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Party and nightlife
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Itinerary

There's just one rule to join this group trip: forget your shoes! From now on, our mantra will be: flip-flops, flip-flops everywhere! Even though Brazil is a huge country, it's hard not to start a trip without passing through the vibrant, chaotic, unique Rio de Janeiro, a cidade maravilhosa!

Rio is a captivating city that has it all: ocean, forest, skyscrapers, miles of beaches, picturesque neighborhoods, favelas, museums, and botanical gardens. Everything is here, and it's from this incomparable city that we'll kick off our Brazilian adventure: we'll spend the first 3 nights in Rio, giving us enough time to explore the city's main attractions before flying north to the state of Maranhao, and more precisely to Sao Luis. Here, we'll finally be in Northern Brazil, where white sand dunes dominate the landscape: we'll journey through the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, the Preguicas River, Barra Grande, and then relax for a few days in Jericoacoara, also known as the

A map of a travel route in Brazil, starting in Rio de Janeiro and ending in Fortaleza.
A person wearing a backpack looks out over a panoramic view of a coastal city and a bay with mountains.

Welcome to Rio

Flights to and from the destination are not included in the package, so you can decide where to fly from, at what time, and with the airline you prefer... This is to give you maximum freedom of choice. To find out when the meeting with the rest of the group is, click here!

Check-in at the hotel in Rio de Janeiro and welcome meeting, here's how the meeting works! Our adventure kicks off in the capital, and we'll immediately soak up the festive vibe in the city streets: to start with a bang, we'll find a typical restaurant and tuck into some local specialties. They're big on meat here, so... picanha?

The Christ the Redeemer statue on a mountaintop overlooks a vast coastal city, a bay, and Sugarloaf Mountain at sunrise.

Through the streets of Rio

We're spending our second day in Brazil exploring Rio. With our local guide, we'll discover the most famous neighborhoods before heading to the Metropolitan Cathedral, the colorful Selarón Steps (we'll add our names to the mural too, right?), the Sambadrome, and finishing with Christ the Redeemer, the undisputed icon of this vibrant city and one of the seven wonders of the modern world. We'll head all the way to the top and soak in the panoramic views – of course, we'll take plenty of time for selfies and group photos!

Caught up in the rhythm!

In the afternoon, we move to another iconic spot in Rio instead: we take the Bondinho cable car and reach Pão de Açùcar, Rio's symbolic mountain. We admire the city from a different perspective, with Copacabana (perhaps the most famous beach in the world) on one side, and the center of Rio on the other. We stay here until sunset, when everything becomes even more magical, and then we head down into the city streets to soak up the carioca rhythm, exploring bars and clubs.

A crowded city beach with people swimming in turquoise water and relaxing on white sand, with mountains in the background.
A sunny day at a crowded beach with people relaxing on the sand, next to a promenade with palm trees and a city skyline.
Densely packed red-brick and white buildings of a favela covering a green hillside.

All about the beach... and what a beach!

After partying like true Cariocas, we dedicate this day to chilling out. How about Ipanema, one of Rio's most beautiful beaches, which mirrors the diverse character of Carioca society, with wide tree-lined avenues and outdoor bars where the samba rhythm never stops? Or we could go for Copacabana, Rio's most famous beach and one of the best-known in the world. If the beach isn't really your vibe, we could opt for a tour of the Rocinha favela: with its 300,000 inhabitants, it's the largest favela in the world. It was built in a chaotic way – that's an understatement, obviously – on a steep hill in Rio de Janeiro's "Zona Sul".

We asked ourselves: why visit a favela like Rocinha in Rio de Janeiro? Is it right to do so, or is it better to stay confined within the tourist-friendly bubble of beaches, samba clubs, and monuments? Our answer is: you go to Rocinha to break free from prejudice, to truly understand what daily life is like in a favela and how the favela itself is structured. Thanks to the work of many associations, the visit becomes a gesture of solidarity.

Colorful festival flags and a paper lantern hang over a narrow cobblestone street between old buildings under a partly cloudy sky.

Welcome to São Luís!

Goodbye Rio! This morning we wake up in Rio, but tonight we'll be sleeping in São Luís: we have a flight to catch! From São Luís, in the Maranhão region, our journey along the coast of northern Brazil begins: we'll use every means possible – literally – until we reach Fortaleza, and our drivers will take us along paths both known and unknown – often we'll find ourselves crossing endless sand dunes stretching to the horizon! In São Luís, we'll warm up the engines and start getting to know the local culture!

