🇧🇷 Brazil Trip — September 2026
Courtney + Ricky · Sep 9–20, 2026 · Gramado → Rio → Natal
✅ Brazil visas — DONE. Approved for both Courtney & Ricky.
SEP 2026
⚠️ PLAN UPDATED · Sep 2026 — Courtney now departs Sep 9 (Delta H6ELGT: SFO 2:00pm → ATL → Rio/GIG 10:15am Sep 10). No LA/Venice and no Lençóis — both canceled below, kept for reference. Ricky flies in to meet Courtney in Rio, then heads to Gramado (staying with a friend). On Sep 20: early Natal→Rio (LATAM, res QPBSPM) → Rio spa day → home 7:30pm (GIG→GRU→LAX, conf EF22U4). Last Natal hotel night dropped. Visas: Courtney, Ricky & Arjun approved ✅ · Carolyn (Austrian/German — EU passport, no Brazil visa needed).
Total estimated cost: ~$1,426–1,550 for two people. Does not include flights — all booked (see the Flights tab) except the NAT→GIG hop back to Rio, still to book.
✈️ Flights
| When | Journey | Flights & detail | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Sep 2 | SFO → LAX Delta · ref YDR9WZ |
| Booked |
Sep 3–4 | SF → Brazil LATAM · conf D8VIEG |
| Booked |
Sep 7 | POA → SLZ LATAM · conf QSCRBZ |
| Booked |
Sep 11 | SLZ → SDU (Rio) LATAM · conf LFUYHF |
| Booked |
Sep 15 | GIG → NAT Wedding · GOL · conf HYFSXH |
| Conflict |
Sep 15–20 | NAT → GIG back to Rio |
| To book |
Sep 20–21 | Brazil → home LATAM · conf EF22U4 |
| Booked |
Sep 21 | LAX → SFO home from LAX |
| To book |
⚠️ Heads up: TripIt flags the Sep 15 GIG→NAT (G3 2161, conf HYFSXH) as a Conflict, and the NAT→GIG hop back to Rio before Sep 20 still needs booking.
❌ CANCELED — No LA / Venice Beach overnight — Aliza Hotel #20190260341 refunded and the SFO→LAX leg is gone. Kept for reference.
🏖️ LA / Venice Beach · Sep 2–3
| Date | What | Details | Cost (2 ppl) |
|---|---|---|---|
Sep 2 | ✈️ Fly SFO → LAX |
| Booked |
Sep 2 | 🏖️ Venice Beach |
| — |
Sep 2 | 🏨 Overnight LA |
| to book |
Sep 3 | 🛫 To LAX for the red-eye |
| — |
Gramado · Sep 4–6
| Date | What | Details | Cost (2 ppl) |
|---|---|---|---|
Sep 4 | 🚗 Uber to Gramado |
| ~$40 |
Sep 4 | 🏨 Hotel Night 1 Comfortable pousada |
| ~$90 |
Sep 5 | 🏘️ Full Day Gramado |
| — |
Sep 5 | 🏨 Hotel Colline de France ⭐ #1 Hotel in the World — TripAdvisor 2024 |
| TBD |
Sep 6 | 🚗 Uber back to POA |
| ~$40 |
Lençóis Maranhenses · Sep 7–10
❌ CANCELED — The Lençóis Maranhenses / Barreirinhas leg is off (Encantes booking #6032677986 refunded). Kept here for reference only.
