Brazil Travel Tips: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

Is a Trip to Brazil Worth It?

Right off the bat: Yesss, absolutely worth it! If we could only choose one country in South America, it would be Brazil.

There are a million reasons not to vacation in Brazil, and that’s exactly why so many people skip it on a South America trip.

It’s one of the few South American countries where Spanish isn’t spoken, and hardly anyone speaks English either. On top of that, Brazil is one of the more dangerous countries on the continent.

Yet despite all these hurdles, Brazil is one of our absolute favorite countries in South America. It’s a complete contrast to what most of us are used to, and the Brazilians’ sheer joy of life simply swept us off our feet.

And honestly: if you pay attention and follow a few rules, Brazil isn’t nearly as dangerous as it sounds.

Getting to Brazil

From Europe, direct flights to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro are available from major hubs including Frankfurt, Lisbon, Amsterdam, Madrid, and Paris. If you’re not flying direct, expect at least one stopover.

We always search for flights using the flight portal Skyscanner.

Search for flights on Skyscanner

The international airport in Rio de Janeiro is called Antonio Carlos Jobim (GIG), also known as Galeão.

The largest airport in Brazil is the Aeroporto Internacional de Guarulhos in São Paulo (GRU). We’ve written a dedicated article about arriving at this airport:

Entering Brazil

To enter Brazil, you don’t need a visa for stays of up to 90 days. However, your passport must still be valid for at least six months. Once you’ve used up your 90 days, you must spend 180 days outside Brazil before you can re-enter.

Our entry experience has always been very straightforward. We were barely asked any questions at customs and didn’t have to show proof of onward travel either — though we can’t guarantee it’ll be the same for you.

Paying and Currency in Brazil

The official currency in Brazil is the Real (plural: Reais). 6 Reais are worth about 1 Euro.

You can pay by card almost everywhere in Brazil. You rarely need cash, but it’s better to always have a little on hand. ATMs are found almost everywhere. There’s usually a fee of around 20 Reais per withdrawal, though this depends on the bank.

When paying by card, you’ll always be asked: “Crédito ou Débito?” Foreign cards are treated as “Crédito” — at least that’s how it worked for us.

When paying in restaurants, a Servicio is usually added to the bill. This is the tip, and it amounts to 10% in Brazil.

Costs in Brazil

Brazil sits right in the middle of the South American price spectrum. It’s not as cheap as Bolivia, Peru, or Colombia, but it’s also not as pricey as Chile or Uruguay.

Tourist destinations in Brazil like Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo are on the pricier side. The northeast and less touristy cities are noticeably cheaper. Supermarket prices are broadly comparable to Western Europe.

On the other hand, eating out, sipping Caipirinhas, and finding a place to stay all cost considerably less than back home. Here are some rough prices for a touristy area of Brazil:

• Caipirinha: 15 Reais
• Beer 0.5L: 12 Reais
• Lunch at a simple restaurant: 30 Reais
• Double room at a nice hotel: 700 Reais
• Hostel bed: 50 Reais
• Bus ride: 4 Reais

Our Tips to Avoid Getting Ripped Off

As a tourist in Brazil, you’re an easy target for inflated prices. Especially if you don’t speak Portuguese, it happens more often — you simply can’t understand or negotiate with people.

On the street in particular, you’ll often end up paying more than locals.

Here are our pointers for keeping prices fair:

• If you speak Portuguese, always negotiate — especially on the street.
• If you’re traveling with Brazilians, let them do the talking.
• Whenever possible, shop at places where prices are clearly displayed.
• Avoid the most obvious tourist traps — prices there can skyrocket unbelievably.

Accommodations in Brazil

Accommodation prices in Brazil vary quite a bit depending on location and which part of a city you’re in.

Overall, lodging in Brazil is significantly cheaper than in Western Europe. That said, hotels in tourist hotspots like Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo are considerably more expensive compared to other South American countries.

As a rough guide, expect to pay around 10 euros per night for a hostel bed and around 60 euros for a double room in a basic hotel. Nicer hotels will cost quite a bit more.

We always book our accommodation through Booking.com.

Important: When searching for a place to stay, always check that the neighborhood is relatively safe. Otherwise, you’ll quickly feel uncomfortable.
Our picks for hotels in popular destinations across Brazil:

• Rio de Janeiro: Miramar By Windsor Copacabana
• São Paulo: Laghetto Stilo São Paulo
• Florianópolis: Pousada Lozalti
• Belo Horizonte: Hotel Gran Vivenzo
• Salvador: Hotel Villa Bahia
• Amazonas: Amazônia ParkSuítes
• Jeriocoacoara: Pousada CasAlice
• Lençóis Maranhenses: Encantes do Nordeste

More on where to stay in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo in our dedicated articles:

Safety in Brazil

Safety is probably the thing you’ll worry about most when planning a trip to Brazil — and no wonder. The media constantly reports on crime there, and plenty of people have probably already told you that you’re crazy for wanting to go.

