Reserve your spot on an intimate, women-only adventure to the tropical paradise of Rio de Janeiro!

Samba & Sunshine: Rio De Janeiro Awaits

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Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 10 DAYS
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Join us on an unforgettable journey to one of the most stunning cities in the world, Rio de Janeiro!

Are you ready to explore Brazil like never before?

With Alive, Fit & Free Travel Adventures, immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and breathtaking landscapes of Rio de Janeiro and Paraty, guided by locals who know these stunning cities' hidden gems!

Nicknamed the 'Cidade Maravilhosa' (Marvellous City), Rio de Janeiro isn't just a city—it's a vibrant, living expression of Brazilian culture, where tradition and modernity dance together in perfect harmony. The unique blend of natural beauty, cultural diversity, artistic expression, and joyful spirit make Rio's culture truly special and distinct from anywhere else in the world.

Nestled between mountains and ocean, Rio is located in the world's largest urban forest, Tijuca Forest, which integrates nature into urban living creating a breathtaking backdrop for daily life. Beaches like Copacabana and Ipanema are not just scenic locations, but cultural stages for performances and social interactions.

Rio de Janeiro's culture is uniquely vibrant and distinctive, setting it apart from other Brazilian cities and with our local guides - you will experience the heart & soul of Rio.

Walk the historic cobblestone streets of Paraty as you connect with local artisans.

Paraty, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is renowned for its historic center, featuring stunning colonial architecture and charming cobblestone streets. The town is home to beautiful churches like Igreja de Santa Rita, as well as numerous artisan shops and art galleries. We will enjoy a boat tour and island hopping to breathtaking beaches such as Praia Vermelha and Praia do Lula, making for a delightful afternoon. We will take our pick of excursions that offer opportunities for snorkeling, swimming, and relaxing on secluded islands, enhancing the overall experience of this enchanting destination.

Here is what's included in your trip:

  • Six nights at boutique design hotel Yoo2 in Rio de Janeiro
  • 3 nights at a boutique bed and breakfast in Paraty
  • 9 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 2 happy hours, and 3 dinners
  • Entrance tickets to all tour locations and excursions as indicated on the itinerary
  • Transportation to and from the airport
  • Transportation to all included locations on the trip
  • Transportation from Rio de Janeiro to Paraty and back
  • Boat trip in Paraty
  • Jeep excursion in Paraty
  • A special welcome gift
  • 24/7 access to your leaders during the trip
  • Private Whatsapp group to answer any pre-trip questions
  • List of to-do items in Youli so that you can best prepare for the trip
  • Group Zoom Meet & Greet and Q&A before the trip

Here's what is NOT included in your trip:

  • Airfare - no airfare is included in this trip. Your roundtrip flight from your home location to Rio de Janeiro and back is your own responsibility. (We can help you pick and book your flights).
  • Brazilian E-visa (We will guide you through the visa process).
  • All tips for the drivers, guides, maids, and bell boys are not-included.
  • Meals not included in the itinerary.
  • Alcoholic beverages, non-included drinks, souvenir shopping and laundry services are not included. 
  • Room service or charged items consumed at the hotel are not included.
  • Also not included are: items of a personal nature such as gifts, toll calls, excess baggage, medical costs, the costs of hospitalization and evacuation from remote areas, travel insurance and additional expenses arising from the delay or extension of a trip due to weather, political disputes, sickness, failure of transportation, or other causes beyond our control. 
  • Gratuity for any additional services is not included. 
  • Any optional activities, transportation, and tours not included in our package.
Add-on ‑US$300

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT - CLICK HERE TO REDEEM!

Register by 15 Jan 2025

Select this add-on to receive early bird pricing!

  • Double Occupancy: $2,997 (normally $3,297)
  • Single occupancy: $3,697 (normally $3,997)

To redeem the Early Bird Discount for all bookings before January 15th, 2025, please add this add-on to your cart. The discount will be calculated after trip registration at check-out. 

Day 1 - Arrive in Rio + Welcome Dinner

Once you arrive in Rio, we will greet you at our home base in the city, boutique design hotel Yoo2 Rio. If you are up to it, explore the area a bit, head to the beach or take a nice lounge at the pool.

We will gather as a group for happy hour on the hotel rooftop at 5pm, followed by our Welcome Dinner at a local rooftop restaurant with views to Christ the Redeemer.

Happy hour, dinner included.

Day 2 - Explore the historic Rio city center

Today we will explore the historic city center of Rio with our local tour guide. 

First we will visit the Royal Portuguese Library, which was built in 1887 and voted one of the most beautiful libaries in the world by Time Magazine. It boasts a stained-glass dome and floor-to-ceiling shelves that span three stories high. 

Next, we will visit the iconic Confeiteria Colombo, a 125-year old cafe serving decadent Portuguese style sweets and espresso which serves as living piece of history. Here we will have a sweet treat before moving on to the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian, which was inspired by Mayan architecture and features 210 foot stained glass windows from floor to ceiling. 

For lunch, we will experience the truly Brazilian combination of feijoada with live samba music. Feijoada is a tradional black bean stew served with rice and all the toppings - a must-eat while in Brazil. After lunch, we will enjoy a live samba show and try out our samba skills. 

After lunch, we will stroll the Lavradio Market and peruse vintage and locally-made goods, before ending the afternoon at the Museum of Artesanato where some of Brazil's most talented artisans display their crafts - and where you can find authentic artisan made goods from all over Brazil.

