Small group tours in Brazil: our top 5 picks

Brazil, the land of soccer and samba, coffee and carnivals, beach and jungle, is a hotbed of culture and nature. With endless miles of coastline and golden sands, tropical islands and vast wetlands, the country boasts some of the most beautiful nature on our planet. Its cities, most famously Rio de Janeiro, are brimming with vitality. In this article, we compile some of the best small group tours in Brazil for exploring the country in a safe and fun setting.

Travelling further and wider in the region? Also check out our picks of the best small group tours in South America.

This article contains links to tours we recommend, which we may make commission from at no extra cost to you.

Why take small group tours in Brazil?

At a time when safety and hygiene have never been more important when travelling, small group tours provide a compelling option. This is particularly true in a place like Brazil, where the cities are densely populated, and where many of the tourist attractions have a reputation for getting crowded.

These are some of the reasons why small group tours in Brazil are a good option for travellers:

• Small group tours provide a brilliant setting for socialising in an intimate environment, to meet new people, make lasting friendships and share travel experiences.
• The logistics of travel can be even more stressful to manage in the context of post-pandemic considerations, which is alleviated by taking a well organised small group tour.
• Small group tours in Brazil are also one of the safest ways to travel in the country.

Our recommended company for small group tours in Brazil

We (Lisa and I, the couple behind Career Gappers) have travelled extensively in South America, and we have been lucky enough to experience the wonders of Iguassu Falls, Rio de Janeiro, Ilha Grande and much more in Brazil. During our travels we have taken small group tours with many different operators, which has given us good insights into what to look out for when choosing one.

In the post-pandemic environment, we have also spent time researching the measures that various tour companies have put into place to ensure safety and hygiene. For this reason, combined with the great experiences we’ve had ourselves, we recommend G Adventures for small group tours in Brazil.

G Adventures devoted significant time during the immediate aftermath of the pandemic to develop a new approach. This is brought together in a ‘travel with confidence‘ policy, which includes a staff training programme and meticulous hygiene measures, without being disruptive to the tour experiences.

Another valuable factor is that G’s group sizes are capped at 16. We believe this is perfect for fostering an intimate group environment without being either too quiet or too crowded.

Finally, but significantly, we have always been impressed by the company’s ethical credentials. They work with carefully selected local guides and pay local staff fairly. Many of G’s tour packages incorporate local community experiences and support ethical causes. It’s for this reason we first chose them to hike the Inca Trail in Peru – you can read about our experience here.

Travel with your bubble

Some of G Adventures’ small group tour packages in Brazil that we highlight below are part of a new ‘Book Your Bubble‘ offer, which you can book for a private group of people and make savings. 

View all G Adventures tours in Brazil

Small group tours in Brazil: our top 5 picks

1.  Wonders of Brazil

This two-week tour hits many of Brazil’s highlights in a varied itinerary. The journey begins in Rio with a local-guided visit to a favela and free time, before sailing to the idyllic island of Ilha Grande and back to the mainland to explore Paraty. The final section takes in the mighty Iguassu Falls and the tropical wetlands of Pantanal. Find out more and see the full itinerary.

2.  Explore Brazil

This focused tour includes legs in Rio, the Pantanal wetlands and Iguassu Falls. It begins in Rio with a ride up Sugarloaf Mountain and a samba school, before flying to Pantanal for two days of gentle hiking and wildlife discovery, finishing with South America’s greatest waterfall on both the Argentina and Brazil sides. Find out more and see the full itinerary.

3. Highlights of Brazil: Paradise and Party

One of G Adventures’ packages designed for 18-to-thirty-something travellers, this tour focuses on Brazil’s vibrant south-east coast, exploring Rio de Janeiro, Paraty and Ilha Grande. The itinerary mixes an abundance of activity and sightseeing with relaxation, and plenty of opportunities for drinks, socialising and dancing. Find out more and see the full itinerary.

4.  Iguassu Falls Independent Adventure

Iguassu Falls is one of the great natural jewels of South America, and undoubtedly one of the world’s most impressive waterfall systems, stretching across the Brazil–Argentina border. This intimate tour absorbs the falls from all angles, from the stunning views on the Brazil side to getting up close on the Argentina side. Find out more and see the full itinerary.

5.  Iguassu and Beyond

Traversing between two of the great cities of the southern hemisphere, Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro, most of this nine-day tour focuses on Brazil, including Iguassu Falls, Paraty, Ilha Grande and Rio. It’s a great option for combining lots of natural exploration with discovering city culture and nightlife. Find out more and see the full itinerary.

For independent exploration in Brazil, check out our articles on how to spend two days in Rio, the best beaches in Florianópolis, and visiting Iguassu Falls.

To get the timing of your trip right for the activities you want to try, look up the best times to visit Brazil.

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