| Date | What | Details | Cost (2 ppl) |
|---|---|---|---|
Sep 7 | 🚗 Transfer to park |
| ~$60 |
Sep 7 | 🏨 Hotel Night 1 Barreirinhas pousada |
| ~$60 |
Sep 8 | 🏝️ 4x4 Lagoon + Sunset Tour |
| ~$76–140 |
Sep 8 | 🏨 Hotel Night 2 |
| ~$60 |
Sep 9 | 🚤 Rio Preguiças Boat Tour |
| ~$50–80 |
Sep 9 | 🐦 Revoada dos Guarás Scarlet Ibis Sunset Tour |
| ~$50–80 |
Sep 9 | 🆍️ Dinner |
| ~$40–60 |
Sep 9 | 🏨 Hotel Night 3 |
| ~$60 |
Sep 10 | 🌅 Free morning |
| — |
Sep 10 | 🚗 Transfer to SLZ |
| ~$60 |
Rio de Janeiro · Sep 11–15
| Date | What | Details | Cost (2 ppl) |
|---|---|---|---|
Sep 11–13 | 🏨 HomeExchange — Marc's home Cosme Velho / Laranjeiras · Rua Alice 1658 |
| 392 GP |
Sep 13–15 | 🏨 Hilton Rio Copacabana Standard City View · 2 twin beds |
| 120,000 pts |
Sep 12 | 👪 Friends arrive! |
| — |
✱ Marianne’s Rio suggestions
Sep 11 · Beach — check in; hit a beach club (maybe a farther beach); night in Ipanema / Leblon. Beach clubs: Quiosque MUSA — São Conrado · Barthô Praia · Clássico Beach Club — Grumari.
Sep 12 · Bars & samba — Downtown, Glória, Lapa, Santa Teresa; night in Botafogo.
Sep 13 · Touristy — Pão de Açúcar + Cristo Redentor; nice dinner.
Sep 14 · Short day — Forte do Leme; almoço (lunch) in Copacabana.
Cost Summary
| Category | Cost (2 people) |
|---|---|
| 🚗 Ubers + transfers (x4) | ~$200 |
| ✈️ POA → SLZ (2 tickets) | $288 |
| ✈️ SLZ → SDU (2 tickets) | $172 |
| 🏨 1 night pousada Gramado | ~$90 |
| 🏨 Hotel Colline de France (1 night) | TBD |
| 🏨 3 nights Barreirinhas | ~$180 |
| 🏨 4 nights Rio de Janeiro | ~$320 |
| 🏝️ 4x4 Lagoon Tour (x2) | ~$76–140 |
| 🚤 Boat Tour + Scarlet Ibis (x2) | ~$100–160 |
| TOTAL | ~$1,426–1,550 |
✈️ Getting there — UPDATED · Sep 9–10 · Delta · conf H6ELGT · Courtney
| Date | Flight | Route | Times | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed Sep 9 | Delta 531 Main | San Francisco → Atlanta | 2:00pm → 9:40pm | Booked |
| Wed–Thu Sep 9–10 | Delta 61 Main | Atlanta → Rio (GIG) | 11:45pm → 10:15am | Booked · $685 |
❌ CANCELED — Old outbound via LA + Santiago (DL1715 + LATAM D8VIEG) is void — replaced by the Delta H6ELGT routing above. Kept for reference.
Getting there · Sep 3–4 · LATAM · conf D8VIEG
| Flight | Route | Times | Travel time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
DL 1715 | SFO → LAX | Tue Sep 2, 11:54 AM → 1:26 PM | 1h 32m | Booked · ref YDR9WZ · Venice Beach |
LA 603 | LAX → SCL | Thu Sep 3, 3:55 PM → Fri Sep 4, 5:35 AM | 10h 40m | Santiago |
layover | Santiago (SCL) | 8 hr 20 min | — | — |
LA 740 | SCL → POA | Fri Sep 4, 1:55 PM → 6:15 PM | 3h 20m | Porto Alegre — Gramado |
Within Brazil
| Flight | Route | Times | Travel time | Conf / status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
LA 3433 | POA → SLZ | Mon Sep 7, 5:15 AM → 11:10 AM | 5h 55m | QSCRBZ |
LA 3805 | SLZ → SDU (Rio) | Fri Sep 11, 5:05 PM → 10:10 PM | 5h 05m | LFUYHF |
G3 2161 GOL · wedding | GIG → NAT | Tue Sep 15, 12:45 PM → 3:50 PM | 3h 05m | Conflict HYFSXH |
NAT → GIG | back to Rio | Sep 15–20 | — | To book |
✈️ Natal → Rio — NEW · Sep 20 · LATAM · res QPBSPM
| Date | Route | Notes | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun Sep 20 · ~2:00 AM | Natal (NAT) → Rio (GIG) | Skip the last Natal night; spa day in Rio, then fly home 7:30pm | Booked · Courtney + Ricky · order LA0458435AJGH |
Getting home · Sep 20–21 · LATAM · conf EF22U4
| Flight | Route | Times | Travel time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
LA 3875 | GIG → GRU | Sun Sep 20, 7:35 PM → 8:45 PM | 1h 10m | São Paulo |
layover | São Paulo (GRU) | 2 hr | — | — |
LA 8086 | GRU → LAX | Sun Sep 20, 10:45 PM → Mon Sep 21, 7:00 AM | 12h 15m | Home |
LAX → SFO | LAX → SFO | Mon Sep 21 — after 7:00 AM | ~1h 30m | To book · home from LAX |
⚠️ Check: TripIt flags the Sep 15 GIG→NAT flight (G3 2161, conf HYFSXH) as a Conflict — worth resolving. And the NAT→GIG hop back to Rio before the Sep 20 departure isn’t booked yet.
