If I could give this trip a 100-star rating, I would! I had an unbelievable time. I particularly loved how Lena planned things so well, especially in Rio, our days were jam-packed! I didn't have to think about anything; I would just get on the bus and go. If you plan on booking with Lena (which I would highly recommend), be prepared to learn about Brazil's rich history, see lots of sights, and have fun. I came with no expectations, so I was amazed by how great this trip went. The group I was in also made the trip worthwhile. I could honestly say my time with the others amplified the experience, so come with a positive attitude and try to make connections with those around you to make the most out of your trip!

I had such a blast on this trip to Brazil! This was my third trip with Lena (previous trips include Colombia and South Africa), and I can only hope to have more trips with Lena in the future. As a Black person, one of my favourite things about Lena's trips is the care and time that's put into learning about Black history and culture in the country we're in. It was so special to go on Afro-walking tours and to visit a Quilombo. For this reason, I'm so glad both Rio and Salvador were on the itinerary! Apart from that, we also got to see other main attractions in both locations, plus had a lot of free time to engage in other activities that interested us. I felt so safe with the group, and made wonderful friendships along the way. Whether you're new to traveling or a seasoned traveler, this trip was a fantastic way to dip your toes into the beauty of Brazil <3

Brazil Adventure with Lena Sow – Rio de Janeiro & Salvador I had the absolute pleasure of joining Lena Sow’s Brazil tour, and it was one of the most enriching, joyful, and powerful experiences of my life. This trip took us deep into the vibrant cultural heartbeat of Brazil, with immersive stops in Rio de Janeiro and Salvador—both rich in Afrocentric heritage, music, and soul. Rio de Janeiro Highlights: Our time in Rio was unforgettable. From the moment we arrived, the energy of the city wrapped around us. We stayed at a lively and welcoming hostel that offered a range of activities and events—making it easy to connect with others in our group and fellow travelers. Took a caipirinha class, stood at the bar and made my own drink. One of the most awe-inspiring moments was visiting Christ the Redeemer. The view was breathtaking, and standing under one of the modern wonders of the world was truly spiritual. We also had the opportunity to experience the Carnival spirit up close—dancing, music, costumes, and the heartbeat of Afro-Brazilian pride everywhere. I got to put on a real Brazilian costume in dance at the venue. In my down time I ventured off with members of the travel group. Our activities included a serene visit to Ipanema Beach, where we soaked up the sun, sunset and the stunning views. The Copacabana night market was a vibe all on its own—filled with handmade goods, local art, and rhythms that made it hard not to dance. We visited the Havianas store, nearby gelato's place, had breakfast together and ventured off to the farm real store too many times to count. Our tours were packed with history, street art, and the pulse of the people, while our group dinners gave us a chance to enjoy delicious Brazilian cuisine and connect more deeply with the culture and each other. Salvador Experience: Then came Salvador—a city that felt like stepping directly into the soul of Afro-Brazil. We stayed at the beautiful Wish Hotel, which was luxurious, comfortable, and featured an incredible breakfast spread that became a daily highlight. I utilize their gem every single morning. Our tour through the historic Pelourinho district was deeply moving. We explored cobblestone streets, vibrant colonial architecture, and powerful monuments, all while learning about the city’s significance in African diaspora history. We ate local food like Akaraje and cocolimonade. We got to experience beautiful art made by the people of Salvador ranging from sculptures to paintings to leather goods. I went home with a painting and leather goods. We were blessed to visit a Quilombo. There we made Palm oil and learned of the culture, food and accomplishments. We learned of their customs related to food and cassava/yucca, specifically the many uses of these vegetables/ produce. There we milled cassava into flour and learned of their process using handmade machines and more modern techniques. Upon departure we were greeted with a delicious meal of various Tapioca, Sarapatel and Moquecas The food was amazing! I purchased an elixir and honey from the community. We visited the Carnival Museum, which was not only fun and colorful but educational, showcasing the roots and evolution of Brazil’s most famous celebration. Every dinner in Salvador felt like a celebration in itself—with bold flavors, live music, and a palpable sense of joy. The area around the hotel was very walkable and there was a coconut shop. A few doors down that sold fresh coconut around the clock. Including coconut water. I was in heaven. Final Thoughts: This trip was everything I hoped for and more. Lena Sow is phenomenal —knowledgeable, warm, and intentional in curating experiences that are both exciting and meaningful. Her deep understanding of Afro-Brazilian culture and language helped connect us to the communities we visited in a respectful and authentic way. I could see why she said this was her favorite country to ever visit over and over again. I came home with new friends, unforgettable memories, and a deeper appreciation for the richness of Afrocentric culture in Brazil. I highly recommend this journey to anyone seeking connection, culture, and joy.

