Self-Launched: Highlights of Argentina & Brazil
8 days · Argentina & Brazil
G Adventures charges £3,050
No-markup version: ~£720 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
An independent, self-launched version of G Adventures' 8-day "Highlights of Argentina & Brazil" journey, running from Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro via Iguassu Falls. This DIY route swaps private transfers and guided groups for public buses, budget flights, hostel dorms and self-bookable day tours — covering the same headline experiences (La Boca and the Isla Maciel community, both sides of Iguassu Falls, Sugarloaf Mountain, Santa Teresa and the Botanical Gardens) for a fraction of the operator's price. Costs are approximate per-person estimates based on current backpacker rates.
Day-by-day
Arrive Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Land at Ezeiza (EZE) or Aeroparque (AEP) and make your own way into the city. Skip the private arrival transfer and use the Tienda León airport bus (~£9) or an Uber/Cabify (~£13-18 from EZE) to reach your hostel in San Telmo, Palermo or Recoleta. Settle in, grab a cheap choripán or empanada dinner, and take an evening orientation walk — most hostels run free walking tours and asado nights you can join to meet people.
🚌Airport bus (~£9) or rideshare (~£13-18) from EZE; walking and Subte (metro) in the city (~£0.40/ride)
🛏Hostel dorm in San Telmo or Palermo (e.g. Milhouse, Ostinatto) — ~£14-20/night
- →Self-guided arrival and neighbourhood orientation walk
- →Optional hostel asado or social dinner
Buenos Aires city highlights & La Boca
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Do the classic Buenos Aires route independently. Join a pay-what-you-wish free walking tour (tip ~£8) covering Teatro Colón, the Obelisk and Plaza de Mayo, then take local bus #64 or a short taxi to La Boca. Wander the Caminito street museum (~£9 small entry/photo fee in places) and walk over the 1914 Avellaneda Bridge to glimpse the Isla Maciel neighbourhood across the Riachuelo. Book a self-guided La Boca food/mural walk via GetYourGuide (~£20) or go free and eat at a parrilla. Evening: optionally catch a tango show in San Telmo (~£15-30 standing/local venue) or a milonga class.
🚌Local bus/Subte (~£1 total); taxi to La Boca (~£5)
🛏Hostel dorm in San Telmo or Palermo — ~£14-20/night
- →Pay-what-you-wish free walking tour (tip ~£8)
- →La Boca & Caminito self-guided walk
- →Optional tango class or milonga (~£10-15)
Fly to Iguassu — Brazilian side of the falls
Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil
Fly budget from Buenos Aires to Puerto Iguazú/Foz do Iguaçu (Aerolíneas Argentinas, Flybondi or JetSMART, ~£60-110 one-way booked early). Use the local bus or a rideshare to cross into Brazil — remember Argentina and Brazil have separate entry fees/reciprocity admin, so check visa/entry rules in advance. Afternoon: take the public bus to the Brazilian side of Iguassu Falls (Parque Nacional do Iguaçu). Entry ~£17; the panoramic walkway gives the big sweeping views. Stay overnight on the Foz do Iguaçu side for easy access.
🚌Budget domestic flight ~£60-110; local bus to the falls ~£1; border crossing bus ~£2
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Foz do Iguaçu — ~£12-18/night
- →Brazilian side of Iguassu Falls (self-guided walkway, park entry ~£17)
Argentine side of Iguassu Falls
Puerto Iguazú, Argentina
Cross back into Argentina and spend the full day at Iguazú National Park (Argentine side) — the larger, more immersive side. Take the park's free Rainforest Ecological Train to the trailheads (Garganta del Diablo, Upper and Lower Circuits) and walk the boardwalks over the rushing water. Park entry ~£17. Optional extras: Great Adventure boat ride under the falls (~£35-45 via Klook/direct). Return to Foz do Iguaçu for the night or stay in Puerto Iguazú.
🚌Border bus between Argentina and Brazil (~£2 each way); park shuttle train included in entry
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Foz do Iguaçu or Puerto Iguazú — ~£12-20/night
- →Iguazú National Park Argentine side (entry ~£17)
- →Rainforest Ecological Train
- →Optional boat ride under the falls (~£40)
Fly to Rio — Sugarloaf & the beaches
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Fly Iguassu to Rio de Janeiro (GOL/Azul/LATAM, ~£60-100 one-way). Check into a hostel in Botafogo, Copacabana or Santa Teresa. Afternoon: take the Sugarloaf Mountain cable car (bondinho) — book via Klook/GetYourGuide or pay on site (~£20). Ride up to catch panoramic views over Guanabara Bay, then do a scenic coastal walk or bus ride past Botafogo, Copacabana and Ipanema at golden hour. Grab an acaí or a beach kiosk dinner and enjoy a free evening in Rio.
🚌Budget domestic flight ~£60-100; metro/bus in Rio (~£0.90/ride)
🛏Hostel dorm in Botafogo/Copacabana/Santa Teresa — ~£14-22/night
- →Sugarloaf Mountain cable car (~£20)
- →Self-guided Copacabana & Ipanema beach walk
Christ the Redeemer & city heritage
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Get up early to beat the crowds at Christ the Redeemer (Corcovado). Book a skip-the-line ticket + transport via GetYourGuide/Klook (~£28-35) or DIY via the Corcovado train (Trem do Corcovado, ~£25 round trip). Descend and head to the mosaic-tiled Selarón Steps in Lapa for photos, then take a free walking tour of central Rio (tip ~£8) tracing its heritage. Afternoon free for a favela-community tour done responsibly (~£20) or a beach afternoon.
🚌Metro/bus (~£2 total); Christ the Redeemer transport included in tour ticket
🛏Hostel dorm in Botafogo/Copacabana/Santa Teresa — ~£14-22/night
- →Christ the Redeemer / Corcovado (~£28-35)
- →Selarón Steps (free)
- →Central Rio free walking tour (tip ~£8)
Bohemian Santa Teresa & Botanical Gardens
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Spend the day in Rio's hilltop bohemian enclave. Wander the cobblestone streets of Santa Teresa, its galleries and the atmospheric ruins of a grand mansion, then ride the historic yellow Tram (Bonde de Santa Teresa, ~£1) down toward the centre. Afterwards, stroll the lush Jardim Botânico (Botanical Gardens, entry ~£7) with its imperial palms and orchid house, taking in views back over Guanabara Bay. Evening: sunset drinks on the Santa Teresa terraces.
🚌Santa Teresa tram (~£1); bus/metro (~£2)
🛏Hostel dorm in Botafogo/Copacabana/Santa Teresa — ~£14-22/night
- →Santa Teresa self-guided walk & mansion ruins
- →Historic tram ride (~£1)
- →Botanical Gardens (entry ~£7)
Depart Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Make your own way to Galeão (GIG) airport by local bus (~£2) or rideshare (~£12-18) depending on your flight time — no private departure transfer needed. If you have a late flight, squeeze in one last beach morning at Ipanema or a farewell coffee in Santa Teresa before you go.
🚌Local airport bus (~£2) or rideshare (~£12-18)
🛏N/A — check-out day
- →Optional final beach morning at Ipanema
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£720 | £3,050 |
| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £2,330 per person (76%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£720
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched: Highlights of Argentina & Brazil cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £720 per person for 8 days in Argentina & Brazil. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £3,050 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £720 — a saving of roughly £2,330 (76%) per person.
How long is the Argentina & Brazil trip?+
This itinerary runs 8 days, covering 8 day-by-day stops through Argentina & Brazil.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, city-breaks, foodie trip through Argentina & Brazil, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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