Brazil is one of the most popular countries to visit in South America with so many amazing attractions and places to go.
It can though be quite daunting planning a trip to Brazil, especially if you have never been before and don’t speak the language. But there are lots of ways to make your trip easier, cheaper and also safer.
Check out our guide to some of the most important things to know before you travel to Brazil including recommendations to make sure you have the most amazing trip possible.
1. Getting to Brazil
Brazil is quite isolated and far away from almost everywhere. Flights to the main destinations like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro are expensive no matter where you are coming from.
Unlike flying to destinations like California, Dubai or Bangkok, there are limited airlines which fly direct to Brazil and the lack of competition has made getting to Brazil very expensive.
You can expect to pay around $1000+ from North America for a return trip, £600-£1200 from London, or €500-€1000 from European counties like France, Netherlands or Portugal.
Using a website like Skycanner and booking flights well in-advance will help to bring the cost down. Also avoiding peak travel times like December/January around the holiday period, and also Carnival in February, can save you a lot of money.
There are some cruises which travel to South America, this is if you have a big budget, enjoy the slow pace of travel and also have the time – some trips take months.
2. Weather & Best Time to Visit Brazil
Brazil has a tropical climate and you can expect warm weather all year round. There is no perfect time to visit the country, and even if you visit in winter you are still likely to enjoy sunnier and warmer weather than European summer.
December and January can be an expensive time to visit due to the Christmas/New Year break. This is also summer, when although temperatures are really hot, it can rain a lot especially in January.
If you would like to experience the world famous Carnival check book flights during February but check start/finsih dates before.
March and April are recommended times to travel due to temperatures being slightly cooler and costs being cheaper due to coming after the holiday season.
3. Costs
Brazil is a very expensive country by South American standards, but if you are coming from North America or Europe you will find prices cheaper than what you are used to back home.
How much you spend depends on what you want to do, where you want to go and also the exchange rate at the time you visit. The Brazilian economy has been struggling in recent years and at the moment the dollar, euro and pound currencies are strong. Currently you can get around 5-6 Brazilian reais to $1, when in previous years this was 2/3 to $1.
There are lots of per kilo restaurants in Brazil where you literally pay for how much you eat, which is a great affordable way to eat. If you are planning to visit Rio de Janeiro and fancy dining at some of the fancy beachside restaurants in places like Copacabana expect to pay a premium. The average cost of a Mcdonalds meal is around 35 reais, this is about $5.
4. Accommodation
There are lots of hotels, hostels, guest houses and also Airbnb options when visiting Brazil. Staying in a hotel, hostel or guest house is recommended for tourism as you can ask local staff for advice. Whilst Airbnb’s will give you more space and also a kitchen.
Accommodation is likely to be your biggest outgoing costs wise but there are options for all budgets. If money isn’t an issue you can stay in some of the most stunning and lavish hotels in the world, but there are also lots of more affordable options for general holidaymakers and backpackers.
Prices vary depending on your location but Rio and São Paulo city centre are usually the most expensive places to stay.
Hotels, or pousadas as they are known locally, can be an affordable place to stay and are located throughout the country.
5. Health
Be sure to buy an extensive travel insurance policy before you depart just to cover yourself just in case something does go wrong – this is often overlooked but it can be lifesaving.
Weather in Brazil can be scorching hot and the sun is intense, be sure to buy a high sun protection lotion and drink lots of water. Avoid drinking too much alcohol as this can easily dehydrate you especially when you have just arrived and are acclimatising.
Another important thing to consider is mosquitos and buying insect repellent. Brazil can be a scary country to visit when you check hazards, like malaria and dengue fever are a real issue.
If you are going to party say no to drugs, you don’t really know what you will be taking. Also if you do happen to meet someone special, make sure first they aren’t going to ask for payment and also wear protection to avoid catching any sexually transmitted diseases. Prostitution can be an issue in Brazil even in upmarket hotspots like Rio, and it’s best to avoid any potentially challenging situations.
Check latest news about covid-19 and any travel restrictions before departing, this gets updated regularly.
6. Safety
Crime in Brazil is quite bad when you check the stats vs other countries, and this can be enough to put a lot of people off who are contemplating visiting.
The chances are you will visit Brazil, fall in love with the country and think the worries regarding safety and crime is blown out of proportion. But to some tourists, unfortunately, bad things do happen. There are ways to try to avoid this happening though.
Brazil is a country with a huge divide between the rich and poor, possible one of the biggest in the world where you can have mega expensive luxury tower blocks across the streets from favelas and extreme poverty.
