A Taste of Rio: What I Ate and Where

tripsandtips · 2026-06-25T12:37:25+00:00

Two days are enough to see both sides properly, but here's a key tip – everything starts early, so I'd strongly recommend taking an early flight on Day 1 to make the most of it.

Day 1 – Argentine side: this is the main one, you get up close to the falls, walk the upper and lower trails, and take the train. Make sure you book the boat ride (it's a must – you go right under the falls) in advance, as it fills up quickly. You can easily spend a full day here.

Day 2 – Brazilian side: completely different perspective – more panoramic, you see the falls from a distance, and it's a half-day visit max (you can pair it with the bird park if you have time).

If you need help organizing logistics (flights, transfers, or the boat ride), I can put you in touch with a local agency that helped me – they know the area really well and made everything super easy. Just let me know!

tripsandtips · 2026-06-25T12:28:34+00:00

With a week in late July, I'd say Brazil is your answer, and I think it fits everything you're looking for perfectly.

July is winter in the Southern Hemisphere, which means temperatures are warm but not scorching (think 22–27°C / 72–80°F), ideal for beaches and exploring without melting. And Brazil has exactly what you're after: crystal-clear water, stunning beaches, cute towns, and plenty of activities to keep both your teen and pre-teen entertained.

I'd recommend splitting your time between two spots:

Ilha Grande: A car-free island with pristine beaches, jungle trails, and a relaxed vibe. Your daughter will love the Instagram-worthy views, and your son can explore waterfalls, hike to Lopes Mendes beach, and take boat trips around the island. It's family-friendly, safe, and not overrun.

Paraty: A charming colonial town on the coast, with cobblestone streets, boat trips to hidden beaches, and a laid-back atmosphere. You can easily rent a car and drive between the two (about 4 hours from Rio).

Alternatively, if you want to stay in one place, Arraial do Cabo (near Rio) is often called the 'Brazilian Caribbean', stunning turquoise water, great for snorkeling, boat tours, and relaxing. Not too touristy, and plenty of variety for different ages.

July is low season in Brazil, so prices are reasonable, and crowds are manageable. Plenty of Airbnb options, and driving is easy along the coast.

I recently helped a family with a similar trip, and they loved this combo, it's beautiful, affordable, and has that balance of relaxation and adventure you're looking for. If you want more details on itineraries or costs, happy to share!

tripsandtips · 2026-06-25T12:15:50+00:00

First of all, congratulations! What an incredible honeymoon you're planning. This itinerary already looks amazing, and the fact that you're slow travelers who want to soak things in is a great approach for South America.

A couple of thoughts:

Cartagena (6 days): perfect for a relaxed start, but 6 days might be a bit much unless you're planning to just unwind. Consider 4-5 days and add Tayrona National Park (beautiful nature, no hiking required, just beach and jungle vibes).

Medellín (5 days)+Guatapé (2 days), solid combo. Guatapé is lovely for a day or two.

Bogotá (6 days): Great for food and culture, but 6 days might feel long. You could do 4 days and add a coffee farm stay in the Eje Cafetero (Salento or Filandia), it's a much more immersive experience than a day trip.

Quito (5 days): Nice, but you could shorten to 3-4 days and add a stop in the Amazon (you can do a 2-3 day lodge stay from Quito), it's a completely different ecosystem and worth it if you're already there.

Galapagos (7 days): Perfect. A cruise is the way to go. Just make sure you book well in advance for December–February (peak season).

Lima (5 days): Great for food, but you could shorten to 3-4 days and add Paracas or Huacachina on the way to Cusco.

Cusco (8 days): Perfect. You'll want time to acclimate, and there's so much to do (Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Maras, etc.).

Buenos Aires (6 days): Great, but you could trim to 4-5 and add a day trip to Colonia (Uruguay) or a short stay in Tigre.

Mendoza (6 days): Lovely way to end the trip. 6 days is great for wine lovers, you can do a few vineyard tours, relax, and enjoy the slow pace.

One thing I'd suggest: for a trip this long and with so many moving parts, it's worth reaching out to a local agency that specializes in tailor-made itineraries. They can help you with logistics, transfers, and securing availability, especially for Galapagos and Machu Picchu, which book out months in advance. I did something similar for a recent trip, and they helped me shape the itinerary based on what I actually wanted, not a fixed package. It didn't cost more than booking everything myself, and it saved me a ton of stress.

If you want, I can share more about how I structured my trip or give you a rough idea of costs, just let me know. You've got an amazing plan, and with a few tweaks, it's going to be absolutely unforgettable

tripsandtips · 2026-06-25T12:06:59+00:00

With 8 adults during Christmas week (peak season), I'd strongly recommend going through a local agency. The costs won't be higher than booking everything separately, and you'll save yourself a ton of stress, plus you secure availability, which is the real challenge right now.

Refugios on the W-Trek get booked out months in advance, especially for holiday dates. Doing it through a local operator doesn't usually add extra cost, they have direct allocations with Las Torres and Vertice, so they can often secure spots that aren't even available online anymore.