The Brazilian Jamaica

Let's take a stroll through the historic center of São Luís: the pastel-colored colonial houses and cobblestone streets make the neighborhood incredibly picturesque. After dinner, we can go celebrate at one of the city's spots – the music that's most popular here is reggae, so much so that São Luís is also known as the "Brazilian Jamaica".

An aerial view of vast white sand dunes filled with lagoons of blue water under a partly cloudy sky.

Lençóis Maranhenses. Here we come!

It's time to get going early, our road trip starts today! Let's hop in the jeeps: get ready to admire postcard-perfect landscapes out the window that'll make us want to stop every ten minutes! After about 4 hours on the road, we arrive in Barreirinhas, a town that will be our base for excursions in the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park.

The "sheets" of sand of Lagoa Bonita

After a quick lunch, we can’t wait to see the incredible magic of this park’s landscape with our own eyes: rainwater lagoons surrounded by white sand dunes that look like unfurled sheets – hence the name “lencois” which means, precisely, sheets. After the morning spent driving, it’s the perfect time to take a dip in the most famous lagoon and, according to everyone, the most beautiful one: Lagoa Bonita. After our swim, we’ll head back to Barreirinhas and pick a spot that inspires us for dinner – the same goes for after dinner, of course!

A WeRoad group trip posing on a white sand dune beside a turquoise lagoon under a clear sunny sky.

Water and... air!

This morning we have the option to explore the mouth of the Rio Preguiças and the small fishing villages that dot its banks. If we opt for thi, from our boat, we'll be able to admire the 'small Lençóis' - slightly less high dunes, but definitely no less fascinating! Afterwards, we'll head back to Barreirinhas just in time to grab a bite, and then, for those who fancy it, there's the option to hop on a helicopter and fly over the Park to admire the 'sheets' in all their glory – we think it's totally worth it! From the ground, you really can't grasp how spectacular these lagoons among the dunes are, creating a landscape that's truly one-of-a-kind.

A person in a yellow shirt rides a bicycle on a road beside a sandy beach with tall palm trees under a blue sky.

On the road to Parnaiba

We say goodbye to Barreirinhas and head towards Parnaiba: a picturesque colonial city built around the river delta of the same name. We can't miss exploring this delta of 73 islands rich in native vegetation and fauna. We reach Tutoia where a boat trip awaits us through the stunning mangroves of the Parnaiba Delta to observe the 'Guaras Swarm' (bright red birds typical of these areas), iguanas, caimans, and monkeys. We are in the third largest delta in the world – after the Nile and the Mekong – which flows directly into the ocean.

Back on dry land, we enjoy the evening, perhaps at Porto das Barcas on the banks of the Rio Igaracu, a former 19th-century commercial port area that now hosts restaurants, shops, and local crafts!

A WeRoad group trip of people posing playfully on a sandy beach with the ocean behind them during a colorful sunset.

On the road through the dunes!

Another day, another transfer! We hop back in the minivan and from Paraniba, we travel along dirt and paved roads until we reach Tatajuba, a lagoon village where we stop for lunch. Here we'll feast on super fresh grilled fish served with a nice cold beer – and after lunch, we can take a siesta swaying in one of the many hammocks by the shore.

Jeri, sunsets & caipirinhas!

We’re back on the road – if we can even call it that! – and heading to our final destination, Jericoacoara, just in time for sunset. We’ll race straight to the Duna Por Do Sol, which is usually pretty crowded at this hour: everyone wants to see the sun slide behind the ocean, and we’ll definitely have a front-row seat. If we’re super lucky, we might even witness the rare green flash phenomenon, a flicker that lasts a few milliseconds and appears the instant the sun disappears over the horizon. And to top it all off, we’ll enjoy this spectacle with a delicious caipirinha in hand! Right on the beach (and even up on the dune!), you’ll find various stalls making them to suit every taste – pick your favorite fruit and toast to the adventure we’re living! We’ll continue the evening in the town center: Jeri is buzzing, vibrant, and full of little bars and young surfers! For dinner, street food is a must, and then it’s off to explore Jeri’s nightlife with its beach bars, live music venues, and reggae bars to keep us going until late!

Two women in bikinis jumping from a rocky ledge into a pool of turquoise water under a blue, cloudy sky.

Horseback riding, kite surfing or...

Good morning Jeri! – yes, because nobody here says the full Jericoacoara, and we’re following tradition – saving ourselves any pronunciation blunders!

