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Budget Brazil Travel Guide 8 Ways to Save More Money

The Budget Brazil Travel Guide includes 18 Important Travel Planning Tips that will allow you to see and do more on your budget. Learn how you can benefit.

The Brazil Travel Guide concentrates on the world’s fifth-largest country is an incredible travel destination, offering lush landscapes, endless golden beaches, sensational wildlife, amazing culture, and much more all best enjoyed to a fun-loving samba beat. Despite hosting a very successful Olympics and World Cup in recent years, some people still find Brazil a little daunting.

While the country does have some problems the vast majority of visits are entirely trouble-free – and those who take those bolder steps to explore less-visited corners will enjoy some truly spectacular experiences. From a couple of weeks seeing the key sites through to a month or more spent getting to know the country in more detail, Brazil is a wonderful destination that offers something for absolutely everyone.

Sunset over the Cococabana Beach in Rio de Janerio ultimate brazil travel guide
Sunset over the Cococabana Beach in Rio de Janerio

What Are the Best Places to Visit in Brazil?

The Brazil Travel Guide is most concerned with getting you to the right destinations in Brazil. Rather than just throw together an enormous list of the ‘must-see’ sights we’ll instead discuss the kind of attractions that you can expect to discover throughout Brazil. While Copacabana Beach rightly deserves its iconic status, you’ll find many others that are arguably better across that 7,000km coastline. Armação dos Buzios just to the east of Rio is much more upmarket, while more distant Ipanema and Ubatuba beaches offer a much more dreamlike sense of beachside tranquility.

Whichever one you choose to flop down on for a few days, the point is that there is far more to Brazil than just the most famous big-name attractions. You’ll find gorgeous and practically empty beaches pretty much everywhere along the coast, so don’t feel like the easier options are always the best.

Rio de Janeiro remains by some distance the most visited Brazilian city – and many visitors don’t tend to venture much beyond Sugarloaf mountain and Flamengo’s Christ the Redeemer. While there’s absolutely nothing wrong with spending a large proportion of your time just in Rio – it is an amazing city – if you’re making the effort to go to Brazil it seems slightly crazy not to venture a little further afield! Sao Paulo offers a more modern – if still rather chaotic – urban landscape and you’ll find the more highbrow cultural sites around here.

The general Museum of Art and the Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo (featuring mostly Brazilian artworks) are arguably the best of their kind in Latin America. Throw in the Parque do Ibirapuera (luscious park) and grand cathedral district and this is one of those cities you really cannot miss, especially if you’re intending on exploring the south of the country in greater detail.

If you do choose to explore the more natural aspects of this country – and the Brazil Travel Guide strongly recommends you do so – then you’ll likely use internal flights to travel to the more regional towns. Salvador, Recife, Fortaleza, Belo Horizonte, and Manaus all have at least 2m people and are as diverse a selection of cities as you’ll find anywhere. Chances are that one or more of these cities will fit your travel plans depending on where you go/what interests you the most, and the truth is that each has plenty worth seeing.

Tempting as it can be to see the cities primarily as a transit point before moving out into the countryside/jungle/mountains, try and spend a couple of days at least to see the local places of interest. Check out some of the smaller towns too – we at the Ultimate Brazil Travel Guide can say with confidence you won’t find many places as tranquil and idyllic as Ilhabela, Olinda, and Vitoria.

But let’s face it – most people come to Brazil to enjoy the natural delights, and here you’ll be utterly lost for choice. Brazil is the most ecologically diverse destination on earth, and the Amazon ‘region’ (it’s absolutely enormous) is literally an ecological treasure chest. You may find that Pantanal is a more rewarding part to visit, as these wetlands have easier to spot birds and wildlife alongside more kaleidoscopic colors for those perfect vacation photographs.

Fernando de Noronha is the place to go for more waterside activities – and an ideal archipelago for easy, casual exploration and relaxation. Joking aside you’ll need a break after a jungle adventure and this is probably the best place to freshen up in the waters. Iguazú Falls on the Argentinian border is another world-famous spot that is well worth taking the effort to see.