📍 Where You’re Going
🇧🇷 Your Brazil Route
⛰️ Gramado
Sep 4–6 · Rio Grande do Sul
→
🏔️ Lençóis Maranhenses · CANCELED
Sep 7–10 · Maranhão (SLZ)
→
🏙️ Rio de Janeiro
Sep 11–15 · GIG
→
🌊 Natal
Sep 15–20 · Wedding
Open in Google Maps →Sep 4–6 · Rio Grande do Sul
→
🏔️ Lençóis Maranhenses · CANCELED
Sep 7–10 · Maranhão (SLZ)
→
🏙️ Rio de Janeiro
Sep 11–15 · GIG
→
🌊 Natal
Sep 15–20 · Wedding
🌴 São Miguel do Gostoso · where the wedding is
A tiny, windswept fishing-and-kitesurf village on the Rio Grande do Norte coast, about 110 km north of Natal (~10,000 people). It is hot and breezy year-round; the rains fall March–July, so mid-September should be sunny.
The beaches are a string of quiet, barely-developed coves — Ponta do Santo Cristo for water sports and kitesurfing, Praia da Xêpa for the bars and pousadas nearest town, and Tourinhos to the north, all rock formations and golden sunsets that have become the daily meet-up spot.
The center is barefoot-simple: dirt roads, low buildings, little markets, bakeries and local shops (no chains). Food is fresh fish and seafood straight off the boats plus Northeastern classics like carne de sol and free-range chicken, with beach bars, artisanal pizzerias, burger joints and the odd live-music night — lively, never a big party.
Beyond the sand: buggy rides, short hikes, and visits to traditional fishing communities.
Getting there: fly into Natal's Gov. Aluízio Alves airport (São Gonçalo do Amarante), then ~98 km / 1h35–1h50 via BR-406 → BR-101 (transfer details are in the Cami's Group section).
⛰️ Gramado
Sep 4–6 · 2 nights · Fly into POA
One of Brazil’s most surprising towns — full European alpine aesthetic, Swiss/German architecture, pine trees, hydrangeas. Looks like Bavaria got dropped into southern Brazil. Very walkable, great food, completely unexpected.
- Lago Negro — scenic lake walk through town
- Rua Coberta — covered pedestrian street, cafes + chocolate shops
- Chocolate + fondue — mandatory
- Gramado Film Festival: Aug 12–22 (you just miss it)
- Hotel Colline de France — #1 Hotel in the World (TripAdvisor 2024) · 9.9 Booking · Stay Night 2 (Sep 5)
🏔️ Lençóis Maranhenses
Sep 7–10 · 3 nights · Fly into SLZ
Endless white sand dunes broken by crystal-clear freshwater lagoons. The name means “Bedsheets of Maranhão.” One of the most otherworldly landscapes on the planet — still relatively off the beaten path for international tourists. September is peak season.
- 4x4 Lagoon + Sunset Tour — swim Lagoa Azul, sunset from dunes
- Rio Preguiças Boat Tour — mangroves, lighthouse, river village
- Revoada dos Guarás — scarlet ibis sunset (hundreds of red birds)
- No rental car — need 4x4 with park authorization
- Base in Barreirinhas — main gateway
❌ CANCELED — had a complimentary 2-night collab stay at Pousada do Rio (Barreirinhas), Sep 7–11. Leg dropped.
