Travel Tips
Brazil
Rio's beaches, the Amazon and Iguazu Falls show the huge scale of Brazil.
What I love about Brazil
People often ask me what I love most about a country. Every country has its good and bad sides, but here I share the positives I found on my travels.
So many people have tattoos, and they wear them as art.
More than anywhere else in Latin America, Brazilians look like they come from every part of the world: West Africa, Europe and the Indigenous Americas, with every shade from dark to blonde. That mix is amazing to see.
- Capital
- Brasilia
- Currency
- Brazilian real (BRL)
- Language
- Portuguese
- Best overall
- Varies: April to June and August to October suit many areas
- Emergency
- Police 190, ambulance 192, fire 193
- Electricity
- 127V or 220V, depending on region, plug types C and N
Top Destinations
Rules vary by passport, and some nationalities need an e-visa. Check the current rule for your passport with official sources. Passport validity rules vary, so check the requirements before you book.
Read about visa on arrival, e-visas and online registration →
Still have specific visa questions?
Rio is best in the shoulder seasons, with Carnival around February or March. The Amazon has distinct high and low water seasons, and the Pantanal is best in the dry season.
Not sure which month suits your trip?
Rio de Janeiro
Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf and Copacabana beach.
Iguazu Falls
Massive waterfalls on the Argentine border.
Amazon Rainforest
River trips and lodges from Manaus.
Salvador
Afro-Brazilian culture in a colorful historic center.
Pantanal
The world's largest tropical wetland, great for wildlife.
Need help choosing where to go?
- Days 1 to 4 Rio de Janeiro
- Days 5 to 6 Iguazu Falls, by air
- Days 7 to 9 Salvador, by air
- Days 10 to 13 Amazon Rainforest, by air
Want a route planned around your dates?
- Fly between regions, as distances are vast.
- Use ride apps in big cities rather than hailing a car in the street.
Not sure how to get between places?
- Cards and PIX mobile payments are very common. Carry a little cash for beaches and street vendors.
- Buy an eSIM before you fly or a local SIM on arrival, so maps work from day one.
Questions about costs, cash or SIM cards?
- Feijoada: black bean and pork stew.
- Pao de queijo: cheese bread.
- Moqueca: seafood stew from Bahia.
Want tips on what and where to eat?
- Do not flash phones or jewelry, and ask locally about which areas to avoid.
- Ask your doctor about yellow fever, and bring insect repellent.
Planning a trip to Brazil?
Book a one-on-one call and bring your questions about your route, costs and visa.
Information on this page may change, so please confirm the latest visa and entry requirements and your government travel advice on official websites before you travel.