The fact of the matter is that we haven’t even had time yet to mention the carnivals, incredible indigenous culture, Incan ruins, the staggering assortment of wildlife, and host of other things you’ll discover in this incredibly vibrant and exciting country. All we can say is that this country genuinely rewards visitors who are energetic and inquisitive – the further you’re willing to explore, the better your experience will be. Or you could quite comfortably just relax on the beach and jiggle the occasional samba. Who are we to judge!

What Are the Best Things to Do in Brazil?

We’re hardly sticking our necks out by stating that you’ll never have a dull moment in Brazil. This destination is endlessly exciting and interesting – and you will actually need those quieter moments to catch a hold of your senses! Explore the cities as you see fit and we’d heartily recommend taking tours into the favelas. For those new to Brazil, these very poor shantytowns amount to huge parts of the major cities and in many ways are practically self-sufficient and independent. We wouldn’t suggest you head there yourself but instead take one of the many organized tours to explore how amazing these communities are.

The poverty will sober you up after hours of gazing at magical cultural delights – so do this responsibly and make sure to spend what you can in the many little market stalls. Responsible tourism genuinely matters in Brazil and you’ll be setting a good precedent by visiting these areas as much as you’ll appreciate indigenous communities during other stages of your trip.

Brazilian cities are amazing fun and you’ll be able to figure out the best ways to occupy your time pretty easily. Our suggestion is to simply take each day as they come and don’t plan too much ahead. Allocate a number of days to each destination you can visit, and just see what you’re in the mood for every day. Chances are that one day of leisure (surfing Copacabana, jumping off some waterfalls, etc) works well followed by a day of more casual exploration and taking in some shows, museums, or galleries.

On the cultural side of things, there are vast numbers of galleries in most of the major cities – and they tend to be handily close to each other. Take your time when roaming through these and make the most of the airconditioning!

How you choose to explore the natural splendors is going to be a major decision. If you have plenty of time, good resources, are well prepared and ideally speak some basic Portuguese, you can make your own way to most of the major famous natural sites. Heading much beyond these – and we suggest you do so – can become logistically challenging and you’ll find that the best way tends to be through organized tour companies.

These can be a mixed bag so check their credentials carefully and ideally go with those who have a dedication to preserving and conserving the landscape and wildlife. You’ll find plenty of listings for these in hostels and online, so take your time picking these. A good tour will make your visit absolutely amazing.

From photography to wildlife spotting and more adrenalin-packed activities, you’ll have the opportunity to do pretty much whatever you choose in Brazil. Perhaps it may sound obvious to some readers but appreciate that this is an enormous country and not the kind of place where you can easily hop around by using land routes at any great speed.

Much as we like to promote wanderlust and an ‘airier’ approach to travel, a little planning ahead and prioritizing what is most important to you is basically essential to properly explore Brazil. If you plan on touring stretches of the Amazon, just accept that you won’t likely be spending the next day lounging on a picture-postcard beach!

Depending on how long you have in the country you’ll be well advised to split your time proportionally between regions. If you have a short while – say two weeks – then we’d recommend focusing on one or two cities (6 days including transfers) and their surroundings, then the rest exploring a specific region in depth. If you have a couple of months, then you’ll be likely looking to explore multiple regions with significantly less time in the cities.

No matter which way you approach Brazil you’re still going to be left with not close to enough time to see everything – making this one of the best places on the planet for return visits!

When is The Best Time to Visit Brazil?

You can visit Brazil at any time of the year – it is so large that you’ll find that the off-season in one part is high-season in another. Most people tend to visit Rio and the beaches/coast over November – March when its carnival season and the temperatures are comparatively reasonable and reliable. It’ll be hot but not insanely so. Needless to say, prices tend to be considerably higher and you ought to anticipate minimum stays for accommodation bookings.

Shoulder season – a month either side of the above – is a decent time to visit as temperatures will be a little milder and even quite cool towards the south. Prices are more reasonable, just accept that you’ll be missing the major carnivals. If that isn’t a big deal then this can be an excellent time to visit.

