Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about the things you need to know before your trip to Brazil. Brazil is a great place to visit; I studied abroad here and have returned to visit Brazil many times with my family. Today we’re sharing some of our best Brazil travel tips with you.
Is Brazil Safe?
Usually, the first question we get is people wanting to know “Is Brazil safe?” Brazil is not the safest place in the world, but you can safely enjoy Brazil with a few precautions. Avoid wearing flashy clothing and jewelry, and don’t flaunt electronics or anything expensive. Especially on the beach. Use your “travel common sense” and be aware of your surroundings at all times.
Another common safety concern when traveling in Brazil is mosquito-borne diseases. People worry about contracting zika or malaria, or other things from mosquitos. There are lots of mosquitos in Brazil, but we don’t worry too much about diseases from the bugs. Always check with your doctor and the CDC to see what vaccinations are recommended for the area of Brazil that you are visiting.
Language in Brazil
Many travelers assume that since they are traveling to South America that they will be able to speak Spanish in Brazil. Surprise! While most countries in South America are Spanish-speaking, Portuguese is actually the primary language in Brazil. Very few people in Brazil speak Spanish or English, so it helps to learn a little bit of Portuguese before you go. If you do speak Spanish, you may be able to read some of the menus and signs, as the languages are somewhat similar.
Official Brazil Tourism Website: CLICK HERE
Currency in Brazil
The currency of Brazil is the REAL. They have bills and coins, although the coins aren’t worth much. While many places in the larger cities will accept credit cards, cash is often preferred and sometimes the only option in smaller towns. Some places will only accept debit cards, not credit cards, and yours might not always work. So, make sure you always have some cash when you’re in Brazil. For security purposes, always use the ATMs located indoors, whether it’s at a bank or a shopping mall.
Getting Around Brazil
Brazil is nearly as large as the United States, so you’re not going to see everything in one trip to Brazil. You want to see as much as possible, so it’s important to plan your travel within Brazil to maximize your time. I do NOT recommend driving in Brazil. To cover large distances, we typically fly some of the local airlines. When visiting smaller towns and cities, you will probably also need to take a bus. Do yourself a favor and upgrade to a more expensive bus.
US State Department Website on Travel Advisories & International Travel: CLICK HERE
Places to Visit in Brazil
Brazil Beaches
With 8,000 kilometers of coastline, Brazil has some amazing beaches. Modesty goes out the window on Brazil beaches; going topless is illegal, but you’ll see beachgoers who definitely push that line.
Brazil Rainforests
Another unique thing to see in Brazil is the rainforest. You can visit the Amazon river and experience the rainforest first-hand. Don’t expect to see a lot of wildlife, though, because the forest is so dense.
The Pantanal
To see wildlife in Brazil, you should visit the Pantanal. This is the world’s largest tropical wetlands area. You can float the river in inner tubes, just watch out for piranhas and alligators!
Iguazu Falls
If you are in the southern part of Brazil, you should definitely go see Iguazu Falls along the Argentina border. It’s the largest waterfalls in the world.
Sao Paulo
Brazil is more than just the natural attractions; there are some cool cities too. Sao Paulo is an international city in Brazil, with fantastic shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Rio de Janeiro
Of course, Rio is the most famous city in Brazil. With Christ the Redeemer looming over the city, and Ipanema Beach, and the botanical gardens. You could easily spend your entire Brazil vacation just in Rio, but make sure you explore some other parts of Brazil, too.
Service in Brazil
Things don’t necessarily happen on your timetable in Brazil. Bring your patience when you visit Brazil. The service is more laidback and slow and can take some getting used to. But the people in Brazil are fantastic!
Food in Brazil
Just like the US, Brazil has many distinct regions and the cuisine will vary depending on where you are in Brazil. In the south, you’ll have more meat-based dishes, while you can expect a lot of seafood if you’re staying near the coast. Some of our favorite Brazilian dishes include:
- Feijoada – a black bean stew with sausage
- Caldinho de Feijão – a black bean soup
- Rodizio is the Brazilian steakhouse where they cut the meat at the table; get the picanha, the best cut of meat!
- Pão de Queijo – cheese bread
When you eat in Brazil, expect large portions and a lot of rice and beans to accompany your meal. Wherever you go in Brazil, ask what the local specialty is and try it!
Drinks in Brazil
Don’t drink the water in Brazil; stick to bottled water. If you want to try some special drinks that are unique to Brazil, these are some of our recommendations:
- Guarana – it’s most similar to ginger ale but has a high caffeine content
- Cerveja – Beer in Brazil is served ice cold.
- Cachaça, also known as pinga, is a tasty alcohol served in Brazil. Cachaça is best served in a caipirinha, which is like a Brazilian mojito.
Tipping in Brazil
You don’t need to tip in Brazil. They will add a 10% service charge automatically to your bill, so you don’t have to tip when you eat out in Brazil.
Plugs in Brazil
Electrical outlets in Brazil can vary from Type C or Type N. Type N is similar to the European two-prong plug, but there is a 3rd prong lower down. So you can use your chargers from Europe, but the voltage is the same as in the U.S. So you’ll need an adapter and/or a converter, depending on where you are from.
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
Brazil will always have a special place in my travel memories; it’s a great destination with a bad rap for safety. Don’t let that keep you from planning a Brazil vacation. It’s such a diverse, amazing country with friendly people and fantastic scenery. Looking for more South American travel tips? Check out these other blog posts: