Just 150 miles from Rio de Janeiro lies a stretch of coastline most travellers never see: emerald islands, hidden beaches, and colonial towns tucked into Brazil's southern shore, backed by the Atlantic Rainforest—one of the most biodiverse and most endangered ecosystems on Earth. We've led expeditions on four continents, and this is one of the most quietly spectacular.
The Costa Verde is a verdant swath of Atlantic rainforest bordered by warm aquamarine water protected from the open Atlantic by Ilha Grande, literally “the Big Island.” Steeped in history and rich with wildlife, this area includes Paraty's UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Ecological Reserve of Juatinga and Cairucu.
The adventure opens in Rio de Janeiro—one of the world's great cities and, since 2012, a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the singular way its mountains, forest, and coastline shape daily life. Spend your first days here with an insider's exploration of the city's icons: Christ the Redeemer watching over the bay from Corcovado, and the legendary sweep of Copacabana and Ipanema beaches. Beyond the landmarks, you'll feel Rio's pulse in its neighbourhood samba rhythms, the colour and energy of local street life, and the unmistakable ease that defines this city.
You’ll have a special city tour that includes Rio’s most iconic sights and some of its hidden treasures. Brazil's lively and remarkable cuisine is the product of Portuguese Colonial, Indigenous, and African elements influenced by successive waves of immigration, and on this trip, you’ll experience cuisine that will both surprise and delight you.
Our paddling trip departs from Paraty's beautifully restored town center, the site of the world’s most intact set of Portuguese colonial buildings. Paraty is our launch point for a boat-supported kayaking journey that takes you to Saco de Mamanguá, Brazil’s tropical fjord, along a stretch of tropical coastline dotted with tiny fishing villages, exquisite beaches, and waterfall swimming holes.
With accommodations at comfortable eco-lodges and guesthouses, this boat-supported trip blends comfort with a genuinely authentic sea kayak travel experience. We stay in the tiny fishing village of Pouso da Cajaiba, which Outside Magazine cited as their ” favourite spot” in Brazil in a “Destinations” article about the country. Experience for yourself this magical corner of Brazil, a place where nature, fun, and music are never far apart
I had a wonderful time and I’m so glad I decided to go! All three of my kayak excursions with Tofino Expeditions have been more than vacations, they have been life enriching and educational. A joy, thank you!!
