Our family (including 3 young children) is planning to visit Brazil in March and would appreciate assistance with our itinerary. We will be in Brazil for a week and would like to spend a few days in Rio but then don't know where else we should travel . . . Paraty? Buzios? We spent a week last year in Argentina so have already seen Iguazu Falls. We like cities, nature, cultural/historical sites, and beaches. Thanks.

Consider a few days on Ilha Grande, with a stop in Paraty.

Or take a flight (probably the same time spent as a bus/ferry to Ilha Grande) to colorful Salvador with its rich African heritage and great beaches.

Hi ematthews6. We're planning a trip in December/January 2013 with three young children (5, 2, and 10 months) and we're deciding between Brazil and Argentina/Uruguay. It sounds like you've done Argentina and are about to do Brazil, so I'd be really interested to hear your thoughts on choosing between the two and any recommendations you have for either.

Thanks, and hope you have a great trip!

Another amazing place is Bonito . You can float in the crystal clear water , see tons of wildlife , visit caves . There are several very nice "pousadas" (inns) and you could do a package deal with all the day trips to Pantanal etc to see piranha , alligators etc. Very "wild " but the area is very well organized for family tourism. You'd have to fly from Rio.

I love Paraty ...take a schooner ride to some of the many islands. Just walking around is evocative.

Ubatuba ( about an hour from Paraty ) is a beach region with over 300 beaches and lots of nice restauarants and inns. The drive from Paraty to Ubatuba is gorgeous.