Published: December 9, 2025

Author: Christina Hogan

Brazil had been on my radar for years, so when Air Canada and Visit Rio invited me to join a group trip to Rio de Janeiro and the surrounding coast, I didn’t hesitate. What followed was one of the most vibrant, flavourful, and genuinely surprising weeks of travel I’ve experienced — and I came home with a notebook full of tips for anyone considering Brazil as their next adventure.

Getting There: Non-Stop from Toronto

First things first — getting to Rio from Canada has never been easier. Air Canada launched a non-stop seasonal service from Toronto Pearson directly to Rio, operating three times a week on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner with Signature Class, Premium Economy, and Economy cabins. You board in Toronto, you wake up in Rio. For Canadians who’ve always thought of Brazil as far-flung, this changes everything.

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The Grand Hyatt Rio de Janeiro (Nights 1 & 2)

We kicked things off at the Grand Hyatt, and our first evening set the tone beautifully with dinner at Shiso, the hotel’s Japanese restaurant. I’ll admit — Japanese cuisine wasn’t what I expected to be raving about in Brazil, but the meal was genuinely outstanding.

During our stay we also took an Eco Ferry Boat Tour along the hotel’s waterfront, home to an array of local wildlife including small alligators gliding silently through the water. It’s one of those unexpected moments that reminds you just how biodiverse Brazil is, even within a major city.

Sugar Loaf Mountain

No trip to Rio is complete without Sugar Loaf, and it absolutely lives up to the hype. You ride a glass-sided cable car roughly 400 metres above the harbour, and the panoramic views from the top are spectacular — Guanabara Bay, the surrounding mountains, the coastline stretching in both directions. There’s dining, shopping, and a lovely spot to sit with a cold beverage and take it all in. I’d recommend going in the late afternoon when the light softens and the city starts to glow.

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The Coastal Gem of Paraty (Nights 3 & 4)

From Rio, we took a four-hour private transfer south to Paraty — and honestly, this historic town ended up being one of the biggest surprises of the entire trip.

Once a bustling port on the famous Gold Trail, Paraty’s churches date back to the 1700s and the colonial architecture has earned it UNESCO World Heritage status. A word of honest advice: the streets in the historic centre are large, uneven stones set into clay — not the smooth cobblestones you might picture. Sturdy footwear is a must. Another fascinating detail? The streets are designed to flood at high tide, with buildings intentionally elevated above the waterline. Ingenious colonial engineering.

Despite the uneven footing, the boutique shopping is wonderful — local artisan shops, handmade jewellery, and Brazilian crafts line the narrow streets.

A Schooner Cruise Through Paradise

The crown jewel of our time in Paraty was a six-hour schooner tour along the coast. We sailed through crystal-clear waters, stopping at three different islands for snorkelling, with a fresh seafood lunch served onboard. There’s something about eating grilled fish on the deck of a wooden schooner, surrounded by lush green islands, that makes you wonder why you’d ever eat lunch at a desk again. Easily the most memorable day of the trip.

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Back to Rio — Copacabana Energy (Nights 5 & 6)

Our final two nights were at the Windsor Leme Hotel, right near Copacabana — within easy walking distance of restaurants, shops, and the iconic beach promenade. If you want to feel the pulse of Rio, this is where you want to be.

We visited Christ the Redeemer, and it might be the most powerful landmark I’ve encountered. The sheer scale is hard to appreciate from photographs — standing at the base with all of Rio spread out behind you, there’s an undeniable sense of something bigger than yourself.

We also toured a local cachaça distillery, learning how this spirit is distilled from fresh sugarcane juice (not molasses like rum) and used in Brazil’s beloved Caipirinha cocktail. If you’ve only ever had one at a bar back home, tasting it fresh in Brazil is a completely different — and far more dangerous — experience. Our final evening wrapped up with a fantastic dinner at Roxy, capping things off with great food and that unmistakable Rio energy.

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My Top Tips for Travelling to Brazil

• Book Air Canada’s non-stop route from Toronto. The Dreamliner is comfortable and the seasonal service makes Rio incredibly accessible.
• Pack sturdy shoes for Paraty. The historic streets are beautiful but very uneven — leave the flip-flops at the hotel.
• Don’t skip the schooner tour. If Paraty is on your itinerary, the sailing and snorkelling excursion is the single best day you’ll have.
• Visit Sugar Loaf in the late afternoon. Softer light, thinner crowds, and golden hour from 400 metres up is unforgettable.
• Try the local cachaça. A distillery visit and fresh Caipirinhas in Brazil are experiences you won’t forget.

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Ready to Experience Brazil?

With Air Canada’s new non-stop service from Toronto, Brazil has never been more accessible for Canadian travellers. If Rio is calling your name — and trust me, it will be — I’d love to help you plan your own Brazilian adventure.

Get in touch with me, Christina Hogan, at Ellison Travel & Tours — let’s make it happen.