49 days in State of Rio de Janeiro Itinerary

Bustling with samba music and all-night street parties, no city encapsulates the spirit of Brazil better than Rio de Janeiro.

Take a break from the city and head to Copacabana Beach and Praia de Ipanema. Get a sense of the local culture at Corcovado - Christ the Redeemer and Parque Nacional Tijuca. There's still lots to do: get great views at Leblon Beach, take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Pedra da Gavea, brush up on your military savvy at Museu Historico do Exercito e Forte de Copacabana, and enjoy the sand and surf at Praia de Grumari.

To see more things to do, traveler tips, reviews, and more tourist information, you can read our Rio de Janeiro day trip planning website.

Auckland, New Zealand to Rio de Janeiro is an approximately 22-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from New Zealand Standard Time (NZST) to Brasilia Standard Time (BRT) is minus 15 hours. Traveling from Auckland in December, you will find days in Rio de Janeiro are much hotter (36°C), and nights are a bit warmer (27°C). Wrap up your sightseeing on the 12th (Mon) early enough to drive to Araruama.

You might not think it looking at the white sand beaches lining the Atlantic coast and the lakes, but there's plenty more to an Araruama holiday besides sunbathing.

Deepen your sense of the past at sights like Igreja de Nossa Senhora de Nazareth and Paroquia Sao Sebastiao. Explore hidden gems such as Praia de Itauna and Seca Beach. There's more to do: kick back and relax at Novo Horizonte Beach (Gaviao).

To see traveler tips, reviews, photos, and more tourist information, use the Araruama tour planner.

Traveling by car from Rio de Janeiro to Araruama takes 2 hours. December in Araruama sees daily highs of 34°C and lows of 25°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 15th (Thu) so you can go by car to Armacao dos Buzios.

Perched on the tip of a peninsula about 175 km (109 mi) east of Rio de Janeiro, the coastal town of Armacao dos Buzios attracts visitors looking to enjoy a beachside getaway without the crowds and chaos of the big city.

Get outdoors at Azedinha Beach and Mirante de Joao Fernandes. Explore hidden gems such as Praia das Conchas and Armacao Beach. Explore Armacao dos Buzios' surroundings by going to Praia do Forte (in Cabo Frio) and Arraial do Cabo (Praia Grande, Forno Beach, &more). And it doesn't end there: kick back and relax at Joao Fernandinho Beach, pause for some serene contemplation at Capela Nossa Senhora Desatadora De Nos, tour the pleasant surroundings at Ferradurinha Beach, and take a leisurely stroll along Orla Bardot Boardwalk.

To see more things to do, reviews, other places to visit, and more tourist information, use the Armacao dos Buzios trip planner.

Traveling by car from Araruama to Armacao dos Buzios takes 1.5 hours. In December, plan for daily highs up to 35°C, and evening lows to 26°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 23rd (Fri) early enough to go by car to Campos dos Goytacazes.

Campos dos Goytacazes is a municipality located in the northern area of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, with a population of 472,300 inhabitants.LocationCampos dos Goytacazes has an area of 4,032 km², which makes it the largest municipality in the state by area, and its elevation is 14 m. You'll get in some beach time at Lagoa Doce Beach and Joao Francisco Beach. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Guriri Beach and Igreja Matriz De Sao Fidelis. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Campos dos Goytacazes: Carapebus Beach (in Quissama) and Igreja Matriz do Senhor Bom Jesus (in Bom Jesus Do Itabapoana). There's more to do: take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Morro do Itaoca.

For other places to visit, ratings, more things to do, and other tourist information, go to the Campos dos Goytacazes trip planner.

Traveling by car from Armacao dos Buzios to Campos dos Goytacazes takes 3.5 hours. December in Campos dos Goytacazes sees daily highs of 37°C and lows of 27°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 27th (Tue) to allow time for the car ride to Paraty.

Gazing out over a bay of tiny tropical islands, with rainforests climbing mountains in the background, it's easy to see why tourism in Paraty gets more popular by the year.

Get some cultural insight at Centro Historico and Sono Beach. We've included these beaches for you: Lula Beach and Antigos E Antiguinhos Beach. There's lots more to do: make a trip to Mini Royal Road, tour the pleasant surroundings at Saco do Mamangua Beach, take in the dramatic scenery at Cachoeira do Toboga, and kick back and relax at Ilha da Cotia Beach.

For maps, reviews, more things to do, and more tourist information, use the Paraty vacation builder app.

Drive from Campos dos Goytacazes to Paraty in 7.5 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Tue) so you can travel to Ilha Grande.

A tumultuous and unsavory history has kept Ilha Grande relatively undeveloped and free of the trappings of the modern world.

Do some cultural sightseeing at Lopes Mendes Beach and Aventureiro. Discover out-of-the-way places like Lagoa Azul and Dois Rios Beach. The adventure continues: kick back and relax at Ubatubinha Beach, stroll through Ilha dos Macacos Beach, explore the activities along Lagoa Verde, Ilha Grande, and explore the ancient world of Aqueduto.

To find where to stay, reviews, ratings, and tourist information, use the Ilha Grande online tour itinerary planner.

Traveling by combination of car and ferry from Paraty to Ilha Grande takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and ferry. In January, plan for daily highs up to 37°C, and evening lows to 26°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 10th (Tue) early enough to ride a ferry to Angra Dos Reis.

Consisting of an island for every day of the year, the municipality of Angra dos Reis has incredible tourism potential because it's surrounded by rugged natural scenery.

Explore hidden gems such as Ilha Grande State Park and Cataguas Island. Your itinerary includes some good beach time at Prainha and Praia do Laboratorio. Next up on the itinerary: kick back and relax at Ilhas da Gipoia Beach, tour the pleasant surroundings at Tangua Beach, and admire the landmark architecture of Igreja Matriz NªSra da Imaculada Conceição.

For ratings, more things to do, maps, and other tourist information, refer to the Angra Dos Reis online tour planner.

You can ride a ferry from Ilha Grande to Angra Dos Reis in 1.5 hours. In January, plan for daily highs up to 36°C, and evening lows to 26°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Sun) early enough to drive to Itatiaia.

Nestled among green mountains, the small town of Itatiaia serves as a gateway Brazil's oldest national park of the same name.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Parque Nacional do Itatiaia and Vale do Alcantilado. Step out of the city life by going to Poco do Marimbondo Waterfall and Escorrega Waterfall. Explore Itatiaia's surroundings by going to Pico da Pedra Selada (in Visconde de Maua) and Our Lady of the Conception Church (in Resende). There's still lots to do: admire the sheer force of Itaporani Waterfall and explore the striking landscape at Pico das Prateleiras.

To find reviews, other places to visit, ratings, and more tourist information, use the Itatiaia trip maker app.

Traveling by car from Angra Dos Reis to Itatiaia takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi. In January, daytime highs in Itatiaia are 36°C, while nighttime lows are 23°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Fri) to allow enough time to travel back home.