What do you get when you mix caipirinhas, malbec, and dulce de leche? A 12-day trip across Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay that hits all the right notes, from buzzing mega-cities to chilled-out wineries and natural hot springs. Buckle up for a fast-paced, flavor-packed ride!

Day 1: SÃO PAULO – The Urban Jungle That Never Stops Moving

We kicked off our trip in the ever-energetic São Paulo, where skyscrapers meet street art and sushi joints sit next to churrascarias. First stop: the iconic Paulista Avenue, the pulse of the city. After a stroll through the leafy Trianon Park, we headed into Liberdade, São Paulo’s Japanese district, where we wandered through lantern-filled streets and paid a visit to the Igreja Santa Cruz das Almas dos Enforcados (a church with a dark history and beautiful architecture).

In the afternoon, we dipped into the colorful world of Batman’s Alley (a living, breathing open-air gallery) before making our way downtown. On the way to Mercado Municipal Paulistano, we passed some impressive landmarks—Catedral Metropolitana da Sé and Pátio do Colégio, where the city was founded. At the market, we demolished some of the juiciest mortadella sandwiches known to humankind. (Seriously, go hungry.)

We closed out the night with a hearty dinner at the iconic Bar e Lanches Estadão, a 24/7 São Paulo classic, and then grabbed a final drink at the atmospheric Orfeu, where old-school Brazilian vibes meet strong cocktails.

Days 2–3: MENDOZA – Malbec Dreams Are Made of This

From skyscrapers to snow-capped Andes: we flew into Mendoza, Argentina’s wine country, where we stayed for two nights. Pro tip: we pre-booked a rental car—best decision ever. The process was smooth as Malbec. The rental company even met us outside the airport and took us to their office. We paid a bit extra for full insurance (so no frozen credit card dramas) and hit the road with total freedom.

Our first stop: Tempus Alba, where lunch with vineyard views set the tone. Then on to Bodega Domiciano for a sunset tour and tasting—our kind of happy hour. That evening, we explored Mendoza town, buzzing with life. The Aristides Villanueva street is packed with bars and restaurants, and Plaza Independencia and Paseo Peatonal Sarmiento are perfect for a breezy stroll.

Next day? Wine round two. First up was the breathtaking Renacer Winery—hands down, one of the most beautiful vineyard settings we’ve seen. We then paused for coffee in Luján de Cuyo before grabbing a crispy jamón sandwich at a roadside canteen (simple, divine). The wine finale? The legendary Norton Winery, where the history and views are just as rich as the wine.

With our flight back in the afternoon on Day 4, we made the most of the morning with a relaxing visit to Termas de Cacheuta. We booked online ahead of time (do this—it sells out fast), and splurged a bit for the bathrobe rental. Totally worth it. Soaking in thermal waters surrounded by Andean peaks? Yes, please.

After indulging in Mendoza’s wine-soaked magic, we traded vineyards for vibrant city vibes and tango rhythms. Welcome to Buenos Aires, the Paris of South America—with a Latin twist and a dash of dulce de leche.

Days 4-5: BUENOS AIRES – Grand Avenues, Graffiti & Good Vibes

Touching down in Buenos Aires, we hopped straight into an Uber and made our way to our cozy Airbnb in Palermo Hollywood, a lively neighborhood packed with leafy streets, trendy cafes, and endless energy. After a quick stroll to soak it all in, we called it a night—because the next day was all about sightseeing.

We started our morning in the heart of the city at Plaza de Mayo, home to the majestic Casa Rosada (yes, the pink presidential palace) and the beautiful Catedral Metropolitana de San Nicolás. From there, we wandered down to Puerto Madero, a modern waterfront district that was buzzing with Brazilian football fans in town for the Copa Libertadores final—think drums, jerseys, and contagious energy.

In need of a sugar fix (and some old-school charm), we made a classy pit stop at the historic Café Tortoni for coffee and cake. Recharged and sugared-up, we tackled Avenida 9 de Julio, the widest avenue in the world, and continued north to Recoleta Cemetery—a jaw-dropping city of mausoleums, and the resting place of Evita Perón. Right outside, we stumbled upon the Feria Artesanal at Plaza Francia, a weekend-only treasure trove of handmade goods, quirky crafts, and street performers.

For a quick bite, we grabbed a legendary Lomito sandwich at La Rambla Café, then strolled over to the serene Jardín Japonés for a dose of zen. We wrapped up the day with drinks in Plaza Serrano, soaking in the buzzing nightlife of Palermo Soho—hip, lively, and perfect for people-watching.

Day 6: Markets & La Boca Energy

We kicked off Sunday with a laid-back breakfast at 1640 Café Resto before diving headfirst into the world of antiques at Mercado de las Pulgas, a haven for treasure hunters. From there, we headed straight to San Telmo, where the famous Sunday antiques fair spills into the streets around the market with live music, tango dancers, and endless curiosities. Lunch at Vórtice inside the bustling Mercado de San Telmo hit the spot—empanadas, choripán, and local charm in every bite.

In the afternoon, we couldn’t not visit La Boca, one of the city’s most iconic (and colorful) barrios. Think bold street art, tango on the sidewalks, and of course, La Bombonera, home of Boca Juniors. Whether you’re a football fan or not, the vibe here is electric.

