An Unfiltered Travel Guide & Photo Diary

Buenos Aires to Rio: Iguassu Falls & the Brazil Coast

  • The routeWritten as you'd travel it independently — where each day goes and what there is to do when you get there, following the same stops and activities G Adventures runs wherever you could arrange them yourself.
  • DIY Reality CheckWhere doing it yourself gets hard: permits, closures, bookings that sell out months ahead.
  • G Adventures includesBooked start to finish as one 17-day trip — you can't buy a single day of it. These panels show what their price covers each day, so you can weigh it against doing it yourself.

What It Takes to Coordinate This Route Yourself

Crossing from Argentina to Brazil across three countries requires navigating 1,395 kilometres and two border crossings, including at least one overland crossing where vehicles, documents, and travellers cross in person. Every road leg uses an ordinary private vehicle, meaning a traveller can rent and drive a standard car without needing specialist vehicles. However, coordinating this 17-day itinerary independently means managing 11 transport legs—including one flight and 6 scheduled public transport tickets—alongside 14 activities and 15 nights of accommodation across eight properties. It also means missing the shared, social dynamic of travelling as a small group. An organised route buys freedom from sequencing these international connections.

See how G Adventures handles it

Swapping the slower pace of rural life on a traditional Uruguayan estancia for a three-hour hike through the rainforest to Lopes Mendes beach shows how fast this route shifts. You'll board a morning ferry across the Río de la Plata, take a two-and-a-half-hour bus to Montevideo, and catch an overnight bus to cross back into Argentina. The run to Rio requires a three-hour van drive up the Costa Verde.

The massive waterfalls of Iguassu, the car-free cobblestones of colonial Paraty, and the indigenous Guaraní village of Jasy Pora anchor this coastal run.

The Route, Day by Day

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Arrival in Buenos Aires

Day 1 of 17

Land in Buenos Aires, grab a cab to the hostel, and drop your bags. The first day is about settling in and getting your bearings in the 'Paris of the Americas.' Meet the rest of the crew for drinks at the hostel bar tonight; it's the social hub for the first couple of days.

On the ground

  • Arrive in Buenos Aires at any time
  • Settle into your hostel and meet your fellow travellers
  • Connect with the group over drinks at the hostel bar
  • Where you stay: Milhouse Avenue Hostal

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Palermo Patios & San Telmo Streets

Day 2 of 17

A full free day to get into the city's rhythm. Your best move is to pick a neighborhood and dive in. The leafy streets and hidden patios of Palermo are solid for a long lunch and people-watching. For a more bohemian vibe, head to San Telmo to browse the antique shops. Tonight is your last chance to catch a tango show if that's on your list.

On the ground

  • Wander the trendy neighborhood of Palermo
  • Explore the bohemian streets of San Telmo
  • Where you stay: Milhouse Avenue Hostal

Colonia, Uruguay

Ferry to Colonia del Sacramento

Day 3 of 17

Pack your bags for a new country. A morning ferry takes you across the wide, brown expanse of the Río de la Plata to Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay. After clearing customs, a quick orientation walk gets you pointed in the right direction. The rest of the day is yours to explore the quiet, colourful streets of this old Portuguese colonial town at your own pace.

On the ground

  • Ferry across the Río de la Plata to Uruguay
  • Border crossing from Argentina to Uruguay
  • Orientation walk to get your bearings in Colonia
  • Where you stay: Royal Hotel

Montevideo, Uruguay

Overland to Montevideo

Day 4 of 17

A two-and-a-half-hour bus ride this morning takes you from quiet Colonia to Uruguay's bustling capital, Montevideo. The afternoon is free to explore as you wish. You can wander the Ciudad Vieja (Old Town) looking for street art, check out the stadium that hosted the first-ever World Cup, or head straight for the Mercado del Puerto (Port Market) for a serious 'parrilla' lunch of grilled meats.

On the ground

  • Local bus journey to Montevideo (2.5-3h)
  • Visit the Port Market for a traditional barbecue lunch
  • Where you stay: Dazzler Hotel Montevideo

Montevideo, Uruguay

A Free Day in the Capital

Day 5 of 17

You've got a full day to do your own thing in Montevideo. A popular move is renting a bike and cruising the Rambla, the city's long coastal avenue. If you're feeling ambitious, you can organize a day trip to the glitzy resort town of Punta del Este. Otherwise, just find a park, grab a coffee, and watch the city go by.

On the ground

  • Option to rent a bike and ride along the Rambla
  • Where you stay: Dazzler Hotel Montevideo

Estancia Stay, Uruguay

Into Gaucho Country

Day 6 of 17

Leave the city behind for a taste of the Uruguayan countryside. Today's overland journey takes you about 250km inland, through rolling pastures and small settlements, to a traditional working ranch, or 'estancia.' Settle in and adjust to the slower pace of rural life. This is a complete change of scenery from the capital, a chance to disconnect before the next leg of the trip.

On the ground

  • Overland journey to a traditional Uruguayan 'estancia' (250km)
  • Settle in for a two-night ranch stay
  • Experience life in the Uruguayan countryside
  • Where you stay: Estancia San Cono

Estancia Stay, Uruguay

Life on the Estancia

Day 7 of 17

A full day of life on the ranch. You can be as hands-on as you want. Join the local 'gauchos' for a horseback ride across the property, get a lesson in making empanadas from scratch, or just find a quiet spot to read. The day winds down with a proper Uruguayan 'asado'—a massive traditional barbecue that's a cornerstone of local culture.

On the ground

  • Full day experiencing life on a working ranch
  • Go horseback riding through the countryside
  • Learn to make traditional empanadas
  • Enjoy a traditional 'asado' (barbecue) for dinner
  • Where you stay: Estancia San Cono

Overnight Bus

Overnight Bus to Iguassu

Day 8 of 17

It's a heavy travel day. After breakfast at the estancia, you'll drive to the border town of Gualeguaychú to cross back into Argentina. Once through formalities, the main event is boarding the overnight bus for the long haul north to Iguassu Falls. It's a 16-hour ride, so get comfortable, charge your devices, and try to get some sleep.

On the ground

  • Border crossing from Uruguay back into Argentina
  • Settle in for a long-haul overnight bus journey (16-18h)
  • Travel north towards Puerto Iguazú

Iguassu Falls, Brazil

Arrival at the Falls

Day 9 of 17

You'll arrive in Puerto Iguazú, Argentina, this morning, likely stiff from the overnight bus. The first stop is a visit to the Jasy Pora community, an Indigenous Guaraní village in the Misiones rainforest, for a perspective on their relationship with the environment. Afterwards, you'll cross the border into Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, and check into the hotel. The afternoon is free to visit the Brazilian side of the falls for its huge panoramic views.

On the ground

  • Arrive in Puerto Iguazú after the overnight bus journey
  • Visit the Jasy Pora Guaraní community
  • Border crossing from Argentina to Brazil
  • Where you stay: Hotel Del Rey

Iguassu Falls, Argentina

The Argentine Side of the Falls

Day 10 of 17

Today is dedicated to the Argentine side of the falls, which requires crossing the border again for the day. This side is all about getting up close. A network of metal catwalks takes you over, under, and right next to the dozens of cataracts. The main circuit leads to the Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat), a massive chasm where a huge volume of water thunders down. If you want to get properly soaked, the optional boat ride takes you right into the spray at the base of the falls.

On the ground

  • Full-day excursion to the Argentine side of Iguassu Falls
  • Walk the catwalks over the falls to the Devil's Throat viewpoint
  • Cross the border to Argentina and back to Brazil
  • Where you stay: Hotel Del Rey

Paraty, Brazil

Fly to the Coast: Paraty

Day 11 of 17

It's a travel day to get to the Brazilian coast. Head to the Foz do Iguaçu airport (IGU) for a flight to São Paulo. From there, it's a five-to-six-hour overland journey by van down to Paraty, a preserved colonial town nestled between the mountains and the sea. You'll arrive in the evening, just in time to check into your 'pousada' and take a first walk on the town's famous cobblestone streets.