The low season for the rest of Brazil (May – late September) is perhaps the best time to visit the Amazon and Pantanal. Nature will be at its most vibrant and your time elsewhere will be considerably cheaper compared to busier times.

GOVERNMENT LINKS
General Information
VISAS
Tourism

Do I Need A Tourist Visa in Brazil?

If your country allows Brazilian national to visit without arranging a visa beforehand then you can expect the same treatment. That means citizens of the US, Canada, Australia and others will need to apply for a visa whereas those from the UK, Germany, France, NZ, and others will not. Visa regulations are liable to change (they were relaxed prior to the World Cup and Olympics) so check these well before you plan on traveling.

If you do need a visa, make sure to apply well in advance of your planned dates. They are not issued upon arrival – you will need it in your hand when you arrive! E-visas cost about $40 and are usually straightforward (about five working days) – just be aware than it can take a while to fix up any problems. Once issued they are valid for two years and provide for stays up to 90 days in total/year. Visas can be extended with good reason but again make sure to make arrangements weeks in advance.

Complicated as they may seem you should not have any problems gaining a visa (if required) providing you don’t leave it until the last minute.

Cococabana Beach in Rio de Janerio Brazil - ultimate brazil travel guideWhat Currency Is Used in Brazil?

Brazil uses the Real (R$) that currently exchanges for about R$4 = US$1. Note that we’ll use Brazilian Real for the amounts estimated throughout the Brazil Travel Guide.

Many visitors are surprised at how extensively credit/debit cards are accepted throughout most parts of Brazil. You’ll still need to use ATMs for everyday cash expenditures, and we’d suggest you take care of which machines you choose to use. Card fraud/cloning is commonplace in Brazil so try and stick to ATMs attached to banks and don’t let your card out of your sight when using it to make any payments. Crime is an issue in some parts of the country so try and only carry small amounts of cash (about two days worth is the recommended maximum) and use moneybelts/secreted wallets.

Brazil is not as cheap as many people expect but the prices you pay for basic goods and services are going to vary wildly across the country. It is not an exaggeration to say that prices on the ‘tourist strips’ of Rio are easily three or four times what you’d expect to pay a few streets away. Haggling – even for basics such as hotel rooms – is an option anywhere there is a feasible alternative choice or competition. Most discounts are cash-based (i.e – tax dodging) so factor that into your budget planning.

Providing you take care to manage your money in Brazil you should not encounter any problems. Remember that ATMs use 4 digit chip & PIN systems and that exchange/conversion rates may vary considerably depending on which bank you use. Do a little research beforehand and remember to notify your bank that you’re heading to Brazil.

Green Iguana in the jungle ultimate brazil travel guide
Green Iguana in the jungle

Do I Tip In Brazil?

10% is the standard tip in Brazil and you’ll find this amount added automatically in many restaurants and bars. It is not obligatory to actually pay it if you are dissatisfied with the service. Cash tips for incidental services are optional and usually just the change on a sensible denomination of banknote. Many service industry staff rely on tips to make up large parts of their wage so leave a little for room attendants and so forth.

What Kind Of Budget Do I Need In Brazil?

Following the successful Olympics and World Cup prices have fallen back towards reasonable levels – but are nowhere close to what they were a decade or so beforehand. Brazil is still a very good value destination at the moment especially if you are changing USD, but don’t expect to be able to easily get by on an extremely low budget.

As mentioned previously prices change drastically throughout the country and not always in the directions you’d expect. For instance, a basic eco-lodge in the northern jungles may cost several times the price of a Rio hostel bed. How much you spend depends very much on where you choose to spend your time and we’d recommend making sure you try and budget at least 30% higher than your previsit estimates.

Here is a very approximate estimate of what you can expect for three distinctive budgets. Remember that these will overlap on some days and prices are prone to change at quite short notice depending on the season.

