How to Spend the Most Romantic Honeymoon in Brazil

Rio de Janeiro is an obvious choice for a honeymoon and with its mix of sensual samba beats, golden beaches, and exotic natural scenery, it’s easy to see why. Stroll hand-in-hand along the city’s most gorgeous beaches while taking in the dramatic mountain backdrops and infectious vibe. Throughout Rio de Janeiro are some of Brazil’s most sensational hotels from beachside palaces to hillside retreats with fully equipped spas and upscale restaurants. Culture Trip compiled a list of Rio de Janeiro’s most extraordinary hotels that would all make wonderful places to spend your honeymoon. As well as unforgettable hotels, you can explore Rio’s urban rainforest, the largest in the world, and take the cable car to the lofty heights of the Sugarloaf mountain for a romantic evening watching the sunset. For date nights, head to Leblon or Jardim Botanico for some of the city’s best restaurants and cocktail bars.

Rio’s epic hikes and beautiful beaches mean there are natural retreats around every corner, yet to really get away from the city, rent a car and travel a couple of hours north of Rio to Buzios, a small yet upscale beachside town known for its turquoise blue seas and powdery white beaches. Cool down on hot sunny days by snorkeling in the crystal clear water before getting ready for a romantic night on the town in restaurants that serve some of the best seafood you’ll ever try. Buzios is a lively town with a thriving nightlife scene, so for something quieter, head further south of Rio de Janeiro to Paraty, a sleepy colonial town with boutique hotels, quaint restaurants, and boat trips to untouched islands and jeep rides to intriguing forest trails in the surrounding national parks.

For adventurous couples who want both romance and excitement, take a luxury cruise through the Amazon rainforest, giving you the chance to travel in style and comfort while experiencing one of the world’s most impressive and wild natural environments. Day trips from the boat include canoeing and jungle-trekking while keeping an eye out for exotic species such as monkeys, river dolphins, and sloths. Relax in the evening over a bottle of wine and plates of local cuisine to the sounds of the jungle in the background.

If your ideal honeymoon mixes baroque architecture with rich, flavorsome food, then spend a few days in Ouro Preto in Minas Gerais. Charming cobbled streets wind through the city and are lined with dozens of churches and chapels that box in family owned restaurants and bars that serve some of Brazil’s best cuisine. Minas Gerais’ gastronomy is centered around honest, comforting food such as slow-cooked chicken with roasted cassava, piles of beef jerky served with rich black beans and fried kale, and rice mixed with beef, sausages, red beans, onion, and garlic. Enjoy romantic afternoons and evenings exploring this culinary-rich town and wash it down with potent yet refreshing caipirinhas.