When Donald Duck meets up with two Latin birds--Jose Carioca and Panchito-- the three head down to Rio for a fun filled adventure.

On his birthday, which is on Friday the thirteenth, Donald Duck receives a large package from his friends in Latin America, and upon opening the box, finds a number of small gifts inside. The first present contains a projector and a reel of film, bearing the title Aves raras (strange birds). The film introduces a penquin named Pablo who lives at the South Pole but longs for a warmer climate. With the help of his friends, Pablo gets his wish and, accompanied by his beloved pot-bellied stove, sails to the Galapagos Islands. The film continues with comic glimpses of exotic birds such as toucans, flamingoes and the crazy Aracuan, whose antics include running out of the frame and off the filmstrip. An old Uruguayan gaucho then narrates the story of yet another "strange bird": a fabulous flying donkey, which the gaucho discovered when he was a young boy. The playful "Burrito" and "Gauchito" become friends despite the donkey's aversion to being ridden, and the boy dreams of making a fortune with his new pal. Gauchito enters Burrito in a race at a grand fiesta, and despite a slow start, the pair easily win with the help of Burrito's wings. When the crowd sees Burrito flying, however, the pals are labeled cheaters and are forced to make a hasty retreat. Donald's next gift is a book bearing the title Brasil , from which emerges his old friend, Brazilian parrot Joe Carioca. Joe asks Donald whether he has ever been to Baía, in Brazil, and when Donald replies that he has not, Joe sings a romantic song describing the area, then takes Donald with him into the book. They visit Baía and listen with rapt attention as a lovely cookie seller sings about her wares. Donald and Joe happily join the vendor and her dancing friends, and Donald is overjoyed when she bestows a kiss upon him in return for a bouquet. Upon leaving the book and returning to Donald's house, the duck and parrot must blow themselves back up to normal size, a task that infuriates Donald. He finally opens his next gift, however, which is labeled México and contains Panchito, a charro rooster. Although they are slightly overwhelmed by their riotous new acquintence, Donald and Joe join Panchito in a rousing rendition of "The Three Caballeros," a song describing their friendship. Panchito gives Donald a piñata, then tells his companions about Las Posadas , a Mexican celebration of Christmas, in which children recreate Mary and Joseph's search for shelter in Bethlehem. Upon being welcomed into a warm home, the children enjoy a feast and a treat-filled piñata. Donald then breaks open his piñata and releases a flood of surprises, including a flying serape on which the three caballeros embark on an aerial tour of Mexico. They visit Patzcuaro, "a fisherman's paradise"; Vera Cruz, where they watch dancers perform the "Lilongo"; and Acapulco, where Donald cavorts with bathing beauties on the beach. In Mexico City, Donald loses himself in a romantic fantasy when a beautiful woman sings "You Belong to My Heart," then attempts to join in as another lovely woman dances the "Zandunga" and the "Jesusita." Joe and Panchito finally rouse Donald from his reverie and engage him in a mock bullfight. The fake bull is stuffed with fireworks, and when Donald butts heads with it, the fireworks explode across the night sky, spelling out "The End" in Spanish, Portuguese and English.