On the ground

  • Flight from Foz do Iguaçu to São Paulo
  • Arrive on the coast and settle into your 'pousada'
  • Where you stay: Refron du Mar Pousada Paraty

Paraty, Brazil

Cobblestones and Coastlines

Day 12 of 17

A full free day in Paraty. You can stick to the town itself, wandering the UNESCO-listed historic center where cars are banned and colonial architecture is perfectly preserved. Or, head down to the docks and hop on a schooner for a boat trip out into the bay. Most trips stop at several islands and coves for swimming and snorkeling. It's the best way to see the coastline.

On the ground

  • Explore the UNESCO-listed colonial historic center on foot
  • Where you stay: Refron du Mar Pousada Paraty

Ilha Grande, Brazil

Island-Bound for Ilha Grande

Day 13 of 17

Trade colonial streets for sandy trails. A local bus takes you up the coast to Angra dos Reis, the port town for accessing Ilha Grande. From there, it's a public ferry across to the island's main village, Vila do Abraão. The island is car-free, so once you land, everything is on foot. Drop your bags at the 'pousada' and find a spot on the beach; island time starts now.

On the ground

  • Local bus journey along the coast to Angra dos Reis
  • Ferry transfer to the car-free Ilha Grande
  • Settle into your guesthouse in Vila do Abraão
  • Where you stay: Pousada Bugio

Ilha Grande, Brazil

Beaches and Trails on a Car-Free Island

Day 14 of 17

You have a full free day on Ilha Grande, and two main ways to spend it. For a workout, take the T10 trail through the Atlantic rainforest to Lopes Mendes, one of Brazil's most famous beaches—it's a solid two-to-three-hour hike each way. The easier option is to hire a boat taxi to beach-hop around the island, stopping to snorkel at spots like the Lagoa Azul (Blue Lagoon).

On the ground

  • Option to hike through the rainforest to Lopes Mendes beach
  • Optional boat trips to snorkel at the Blue Lagoon
  • Relax on the beaches near Vila do Abraão
  • Where you stay: Pousada Bugio

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The Road to Rio

Day 15 of 17

Say goodbye to island life. Take the morning ferry back to the mainland, where you'll board a van for the three-hour drive up the scenic Costa Verde to Rio de Janeiro. The road hugs the coast, offering great views before the city finally appears around the cliffs. You'll arrive at the hostel in Copacabana, drop your gear, and likely make a beeline for the world's most famous stretch of sand just a few blocks away.

On the ground

  • Ferry from Ilha Grande back to the mainland
  • Scenic coastal drive to Rio de Janeiro (3-3.5h)
  • Arrive and check into your hostel in Copacabana
  • Where you stay: CabanaCopa Hostel

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Favela Life and a Free Afternoon

Day 16 of 17

This morning, a local resident leads a walk through the Vidigal 'favela,' offering a different perspective on the city. The tour includes a 'capoeira' (Afro-Brazilian martial art) demonstration and a visit with local drummers. The entire afternoon is then free. Your best move is to pick one of the big sites—Christ the Redeemer or Sugarloaf Mountain—or just claim a patch of sand on Ipanema beach until sunset.

On the ground

  • Experience a Capoeira session and drumming demonstration
  • Hit the beaches of Copacabana or Ipanema
  • Where you stay: CabanaCopa Hostel

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Departure from Rio

Day 17 of 17

The trip ends today. There are no activities planned, so you're free to pack up and head out whenever you need to. Grab one last Brazilian coffee and a 'pão de queijo' before making your way to the airport for your flight home.

On the ground

  • Departure day; you are free to leave at any time

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Book Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro: Falls & Footy by G Adventures.

From $2,609 USD $3,479 · 17 days · Hostels, an estancia stay & transport between cities

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