This was an amazing trip in every sense of the word. Lena curated a very thoughtful experience for people interested in learning and celebrating the history of the black diaspora of Brazil. From walking tours, to a dance performance, to visiting a quilombo our days were full of activities. That being said, if we had plenty of time to do our own thing and Lena had tons of recommendations for those who asked. For example on her recommendation I went to the carnival museum in Salvador and really really enjoyed it. She facilitated a really fun loving environment and our group bonded really well, spending basically all our meals together and going out dancing in a big group the last night of the trip because we wanted to keep the party going as long as possible. Most of our group was queer and she made us feel very safe to be ourselves in an unknown environment. This was really important to me personally as I’ve been in some uncomfortable situations traveling in the past. She also put together a very detailed itinerary ahead of time to ensure trip expectations were very clear which I appreciated as I like to know what I’m getting into. The itinerary included activities for each day, some Brazil dos and donts, and a few important Portuguese phrases for us to know. She also texted us every night with start times and expectations for the next day. The price point was very reasonable compared to other group trips, but the one suggestion I would say is to have us go Rio and then Salvador (or vice versa) rather than going back and forth as I think that would save a little time and money. But I loved this trip so much and cannot wait to book another one. There’s plenty of Brazil group trips out there, but if you’re looking for something unique and historical, this is the trip for you.

This was my first ever organized group trip and I am thoroughly disappointed. I was very excited for this and to meet one of my favourite content creators but in the end I was left feeling like I didn’t get my money’s worth nor did I get to see/experience Brasil to the fullest. I've broken down my review into 6 main categories - Disorganization/Lack of Leadership, No Detailed Itinerary/Schedule, Accommodation, Lack of Professionalism, Cost, and Activities. Disorganization/Lack of Leadership Experience: Made people order Ubers to get to group activities - we were aware that we would be taking taxis/Ubers, NOT that we were the ones who had to order them and arrange small groups to travel with. However, Lena did provide reimbursements to those who ordered Ubers since transportation to and from group activities was to be included. Wasted 2 days travelling between Rio and Salvador. We were also made aware of this prior to booking but we did not really understand the implications of doing so until we were on the trip. Lena left me to talk to the hostel’s receptionists on my own when there was an issue with our dorm’s washroom despite the reservation being in her name and her being fluent in Portuguese. How to improve: Book shuttles to and from all group activities instead of making the members order Ubers Simply do 4 days in Rio followed by 4 days in Salvador to avoid all the unnecessary back and forth Take responsibility for any problems that arise with the accommodation or activities that you planned and either seek help or provide solutions No Detailed Itinerary/Schedule Experience: Upon booking, we were informed that we were going to be provided with a more detailed itinerary. While we did receive another one, it was lacking significant details, including our flight numbers, specific tourist attractions and the times of the activities The only attraction explicitly mentioned in the itinerary was Christ the Redeemer Lena did not provide group members with the flight numbers to and from Salvador and she only provided the flight times after being asked repeatedly by group members How to improve: Take the time to write a detailed itinerary clearly explaining every single planned activity including start and end times, not merely a brief overview of the day Accommodation Experience: The hostel in Rio de Janeiro was the worst one I’ve ever been to (and I’ve stayed in many). Our group stayed in two 8-bed dorms, each with an ensuite. Regarding the dorm itself, it was so tight that we barely had any room to move. In fact, 2 of the girls in my room could not pull out the metal drawer beneath the bunk beds to store their luggage because of the poor layout of the room. Also, the only window in the room was also blocked by bunk beds leading to little daylight and air circulation. There was no desk or lockers either. The main issue was the bathroom. It had just one sink, one toilet and one shower all in the same room so only one person could use it at a time. And we had issues with our sink not draining, the toilet being clogged, and the shower leaking and getting the floor wet. When I asked Lena to speak to reception regarding these issues, as she is fluent in Portuguese and since she is the