Óla! We´re here. A new proposal for luxury travel in Brazil: explorations that connect and enrich, from the Amazon to the Atlantic Coast.

Who is Journey Brazil’s Co-founder? 

Building on the legacy of Journey Mexico and Journey Costa Rica’s seamlessly delivered, custom travel itineraries, Mikael Castro spearheads our new chapter in South America, connecting travelers with the heart of Brazil in a way that’s both transformative and responsible. Welcome to the family, Mika! Keep reading to see how the story of Journey Brazil’s co-founder and managing director is anything but ordinary.  

 

From São Paulo to the World: Mikael’s Global Upbringing 

“I was raised with this tremendous wonder about the cultures of the world,” Mikael Castro reflects. Not all kids visit 50+ countries by the time they finish high school, but for the Castro family, travel was an integral part of early education. “My parents had this philosophy that the best investment in childhood education was, yes, of course, a university, but more than that, it was traveling. So, we never had a fancy car or lavish day-to-day amenities growing up, but we did invest in family vacations.” 

If Mikael and his brother and sister had more than a week off school, the family would hit the road on their latest cultural adventure. “My parents were very serious about it, so if we were going to visit Greece, they’d say, ‘Study about it.’ It was really formative learning about people from all around the world.” Making the most of every moment meant diving deep into local culture, parent-set assignments about where they traveled and what they saw, and showing up early to maximize exploring time. 

Once, the family arrived bright and early to an English medieval castle. It was still closed, with no one in sight. Undeterred, they jumped the wall to explore it, later thanking a very confused-looking security guard as they left.

 

A Life-Changing Journey Across Africa  

A fork in the road came when Mikael’s dad proposed a grand expedition: a Land Rover, South Africa to the Egyptian border, back again in time for the 2010 World Cup—nine months. He was looking for a travel partner. From one moment to the next, Mikael decided to drop everything. “I did some reflection, and I thought, what an incredible opportunity, both professionally and mostly personally. It’s one of those moments where you never know what’s going to happen if you don’t take it.” 

The adventure was inevitably transformative for Mikael. “Every day we were sleeping somewhere different. Essentially, we were on the road. One of the beautiful things about travel is that when you change the setting around you, you provoke this internal reflection—you get to see yourself in the mirror and understand who you really are. That was a lot of what the journey was about in Africa.” 

Another big takeaway for Mikael came from watching his dad’s inner journalist shine, interacting with everyone and learning at every opportunity, whether asking the local guide tons of questions or just sparking up conversation at a café. He learned that incredible situations often come up when you talk to people. 

Mikael’s enriching expedition only served to amplify his intuition that tourism was the path forward. Before long, he had a master’s degree in business for tourism and was making a name for himself in Brazil’s travel world—just in time for Brazil’s turn to host the World Cup.

 

A Passion for Brazil: Connecting Heritage with Vision 

Mikael has always felt connected to his Brazilian heritage. “In the summers, we would travel somewhere fun, but half the time we’d spend back in Brazil, and that really cultivated this national identity that I have as a Brazilian,” he shares. Now a long-time resident in Rio de Janeiro, a shared pride fuels Mikael’s desire to show travelers the heart of Brazil in all its authenticity. “Brazilians have this tremendous passion for our incredible country and this unique, united identity. We’re the only Portuguese-speaking country in Latin America, so our language, our football, our music—these are the things that bring us together.” 

Sustainability is also part of Mikael’s DNA. Thanks to the influence of his parents, who dedicated their careers—and lifestyle—to conservation, Mikael absorbed the importance of responsible travel early on. “I was very much involved in the conservation side of their lifestyle, not just their work,” he recalls. His journey into ecotourism led him to The International Ecotourism Society, where he began organizing global conferences on sustainable tourism, connecting with passionate leaders around the world who were building eco-lodges, designing trips, and pioneering what ecotourism has become today. 

For Mikael, the most powerful aspect of travel lies in personal connections. He believes that learning to interact with people from different walks of life is invaluable. “The flexibility to understand someone different from you, with different beliefs—that openness to engage in dialogue is what travel is all about,” he explains. This belief weaves into the core of Journey Brazil’s mission: to create experiences that foster true connections. When travelers come to Brazil, Mikael wants them to have authentic interactions with locals, to step outside their comfort zones, and to embrace new perspectives. “That’s how we all learn and grow,” he says. And through Journey Brazil, Mikael aims to offer exactly that—a chance to connect deeply with Brazil and its people.

 

The Future of Journey Brazil: Authentic Connections at Its Core

Mikael’s vision for Journey Brazil is clear. “Our job is to set the stage for authentic connections with locals, guides, and the land itself.” This stewardship aspect is something Mikael is particularly passionate about. “With every visit, our goal is not only to mitigate any negative impact on the environment but to ensure each traveler leaves a positive footprint, creating an exchange that benefits both the visitor and the visited.” 

Reflecting on his journey and vision, Mikael shares, “Travel holds a unique power to transform lives. The best travel experiences inspire personal growth and a deep respect for the natural world, and I’m thrilled to bring this vision to life.” 

On collaborating with Zachary Rabinor, Co-founder of Journey Brazil, Journey Mexico, and Journey Costa Rica, Mikael added, “Zach and I share a common vision: to redefine luxury travel through innovation and impeccable service. Together, we’re committed to creating deeply immersive experiences that showcase the best of Brazil, all while upholding the highest standards of operational excellence.”

 

Ready to Experience Brazil Like Never Before?  

From authentic local connections to immersive experiences in the rainforest, let us craft a journey that inspires a deep respect for Brazil’s culture and natural beauty. Whether exploring the Amazon, soaking in Rio’s vibrant energy, or savoring Bahia’s rich traditions, your adventure awaits. Take a look at our sample itineraries (link) to spark your imagination and get in touch with our team (link) to start planning today!