you can easily find their introduction post in the group via the website: in the tour list, click on 'Ask the coordinator', or in the trip details page, in the coordinator section, click on 'Ask [coordinator's name] for information on this trip in our Facebook group'. For both cases, see the screenshots below!
Tour List
Trip details page
In all our groups, the Travel Coordinator and participants speak English – knowing how to speak and understand English is therefore a fundamental requirement to participate in our trips.
On average the groups are made up of 6-15 people, with a minimum of 3/4 participants and a maximum of 15.
All our travellers are in theirs 20s, 30s and 40s. If you're very curios to know the age range of the group for a tour you're interested in, you can contact us by WhatsApp at +447716573700
Regarding the male-female ratio, this is not guaranteed and varies trip by trip.
The WeRoad Travel Coordinator is an experienced and skilled traveller and will be the perfect companion for your trip. They will be available for any eventuality and will manage all the logistical aspects of the itinerary (transports, timings, accommodations, meeting points, etc.), so you can enjoy the trip without any worries!
You will have the chance to get to know them when the WhatsApp group is created approximately 2 weeks before departure - this will be the moment to ask any pre-departure questions and get to know the rest of the group! If the trip you are interested in already has a Travel Coordinator assigned, you can contact them before booking – their details will be specified in the schedule or on the trip page, or you can search for their name here. After booking, you will find their contact details in your Personal Area, under ‘Bookings and Trips’ > ‘Your Upcoming Trips’ > ‘Trip Details’.
Yes, in all our trips you will share a room with other same-sex travellers, and the bathroom will either be private or shared only with fellow participants of the trip. The rooms we select can be doubles, triples, quadruples, or multi-bed (up to 8 people in exceptional cases), depending on the destination and availability.
There are never dorms with people outside the WeRoad group, except in certain cases for local experiences, which are specifically mentioned in the itinerary or communicated before booking. These typically involve specific nights in unique accommodations like tents, homestays, or camping, offering a more adventurous travel experience in exchange for some comfort.
During the booking process, you can also choose to opt for a mixed room: in this case, if needed, only those who have agreed to this option may share a room with travellers of a different sex. If you are booking for multiple people together and select this option, the room will not be exclusive to your group but may be shared with other travellers in the group.
When you set off on a WeRoad trip, you’re officially a WeRoader – and as we often say, 'Once a WeRoader, always a WeRoader'. This means that once you’re part of the community, a little piece of WeRoad will always stay with you, even if you no longer travel with us.
But you’re not just a WeRoader during your trips, far from it! The community is alive and active all year round: you can stay in touch by following and interacting on our social media channels, like the Facebook group or the Instagram profile. We can also meet up for a dinner or a trek together at one of the events organised by our coordinators around the world!