Waterfall Tours in Brazil: The 9 We Recommend

1.Tijuca Forest Small Group Hike to Caves and Waterfalls

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 536 reviews · 6 hours · from $69Our pick

Spend six hours exploring Tijuca Forest on a 6.2-kilometer hike with a bilingual guide such as Vini, Riccardo, Tito, or Renata. Expect waterfalls, a gneiss cave, a suspension bridge, coffee plantation ruins, an old chapel, and a chance to cool off beneath Baronesa Cascade. Pickup is available from selected South Zone hotels.

“Vinnie was an absolutely fantastic guide who not only sensitively led our small group on the hike, but gave us so much info on the polito-social and cultural life of Brazil and Rio. He filled us in on its history, flora and fauna, geology and geography. His knowledge was seemingly limitless and he enthusiastically shared his passion for this unique environment. In fact, he has ruined us for all future guides as he was totally brilliant. The whole trip was more than we imagined. Thank you to Vinnie and our wonderful and kind driver.”

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2.Jungle Waterfalls and Cachaça Distillery Jeep Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 491 reviews · 6 hours · from $37Best value

Ride a 4x4 from central Paraty into Serra da Bocaina National Park for Pedra Branca, Tobogã, and Poço do Tarzan. You’ll swim, watch the famous rock slide, stop for a regional lunch, and taste cachaça at Engenho D’Ouro. English and Portuguese guides include friendly standouts such as Everton and Gilberto.

“Wonderful adventure into the jungle. Guides were great and thr activities were lots of fun!”

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3.Iguassu Waterfalls: 1 Day Tour Brazil and Argentina’s sides

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 353 reviews · 9 hours · from $48

Spend nine hours crossing between Brazil and Argentina with a small group of up to 14. Guides such as Bruno, Diego, and Andre lead the 4 km Argentine trail and 1 km Brazilian panorama walk, explain the Atlantic rain forest, and help with border procedures. Add the Macuco Safari boat ride if time and park conditions allow.

“Amazing day. Great guide in Bruno who went above and beyond. Spoke English Spanish and of course Portuguese perfectly. He gave us all a clear understanding of what we saw. Really happy we chose this tour, he even helped us add on an extra that we wanted to do and helped us sort transportation. Excellent knowledge and service. Thank you Bruno!”

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4.Presidente Figueiredo Waterfalls Daytrip

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 149 reviews · 12 hours · from $90

Leave Manaus for Presidente Figueiredo with hotel pickup, a bilingual guide, and lunch included. Walk forest trails to two waterfalls, enter Gruta do Refugio with its stream and wildlife, and swim in cool natural pools. Guides such as Miguel and Diego have led past departures. Expect a rewarding but active day, with about two hours of walking in some versions of the route.

“The hik was pure primeval beauty; I saw so many beautiful flowers, trees, and fungi. The stunning waterfalls were also warm, pleasant and fun to splash about in. Our guides were kind and knowledgable.”

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5.Amazing Waterfalls of the Amazon – Presidente Figueiredo

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 141 reviews · 6 hours (approx.)

Leave Manaus for Presidente Figueiredo, the Amazon’s waterfall country, on a small-group outing led by a local guide such as Miguel. Expect forest paths, caves, natural pools, and time to swim at Cachoeira de Iracema and Cachoeira do Santuario. Pickup and return transport are included, but the six-hour estimate can stretch to 10 or 11 hours.

“El tour tiene cosas buenas y malas. En lo malo, la coordinación es muy mala, me dijeron que me recogerían a las 8:30, después a las 8:00, después a las 7:30 y al final yo tuve que caminar y esperarlos a un par de cuadras. El grupo es mucho más grande de lo que se indica en la descripción (éramos como 15 personas y la descripción dice máximo 8). El tour demora casi todo el día y no solo 6 horas como indica la descripción (salimos pasado las 8 y regresamos aprox a las 17:30). El guía traduce poco a español o inglés, solo lo más relevante, el resto es…”

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6.Tijuca Forest & Horto Waterfalls Circuit Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 99 reviews · from $56

Follow a bilingual guide through Horto’s forest trails to Jequitibá Waterfall and Cachoeira do Chuveiro, where you can bathe beneath the falls. Expect a four-hour hike with roots, rocks, and some climbing. Guides may include Marius, Pedro, Pietro, Thales, or Didi Star. Transport from supported Rio hotels is optional.

“Pietro was an amazing guide. He knows all the great falls as he has been raised around this beautiful Forest which has all kinds of animals. We got to see 2 types of Monkey’s, I recall the name of the bigger one which is all black its called a “Prego” meaning a nail. Loads of Jackfruit which isn’t originally from Brazil. The Portuguese brought in lots of animals, plants, trees etc from Africa. I was very impressed as I had no idea and the Horto exists thanks to Dom Pedro Portuguese King with the influence of his wife Queen Isabel who convinced him Rio needed a forest if it would…”

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7.Small Group Hike to Saco Bravo Waterfall

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 74 reviews · from $81Top rated

Join a small group of up to seven for an 8.4-kilometer hike from Ponta Negra to Cachoeira do Saco Bravo. Guide Eugênia leads the forest trail, with boat transport included between Laranjeiras and the trailhead. Expect streams, steep sections, a sea-facing natural pool, and a full day outdoors.

“This is a really authentic and stunning hike through the Mata Atlantica. Our guide Eugenia was knowledgeable and friendly.”

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8.Iguassu Falls Combo Tour: Visit to the Brazilian side and Waterfall Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 50 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $219

From Foz do Iguaçu, Gray Line Brazil takes you through Iguaçu National Park by hotel pickup, open-top jungle wagon, short forest walk, and waterfall boat. You may see orchids and bromeliads, walk to Macuco Falls, and ride toward the Three Musketeers and Devil’s Throat. Guides such as Flavia, Natasha, Gerardo, and Ivete have led some departures.

“I had a blast on this tour, soooooo much fun it was! Nothing like being on the headed to the falls to get splashed! Iguassu is a special place and this tour is so worth it!”

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9.Adventure Experience to Saco Bravo Waterfall – BY PARATY TOURS

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 48 reviews · 6 to 7 hours (approx.) · from $145

Travel from Paraty to Laranjeiras and Ponta Negra, then tackle a steep rainforest trail to Saco Bravo Waterfall. A bilingual guide leads this demanding 6 to 7-hour outing, capped at 10 people. The reward is a clear natural pool perched beside the ocean, with time for a swim if conditions allow.

“Wonderful experience and travel with family and friends. I would definitely recommend to others and our travel guide.”

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