Green Toad Bus

Recommended Nights: 3+

Rio de Janeiro 'Cidade maravillosa' (marvelous city) is one of the most exciting cities for backpacking in Brazil, if not the world! But what is so great about it? Well everything! Rio is located in a beautiful bay on the atlantic coast and is surrounded by mountains and nature. It has awesome beaches such as Ipanema, Copacabana, Barra da Tijuca which combine dark blue water, rocky islands and wild forests. Partiers shouldn't miss the famous Carnival and great nightlife, especially in Lapa.

 The two most famous mountains of Rio are Sugar Loaf and Corcovado. The Sugar Loaf is located close to the main beaches and there you can enjoy a nice view from the summit, which you get to by taking a cable-car.  Corcovado Mountain supports the Christ Redemptor, the icon of Rio which you can see from almost any part of the city and you can get to it by train or taxi. It is a fantastic experience, both to see the magnificence of the statue and the beauty of the city from above.

 One of the most fantastic experiences in Rio is its Carnival. It is celebrated the last days of February or the first days of March, and it definitely transforms the life of the city. The streets are full of colours and lights and you can feel the joy and happiness of people everywhere. The fantastic Sambodromo, where the 'escolas de samba' perform and compete is the heart of the carnival. The previous Friday, the city council gives the keys of the city to the 'King Momo', a character that represents the figure head of the carnival, and this is the official beginning of the celebration. The carnival lasts five days and is an unforgettable experience.

Rio is a big city with excellent beaches that make it so special. The most famous Copacabana and Ipanema are in great location, surrounded by hostels and shops, and great views of the 'morros' (mountains) nearby. They´re also usually visited by celebrities from Europe and the USA. But there are many more beaches to visit like Barra da Tijuca or Prainha.

If you like soccer then you shouldn´t miss the Maracana. This enormous stadium was built for the 1950 world soccer championship. Every weekend you can see one of the local teams and enjoy one of the best football leagues in a country that breaths the game.

There are many interesting museums like National library, the National Arts Museum and many more. Also the Botanic Garden is one of the best in existance. You can also visit some of the impressive buildings designed by the brazilian modernist architect Niemeyer, including the Cathedral of Rio and the MAC (Contemporary Art Museum) in Niteroi.

Rio de Janeiro features many other attractions, so plan to spend a few days backpacking in Rio de Janiero, as some find it too hard to leave.

Recommended Nights: 2
Recommended Hostel: Hostel Bambu

Foz do Iguacu is the second most visited place in Brazil by backpackers after Rio. This is the place to come to see one of the most fascinating sceneries of South America and maybe even the world. The Iguazu waterfall is one of the places you shouldn't skip when backpacking in Brazil. It offers an experience difficult to describe, only comparable to places like the Grand Canyon, the Mexican Cenotes or the Galapagos Islands.

 These enormous waterfalls, about four times the size of the Niagara falls (USA), are located in the limit between Argentina and Brazil, and very close to the border with Paraguay. A few kilometers from the waterfalls is Foz de Iguazu, the city close to the Brazilian side of the falls. The city has many hotels and restaurants and is well prepared for tourism. Foz is the base for exploring the falls.

 The magic of Iguaçu waterfalls is that they're located in a tropical environment and surrounded by great rainforests. Big trees, beautiful flowers, toucans and others colored birds, small animals and even monkeys can be found in the area allowing a insight into the wild of South America.

 Even though most of the waterfalls are found on the Argentinean side, the best views remain from the Brazilian side. It is recommended to visit both sides, with the Brazilian side offering magnificent panoramic views, but to admire them closer and to see the true force of the water you must venture to the Argentinean side. The boat trip on the Argentinean side is a must-do activity which takes you right under the falls. There are also many short walks to smaller cascades, great for photo lovers.

 There's an elevator on the Brazilian side that takes you above the falls offering the best view. From there you can see the giant Floriano Fall and the part of the falls where 3 sides of water meet called the Devil´s Throat. If you want even more, then experience the tremendous view from a helicopter trip that takes about 7 to 10 minutes.

Traveling in Brazil is a once in a life experience, and the Iguaçu waterfalls are one of the most spectacular spots on Earth. Backpacking with the Green Toad Bus will take you there to enjoy it, and don´t forget to bring your camera, as everywhere you look makes a great picture!