Day 7: A Quick Hop Across the River – COLONIA DEL SACRAMENTO, URUGUAY

Time for a day trip! We took the ferry with Colonia Express, booked via GetYourGuide, and headed to Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay—a postcard-perfect town frozen in time. Our guided walking tour took us through cobblestone streets, charming colonial buildings, and lighthouse views that felt straight out of a fairytale.

For lunch, we couldn’t resist the local chivito, Uruguay’s national sandwich. It’s got everything: meat, cheese, egg, ham… basically a flavor bomb in a bun. After a lazy afternoon exploring more of the Old Town and soaking in river views, we ferried back to Buenos Aires.

That night, we took a final walk along the glittering Puerto Madero docks before indulging in the cheesy, doughy perfection that is El Imperio de la Pizza. If you’re going to have one pizza in Buenos Aires—make it this one. Loud, chaotic, and absolutely legendary.

Day 8-9: Farewell Buenos Aires, Hello Rio!

Before our morning flight, we stocked up at Asturias Bakery in Palermo—amazing quality and prices, and perfect for grabbing supplies for the journey ahead. We headed to Aeroparque Jorge Newbery, which is small and manageable, so with time to kill, we took a walk across the street to Orsna Park and admired the impressive Monument to Christopher Columbus.

We landed in Rio and immediately hopped into an Uber to our hotel.

The next day, it was raining (because of course it was), so we ditched the beach plans and headed to RioSul Shopping Mall, one of the many massive malls in the city, for a low-key start. But we couldn’t stay indoors for long—soon after, we made our way to the legendary Maracanã Stadium for a self-guided tour. Even empty, the place vibrates with football history.

Next, we headed downtown to Praça Mauá, where the futuristic Museum of Tomorrow stole the skyline and the elegant Museum of Art of Rio caught our eye. We wandered by the Cais do Valongo, a UNESCO World Heritage site with deep Afro-Brazilian roots, and dove into the chaos of the Mercado Popular Uruguaiana—a treasure trove of knock-offs, snacks, and energy.

Lunch was at Bodega do Sal, where we tried a traditional Brazilian arrumadinho—a savory mix of meat, beans, farofa, and flavor. Later, with the clouds finally clearing, we made our way to Copacabana, grabbed cocktails at a beachfront kiosk, and vibed to live music as the sun dipped over the ocean. Classic Rio.

Day 10: Favelas, Street Art & Sugarloaf Sunsets

Our morning started in central Rio, ticking off a cultural bucket list: the jaw-dropping Real Gabinete Português de Leitura, the elegant Theatro Municipal, Fundação Biblioteca Nacional, and the buzzing Cinelandia Square. Of course, we couldn’t miss the rainbow-colored Escadaria Selarón—one of the most photographed staircases in the world (and for good reason).

Then came the highlight of our Rio stay: a tour of Rocinha, Latin America’s largest favela. We booked it via Airbnb Experiences, and our local guide met us at the São Conrado metro station. What followed was raw, real, and eye-opening—a walk through winding alleys, stunning street art, and resilient community life that changed our perspective forever.

In the afternoon, we recharged with a breezy walk along Ipanema Beach, then caught the iconic Santa Teresa tram up through the Arcos da Lapa, past the cone-shaped Catedral Metropolitana, and into the bohemian heart of Largo dos Guimarães. Every corner of Santa Teresa hums with creativity.

But we saved the best for last: as golden hour hit, we took the cable car up to Sugarloaf Mountain. And wow—panoramic views of Rio, Guanabara Bay, and Christ the Redeemer standing tall in the distance. Speechless.

For dinner? Nothing less than a full-blown Rodízio at Fogo de Chão. Endless grilled meats, a buffet of dreams, and views of the marina. Obrigado, Brazil.

Day 11: BUZIOS – Beach Bliss and Bardot Vibes

With the energy of Rio still buzzing in our veins, we took a full-day escape to Búzios, the beachside village made famous by Brigitte Bardot in the ’60s. We booked our trip through GetYourGuide, which included transfers, a scenic boat ride, and lunch.

Búzios was everything we hoped for—charming cobbled streets, boutique shops, and crystal-clear waters that felt a world away from the urban beat of Rio. The boat ride took us to some of the area’s most stunning beaches and hidden coves, with plenty of time to swim, sunbathe, and soak in the tropical magic.

Day 12: Cristo & Goodbye

On our final day, we saved the ultimate Rio must-do: Cristo Redentor. We booked the earliest time slot for the Cosme Velho cable car, and trust us—it’s worth waking up early to beat the crowds. Standing beneath the towering Christ with arms outstretched over Rio was the perfect finale to our trip.

Before our flight back to São Paulo, we enjoyed a relaxed lunch by the water at Marina da Glória, toasting our journey with one last caipirinha and a view of boats rocking gently in the bay.

3 countries.

12 days.

Too many amazing meals to count.

And one unforgettable South American odyssey.

If you’ve ever dreamed of sipping wine in the Andes, dancing through Buenos Aires, and watching the sun set over Copacabana, this itinerary might just be the sign you were waiting for.

Thanks for traveling with us. Stay curious, stay adventurous.

Up next? Who knows… but our suitcase is never fully unpacked.

Check our other posts for Brazil and Argentina

The "model" in the photos is my husband Fotis, my fellow traveller!