Brazil family holidays and breaks

Few countries can match the natural diversity, exotic wildlife, varied landscapes and culture of Brazil. As a family holiday destination it’s perfect for those looking to give their kids a trip that is much more than just a visit to the beach, though with more than 6000km of coastline there's no shortage of those. If you're willing to put up with the 12hr flight and the internal flights need to explore this vast country further, Brazil will reward you with your first sighting of a hyacinth macaw in the wild or the sunset over the Amazon.

10.00

Today

21°C
70°F

Capital City	Brasilia
Flying Time	11.5 hours
Carbon Footprint	10.08 tonnes CO2
Timezone	GMT -3
Local Currency	Brazilian Real

What to do

Don't miss Rio de Janeiro, for the stunning beaches and the unlikely setting, which is best appreciated from the vantage points of Sugar Loaf Mountain or Corcovado.

Head for Iguassu Falls, one of the ‘must-see’ natural wonders of Brazil. The breathtaking effect of such a vast amount of water is compounded by the falls' setting amidst tropical rainforest.

With older kids, venture into the Amazon, but be aware that the distances involved are large and the best jungle lodges are some distance away from Manaus, the capital of Amazonas state. Boat tours are also well worth considering.

For the best animal-spotting, head to the lesser-known Pantanal wetlands with their more open landscape.  

Hit the beaches, of which there is a huge variety. For family holidays, the best spots are the beaches closest to Rio and Sao Paulo, because you don't need to make extra flights. Best among these are Buzios and the colonial town of Paraty. For those prepared to travel a little further, Bahia has the greatest choice of stunning palm-fringed beaches.

Where to stay

Brazil caters well to those on family holidays, with good variety of boutique and luxury hotels – check deals with Expedia or see the Booking Specials on the right-hand side of this page.

If you go to the Amazon, choose a lodge in an area of Rio Negro (Black River), where the high acidity of the water prevents mosquitoes from reproducing, drastically reducing the risk of bites. 

Alternatively, sign up for a specialist family adventure in Brazil by a firm such as the Adventure Company (see right). See also our feature on a family adventure holiday in Brazil.  

When

Brazil’s size and proximity to the equator mean there’s rarely a time that's not good for a family holiday here. Even in the southern hemisphere, winter temperatures in Rio de Janeiro are pleasant (usually good enough for a visit to the beach).

Avoid peak times – New Year’s Eve and Carnival – which can be very expensive.

How

There are direct overnight flights to Brazil from London, stopping in Sao Paulo before continuing to Rio de Janeiro. There are also a range of flights (via Portugal) to other cities in Brazil. 

Flights take about 12hrs and Brazil is GMT-3, so you should expect some jet-lag.

See our family-friendly car-hire page.

Eat

Brazil’s history of immigration and its range of exotic fruits make it a great place to eat with kids, who love the seemingly endless variety of tropical juices to try, the seafood in the beachside resorts and the good-quality cuisine in the cities. No family holiday is complete without sampling some of the treats beloved of Brazilians with their famed sweet tooth.

Cost

Costs will vary according to the scale of your family holiday in Brazil, but you should budget around £1,000pp, above the cost of flights.

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