Brazil · AmericasBrazil
Amazon rainforest, Carnival in Rio, Iguazu Falls, and samba-fuelled beach culture
from $45/day Moderatebeachculture
Quick Facts
Capital
Brasília (São Paulo and Rio are largest cities)
Best airports
GRU (São Paulo), GIG/SDU (Rio), BSB (Brasília)
Visa (USA)
e-visa now required - $80.90, valid 10 years
Size
5th largest country on Earth (3x the size of Argentina)
Avg temp (Rio)
23–35°C / 73–95°F in summer
Safety
Moderate
Vibes
beachculturenaturenightlifeadventurefood
Best Time to Visit
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best months This month
Daily Budget
Backpacker
$45
per day
Mid-range
$100
per day
Luxury
$300
per day
Top Experiences
🎭Free street parties; $50–500 for sambadrome
Carnival in Rio de Janeiro
The world's biggest party: 6 days of samba schools, feathered costumes, and 2 million people on Copacabana
🌿$150–400/night
Amazon River Jungle Lodge
Multi-day eco-lodge stay: canoe through flooded forest, spot pink dolphins, and sleep to howler monkey calls
💦$20 Brazilian side; $20 Argentine side
Iguazu Falls (Foz do Iguaçu)
275 waterfalls wider than Niagara and Victoria combined - walk the catwalks to the Devil's Throat
Must-Try Food
Feijoada
Brazil's national dish: black bean stew slow-cooked with pork ears, trotters, and sausage - Saturday tradition
Churrasco at a Rodízio
All-you-can-eat parade of grilled meats carved tableside - 12+ cuts with salad bar and sides
Caipirinha
Brazil's national cocktail: fresh lime, sugar, and cachaça - infinitely better freshly made
Getting Around
✈️
Domestic flights$40–120
Brazil is huge - LATAM, GOL, and Azul are cheap between major cities (book ahead)
🚗
Uber$5–20
Works in all major cities; safer than street taxis; cash option available
🚇
Metro (São Paulo / Rio)$1–2/trip
Clean, reliable, and the fastest way to navigate both cities during rush hour
🚌
Overnight bus$30–80
Leito (flat-bed) buses connect southern cities - comfortable and cheaper than flying
Cultural Tips
Safety varies wildly by neighbourhood - research specific areas in São Paulo and Rio before going out
Do not wear flashy jewellery, watches, or use your phone visibly on the street in major cities
Brazilians greet with a kiss on the cheek (one in SP, two in Rio) - handshakes are less common
Punctuality is flexible in social settings - arriving 30 min late to a party is completely normal
Football (futebol) is religion here - attending a local match is an unforgettable cultural experience
Always have small notes - many street vendors and taxis cannot change large denominations
Hidden Gems
Lençóis Maranhenses - vast white dunes filled with stunning crystal-clear blue lagoons (March–September)
Fernando de Noronha - remote volcanic archipelago with pristine reefs and UNESCO status; limited visitors by design
Bonito (Mato Grosso do Sul) - transparent-water rivers where you snorkel with shoals of fish in gin-clear current
Going beyond the trip?
Explore the Brazil country profile
Cost of living, visas, healthcare, taxes, expat life and everything you'd need to actually move and stay long-term.