Budget (R$150-200/day)

Fifty US dollars a day would be the Brazil Travel Guides’ lowest estimate on how low you can go in this country. We’ve dropped that threshold a little to account for the days when you’ll be trekking/exploring the wilderness with pretty much nowhere to actually spend any money! Shop around/book in advance and you’ll find good enough hostel beds for somewhere between R$50-100/night, perhaps lower if you are willing to haggle a little and offer to stay for longer than usual.

Food varies from very reasonable street food and cantina-style meals through to not very reasonable at all restaurants and cafes. You can make substantial savings if you try and eat where the locals do – which means pretty much anywhere you don’t find many tourists. Allow for about R$75/day for food that includes one sit down meal and remember that you’ll be likely getting through a lot of bottled water.

Travel can be expensive in Brazil unless you opt for the lower end buses. Budget ahead for those journeys by enjoying the fact that a substantial number of the attractions and places of interest in Brazil are free!

Mid-Level (R$300-400/day)

While budget visitors may be a little disappointed at the shortage of bargain-basement offerings in Brazil, the better news is that it doesn’t cost much more to really open up the country in much better ways. A hundred USD/day budget will cover a decent double hotel room, and provide plenty of spending money when it comes to better dining and entertainment choices. A good night out in Rio including drinks and club entry will still head towards R$100+, so choose where you go quite carefully!

This budget allows for two key additional features that will make your trip both more varied and more enjoyable/convenient. The first is internal flights – say from Rio to Manaus – that’ll cost about R$500 or so one-way. Sure, that’s expensive, but you’ll be visiting an entirely different part of the country that’d otherwise take at least two or three days to cover by land.

Beautiful as Brazil is, it isn’t really the most spectacular country to see from a bus window! The second major enhancement that this budget will allow for is tours and excursions – especially day treks into the jungle sites. Very generally speaking a good tour operated by a responsible company will cost R$300+/day, although that figure can head either way depending on the length and requirements of the trip.

High-End (R$500+/day)

Brazil has become considerably more popular with high-end visitors over recent years – and as you’d expect there’s a good number of top-end places to spend sometimes rather astronomical amounts of money. Although a five-start hotel/resort room rarely heads much over R$600/night, top quality lodges out in more remote parts (boutique jungle safaris and so forth) can cost two or three times that amount per person.

Private tours – led by genuine experts in their field – will cost from R$1200+ per day, and that will not include driver fees or accommodation. But if you have the spending money they can be without question the best way to experience the natural delights in the best possible manner.

This is the kind of budget you’ll need if you intend on seeing different parts of the country over one trip. Internal flights are not the cheapest in the world, and you’ll be looking at making at least three or four to experience each ‘significant’ part. The logistics can be quite overwhelming so you may want to look towards specialized tours (often with unfortunately rigid itineraries) that’ll pack as much as possible within realistic timeframes.

Flock of Flamingos in the Brazil Amazon
A flock of Flamingos in the Brazil Amazon

What Languages Are Spoken in Brazil?

Experts estimate that there are still around 150 different languages spoken throughout Brazil (down from over 1,000 a few hundred years ago) but today Portuguese is the official and administrative language. Don’t expect everyone to speak it though especially in the more remote parts!

English is not widely spoken and the majority of people who do speak a second language tend to be better at Spanish (again don’t count on it!). As a visitor, you’ll be well advised to pick up some basic Portuguese words out of politeness and rely on polite hand gestures otherwise. English speakers are most common among those working within the tourism industry and at high-end western chain hotels. Like many other parts of the world if you need to ask locals some directions you’re best off trying your luck with younger people in the cities.

The language barrier is not quite as substantial an issue as some people think – and the Brazil Travel Guide would say it is no worse than that you’d find in many other parts of the world. It is certainly easier to get about than say China, but not quite as straightforward as some other Latin American countries.

What Religions Are Practiced in Brazil?

Brazil may still have hundreds of religions with small numbers of mostly indigenous followers, but today Roman Catholicism is very much at the forefront (about 65%) followed by Protestantism (20%). Religion is a big deal in Brazil and you’ll see plenty of people attending services every day. Of course – that doesn’t by any means mean that people follow it very closely – but as a cultural force, Christianity is quite significant and holds a sizable amount of political power within the country.

