Argentina & Brazil: Buenos Aires to Rio
Play beach volleyball on Ipanema, seek out speakeasies in a vintage Chevrolet in Buenos Aires & take in views from Christ the Redeemer
What's Included
- Accommodation in twin rooms
- Max 14 travellers per group
- Exclusively for people in their 30s & 40s
About your trip
From vintage Chevrolets and speakeasies in Buenos Aires to volleyball lessons on Ipanema Beach; could this be the ultimate city break?
In just seven days, you’ll sip old-world cocktails in covert drinking spots and soak up live music in the legendary Rio Scenarium. You’ll explore characterful neighbourhoods, like historic San Telmo and bohemian Santa Teresa, take a Jeep ride through the urban rainforest of Tijuca and marvel at the views from Christ the Redeemer surveying Rio de Janeiro from his hilltop plinth.
Along the way, you’ll meet local characters who’ll teach you the art of beach volleyball and how to make the perfect caipirinha, and you’ll share it all with a group of newfound friends.
Sounds good, doesn’t it? Vamos.
Welcome to Buenos Aires – one of Latin America’s most alluring cities. A private Flash Pack transfer will be waiting to whisk you from the airport to your central boutique hotel. Here, you’ll meet your group and guide before heading out to help prepare your authentic welcome dinner. Tonight, you’ll learn how to make empanadas, Argentine-style steak and wine cocktails, rounding off with the national drink of maté, which has been shared as a gesture of friendship for centuries. The perfect way to get to know your fellow Flashpackers and share the excitement of an epic week to come.
Rested and ready for your first adventure, you’ll get your bearings this morning on a cycle tour of the city. Arriving in the historic barrio of San Telmo, you’ll leave the bikes behind and set off on foot along the atmospheric cobbled streets. Explore lively antique markets housed in crumbling Italianate buildings, windowshop at bohemian galleries and stop off to sample street food, such as choripan (sausage in a bun). After lunch, you’ll visit one of the city’s hidden gems: El Zanjón de Grandos – a fascinating 400-year-old labyrinth of tunnels, sewers and cisterns from the city’s earliest settlement. Finish your day at a traditional Porteño bar to sample fine Argentinian wine in true local style. Salud!
A free day lies ahead in Buenos Aires. You might opt to cruise the channels of the Paraná Delta to explore lesser-known island neighborhoods. Or perhaps you’ll soak up some culture with a tour of the Teatro Colón – one of the world’s finest opera houses. Whichever activity you choose, you’ll rejoin your group this evening and get the opportunity to access a locals-only milonga dance club, where you could see seasoned porteños show off their real tango moves, before being whisked off to one of the city’s elegant speakeasy bars. Travelling by none other than vintage Chevrolet, you’ll be transported back to the time of Prohibition – a world of illicit alcohol and secret knocks on doors.
After breakfast, you‘ll swap the sultry sway of Buenos Aires for the urban rhythms of Rio. No city on earth has a setting to compare: its sprawling suburbs clustered around rainforest-covered mountains, rising sheer from a bottle-green bay. After your flight, you’ll check in at your luxe Ipanema hotel and have the rest of the day to explore. Our suggestion? Meander down to the beach for a dip in the sea, or savour views of the city from Arpoador Rock. Reconvene with your group this evening for dinner and cocktails, where you’ll learn how to make caipirinhas – an essential Brazilian skill.