🏙️ Rio de Janeiro
Sep 11–15 · 4 nights · Direct from SLZ
September is slightly off-peak — good hotel value, less humidity. Stay in Ipanema or Leblon. Friends arrive Sep 12.
- Cristo Redentor — go early morning to beat clouds
- Sugarloaf Mountain — cable car, sunset views
- Ipanema + Leblon beaches
- Santa Teresa — colonial hilltop, galleries, live samba
- Feira de São Cristóvão — Northeastern culture market
- Eat: churrascaria, açaí bowls, dinner in Santa Teresa
🌊 Natal
Sep 15–20 · Wedding · GOL from GIG
On Brazil’s northeastern tip — one of the country’s sunniest cities. Famous for white sand dunes, turquoise water, one of the longest coastlines in Brazil.
- Genipabu Dunes — buggy rides over dramatic coastal dunes
- Pipa Beach — ~1.5 hrs south, cliffs, sea turtles, beach bars
- Forte dos Reis Magos — 16th century Portuguese fort
- Return: GOL Sep 20, 12:05 or 16:30 → GIG → LAX
Best Restaurants — Lençóis Maranhenses
O Sertão
Best dinner in Barreirinhas · Traditional Northeastern
Top pick. Order the peixada maranhense — yellow hake stewed with coconut milk, potatoes, and boiled eggs. Rustic, authentic, excellent.
BarreirinhasTop Pick
Bambu
Riverfront terrace · Fish + carne de sol
Right on the banks of the Preguiças River. Fresh fish, seafood, carne de sol. Great relaxed dinner with a view.
BarreirinhasRiverfront
Vila Buna
Artisanal pizza + cocktails · Evening vibe
Best spot for a fun night out in Atins. Fisherman’s Skillet: risotto with shrimp and breaded fish. Perfect after the scarlet ibis tour.
AtinsEvening Out
Resources & Reading — Lençóis Maranhenses
Danae Explore
Instagram
Hotels — Lençóis Maranhenses · View Booking.com Wishlist →
Dates: Sep 7–10 (3 nights, 2 adults). Prices below are for 4 nights as shown on Booking — your actual stay is 3 nights so prices will be slightly lower.
Casa Ninho
9.5 ★Atins · 0.7 mi from downtown
Exceptional · 26 reviews. In Atins — the quieter, more remote village closer to the dunes. Best for a more off-grid, immersive experience.
AtinsFree cancellation
~$300 /3 nights
Casa Amado Atins
9.6 ★Atins · 0.3 mi from downtown
Exceptional · 15 reviews. Highest-rated property on the list. Also in Atins — more boutique, fewer reviews but outstanding scores.
AtinsFree cancellation
~$442 /3 nights
Vila Capininga Ecopousada
8.7 ★Santo Amaro · 3.6 mi from downtown
Excellent · 424 reviews. In Santo Amaro — alternative gateway town, fastest access to the dunes on foot. Eco-lodge vibe, great reviews.
Santo AmaroFree cancellation
~$348 /3 nights
Pousada Toca dos Aventureiros
8.6 ★Barreirinhas · 1.4 mi from downtown
Excellent · 817 reviews. Most-reviewed property on the list — reliable, well-located in Barreirinhas, close to all tour operators.
Barreirinhas
~$452 /3 nights
Pousada Sitio Preguicas
7.9 ★Barreirinhas · 0.9 mi from downtown
Good · 528 reviews. Budget pick — lowest price on the list. Solid for a base if you’re spending most of your time on tours anyway.
BarreirinhasBudget
~$155 /3 nights
Pousada Casa Dunas
9.0 ★Barreirinhas · 0.8 mi from downtown
Wonderful · 468 reviews · Genius deal. Great value — high score, central location, Genius discount available. Best balance of price + quality in Barreirinhas.
BarreirinhasFree cancellationGenius
~$229 /3 nights
Pousada Rancho das Dunas — 9.4 ★ · Santo Amaro · from ~$67/night
⭐ #1 B&B in Maranhão on TripAdvisor · pool, breakfast & riverside restaurant · the quieter western dune gateway.
View on Hotels.com →
⭐ #1 B&B in Maranhão on TripAdvisor · pool, breakfast & riverside restaurant · the quieter western dune gateway.