Some simple tips for staying safe in Brazil include not carrying too much cash, not flashing valuables in public, keeping an eye on your belongings, avoiding certain areas, taking official taxis or Uber, sticking to the tourist trail, avoiding getting heavily drunk and also taking extra caution at night. Sometimes trusting your instinct is best, and if something seems too good to be true, it usually is.
You will find some places are much safer than others, and when you arrive at an accommodation it’s always recommended to ask for advice. Also thinking it might be fun to explore a favela in Rio de Janeiro to get photos but not having any idea where you are going is a terrible idea. You don’t want to end up in a bad neighbourhood and increase the chances of getting robbed.
If by the awful chance someone does try to rob you, it isn’t worth trying to be a hero. You can always replace the stolen money or phone, but your health is most important.
Crime can happen anywhere in the world, but in Brazil you do have to be extra cautious. Booking a tour can be one of the safest ways to travel, see more information about tours below under the getting around section.
Make sure you have copies of important documents too, just in case you lose them or get asked to show them. You could keep backup photos on your phone.
7. Language
People in Brazil speak Brazilian Portuguese, a beautiful language to learn and speak which sounds softer and smoother than Portuguese from Portugal. Not many people in Brazil speak English, even in the tourist hotspots like Rio de Janeiro, so learning at least the basics of the language will help you. You can try online language courses or even use Google translate when in the country if you are struggling. Learning basic Portuguese will impress the locals, make travelling easier and it’s fun to speak another language.
8. Itinerary & Things to Do
If you are keen to plan a trip there are incredible places to visit in Brazil, whether you love cities, beaches, mountains, countryside or jungle – there are places for all interests. Highlights can include Rio de Janeiro, Paraty, São Paulo, Foz do Iguaçu, Pantanal, Bahia, Fortaleza and the beautiful Amazon jungle. Where you go depends on what you would like to do, and also how much time you have.
Brazil is a country of continental proportions and distances can be huge, so consider this when planning a trip. For example, if you would like to experience some of the best beaches in Brazil you will need to travel to the north east of the country, but this is around a 5 hour flight from Sao Paulo and Rio – is it worth it for a short trip after a long international flight? We don’t think so. Most major cities apart from inland like Belo Horizonte, Brasilia and Manaus are located on or close to the stunning coast.
If you are short on time, 1-2 weeks can easily be spend in Rio de Janeiro exploring the city and nearby top rated locations. This city is a great introduction to the country too, and can give you a taste for if you want to see more. You could even do a short trip between Rio and São Paulo stopping off at places like Paraty, Trindade, Ubatuba, São Sebastião, Ilha Bela and Guarujá.
There are lots of amazing activities which can be booked online on a website like Get Your Guide before arriving or once in a destination. Popular things to do for tourists include sightseeing tours, surfing, scuba diving, paragliding, bird / wildlife watching and more. If you would like to give back you might like to view inspiring volunteer abroad programs.
9. Getting Around
There are lots of ways to navigate Brazil. Internal flights are the quickest way to get around and see all the main tourist highlights and what we recommend if you are short on time.
If you are on a budget, there is an extensive bus system connecting the whole country. Bus journeys can be long, but usually there is the option to travel overnight from some of the main cities like São Paulo to Rio.
Unfortunately there isn’t a great train network in Brazil, and this means you might be stuck with bus or plane as the only option. This is even if you are trying to travel from São Paulo city centre to Santos, a beachside city, which isn’t even that far away.
If you want to see as much of the country as possible we recommend small group tours. Lots of international travel operators like G Adventures offer small group tours showing you the best places in a safe and structured itinerary. You’ll get accommodation and transport included in the price you pay which can make your trip easier and hassle free, perfect also if you don’t speak Portuguese.
Renting a car, motorbike or moped in Brazil isn’t recommended unless you are a really experienced and skilled driver. Traffic, the road system and safety can be an issue especially in the larger cities like São Paulo.
10. Culture
The people are one of the things which makes Brazil as a country so special. Locals are very friendly and hospitable, especially if you try to converse with them in their local language. Most people will likely greet you with smiles and warmth when they learn you are a gringo, an affectionate term for foreigner.
It is stereotypical but local people do absolutely love football, and if you engage locals in sports talk they will really light up. Generally most people in Brazil are very religious, don’t be shocked to see lots of churches and also American style evangelical tv shows.
Sometimes it’s best to avoid talking politics, even though people love to discuss it. Tensions are quite high in Brazil between the left and right, and you never know which way a person votes.
Brazil is, with no doubt, a special country to visit, and is one of the best places to see in South America. Cities like Rio de Janeiro are places you need to add to your travel bucket list, and hopefully our tips have given you some ideas for how to prepare for visiting Brazil.