As a visitor, you’d be best off keeping any non-Christian practices either to the privacy of your hotel room or at one of the few sites dotted around the country that service other faiths. As with the carnival – if you do not want to participate, nobody is going to make you – just be respectful around those who do. Dress appropriately when visiting the major religious destinations – you will be turned away if you look unkempt.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil : Aerial view of Christ and Botafogo Bay from high angle
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Aerial view of Christ and Botafogo Bay

Practical Tips From The Brazil Travel Guide

We hope you have found the Brazil Travel Guide enlightening and entertaining so far, and now we’ll take a closer look at some of the essentials for successfully enjoying your time in this remarkable country. Brazil is currently facing a wide variety of challenges. Despite its extraordinary natural resources, substantial proportions of the population barely manage to get by and development tends to only line the pockets of the very few. Despite some significant political changes and experiments over the last twenty years, Brazil remains a poor country and one that is not especially stable.

You may be surprised that not all locals share their visitor’s ideals of protecting the rainforests at all costs when developing these regions offers a potential way of lifting them (perhaps even temporarily) out of dire poverty. It is easy to assume otherwise – and that it’s just evil corporations taking advantage of those raw natural resources at the local’s expense – but for whatever reasons not all people will share that point of view.

Responsible visitors will appreciate that factor and do their best to spend their money in those areas which otherwise would be next on the logging companies hit lists. Tourist money is a viable way of helping to discourage dangerous development while helping the locals, so we’d suggest you try and do that for significant parts of your Brazilian adventure.

What About Health and Safety in Brazil, Is It Safe?

You will need comprehensive medical insurance when visiting Brazil. Medical care varies from excellent in the major cities (if you can afford it) through to truly third-world in more remote parts. Check with your doctor well ahead of your travel time for which vaccinations are currently recommended for Brazil. You will not require all of them unless you intend on visiting certain parts but remember that these usually take a few weeks before they become effective.

Read up on the latest health information before you travel and remember to save essential documentation including prescription information to the Cloud and carry plenty of physical copies on your person and with your luggage. If you lose your medication you’ll need to visit a doctor for a new script. The good news is that pharmacies are well stocked and can often provide or order western branded medications as required.

The biggest health threats in Brazil are environmental and again these will vary according to where you are visiting. Make sure to pack a basic first-aid kit for the treatment of mosquito bites and basic wounds. Invest in the best insect repellent you can find and pack two or three spares! Keep an eye out for heat exhaustion, dehydration, sunstroke and any signs of fever. Tap water is allegedly safe to drink in some of the major cities but we’d suggest you don’t risk it as plumbing standards are far from uniform.

In regards to personal safety, Brazil has a reputation for being quite dangerous but that only really paints half the story. It is true that you should take care in some parts and keep your wits about you in the major cities and parts of the deeper countryside/jungle, but the fact remains that most crime is not explicitly violent.

Tourists are sometimes robbed but usually only hurt if they resist. Keep only small amounts of money on your person at any time, leave valuables and documents secure, and ideally stick to larger groups and busy areas. Pickpockets and bag thieves are by far the biggest nuisance.

Scary as it may sound Brazil is nowhere near as dangerous as people assume and those risks can be substantially decreased and managed if you take basic precautions.

Brazilian Green Parrot
Brazilian Green Parrot

What is the Best Transportation in Brazil?

Due to Brazil’s sheer size, most visitors are going to need to take the occasional internal flight while visiting the country – and the good news is that these are not outrageously expensive. It is not unusual to find air tickets that cost little more than a comparative overland route with some air passes offering multiple discounted journeys for one set fee. Our advice would be to consider these and look at ways to offset that expense!

Some airports now even have cash donation boxes where flyers can give towards sustainable charities to ‘make up’ for their flights. Flying is rarely the ideal way to explore a country but Brazil is one of those exemptions where the alternative options really aren’t very advisable.