Prepare your walking shoes! This day will be packed full - but worth it.

In the evening, an optional group dinner will be available close to the hotel - or you can opt to grab something small at the hotel and relax. 

Breakfast, lunch included.

 

 

Day 3 - Open Air Markets & Beach

After enjoying a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, we will explore one of the oldest markets in the city, Feira da Gloria, where you can find everything from fresh produce, meats, fish, and chickens to clothing and hand-crafted items. We will then walk to the top of the famous steps, Escaderia Selaron, where gorgeous tiles from around the world are displayed. While we are in Gloria, we will stop at renowned Peruvian restuaurant for lunch.

We will then head to my favorite market in Ipanema - The Hippie Market, with some of the finest craftsmen around. Handmade leather sandals and purses, beautiful designer clothing, jewelry for every taste, and artwork for you to bring home as a souvenir.

The rest of the afternoon can be spent relaxing on Ipanema beach with a caipirinha in hand. 

Wrapping up our day, we will sample an assortment of Brazilian tapas and drinks at Belmonte in Ipanema, then head back to our hotel.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner included.

Day 4 - Sugar Loaf Mountain & Botanical Gardens

There is an option to experience some early morning beach sports - paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, or beach tennis.

After breakfast, we will head out to take the trams up Sugar Loaf Mountain and take in the spectacular panoramic view of Rio and its surrounding areas.

We will lunch at a Brazilian Steakhouse - Fogo de Chão, followed by a leisurely walk through the Botanical Gardens and historic Parque Lage. We will wrap up our day as we take in the sunset at Rio's spectacular Lagoon, a local secret that few tourists visit.

An optional group dinner will be available for those that would like to join, or you can relax at the hotel.

Breakfast, lunch and all entrance tickets included.

Day 5 - Christ the Redeemer Tour and Santa Teresa

After breakfast and an optional walk on the beach, we will meet our tour guide at Christ the Redeemer, one of the 7 wonders of the worldand take the train to the top of the mountain. We will learn the history behind the 98 ft high statue and take in the spectacular view.
 
Our guide will then escort us to Santa Theresa, a historic, hilltop neighborhood with a charming, village-like vibe. Steep, winding streets are lined with elegant old mansions, quirky cocktail bars, and restaurants with bay views.  After lunch, we will walk the streets and explore the quaint shops and studios. As well as artists’ studios, Santa Teresa features various museums. We will end the afternoon with cocktails overlooking the city, before heading back to our hotel.    
 

An optional group dinner will be arranged for those who would like to join, followed by an optional evening in a nearby park dancing to traditional forro music. 

Breakfast included and entrance tickets included.

Day 6 - Exploring Hidden Beaches

It's beach day, as we head off to Praias Selvagems, where we will walk on an easy hiking trail to access some hidden Wild Beaches where we can enjoy the raw beauty of Rio and take iconic selfies!

We will lunch in Grumari on a Traditional Brazilian dish, Moqueca, a fish stew made with firm white fish, onions, garlic, bell peppers, tomatoes, cilantro, and coconut milk.

We will stop at Prainha, another famous beach, on the way home before heading back into town. 

We will meet up on the hotel rooftop for an optional happy hour and dinner in the evening, or you can choose to relax at the hotel.

Optional: if you choose to do another optional activity on this day, that is possible. Optional activiities include hang gliding, parasailing, repelling, or helicopter tours.

Breakfast, lunch included for those attending the planned itinerary.

Day 7 - Rio to Paraty + Walking Tour in Paraty

After breakfast, we board our van to Paraty, a colonial beach town with cobble-stone streets located 5 hours from the city of Rio de Janeiro. 

We stop to have lunch and arrive in the afternoon to check into our hotel. The afternoon is free, followed by a walking tour around the historic Paraty city center at 5pm. 

After the walking tour, we will have drinks and dinner in the historic city center. 

Breakfast included. 

Day 8 - Boat Tour, Beach Hopping, & Shopping in Historic Paraty

After breakfast, we explore the paradisical islands, beaches, and lagoons of Paraty on a boat tour in a traditional wooden boat. Lunch will be included at a restuarant on one of the islands, before heading back to the city. 

The afternoon can be spent visiting the many museums, shops, and historic houses in the cobblestone streets of Paraty's city center.

An optional group dinner in the historic Paraty city center will be planned, or you can choose to relax at the hotel. 

 

Breakfast, lunch, and boat tour included.

Day 9 - Jeep tour to waterfalls and artisanal cachaçaria

After breakfast, we will venture into the lush forests of Serra da Bocaina National Park for hours of waterfall hunting in a Jeep. After enjoying the waterfalls and the jungle flora and fauna, head to D’Ouro Alembic and see how the traditional Brazilian cachaça, a sugar cane liquor, is made.

We will stop for lunch in a traditional Brazilian restaurant during the tour.

In the evening, you are free to explore Paraty's old town. We will host a farewell get-together, Happy Hour, and dinner to celebrate our fabulous journey and the friendships we have made!

Breakfast, lunch, Happy Hour, dinner, and Jeep tour included.

Day 10 - Paraty to Rio + fly home

After breakfast, we will board our van to head back to Rio de Janeiro, where we will be dropped off at the airport to board our flights home.

We will have lunch on the road and be back in Rio by 3pm, so it is best to book an evening flight heading back home (there are many to choose from).

Breakfast included.

Location
Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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