Insider Travel Tips

How to plan a trip to Brazil?

With over 3 million square miles of diverse landscapes, Brazil is larger than the United States, unless you include Alaska. For your Brazil vacation, you’ll have to decide on how many places you want to see. A week is sufficient for famous Rio de Janeiro, as long as you only want to see the city and its beaches, perhaps with a day trip nearby. If you want to experience the Amazon rainforest, Brazil’s uncrowded Atlantic forests, or the Afro-Brazilian culture of the north, count at least a week per destination.

How much does a Brazil vacation cost?

Brazil is one of the most expensive countries in South America, though it’s still inexpensive compared to most of Europe. You should plan on about $2,000 USD per week, not including international airfare. Budget hostels cost around $20, simple hotels about $50 and luxurious accommodations can soar far past $100 per night. Plan on $100 for day tours, depending on the activity. If you’re eating at markets or cooking for yourself, a daily food budget of $20 is reasonable, though eating three meals a day in restaurants can easily run you over $100 per day.

Where should I go the first time in Brazil?

Your first Brazil vacation should include one or two major cities and somewhere tropical like Iguassu Falls or the Amazon. If you love cities, parties and beaches, you can’t miss Rio de Janeiro with its famous Copacabana and Ipanema beaches. Get the best of both Río and Iguassu with Goway’s Wonders of Brazil itinerary. Rio is one of the best destinations in the world for Carnaval—many say it’s the best by far. If you’re after rare wildlife spotting in the Amazon Rainforest, book a flight to Manaus, Brazil’s centre for trips into the jungle on a river cruise or to stay in an eco-lodge.

This vast landmass is home to an astonishing variety of flora and fauna, making it a true paradise for nature enthusiasts. Brazil also boasts of the canyons and caves of the Chapada Diamantina, which are perfect for trekking and swimming, and the colourful old gold-mining towns in the mountains of Minas Gerais.

Is Brazil friendly to foreigners?

Brazilians are famously hospitable and making friends almost guarantees an invitation to their home to meet the family and share some home cooking. This is equally true in cities and rural villages, where a dinner among friends can easily blend into a long night of dancing as soon as dinner is over, and the music is turned up.

Do I need a visa to visit Brazil?

On April 10, 2025, Brazil will begin to require an e-visa from citizens of Canada, the United States and Australia. Many other nationalities, including most Europeans, receive a 90-day visa for free on arrival. The new e-visa will cost $80 and must be obtained from Brazil’s online visa platform before boarding your flight to Brazil. This new visa requirement was planned for April 10, 2024, and was then postponed, so check the website above when planning your trip to see if the beginning date was changed again.

Is Brazil LGBTQ+ friendly?

Rio de Janeiro has been a top destination for LGBTQ+ travellers for decades, especially during the weeks around Carnaval. Other big cities like São Paulo and Salvador also have thriving LGBTQ+ communities, though this is more difficult to find in small cities and rural areas. Throughout the country, LGBTQ+ friendly hotels, restaurants and tour companies display rainbow stickers on their doors and websites.

What currency does Brazil use?

Brazil uses the Brazilian Real BRL, with the symbol R$ before the numbers. Real is pronounced “ray-ow” and the plural of real is reais, which sounds like “ray-ice.” It is common to use debit and credit cards to pay in Brazil and most Brazilians use the national payment system Pix, which works like Venmo or Paypal. Cash is still preferred at markets and by artisans.

Do I need to tip in Brazil?

It’s common to tip 10% in restaurants, unless it’s self service. Tipping is not expected at small, family-run restaurants or places that only accept cash.

Can I drink the tap water in Brazil?

The tap water is not safe to drink in many places in Brazil. Always ask staff at your hotel or accommodation if you can drink the tap water. Bring a water bottle with a filter so you don’t have to buy disposable bottles. Not all Brazilian cities have recycling facilities for plastic, so be sure you’re not contributing to plastic dumped near the ocean or the rainforest.