11 minute read
Journey Brazil was created because Zach, Journey’s Founder and CEO, and Mika shared a conviction: that Brazil is one of the most extraordinary destinations on Earth (wild, culturally rich, endlessly diverse), and still full of places where true discovery is possible. Now, others are catching on to what we’ve known for a long time: Brazil has just been named Destination of the Year by Travel + Leisure. The colonial-heritage state of Minas Gerais has earned accolades in Condé Nast Traveler; while a little further up the Bahian coast, Itacaré has been celebrated by journalist David Amsden as a still-underrated surf haven; and just south of the capital, Paraty received its well-deserved flowers for its cobblestoned charm and exquisite cuisine.
“When the year draws to a close, I always find myself reflecting on a lot of things: how far we’ve come, what we’ve learned, and how that’s impacted the way we travel. But I’m particularly energized looking ahead this year, because if 2025 was the year the world started paying real attention to Brazil, 2026 is the year it steps fully into the spotlight.”
– Mika Castro, Cofounder and Managing Director, Journey Brazil
In a country this vast, with so many biomes and such diverse beauty, you can do a lot in a single journey. The likes of Rio de Janeiro (Mika’s hometown) and Iguassu Falls are longstanding icons for a reason, but we are also excited to help travelers go further and explore deeper: weaving together rainforest and river, dunes and wetlands, culture and coastline. With our expertise on the ground, the complex logistics of navigating a country this vast stay in our hands, and the adventure stays in yours.
While Brazil is experiencing a well-earned surge in global attention, Journey continues to define a new type of luxury here. Not just white-glove elegance, but as a destination so rich in culture, heritage and nature, there are incredible opportunities to find connection with local people, as well as the places you’re visiting. It’s a country that welcomes families as warmly as solo explorers and has become a firm favorite within our own team (this year, our founders went on a family trip to join Mika and the team in the field).
All of this momentum makes 2026 an incredibly exciting year. We’re sharing Mika’s take on the hottest trends: from standout private villas and spring-break-worthy houses for families and big groups, to the Pantanal–Lençóis Maranhenses combo that is shaping up to be the nature-lover’s dream itinerary, to the growing demand for private Amazon boat charters.
Here’s what to watch for the year ahead:
Coastal Villas Perfect for Spring Break
The sprawling Brazilian coastline stretches along more than 7,000 kilometers of white sand, palm-lined bays, and warm Atlantic waters. Scattered along the way are coastal spots oozing with character, and two of these gems, each with its own distinctive energy, are Trancoso and Itacaré. Trancoso carries a laid-back style, centered around the candlelit Quadrado (a leafy, pedestrianized central square) and framed by some of the country’s most beautiful beaches. Itacaré, further up the Bahian coast, is its wilder counterpart.
With a yet-to-blow-up feel about them, these are a couple of spots you should definitely have on your list. Through exploring both destinations, we’ve built close relationships with the owners of some of the most spectacular private villas in and around these areas; a small collection of homes that remain under the radar, and in some cases, entirely exclusive to Journey. A curated selection of beautiful properties, which we are now excited to share with you. Boasting breezy, wood-toned interiors, elevated beach-house design, and generous open spaces which are perfect for gathering, these residences are set up for reconnecting with family and friends: sharing long lunches, sinking into games and conversation, or simply laughing together after a day in the sun, maybe with a glass of something chilled in hand.
Because we specialize in crafting fully personalized trips, we revel in thinking up new ideas to elevate a stay here even further: from private chefs, massage therapists, yoga teachers, and personal trainers, to live music on the terrace. They’re exceptional choices during the festive season, but these villas also shine as a different take on Spring Break getaways, as a refreshing alternative to other, more crowded hotspots, and at a competitive price point too.
The Lençóis Maranhenses and Pantanal Nature Combo
Lençóis Maranhenses and the Pantanal make for an incredible nature pairing, that is going from strength to strength. Steadily becoming a favorite amongst our guests, the offerings in both regions have only become more refined.
“Lençóis Maranhenses is one of the most incredible places we’ve visited!”
– Journey CEO Zach, as he recounts the family trip he took here
(joined by Mika’s family).
A vast, otherworldly expanse of white sand dunes dotted with shimmering freshwater lagoons that appear each year between June and October. Feet sinking into the dunes as you cross them barefoot, before taking a dip in the warm, crystalline pools, you can quite easily lose all sense of time, and with no phone signal out on the lagoons (a rare gift in this day and age), you are able to totally disconnect from the world, and reconnect with the people you’re travelling with. Our favorite place to base yourself is Casa Oiá, combining sophistication and simplicity of design with the wonder of its national park surroundings, it’s a special pocket of luxury in this sand dune paradise. Plus, new for 2025 and returning in 2026: OIÁ’s seasonal Pop-Up at Atins. A limited-capacity beach-side hideaway that brings fresh luxury to the area, it’s a chance to combine a remote lagoon stay with nights by the sea. Why not adventure between the two on foot across the sand? Hop on horseback, take an ATV, or enjoy a night in a remote refuge under a sky full of stars? The Atins pop-up offers great opportunities for discovery in Lençóis.