View on Hotels.com →
Booking Checklist
🧖 Spa plan — Sep 10 (arrival) & Sep 20 (departure):
🎁 Bóson Spa (Botafogo · ~30–40 min from GIG) — COMPED for a collab Reel + Stories: the Glúon Journey — 25-min dry sauna · 50-min aromatherapy massage (your pick) · 30-min reflexology · 30-min aromatic bath · light snack (2h40; worth R$980 / ~$185 each). Just pick a date.
Linx Galeão by Wish — ~500 m from GIG airport · day-use 3/6/12 hrs · two pools (incl. infinity) + restaurant + free 24h airport shuttle. Closest & easiest with your luggage (no full spa — add a massage or just pool it).
Hilton Barra (~30 min) — rooftop infinity pool + spa + restaurant · book via DayUse.com.
Grand Hyatt Rio · Barra (~35 min) — Atiaia Spa, pool, sauna + restaurant.
Prices (approx — confirm direct): Linx day-use by the hour, 3/6/12h (rooms from ~$73/night); Grand Hyatt Atiaia Spa — 50-min massage ~$85–115, 80-min ~$120–170, facials ~$85–130 · book Atiaia +55 21 3797-9566 / atiaia.reservations@hyatt.com.
Spa Holístico Alex Lisboa (Copacabana · treatment-only, no pool) — 50% off for us: 60-min massage ~$24 · 90-min ~$28 · Face Up facial ~$33 · experiences ~$38–56. Book: en.spaalexlisboa.com — full price list saved on the Brasil Notion board.
🎁 Bóson Spa (Botafogo · ~30–40 min from GIG) — COMPED for a collab Reel + Stories: the Glúon Journey — 25-min dry sauna · 50-min aromatherapy massage (your pick) · 30-min reflexology · 30-min aromatic bath · light snack (2h40; worth R$980 / ~$185 each). Just pick a date.
Linx Galeão by Wish — ~500 m from GIG airport · day-use 3/6/12 hrs · two pools (incl. infinity) + restaurant + free 24h airport shuttle. Closest & easiest with your luggage (no full spa — add a massage or just pool it).
Hilton Barra (~30 min) — rooftop infinity pool + spa + restaurant · book via DayUse.com.
Grand Hyatt Rio · Barra (~35 min) — Atiaia Spa, pool, sauna + restaurant.
Prices (approx — confirm direct): Linx day-use by the hour, 3/6/12h (rooms from ~$73/night); Grand Hyatt Atiaia Spa — 50-min massage ~$85–115, 80-min ~$120–170, facials ~$85–130 · book Atiaia +55 21 3797-9566 / atiaia.reservations@hyatt.com.
Spa Holístico Alex Lisboa (Copacabana · treatment-only, no pool) — 50% off for us: 60-min massage ~$24 · 90-min ~$28 · Face Up facial ~$33 · experiences ~$38–56. Book: en.spaalexlisboa.com — full price list saved on the Brasil Notion board.
🧑🤝🧑 Arjun & Carolyn — flights & logistics
Visas: Arjun ✅ approved · Carolyn (Austrian/German — EU, no Brazil visa needed) · Courtney & Ricky ✅
🚐 Transfers — Natal airport (NAT) ↔ São Miguel do Gostoso
~98 km · BR-406 → BR-101 · about 1h35–1h50.
• Airport → hotel: R$350 (~$69) · car for up to 4
• Around São Miguel do Gostoso: R$50 (~$10) · car for up to 4
• Book via hotel reception: +55 84 98150-5459
* We're 4 now (with Carolyn & Arjun) — take the 4-person transfer together: R$350 ÷ 4 ≈ R$88 (~$17)/person, about a third of going solo.
* Return transfer: TBD — confirm the date with Carolyn & Arjun (deciding between two options).
~98 km · BR-406 → BR-101 · about 1h35–1h50.
• Airport → hotel: R$350 (~$69) · car for up to 4
• Around São Miguel do Gostoso: R$50 (~$10) · car for up to 4
• Book via hotel reception: +55 84 98150-5459
* We're 4 now (with Carolyn & Arjun) — take the 4-person transfer together: R$350 ÷ 4 ≈ R$88 (~$17)/person, about a third of going solo.