Let’s leave the shoes and flip-flops at home, we can walk barefoot here: the streets are literally made of sand! We have a free day and can spend it however we like: options include a horseback ride along the sea, relaxing on the beach, a kite surfing lesson – this is home to some of the most famous kite surfing schools in the world! Or, what we recommend, an excursion to the park’s lagoons (besides raiding the super-stocked Havaianas shop!).

...still lagoons?

If the last option excites us, we hop into the dune buggies (small open-top cars perfect for driving through the dunes) and let our expert driver guide us first to Lagoa Azul and then to Lagoa Paraiso – in both places, we’ll find the traditional hammocks right by the water, so we can relax in the sun and then cool off with a refreshing dip. We’ll wrap up the day with another postcard-perfect sunset: today we’re off to Pedra Furada, which literally means “pierced rock”. Some rock formations on the beach have a hole in them, and the magic happens when the sun, setting over the ocean, aligns perfectly with the hole in the rocks. Don’t forget your cameras because this is a moment to capture! Another day, another adventure! Tonight, we’ll pick a nice little spot with just the right vibe and enjoy Jeri’s specialties. Or, for those craving something different, there are plenty of Italian, Japanese, and Mexican restaurants here too: basically, Jeri has something for everyone! And after a hearty dinner, who could say no to some Brazilian energy?

A WeRoad group trip posing on three off-road vehicles on a sandy beach with the ocean and a blue sky in the background.

Still Jeri!

We have one last day to soak up this little slice of paradise. Today is all ours to do whatever we haven't managed to fit in over the past few days. There are so many lagoons to explore, and we can spend the hours swimming in the crystal-clear waters or simply basking in the sun, perhaps swaying in a hammock to the rhythm of the breeze – all while sipping a refreshing cocktail or mocktail. If we haven't already, let's take advantage of being here to try a kitesurfing lesson and, to top it all off, watch the sunset on horseback. A moment we won't easily forget!

A sandy path between rustic buildings with thatched roofs leads down to a calm ocean beach under a partly cloudy sky.

Back to civilization!

Let's say “goodbye” to this paradise: today we head to Fortaleza, the final stop of our road trip in Northern Brazil. We’ll have lunch along the way, again with some fish and a beer (or why not, a delicious caipirinha, since they make them really well here!) and we'll arrive in the city. It will feel strange returning to “civilization” after so many days spent among the dunes, walking barefoot on the sand. But we have a solution for today too: a sunset cocktail or mocktail with a caipirinha, how does that sound? This evening, our last dinner together awaits us to relive every moment of this adventure. And for after dinner? Let's find a bar to let loose to the rhythm of samba!

Check-out and goodbyes

Saying goodbye is the hardest part of any trip: but we know we'll meet again very soon on the roads of the world.

What's included

What's not included

Round-trip flights to and from the destination
  • Food and beverages when not specified
  • Jericoacoara Environmental tax - approx. USD 10

  • Public transport (bus, metro, taxis, trains, Uber, etc.)

  • All the extras you'll want to buy and manage to fit in your backpack :)
  • All that is not mentioned in "what's included"

Optional activities

Please see below extra optional activities that you can experience during your trip. Your Group Leader will be happy to assist with organizing these activities for the group. Availability may vary depending on location and group preferences.

Please note these activities are provided by third party suppliers and liability rests exclusively with these third party suppliers.

  • Rocinha Favela Jeep Tour - approx. USD 40

  • Rio Preguiças Boat Excursion - approx. USD 53

  • Dune buggy - approx. USD 30

  • Airport Transfers day 4 - approx. USD 25

Additional info

Learn more about accommodation, transport, and other useful travel information.
  • Accommodations

    Typical hotels and pousadas.

    The private room option is not available for all departures.

  • Transportation

    Minivans, motorboats and/or boats, 1 domestic flight and other local transport where necessary.

  • Passport

    Please note: you need to upload a copy of your passport into your MyWeRoad account at least 45 days before departure. If you book to depart within the next 45 days or less, you need to upload a copy of your passport immediately after you have made your booking.

    This information is essential to securing the booking of your trip and all the services included.

  • Info on private roomsShow all details

Why WeRoad

  • Small groups, on average 11 people

  • Move or change your trip for free up to 31 days before departure

  • Book with $ 0. Pay the $ 100 deposit only once the trip is confirmed

The Group Leaders

Our Group Leaders are chosen because they’re people just like you: passionate travelers who share the experience authentically, while having the skills to take care of the organisation, and help you get the most out of every moment of the trip.

Find your flight

For this trip, we recommend arriving and departing from these airports.

ArrivalRio De Janeiro (GIG)
ReturnFortaleza (FOR)
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FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

About this trip

About WeRoad

About Brazil

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