Here’s the reassuring truth: yes, Brazil has high crime rates, but you can absolutely have a safe vacation in Brazil.

You do need to follow a few ground rules and behave differently than you might back home. Since the topic of safety deserves a proper deep-dive, we’ve covered it in a separate article.

Getting Around in Brazil

Brazil is almost as large as Europe in terms of area. The distances are therefore much greater than most visitors expect. Most major cities and top attractions in Brazil are located along the coast. The interior is largely the Amazon, and most of it isn’t accessible at all.

Given those distances, flying is the most popular way to get between cities. For shorter hops from a major city to a smaller destination, buses or private transfers are the way to go.

Domestic Flights in Brazil

There are three major airlines in Brazil: Gol, Azul, and LATAM. The first two are budget carriers; LATAM is usually a bit pricier.

Note: To buy tickets on the budget airlines’ websites, you’ll need a CPF (Brazilian tax identification number). Yep, really not very tourist-friendly.

All major cities in Brazil have an airport. Domestic flight prices vary so much that we can’t give you a reliable reference here.

Long-Distance Buses in Brazil

Long-distance buses in Brazil aren’t as modern and comfortable as those in Peru or Bolivia. We always had bad luck and ended up on rather uncomfortable rides — so we’d steer clear of long overnight bus journeys in Brazil.

Shorter routes like Rio de Janeiro to São Paulo are perfectly fine by bus, though. The journey takes about seven hours. São Paulo to Salvador, on the other hand, is well over 24 hours — a flight is definitely the better call there.

You’ll find many bus connections on Busbud and BuscaOnibus. You can also often buy tickets on the spot at the bus station.

Rental Cars in Brazil

We never drove a car in Brazil ourselves and honestly wouldn’t recommend it. Here’s why:

• Highways in Brazil are very dangerous, especially at night. Not only because the roads are often in poor condition, but also because they’re very quiet and you run the risk of being robbed.
• In cities, taxis and Uber run constantly at fairly affordable prices. Drivers know the cities far better than you do and are used to the chaotic traffic. Save yourself the stress.
• You always need to make sure you park somewhere safe, and you should keep the trunk and doors locked even while driving. Just like your other valuables, a car in Brazil requires constant vigilance.

Private Transfers in Brazil

Private transfers are a great option for shorter distances — a faster alternative to public buses, though usually a bit pricier. It’s best to arrange these through your accommodation.

Getting Around Within Cities

Uber and taxis are the most convenient and safest way to get around cities. They’re also relatively affordable and, for us, the go-to option.

Important: Only get into official yellow taxis and Uber rides that you’ve booked through the app.

In major cities like Rio or São Paulo, the metro is a great, fast, and more affordable alternative. City buses are also an option, but they take longer than Uber or the metro.

In the evenings and when it’s quiet, it’s better to avoid public transportation, as robberies happen more frequently then.

Language and Communication in Brazil

The official language of Brazil is Portuguese. Brazilian Portuguese sounds quite different from the Portuguese spoken in Portugal.

English won’t get you very far in Brazil. Very few Brazilians speak it. In tourist areas, you’ll occasionally find someone who can manage a few words.

Spanish is more useful, since it’s similar to Portuguese. Many Brazilians understand Spanish, and if you speak it, you’ll find it easier to tune into Portuguese.

We’d strongly recommend learning the most important words and phrases in Portuguese before your trip — it makes a real difference.

Beyond Portuguese, a number of indigenous languages are also spoken across Brazil.

SIM Cards, Internet & Power Outlets

Brazilians are seriously into their phones and social media, so having internet access is a priority for them too. As a result, Wi-Fi is available in many places — at airports, restaurants, and metro stations. If you’re only visiting for a short time, you can get by without a SIM card for a few days.

That said, it’s more convenient and safer to buy a SIM card. The catch: you also need a Brazilian tax identification number (CPF) to do so.

There are some options where you can buy a SIM without a CPF, though these are usually significantly more expensive and only available at official provider stores like Claro. Alternatively, you can pick up an eSIM before your trip — that’s often the easiest solution.

Internet in cities is generally very good. At remote beaches or deep in the Amazon, expect no signal at all.

Power outlets in Brazil use type N, which is compatible with most European plugs — we never needed an adapter. That said, we always carry a travel adapter just in case. You can check which outlet type applies to your destination before you travel.

Best Time to Visit and Time Zones in Brazil

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the best time to visit Brazil — the country is almost as large as Europe. Generally speaking, though, you can travel there year-round.

In southern Brazil, summer runs from November to April. Winters aren’t bitterly cold, but they can be quite fresh. Summers are noticeably more pleasant. This is where well-known destinations like Florianópolis and Porto Alegre are located.