* Return transfer: TBD — confirm the date with Carolyn & Arjun (deciding between two options).
🏨 Wedding hotel (São Miguel do Gostoso / Natal): reserved ✓ — pay on arrival.
💍 Wedding website: Nico & Cami — site.lejour.com.br/nicomila
| Date | What | Details |
|---|---|---|
Sat Sep 12 | 👪 Arrive Rio |
|
Tue Sep 15 | ✈️ Rio → Natal |
|
Sun Sep 20 | ✈️ Return Natal → Rio |
|
Courtney + Ricky arrive Rio on Sep 11 (one day early) and meet the group on Sep 12. All flying GIG → NAT together Sep 15.
💍 Nico & Cami’s Wedding · São Miguel do Gostoso · Sep 15–20, 2026. Base hotel: Nanii (pay on arrival). Two must-attends: Thursday’s white pool party and Friday’s wedding. Wedding website & full daily guide →
📅 Day-by-Day — São Miguel do Gostoso
| Day | What’s happening |
|---|---|
| Tue Sep 15 Arrival | ~2-hr transfer from Natal. 6pm welcome drink on the lawn + volleyball team draw at Nanii. Dinner on your own. |
| Wed Sep 16 Parrachos | 7am chapel yoga; morning boat to the Parrachos de Perobas reefs + seafood lunch at Tuná; afternoon volleyball Cup; 8pm group dinner + karaoke. |
| Thu Sep 17 ⭐ White Party | 9:30am volleyball group stage; 1pm white pool party with pagode (RSVP · dress white & casual · must-attend); 3:30pm finals + trophy. |
| Fri Sep 18 ⭐ The Wedding | Free daytime. Ceremony & reception at Nanii, 3:30pm (RSVP). Dress — her: no white, midi/maxi, block heels; him: no blazer/tie, linen/cotton, closed-toe shoes. 75–86°F, sunny & windy. |
| Sat Sep 19 | Sleep in; 12:30pm lunch at Nauan beach club; 4:15pm convoy to the Tourinhos dunes for sunset (~5:20pm); last night on the Xepa. |
| Sun Sep 20 Goodbyes | Brunch + last swim, then depart — early Natal→Rio flight (spa day in Rio, home 7:30pm). |
💳 On us: Thursday party + Friday wedding (food, drinks, music). You pay: excursions & other meals. Pack: sunscreen, hat, cash + card, white pool attire for Thursday. Quad bikes: +55 84 99622-5492. Babysitters: Aline / Juliana / Lucimaria.
🚐 Transfers · Natal (NAT) ↔ São Miguel do Gostoso: ~98 km, about 1h35–1h50. Airport→hotel R$350 (~$69) · around town R$50 (~$10) · car up to 4. Book via hotel reception +55 84 98150-5459. You’re 4 (with Carolyn & Arjun) — split the 4-person transfer ≈ R$88 (~$17)/person. Carolyn arranged the shared airport→hotel ride (4 of us); Courtney & Ricky are arranging their own return ride with the same company. Wedding hotel (Nanii): reserved ✓ pay on arrival.
Content Angles From This Trip
Hotel Colline de France
Gramado · #1 Hotel in the World
TripAdvisor 2024 Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best — #1 globally, #2 in 2026. Unexpected, unassuming alpine town in southern Brazil. “We accidentally booked one of the best hotels in the world.” Classic Haute Bøhemian angle.
Priority PostGramado
Lençóis Maranhenses Guide
Pillar post · Underwritten in English
Strong SEO opportunity — low competition in English. Cover: how to get there, which town, best tours, what months, how many days, restaurants. Good ranking potential.
SEO OpportunityMaranhão
Multi-City Brazil Itinerary
Gramado → Lençóis → Rio → Natal
A genuinely unusual Brazil trip most travel blogs don’t cover. Alpine → dunes → city → beach. Unusual enough to rank. Strong pillar post candidate.
Pillar PostBrazil
Gramado Town Guide
The Swiss town in Brazil nobody talks about
Wildly underrepresented in English travel content. Standalone destination post — chocolate, fondue, alpine architecture, film festival. Pair with the Hotel Colline stay.
Standalone PostRio Grande do Sul