Brazil sadly never really took much to trains – and given the country’s geography perhaps that is hardly surprising. Where they do exist they tend to be more as visitor attractions and can offer some spectacular views – just don’t really count on them for covering very much ground.

Buses, on the other hand, are tremendous and once you have figured out the timetabling system you’ll be able to get pretty much anywhere in the country. The downside is that journeys are often very long and can actually be surprisingly expensive – especially if you opt for an ‘express’ service in superior coaches. Look to buy tickets in advance to take advantage of deals and secure a spot. Most are available online.

We do not recommend hiring your own vehicle in Brazil. Roads can be challenging and driving standards are low/dangerous. Cycling is not a viable option for large parts of the country however can be a delightful way of getting around locally outside of the urban areas. Again – take care on the roads – and remember that Brazilian drivers pay little attention to other users.

If you are planning on taking in some of the Amazon then there are ferry services that can really add another dimension to your trip. Pick these carefully and make sure you allow plenty of leeway for arrival and departure times as schedules are really not much more than educated guesses!

What Are the Best Accommodations in Brazil?

There are plenty of options for choosing where to stay in Brazil and you’ll never be short of variety. Hotels vary enormously in quality/value and price more according to their location. Don’t plunge for the first option you see one arriving in a new city, shop around a little and research them online first. You may also want to consider the opportunity of being an informal guest with one of the many Brazilian families who keep spare rooms for passing travelers.

Many of these work on a ‘word of mouth’ basis and you should excise a degree of caution if taking this route. If you do find a good host then you’ll be extremely well catered for and likely enjoy a fantastic time! Once again research online and look for recommendations.

In the experience of the Brazil Travel Guide hostels are a very mixed bag. You’ll find some that are truly fantastic – especially around the lesser-traveled beaches that often specialize in surfing and scuba. Likewise, guesthouses and basic lodgings are available throughout the jungles and course of the Amazon river – just don’t expect too much in the way of modern conveniences. Prices vary substantially but on the whole provide a pretty decent value. Book the premium hostels in advance if that’s your thing – these can be inordinately expensive but provide a handy way of meeting fellow travelers.

As mentioned previously there has been plenty of upmarket accommodation hit the market in recent years and these can deliver truly out of this world places to stay (with prices to match). If you are visiting Brazil for a special reason (honeymoon/anniversary etc) or simply want to enjoy something special after weeks staying in scrubby hostels then these can actually be quite magnificent. Remember that they do book out often months in advance and many are operated by non-Brazilian nationals.

Aerial view of a crowded pre-NYE party Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The beach is 4km long and is one of the Marvellous City’s famous postcard landmarks

How Can I Practice Responsible Tourism in Brazil?

In many ways, Brazil is a country of extremes and it is something you’ll find impossible to miss during your time here. Communities can have staggering rates of poverty and crime but also be some of the warmest and welcoming places you’ll ever visit. High rise modern apartments literally overlook wild rainforest in places such as Sao Paulo and Manaus.

In some ways it is an impossible challenge trying to ever really ‘figure out’ Brazil – there is not really even such a thing as a unified or shared culture given the national disparity in terms of ethnicity, religion, language, prospects, and climate. Perhaps that is one of the reasons why everyone is obsessed with the national soccer team.

No matter how you end up considering Brazil there are many ways you can help by being a responsible tourist in the country. Do try and visit a favela – just make sure to do so as an organized group. Don’t be tempted to return under your own steam. Ask your tour group for ways you can directly contribute towards a specific cause – and remember that social media fundraising is a big deal nowadays. Use your experiences to highlight those extremes and encourage others to help contribute some way towards improving the situation. You cannot do it all yourself!

This principle also applies when trying to help indigenous people threatened by logging companies. Do not try and obstruct this process – it is very dangerous to do so – but instead use social media to help highlight this very real issue. Support charitable works fighting on their behalf by staying in places that they operate and taking their tours specifically. Sure, they’ll cost more but you’ll have the most enlightening experience and know that the profits go towards these endeavors.

It is important to try and be the ‘right kind’ of visitor in Brazil and while your efforts to help may seem inconsequential it will make a difference in the long term.

