My recent MBA trip to Brazil was absolutely incredible. It was one of the most beautiful and adventurous journeys I’ve ever been on, and I feel so lucky to have experienced it with such a great group. From the very beginning, our itinerary was amazing – every single day was filled with exciting activities: we hiked through the jungle, swam in stunning natural pools, relaxed on gorgeous beaches, and immersed ourselves in Brazil’s vibrant culture. Along the way, we met incredibly kind people who made the experience even more special.
What truly made this trip unforgettable was our tour guide Jurema. Although she only stepped in an hour before the trip started – which could have been a disaster – it turned out to be the best thing that could have happened. She was, without a doubt, the most wonderful person we could have hoped for. Despite her usual focus being Rio de Janeiro, she quickly adapted to our adventurous group’s itinerary and was incredibly flexible and resourceful throughout the whole trip. She seemed to know people everywhere, had the best tips for restaurants, bars, spontanious dance parties and hidden spots - using her local connections to create the most unforgettable experiences for us. She was always there when we needed her, incredibly helpful, and by the end she felt more like a best friend than a guide.
The group itself was absolutely amazing – full of lovely, fun, and respectful ladies. My roommate was great, and the atmosphere was always positive, fun and supportive. I will never forget all the funny moments we shared.
The hotels we stayed at were generally nice and comfortable, especially the one in Paraty was beautiful. While they weren’t luxurious, they were solid – though considering the price of the trip, there’s definitely a bit of room for improvement. The last hotel we stayed at on Ilha Grande before heading to Rio was a little underwhelming compared to the others.
One thing that could be improved is the way meals were handled. The trip was advertised as including meals, but in reality, they were only covered up to a certain amount – anything beyond that, we had to pay ourselves. That felt more like a meal allowance than an “included” service. It would be more transparent to describe it that way upfront. Also, drinks weren’t included, not even water, which was disappointing. Especially in a region where access to safe drinking water isn’t always easy, I believe water should definitely be included in a trip of this scale and price. When booking an organized trip, you don’t want to have to worry about basic necessities like water.
That said, I’m incredibly happy I took this trip. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I saw so much more of Brazil than I ever imagined in such a short amount of time. The country is breathtaking, and the people are warm and welcoming. The memories I made on this journey will stay with me forever, and I would absolutely book again. Thank you Jurema, my lovely groupmembers and MBA for an unforgettable adventure!