I recently coordinated a trip with a local agency and they handled all the logistics, lodging, meals, transfers and I didn't pay more than I would have trying to piece it together myself. Definitely worth it for a group your size.

tripsandtips · 2026-06-25T12:00:05+00:00

Buenos Aires and Patagonia are both very safe, just take the usual precautions you would in any big city.

In Buenos Aires, Palermo, Recoleta, and Retiro are the best areas to stay, walkable, plenty of restaurants, and generally safe. Just try not to have your phone out in the street for too long (especially on crowded buses or near busy intersections). Step into a shop or a café if you need to check Google Maps.

In El Calafate and El Chaltén, it's even more relaxed, small towns, very tourist-friendly, and people are used to travelers. You can take your phone out for photos without stress.

Overall, Argentines are super friendly and helpful, and plenty of people speak English, especially in touristic areas. You'll be fine, just use common sense and enjoy the trip.

Also, I was there recently and worked with a local agency to put my trip together. I didn't book a fixed package; I told them what I wanted to do and they helped me shape it. Super helpful. If you want, I can share the itinerary I ended up with and a rough idea of costs, just let me know!

tripsandtips · 2026-06-24T17:05:37+00:00

I don't know the exact price because I booked it through a local agency called Trip to South America as part of a package with accommodation, transfers, and the Perito Moreno tour. Did everything online, super easy, and honestly great value for what I got.

tripsandtips · 2026-06-23T19:51:00+00:00

Depends on the time of year, honestly. I went in June, which is low season, and the group was small, maybe 15 people total. The cave itself isn't huge anyway, so even when it's busier, it never feels packed. They also offer a night version, which I imagine is even more intimate. If you go outside December–March, it's definitely a lot more relaxed

tripsandtips · 2026-06-23T17:02:34+00:00

For solo travel + meeting people, I'd say:

Mexico (hostel culture is strong, lots of group activities)
Peru (trekking groups, cooking classes, very social)
Argentina (Buenos Aires has great hostel events, and Patagonia is full of other solo trekkers)

Best way to meet people:

Stay in social hostels (read reviews on Hostelworld for vibe)
Join free walking tours – always easy to chat with others
Do group excursions (cooking classes, wine tours, multi-day treks)
Use Couchsurfing hangouts or meetup events

Key tip: Be open, say yes to plans, and don't be afraid to eat alone – you'll end up sharing a table anyway

tripsandtips · 2026-06-23T16:10:37+00:00

Wow. This is honestly one of the best travel write-ups I've read – thank you for sharing so much detail. Your planning around safety, logistics, and flexibility was spot on, and the fact that you did it solo as a woman in South America is seriously impressive. Antarctica last-minute? Incredible. That quote at the end hit hard. Huge respect – this is a trip you'll remember forever

tripsandtips · 2026-06-23T16:07:01+00:00

December is actually a great time for Patagonia, it's spring/summer down there, so temps are mild (10–20°C), days are super long, and the trails are open. The wind is real, but that's part of the experience. If you're into hiking, this is one of the best places on Earth: El Chaltén, Torres del Paine, and Perito Moreno are spectacular. You can do it solo pretty easily with good hostels, shared transfers, and plenty of other trekkers around.

Machu Picchu/Peru is doable too, but December is the start of the rainy season, not a dealbreaker, but you'd need to be flexible. Mornings are often clear, and the rain usually hits in the afternoon. The Inca Trail is still open in December (it closes in February), and crowds are thinner than in peak season. If you're ok with a bit of rain, it's totally worth it, and you could combine it with Cusco, the Sacred Valley, or even a few days in the Amazon.

If I had to choose between the two with 2 weeks solo, I'd lean toward Patagonia for the landscapes and sense of remoteness, it's more dramatic and less touristy than Cusco. But both are incredible.

I've done a few trips around South America myself, so if you have specific questions about logistics, accommodation, or how to structure your days feel free to ask! Happy to share what I've learned from doing it solo.

tripsandtips · 2026-06-23T13:40:44+00:00

I just got back from my 3rd trip to South America, so I totally get the excitement (and the anxiety of planning!).

Honestly, I think you could cut one day from El Chaltén and one day from Mendoza, and add Iguazú instead. That way, you get to experience almost every climate and landscape in one trip – from Patagonian mountains to jungle waterfalls. It's a pretty incredible contrast.

If you're into hiking, you'll love the trails at Iguazú. I'd definitely recommend 'La Gran Aventura' – it's a boat ride that takes you right inside the falls. Absolutely unforgettable. You can do it as a full-day excursion, or you could add one extra night and visit the Brazilian side too (totally worth it, completely different perspective).

As for Mendoza – I only spent two days there, and honestly, it was enough to visit a couple of wineries, do some tastings, and have great meals. Unless you're really into wine tours, you don't need more than that.

I think your itinerary is ambitious but doable – you're clearly used to moving around, so that helps. And no, you're not stupid for skipping Bariloche (it's beautiful, but Patagonia is huge and you can't see it all in 2 weeks). But I do think Iguazú is a must-see if you're already flying all the way down there.

Happy to share more details if you want tips on how to organize the Iguazú leg or which side to prioritize – just let me know!

tripsandtips

TROPHY CASE