Start your city exploration with an exhilarating 4×4 Jeep ride along Rio’s famous beaches to the heart of Tijuca Forest – the world’s largest urban rainforest – with beautiful peaks, creeks and waterfalls. Continue to Corcovado Mountain, where snaking trails lead up to the towering statue of Christ the Redeemer. It’s a real pinch-yourself moment as you savour the expansive bay views in the shadow of the majestic monument. Next stop is Santa Teresa, a picturesque bairro of winding streets and a laidback bohemian vibe. Climb the mosaic-covered steps of Escadaria Selarón before heading to a restaurant for lunch (optional). The afternoon is yours to enjoy Rio as you please, perhaps heading back to Ipanema for sundowners and a spectacular sunset.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before a true Carioca activity. This morning you’ll be learning to play beach volleyball on Ipanema Beach. Your teacher is a local legend and will soon have you serving, passing, blocking and spiking in friendly competition. The rest of the day is yours to relax – your Flash Pack guide will be on hand to offer some suggestions. Why not hike up Morro da Urca and catch a cable car over to Sugarloaf Mountain, Rio’s most iconic natural landmark? Or you could stroll through the verdant botanic gardens before people-watching on Copacabana’s golden sand. This evening, you’ll head out to the famous Rio Scenarium venue for a farewell feast and to dance the night away to live music.
It’s your final morning and time to say a fond farewell to your group. You’ve done so much in just a week and created memories – and friends – to last a lifetime. After breakfast at your hotel, it’s time for you to make your own way to the airport. Looking to explore South America further? Perhaps Peru or Colombia might be just what you’re seeking.
Our Favourite Hotels
Here's a taste of the hotels we sometimes use on this adventure. The hotels you'll stay in for your departure will be shared with you one month before you go.
Dazzler Palermo, Buenos Aires
The part of Palermo around this chic urban hotel is dubbed ‘Hollywood’ in reference to all the film companies hereabouts, but the district’s famously trendy bars and restaurants are close by too. Expect sleek rooms with all mod cons and super-comfortable beds.
Arena Ipanema Hotel, Rio
You almost can’t get closer to the world-famous Ipanema Beach at this glistening, glass-fronted hotel. Inside, rooms come with pillow-top beds as standard. For the best Atlantic views, head to the rooftop pool; watch the sky turn blush pink with a frosty beer in hand.
Important Notes
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Fly into Buenos Aires where there are two airports: Ezeiza Ministro Pistarini (EZE) and Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP), and out from Rio de Janeiro (GIG).
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The plan is to meet at around 6pm on Day 1 in Buenos Aires, so please book a flight that arrives before 4pm if you can.
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If you arrive on Day 1 of your adventure, or you book pre-tour accommodation with us, your airport arrival transfer will be included. If you book alternative pre-tour accommodation or are arriving by another mode of transport you must arrange your own arrival transfer.
Arrival transfers are private to Flash Pack and will be in groups depending on flight times. Sometimes this means waiting in the airport for a short while until other flights have arrived.
We don’t offer a departure transfer as Flashpackers leave at different times of the day and many stay for extra nights. We will offer you support with finding a local taxi.
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Tips are not included in this adventure. Your Pack Leader can advise on suitable amounts to tip local activity guides or services where appropriate, and we will provide a suggested tipping budget closer to your departure date. Please note that all tipping is optional and will depend on what you feel comfortable with.
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Approx 50 USD per day for extra meals and drinks.
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Argentina
You do not need a visa if you’re visiting as a tourist from the EU, UK, USA, Australia or Canada. Please check with your local consulate/embassy if the country you are travelling from requires a visa.
Brazil
You do not need a visa if you’re visiting as a tourist from the EU, UK, USA, Australia or Canada for up to 90 days. Please check with your local consulate/embassy if the country you are travelling from requires a visa.
We recommend that you have at least six months validity remaining on your passport and that you can show a return ticket.
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Please be aware that the itinerary, activities and hotels are subject to change. These changes can happen with little notice due to availability, poor weather, seasonal changes, or other circumstances beyond our control. From time to time we may also make changes to your itinerary to try out new ideas and keep things fresh.
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Due to the changeable nature of Covid-19 entry requirements, we strongly advise Flashpackers to consult the travel advice issued by your local consular services well in advance of your departure date. Some countries do still require travellers to comply with pre-arrival testing and/or vaccination requirements. Links to the key consular services can be found on our Safety page.
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We recommend checking with your local travel clinic six to eight weeks before your trip to see if any medications or vaccinations are required.
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