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Brazil & Argentina

Rio to the Andes

Brazil & Argentina

CULTURENATUREADVENTURE14 days

City life and wild nature, from Rio to the Argentine north

Dosage

14 days

Indication

Nature, culture, food & city

Contra-indication

Winter season

Side effects

Wanting to learn Spanish

Rio to the Andes   why go

This 14 day Brazil and Argentina itinerary runs from Rio de Janeiro via Iguazú Falls and Buenos Aires to Jujuy, Salta and Cafayate. It combines Rio and Buenos Aires with Iguazú Falls and a road trip through Northern Argentina, finishing among the high-altitude landscapes and vineyards around Salta and Cafayate.

✦  Based on expert opinion: We did the trial and error, so you get the optimized route.

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At a glance

Dosage14 days
IndicationNature, culture, food & city
Contra-indicationWinter season
Side effectsWanting to learn Spanish

The itinerary  what to do, where

6 places

The route

Rio de Janeiro

Base yourself in Leblon and let Rio unfold at walking pace — botanical calm in the morning, Ipanema sand in the afternoon, and the city's best picanha at night.

Stay: Airbnb in Leblon, or Ipanema on the Leblon border
Getting there: International flight to Rio (GIG)

Highlights

  1. Botanical Garden
  2. Escadaria Selarón
  3. Copacabana and Ipanema beach
  4. Christ the Redeemer, Rio Coffee House is next door
  5. Leblon shopping centre

Getting aroundUber or on foot within Leblon and Ipanema

EatGiuseppe Grill (order the Picanha Supra Sumo), Rubaiyat Rio, Oggi Pizza Napoletana

CoffeeRio Coffee House

TipHave your translation app on standby: Locals speak Portuguese, rarely English.
Rio de Janeiro
Copacabana beach

Iguazú Falls

The falls straddle two countries. We preferred the Argentinian side. The Brazilian side felt much more crowded and followed one main path, while the Argentinian side gave us more room to explore. We would still stay on the Brazilian side, as Foz do Iguaçu has more hotels, restaurants and practical facilities.

Stay: Viale Tower Hotel (the Brazilian side has better facilities)
Getting there: fly Rio (GIG) → Foz do Iguaçu (IGU), then cross to Argentina by taxi — drivers know the border

Highlights

  1. Puerto Iguazú falls, the Argentinian side

Getting aroundUber or taxi to the parks; the village is walkable

EatGastronomia Italiana

CoffeeThe Coffee

TipStart early in summer, before the heat builds. Luggage lockers are available at the entrance; ask at the café on the left when facing the park entrance.
Iguazú Falls
Iguazú Falls

Buenos Aires

The city that reminds you of Barcelona. Use Palermo as your base for restaurants, coffee and evening plans, then head into the historic centre and San Telmo.

Stay: Airbnb in Palermo Nuevo or Palermo Soho
Getting there: direct flight Puerto Iguazú (IGR) → Buenos Aires (AEP)

Highlights

  1. El Ateneo Grand Splendid library
  2. Mate & yerba tasting — guided tour in Palermo Soho
  3. Plaza de Mayo
  4. Empanada and wine tasting workshop
  5. Tango show
  6. San Telmo market (Sundays)

Getting aroundWalk within Palermo and central areas; use Uber between neighbourhoods and for longer distances.

EatLa Cabrera (early dinner = 50% off), Don Julio (book far ahead)

CoffeeBlanca

TipBring cash. Skip Argentine ATMs to avoid low limits, unfavourable fees, and poor exchange rates. Tipping is cash-only.
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires

Jujuy Region

North to the painted desert. Purmamarca's Seven Colour Hill, the white glare of Salinas Grandes, and — once you've acclimatised — the fourteen colours of Hornocal. Tilcara works well as one base for Purmamarca, Salinas Grandes and Hornocal.

Stay: Hotel El Candil, Tilcara
Getting there: Fly Buenos Aires (AEP) → Salta (SLA), then drive north

Highlights

  1. Purmamarca: the Seven Colour Hill, village viewpoint, small market
  2. Salinas Grandes: enter with your own vehicle and book a local guide on-site at the front gate tourist center.
  3. Serranía de Hornocal, the 14 Colour Mountain: local guide + 4x4 from Humahuaca — don't self-drive

Getting aroundrent a car at Salta airport; hire a 4x4 guide for Hornocal

EatHotel El Candil Restaurant

TipSave the 14 Colour Mountain for the second day to acclimatise slowly to the altitude. Combine Purmamarca on the way to or from Salinas Grandes. Bring cash with you.
Jujuy Region
Jujuy Region

Salta & Cafayate

The scenic road south. Break the drive in Salta, then follow Ruta 68 past red-rock canyons to the vineyards of Cafayate.

Stay: Salta — Hotel Almería · Cafayate — Bodega El Esteco (a must; add a night if you can)
Getting there: Drive south from Jujuy through Salta to Cafayate via Ruta 68

Highlights

  1. Salta: local churches and shops; specialty coffee at Kokoro Café; alfajores from Puerta del Sol
  2. Photo stops on Ruta 68: Garganta del Diablo, El Anfiteatro, Los Castillos
  3. Cafayate: a horseback ride or a campfire wine tasting under the stars (book ahead)

Getting aroundrental car; Salta is walkable

TipYou have to pass through Salta to reach Jujuy — one night there breaks up the long drive in both directions.
Salta & Cafayate
Salta & Cafayate

Departure

Fly home from Salta via Buenos Aires — or steal 1-2 nights in Buenos Aires to break up the journey.

    TipWe flew LATAM and Aerolíneas Argentinas internally — both rebook quickly when a flight is cancelled or delayed.
    Departure
    Departure

    From the road  11 photographs

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