The winter months of May through October are great for exploring the highlights of Rio de Janeiro. It’s still very warm and perfect for a swim. In summer, temperatures can quickly climb to 104°F (40°C). Rio is also one of our top travel picks for August.

For sightseeing in São Paulo, the summer months are better — the city sits at an elevation of 2,500 feet (760 meters) and can get quite cold in winter.

In the north, northwest, the Amazon region, and the Pantanal, it’s warm year-round with no distinct seasons. Here, it’s smarter to plan around the dry season and rainy season.

The rainy season runs roughly from November to April — though this varies by region. We recommend visiting during the dry season, since the rainy season brings frequent heavy downpours.

Time Zones in Brazil

Brazil has multiple time zones. Most cities — including Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Florianópolis, and Fortaleza — share the same time zone. The time only changes if you travel into the interior, the far north, or to the island of Fernando de Noronha.

Brazil does not observe daylight saving time, so the time difference from Europe varies between summer and winter.

Central European Summer Time (CEST) 12:00 PM (March to September):

• São Paulo, Rio, Brasília: 7:00 AM (5 hours earlier)
• Belém: 6:00 AM (6 hours earlier)
• Amazonas: 5:00 AM (7 hours earlier)
• Fernando de Noronha: 8:00 AM (4 hours earlier)

Central European Time (CET) 12:00 PM (September to March):

• São Paulo, Rio, Brasília: 8:00 AM (4 hours earlier)
• Belém: 7:00 AM (5 hours earlier)
• Amazonas: 6:00 AM (6 hours earlier)
• Fernando de Noronha: 9:00 AM (3 hours earlier)

Food and Drink in Brazil

There are so many traditional dishes in Brazil, and we absolutely loved the food!

Here’s a rundown of typical Brazilian dishes:

• Feijoada: The national dish — a meat stew served with rice, farofa, and couve à mineira
• Açaí: The superfruit from the Amazon region, usually eaten like ice cream with all kinds of toppings
• Pão de Queijo: Cheesy bread balls
• Coxinha: Fried dough snack filled with chicken or cheese
• Moqueca: Fish stew
• Brigadeiro: Chocolate truffles
• Tapioca: Wraps made from tapioca flour with various fillings
• Paçoca: Peanut butter candy pieces
• Farofa: Toasted cassava flour
• Pastel: Fried dough pocket with filling

Beyond that, a typical plate at a Brazilian restaurant usually looks something like this: a piece of meat or fish with rice, beans, farofa, and fries on the side. You’ll also frequently find buffets where you fill your own plate and pay by weight.

And here are some classic Brazilian drinks to try:

• Caipirinha: This cocktail comes in all kinds of variations — with lime, passion fruit, or with vodka instead of cachaça (the traditional alcohol in a Caipirinha)
• Guaraná: An energy drink based on a fruit from the Amazon region
• Caldo de Cana: Sugarcane juice, often served with lime or pineapple
• Água de Coco: Coconut water from fresh coconuts

Tap Water in Brazil

Tap water in Brazil is not safe to drink. Most accommodations do have filtered water, though. We always drank the filtered tap water and never had any issues with it. Some people, however, recommend playing it safe and sticking to bottled water.

Vaccinations and Diseases

To stay healthy throughout your Brazil trip, here are a few important things to know about vaccinations and diseases.

Vaccinations for Brazil

Recommended travel vaccinations include Hepatitis A and Yellow Fever. For longer stays, Rabies and Hepatitis B are also worth considering. Almost all of Brazil is a Yellow Fever zone, so getting vaccinated against it is a must.

Malaria

Most major cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro are considered malaria-free. However, many areas in the interior — including the Amazon region — do carry a malaria risk. If you’re heading into a malaria zone, talk to your doctor beforehand.

Other Mosquito-Borne Diseases

Mosquito bites can also transmit dengue fever and the Zika virus. In areas with high mosquito activity, protect yourself with strong insect repellent, mosquito nets, and long clothing.

Stomach Issues

We were once told that every European traveler will deal with stomach problems at least once in Brazil. We can only agree — on average, we got sick about once a month.

Unfortunately, there’s no way to fully prevent it, since you never know exactly where you picked up the bug. You can, however, take some precautions:

• Avoid buying food from street stalls when possible
• Always wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly
• Don’t eat cheap fried fast food too often
• Don’t drink tap water

What Else You Need to Know About Brazil

Here are a few final travel tips for Brazil before we send you off.

Havaianas

Havaianas flip-flops are iconic in Brazil and incredibly affordable. Brazilians wear them everywhere in their free time — so don’t feel self-conscious about rocking flip-flops pretty much anywhere you go.

Going Topless at the Beach

Going topless is an absolute no-go for women in Brazil. Skimpy bikinis are completely normal, but going fully bare is not acceptable. Don’t sunbathe topless at the beach, and don’t change clothes on the beach either.