one who made the reservation, she refused and left me to do it. I then had to speak to the hostel staff 3 times to get them to fix the issues. After spending time at a nice hotel in Salvador, I decided I could not bring myself to go back to the same hostel in Rio so instead I was the first of 5 to book completely separate accommodation, while 2 others booked a private room at the same hostel and 1 girl left the night of the farewell dinner (one night early) out of frustration. When I informed Lena about my decision, she laughed and simply blamed it on all hostels in Brasil being bad (which is not true as my new hostel was perfectly fine). How to improve: The budget should have been distributed equally between the accommodations in Rio and Salvador - meaning either two nice hostels or two decent hotels could have been booked. There is no reason why we needed to stay in such a poor hostel in Rio but then a 4-star hotel in Salvador… Lena, you needed to take accountability for your poor choice in accommodation. You didn’t even apologize, let alone book (or offer to book) another place to stay as soon as you realized how bad the hostel was. I was very hurt by your reaction and subsequent dismissal of the problem. Lack of Professionalism Experience: Lena questioned people’s sexuality (in a seemingly joking manner but unprofessional nevertheless) while we were in the hotel lobby in Salvador. While I wasn’t offended per se, I found it odd and uncomfortable. She also made numerous comments on people’s appearances throughout the duration of the trip. One girl even pointed out how some could consider that offensive but again, she just laughed it off - most likely to make light of the situation so as to avoid confrontation. When informed that myself and others booked separate accommodation upon our return to Rio, we were laughed at and the problem wasn't properly discussed. How to improve: Avoid talking about other people’s private information in front of the group. Even if you didn’t have any negative intentions, you should know that that’s inappropriate and instead hold discussions in private And Lena, to laugh at those of us who booked separate accommodation for the remainder of our nights in Rio was extremely insensitive/rude of you. You should have been understanding and apologetic. Cost Experience: Very expensive given the quality of the trip. I had no issue paying that amount ($1,650 USD) if it was worth it, however, it was not. Stated that “meals are not included so you will need to buy a few of your own” - we had to buy almost all of our meals except for the following: the welcome dinner, breakfast at the hotel in Salvador, lunch at the Quilombo, and the farewell dinner The walking tours were outdoors and we only visited free locations The only paid attraction that was covered was Christ the Redeemer. How to improve: Either charge less or provide a more detailed explanation as to why the trip is priced so high. There is no need to charge people even more for standard accommodation (like you suggested after we complained about the hostel) when that could have been done with the current budget. We spent our hard-earned money on this experience because we trusted you, only for you to disappoint us. Activities Experience: There were exactly 6 group activities planned - 2 Afro-Brazilian walking tours, a day trip to a Quilombo, a tour of a Carnaval warehouse including trying on costumes, watching a dance performance in Salvador and a city tour during which we would see “some” of Rio’s biggest attractions. We were made aware of this before signing up. The Afro-Brazilian walking tour in Rio de Janeiro was very disappointing as we only went to 3 different locations. The content also overlapped quite a bit with what was said on the Salvador tour so participating in both was unnecessary. Most of us found the Salvador tour to be more informative and impactful due to Salvador’s history as a top slave-trading port. The only attractions we saw in Rio were the following: Christ the Redeemer, a waterfall within Tijuca National Park, and Escadaria Selarón There were no activity or restaurant recommendations at all and even during our planned activities, Lena acted as just another participant instead of showing us around or helping guide us How to improve: There was definitely room in the budget to include more than one paid attraction including Sugarloaf Mountain, Rio's Botanical Garden, a guided tour of Maracanã Stadium, etc. You could provide verbal suggestions or perhaps write a list of your favourite activities, restaurants, shops, etc., that you could share with the group on the first day. That way, people can get a better idea of how to spend their free time. The following are common activities: food tours, sunset cruises, helicopter riding, paragliding, ATVing, dance classes, cooking classes, museum tours, etc. Lena, I expected more of you and I know you can do better. I hope you take my criticism into consideration and make adjustments accordingly. Take care.