Continue the journey to discover a different kind of natural beauty in the Pantanal, South America’s premier natural wildlife sanctuary and one of the best places on the continent to see jaguars in the wild. Also best to visit from June to October, top tier properties like Caiman Lodge (our absolute favorite for an immersive and elevated stay in the Pantanal) offer superb guiding, safaris, canoeing and horseback adventures, and we take it even further: pairing guests with specialist wildlife photographers and arranging access to the northern Pantanal for deeper, more intimate encounters. We partner with groups like Onçafari – an incredible conservation project employing over 100 locals and protecting jaguars across four Brazilian biomes – so that travelers can learn directly from these passionate biologists who are restoring habitats, shifting cultural attitudes away from hunting, and proving how ecotourism can be such a powerful force in sustaining both wildlife and communities.
Brand new for 2026 is the opening of Caiman’s Cordilheira Lodge: a stunning seven-room property that elevates Pantanal accommodation to an entirely new level. Available only on a private-use basis, with Journey holding first access to inventory, it blends elevated food, exceptional design, and once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experiences. Partnering with a published naturalist photographer here, we’re seeking to bring an additional layer of expertise to each trip.
Beyond the big hitting tourist destinations that have long-brought travelers to Brazil, this pairing represents a refreshingly wild, nature-immersed, bespoke travel experience.
Private Boat Charters in the Amazon
If there are few places still existing that feel unspoiled and profoundly immersed in nature, then the Amazon Rainforest stands firm at the top of the list. And perhaps there’s no more exclusive or intimate way to connect with this landscape than on your own private Amazon boat charter. In 2026, as travelers seek more meaningful ways to experience the world, this way of traveling offers something rare.
A charter lets you experience the magic of the Amazon at your own pace, regardless of the time of year: gliding across mirror-like flooded forests during high-water season or weaving between sandbars and hidden channels when the water recedes. You wake with birdsong rising from the canopy, swim in naturally warm, tan-colored waters, watch pink dolphins arc through the river, and fall asleep under skies peppered with stars. The yachts themselves are part of the charm: river-ready vessels with a rustic outward character, yet fully renovated interiors offering spacious cabins, generous deck areas, and surprisingly elegant comfort. With your own dedicated crew, beautifully prepared meals served on deck with the forest backdrop around you, and flexibly tailored itineraries, the experience is at once comfortable and adventurous.
What elevates these explorations further is the sense of connection that Journey weaves in. We believe that a trip reaches new heights of enrichment when guests find genuine connection with the place they are visiting. The Amazon is an inherently special place, but when you meet the people that are so driven to protect this environment, along with the local cultures and traditions (the nature guides taking you out on forest expeditions, the artisans based in local communities, the community leaders) then the experience takes on a whole new level of depth and meaning. It stays with you; and not only is this insight profoundly meaningful for travelers, but it also benefits the forest itself, as stable income from tourism supports the livelihoods and capacity-building of local communities. The impact is long-lasting, on all sides.
Another one to watch: Pousada Trijunção is wowing our travelers
With nature-based design elements blending into its surroundings in the savannahs of Cerrado, this area is the only place in the world where you can find the rare maned wolf in its natural habitat, and is also home to the mesmerizing black jaguar. A great addition to any wildlife itinerary, from the Pantanal, to Lençóis, or the Amazon, with the hub of Brasilia only a short charter flight away. It’s a favorite of Mika’s: his young daughters loved it, as an immersive and sensory-rich way to learn about unique plant species and experience awe inspiring wildlife, with enthusiastic expert guides who adapt their style to younger travelers with total finesse. A perfect option for families thanks to the tailored experiences making safari-style trips adventurous yet so easy and carefree.
We’re Always Excited for What’s Next…
From coastal villas perfect for Spring Break, to the wild beauty of Lençóis and the Pantanal, to the mesmerizing magic of an Amazon boat charter, these are the experiences redefining travel in Brazil in 2026. They reveal a country that is richer, more varied, and more full of wonder than ever, and a Brazil that continues to reward those who venture a little further.
Brazil being named Destination of the Year feels right (and dare we say it, a little overdue). Even after a lifetime here, this is a country that never stops surprising us. As we look ahead, we’re excited by everything there is still to explore, and the chance to share that with you. Sign up to our mailing list to stay up to date with our adventures.
Key Celebrations in Brazil
- Réveillon: Rio de Janeiro (New Years Eve)
World-famous Copacabana beach fireworks and rituals including wearing white, offerings to Yemanjá (Mother of the Ocean), and coastal parties across the country. - Carnival: Nationwide (Feb/March)
Brazil’s most iconic festival. Rio’s Sambadrome parade is the pinnacle, but Salvador, Recife/Olinda, and São Paulo have equally major, and very unique, celebrations. - Semana Santa: Nationwide (March/April)
‘Holy Week’, celebrated over Easter, involves major religious processions and events, especially in Ouro Preto, Goiás Velho, and Tiradentes. - Festa Junina: Nationwide (June)
Rural-themed and atmospheric celebrations with bonfires, quadrilha dancing, traditional foods (corn, canjica, cocada), and folk games. - The Parintins Festival: The Amazon (June)
A vibrant Amazonian folklore festival built around the rivalry between the Caprichoso and Garantido boi-bumbá teams, with music, dance, and vibrant costumes.
