Brazil Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

Brazil is big, bold, and unforgettable. From the iconic Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro to the endless Amazon, from Afro-Brazilian rhythms in Salvador to the futuristic capital Brasília, this is a country where every region feels like a different trip. You get world-famous beaches (Copacabana, Ipanema, Jericoacoara), Atlantic rainforest, colonial towns, wetlands full of wildlife, and one of the planet’s greatest waterfalls at Iguaçu. What makes Brazil special is the energy—music, football, food, and a culture that loves to be outside. For first-time visitors, a little prep goes a long way: Brazil is huge, flights can be long, and safety and money work a bit differently than in Europe or North America. Use this guide to understand the essentials and plan a trip that is fun, realistic, and safe.

Cities, Towns & Attractions Popular with Tourists

Rio de Janeiro: Sugarloaf, Christ the Redeemer, Copacabana, Ipanema, Lapa nightlife, Tijuca Forest, Maracanã. A must for first trip.
Foz do Iguaçu: Brazilian side of the Iguaçu Falls, bird park, Itaipu Dam; easy to combine with Argentina or Paraguay.
Salvador (Bahia): Colorful Pelourinho, Afro-Brazilian culture, music, beaches north of the city.
São Paulo: Huge, cosmopolitan, world-class food and culture—best for urban travelers.
Florianópolis & Santa Catarina beaches: Surf, lagoons, chilled beach towns in the south.
Amazon (Manaus, river lodges): Gateway to rainforest trips.
Pantanal (Cuiabá, Campo Grande): Best wildlife watching in Brazil—great for jaguar, caiman, birds.
Ouro Preto, Paraty, Olinda: Gorgeous colonial towns with cobblestones and baroque churches.
Brasília: Oscar Niemeyer architecture and planned-city vibes.

Good to Know

Best time to visit: Brazil is year-round. Summer (Dec–Mar) is hot and busy on the coast and around Carnival; the south can get cool in winter (Jun–Aug); Amazon and Pantanal have wet/dry seasons—check your destination.
Huge distances: Do not try to do Rio, Amazon, Pantanal, Iguaçu, and the northeast in 10 days—pick 2–3 regions.
Health: Yellow fever vaccine may be recommended if you visit the Amazon or certain interior states—check current advice.
Carnival & New Year’s: Book flights and hotels months ahead; prices jump.
Language: Brazil speaks Portuguese, not Spanish.

Visa & Entry Requirements (tourism)

Important: Rules can change, so confirm with the nearest Brazilian consulate or the official e-visa website right before you travel.

U.S. citizens: Visa required for tourism from April 10, 2025. Apply online for the Brazilian e-visa, pay the fee, and travel with your approved document. Before April 10, 2025, U.S. tourists remain visa-free.
Canadian citizens: Also need an e-visa from April 10, 2025.
Australian citizens: Also need an e-visa from April 10, 2025.
EU (Schengen) citizens: Most EU passport holders remain visa-exempt for short tourist stays; check your specific passport on the Brazilian MFA site.
U.K. citizens: Currently visa-free for tourism for up to 90 days, extendable once.
General requirements: Passport valid for at least 6 months, proof of onward/return ticket, and evidence of sufficient funds may be requested. Some e-visa applicants are asked for bank statements. Amounts over R$10,000 (or equivalent) must be declared.

Currency & Budget

Currency: Brazilian Real (BRL, plural: reais). Cards are widely used in cities.

Exchange rate: In late 2025, the rate often hovers around BRL 5–6 for 1 USD, but it can move—check a real-time source before you go.

Average daily budget (rough):

Backpacker: 40–65 USD/day – hostel or simple pousada, local restaurants/kilo buffets, buses/metro, occasional domestic flight promo.
Midrange: 80–150 USD/day – good pousada or 3–4 star hotel in Rio or São Paulo, domestic flights, attractions, better dining.
Luxury: 200–400+ USD/day – beachfront hotels, boutique stays in Paraty/Trancoso, private drivers/tours, Amazon lodge.

Tipping: Many restaurants add a 10% service charge (garçom) to the bill—if it is there, you do not have to add more. For tours, drivers, and hotel staff, small tips are appreciated.

Credit card acceptance: Very good in major cities, airports, shopping malls, and midrange-to-upscale restaurants. Always carry some cash for small stores, beach kiosks, intercity buses, and rural areas.

ATMs: Use ATMs inside banks, malls, or airports for safety. Machines from Banco do Brasil, Bradesco, Itaú, and Caixa are common, but some foreign cards only work at specific ones and may have low withdrawal limits. A card with no international ATM fee helps. If ATMs fail, change USD/EUR at an official exchange bureau or bank.

Best way to get cash: Bring at least one Visa/Mastercard debit card, withdraw during business hours from secure ATMs, and keep backup cash in USD/EUR.

Language & Communication

Official language: Portuguese (Brazilian). Pronunciation and slang differ from Portugal.
English: Spoken in airports, some hotels, and high-end tourism businesses, but not widely on the street—especially outside Rio/São Paulo or in smaller beach towns.
Useful tip: Learn basic Portuguese greetings and numbers; people appreciate it.

SIM cards / eSIM

Main providers: Vivo, Claro, and TIM.
Where to buy: Airport kiosks in major cities, official operator stores in malls, and some big supermarkets. Bring your passport for registration.
Tourist eSIM: Easiest option—buy online before you arrive so you have data immediately.
Covers most places: Coverage is excellent in urban/coastal areas, but can drop in the Amazon, Pantanal, and remote beaches.

Power Plugs & Voltage

Voltage: Usually 127V or 220V depending on the state; many hotels label the outlets. Modern devices/adapters often handle both.
Plugs: Type N is standard in Brazil, but some sockets also accept Type C (Europlug). Bring a universal adapter.

Getting Around

Domestic flights: Because Brazil is huge, flying is the smartest way to link Rio, São Paulo, Salvador, Recife, Manaus, Belém, Foz do Iguaçu, and Brasília. Book early for Christmas, New Year, and Carnival.
Buses: Comfortable long-distance buses connect most cities and can be cheaper than flights; several quality companies offer semi-leito and leito seats.
In cities: Use metro (Rio, São Paulo), official taxis, or ride-hailing apps. Avoid walking with valuables at night in unfamiliar areas.
Car rental: Possible and useful for beach-hopping in the northeast or exploring the south, but city traffic can be intense.

Safety

Reality check: Brazil has higher crime levels than many visitors are used to. Most tourists are fine if they take basic precautions.citeturn0search4
Do: Keep phones/cameras discreet; use hotel safes; take cash for the day only; use registered taxis or apps; stay in busy areas; ask hotel which areas to avoid.
Be extra careful: At beaches, on crowded buses, around ATMs, and at night in city centers.
Nature safety: Follow guides in the Amazon/Pantanal, use repellent, and pack light breathable clothes.

Common Tourist Scams & Annoyances

Card cloning / ATM skimmers: Use ATMs inside banks/malls and cover the keypad.
Overpriced taxis / fake taxis at airports: Use official airport desks or ride-hailing apps.
Beach & street distraction thefts: Do not leave your bag unattended; keep valuables in front of you.
“Helpful” street sellers: Politely decline if you do not want the product—confirm price before accepting anything.
Online apartment scams in Carnival/New Year: Book through well-known platforms and read reviews.

Plan around the visa start date, book your internal flights early, learn a few words of Portuguese, and Brazil will give you one of the most vibrant trips you can have in South America.