A creator's coast route: Paraty, Ilha Grande and Búzios

Rio is the base, but the coast around it is where a lot of the best footage is. Three trips, each a few hours away, each with a different look.

Paraty: a colonial film set

The car-free Centro Histórico de Paraty is whitewashed houses and cobblestones that flood at king tide to mirror the sky: pure gimbal-walk material, best in the soft morning light. Inland, the Cachoeira do Tobogã is a natural rock waterslide for action footage, and Saco do Mamanguá, Brazil's only tropical fjord, opens up an uncrowded drone landscape from the Pico hike.

Ilha Grande: no cars, no buildings

A boat from the mainland gets you to Praia de Lopes Mendes, regularly called Brazil's most beautiful beach: 3km of squeaky white sand and turquoise water with nothing built on it, a dream for drones and landscape. On the boat day, Lagoa Azul is the reliable snorkel stop for underwater and over-under shots.

Búzios: bays and golden hour

Praia da Ferradura is an almost-circular bay with water clear enough for over-under and headland viewpoints for drone arcs. End the day on the Orla Bardot waterfront, with the Brigitte Bardot statue and fishing boats for foreground, then film the Rua das Pedras strip coming alive at night.

Logistics

All three are doable as long weekends from Rio. Paraty and Búzios are road trips; Ilha Grande needs a boat and a bit of planning. Pack for salt and sun, carry water and grip for the rock and sand, and check drone rules per spot before you fly.