What Food Should I Try In Brazil?

Brazil and Argentina are locked in an unwinnable battle to be crowned as the ‘BBQ Champions’ of South America! The only discernible difference between the two is that Brazil tends to use only very little seasoning on prime cuts whereas lesser valued parts are very heavily spiced and marinaded. Beef, lamb, wild boar, snake – you name it and you’ll find it being grilled somewhere in Brazil. Wash your choice down with a classic cachaça rum cocktail and or a mojito made from freshly pressed limes and sugarcane.

As you travel around Brazil you’ll encounter plenty of street food outlets offering a variety of often deep-fried delights. Pão de queijo (cheese rolled dough balls) may be a slightly less greasy alternative and make for a superb bus ride snack (remember to pass them around to your fellow passengers). Bragadeiros is probably the closest thing Brazil has to a favorite national sweetie, resembling chocolate truffled and usually garnished with coconut flakes or almonds.

You may also be surprised at the number of Japanese food outlets you’ll find in this country. As unlikely as it might sound Japanese ex-pats are a substantial community in Brazil and many families are now in their second or third generation. When you need something a little different then check out these for some sublime fusion cooking.

Visitors with food intolerances should be able to get by OK in Brazil providing they aren’t too fussy or prone to wondering about the details. Vegetarian dishes are common but veganism is basically unknown outside of the very largest cities.

What Should I Pack for A Trip to Brazil?

Pack for the season and remember that a waterproof is a good idea at any time of the year. Lightweight and well ventilated long-sleeved clothing is generally a solid bet, as are hats and decent boots in the more tropical areas. The Ultimate Brazil Travel Guide recommends all visitors make use of a money belt or similar and remember that there are quite strict limits when it comes to bringing digital equipment into the country (one camera/laptop/phone per person). A basic but well-stocked first aid kit is a good idea, including water purification tablets and antibacterial handwash.

Replacement clothing is cheap and easy to find in the country, although you may have trouble finding electricity adaptors. Bring a spare if that is going to be an issue.

What Clothes Should You Wear In Brazil?

You can wear pretty much whatever you like in Brazil but we’d recommend dressing up a little when heading to religious/historic places. One point worth mentioning is that while Brazil is famed for its beaches there are quite strict limits on what qualifies as acceptable swimwear. It is very rare to go topless when sunbathing anywhere in the country! Besides this, try not to stand out too much as a tourist and avoid wearing any valuable jewelry for obvious reasons.

What Are Some Interesting & Important Facts About Brazil?

Brazil is without question one of the most interesting destinations on the planet. It remains one of those places – thanks largely to its size and diversity – where visitors do not need to head too far off the beaten track to be the only visitors in town. Perhaps, for this reason, it tends to appeal especially to those travelers who like to mix up their adventures a little.

Here you really can spend a week exploring ancient ruins, navigating waterfalls, amazing at natural splendors and then take another to recuperate around an eclectic, vibrant, and ever welcoming culture. It is a fantastic destination and one that tends to reward those who leave misconceptions behind them.

We hope you have enjoyed reading the Brazil Travel Guide and will finish up with a few little fun facts!

★ The national motto is “Ordem e Progresso” (Order & Progress). Remember that when booking your bus tickets!

★ Brazil is famous for its coffee beans but today ‘only’ exports around a third of the world supply (it was once 80%).

★ During the wet season stretches of the Amazon River can become over 30 miles wide.

★ Brazil – rather handily – has over 4,000 airports.

★ Iguacu National Park is UNESCO protected and contains over 270 waterfalls.

★ Half of Brazil’s 6.4m annual tourists never venture further than Rio.

★ Brazil is estimated to contain over 4m different animal and plant species.

★ There are many abandoned projects in Brazil – perhaps most curiously ‘Fordlandia’.

★ Brazil is named after the Brazilwood tree.

★ There are around 13,000 Brazilian professional footballers playing overseas.

We hope you enjoyed reading the Budget Brazil Travel Guide – and good travels! Contact us with any questions you may have about travel to Brazil.

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