Things To Do
in Brazil
Brazil is a vast, diverse country stretching from the Amazon rainforest in the north to the Atlantic beaches in the east and temperate highlands in the south. It blends indigenous, African and European influences visible in its music, cuisine, festivals and cities. Major highlights include Rio de Janeiro's dramatic coastline and monuments, the wildlife-rich Pantanal, Iguazu Falls, and the Amazon Basin.
Brazilians are known for warm hospitality, lively street culture and year-round celebrations like Carnival.
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
Start your day with a visit to the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, enjoying panoramic views of Rio. Take a cable car up to Sugarloaf Mountain for more stunning vistas. Soak in the vibrant atmosphere of the city as it comes alive.
Explore the colorful neighborhoods of Santa Teresa and Lapa, known for their street art and colonial architecture. Have lunch at a local churrascaria to savor authentic Brazilian barbecue. Wander through the botanical gardens to experience Brazil's diverse flora.
Head to Copacabana or Ipanema beach to watch the sunset and relax by the ocean. Enjoy dinner at a beachfront restaurant, sampling fresh seafood. Experience Rio’s lively nightlife with samba music and dancing in Lapa.
Fly to Manaus and take a boat trip into the Amazon rainforest. Observe unique wildlife and lush vegetation during an early morning jungle walk. Learn about the ecosystem from a local guide.
Visit an indigenous community to understand their culture and traditions. Enjoy a traditional Amazonian lunch prepared with local ingredients. Take a canoe ride along the river to spot exotic birds and monkeys.
Return to the lodge for a peaceful evening surrounded by nature. Participate in a night safari to observe nocturnal creatures. Relax with a cozy meal and reflect on the day’s incredible wildlife encounters.
Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 🍔Meal at inexpensive restaurant | $8-15 |
| ☕Coffee or snack | $2-4 |
| 🚕Short taxi ride | $3-10 |
| 🏨Mid-range hotel (per night) | $60-150 |
| 🍺Domestic beer (pub) | $2-4 |
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Extraordinary natural diversity: rainforest, wetlands, waterfalls and beaches
- Rich cultural life with music, festivals and regional cuisines
- Warm, welcoming people and lively street culture
- Great value for food and many activities outside high season
- Safety concerns in some urban areas requiring vigilance
- Long distances and internal flights can add cost and travel time
- Regional health risks (e.g., tropical diseases) require preparation
- Infrastructure quality varies by region, with remote areas less developed
- "Olá / Oi" - Hello
- "Bom dia / Boa tarde / Boa noite" - Good morning / Good afternoon / Good evening
- "Por favor" - Please
- "Obrigado (male) / Obrigada (female)" - Thank you
- "Quanto custa?" - How much does it cost?
- "Onde fica...?" - Where is...?
- "Desculpe / Com licença" - Sorry / Excuse me
- "Eu não falo português" - I do not speak Portuguese
- "Pode me ajudar?" - Can you help me?
Places to Visit in Brazil
Visit one of these nice places.
The towering statue on Corcovado mountain offers panoramic views of the city, Guanabara Bay and surrounding beaches — best at sunrise or late afternoon for light and fewer crowds.
Cable car rides deliver sweeping coastal and cityscape vistas, excellent for sunset shots and long exposures of night lights.
Massive multi-tiered waterfalls on the Brazil-Argentina border with dramatic perspectives from both sides and abundant rainbows on sunny days.
Lush canopy, river landscapes and wildlife photography opportunities; early mornings and evenings are best for wildlife activity and misty moods.
Otherworldly dunes with seasonal freshwater lagoons creating striking contrasts — best photographed after the rainy season when lagoons are full.
Colonial architecture, cobblestone streets and colorful facades provide rich cultural and street photography backdrops.
Pristine beaches and clear waters ideal for underwater and sunset photography; captures turtles, dolphins and dramatic cliffs.
Food in Brazil
Brazil Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
A black-bean and pork stew considered Brazil's national dish; traditionally enjoyed as a leisurely weekend meal — find it in most restaurants and special feijoada lunches in major cities.
Must-Try!
A fragrant fish or seafood stew made with coconut milk, dendê (palm) oil and cilantro; Bahia and Espírito Santo styles vary — try in Salvador or coastal restaurants.
Brazilian barbecue featuring a variety of grilled meats served at rodízio steakhouses and local churrascarias — go for picanha (rump cap) and other cuts.
Deep-fried black-eyed pea fritters filled with shrimp and spicy sauces, an Afro-Brazilian specialty commonly found as street food in Salvador.
Cheese bread made from tapioca flour; small, chewy, and widely available in bakeries and cafés throughout the country.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
A historic market known for fresh fruit, mortadella sandwiches and local produce — great for tasting exotic fruits and regional specialties.
Massive riverside market offering Amazonian fruits, fish, herbs and street snacks; a good spot to sample regional ingredients like tucupi and tacacá.
Find acarajé, tapioca pancakes, grilled shrimp and fresh coconut water along sidewalks and beach promenades.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
Brazilians are warm and tactile — a handshake is common in formal contexts, while friends often exchange a cheek kiss (one or two depending on region) and close personal space is normal.
Be respectful during religious festivals and in churches; dress modestly when visiting religious sites and ask before photographing people in devotional contexts.
Social events may start more flexibly than scheduled times; business meetings tend to be more punctual — adapt depending on context.
Discussing football, food and culture is usually welcome; avoid sensitive topics like crime statistics or personal income unless you know someone well.
Safety
Tipping in Brazil
Ensure a smooth experience
A 10% service charge is commonly added in restaurants; if not included, tipping 10% is customary for good service. For taxis, rounding up the fare is normal; tip tour guides and hotel staff modestly for good service.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in cities, though cash is preferred in markets and small towns. Carry some reais for transit, street food and remote areas; ATMs are available in urban centers but consider fees and occasional outages.
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
December to February is hot and humid across much of Brazil, with peak beach season and major festivals like Carnival. Expect crowds and higher prices in coastal and tourist areas; pack light clothing, sun protection and stay hydrated.
June to August brings milder temperatures in the south (occasionally cool nights) while the north remains warm; this is high season for the Amazon and northern beaches with lower rainfall in some regions.
Amazon: heavy rains roughly December to May, making some jungle trails muddy but boosting river levels for boat travel; Pantanal: best wildlife in the dry season when animals concentrate around water. Check the specific region's calendar before planning.
April–May and September–November often offer pleasant weather, fewer tourists and better prices for many destinations — good times for city visits and mixed itineraries.
Brazil at Night
Hiking in Brazil
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
A national park in Bahia with dramatic plateaus, waterfalls, caves and multi-day trekking routes offering diverse scenery and viewpoints.
Close to Rio de Janeiro, this park offers technical climbs, day hikes like the Pedra do Sino and panoramic ridgelines with rich Atlantic Forest.
Brazil's oldest national park on the border of Rio and Minas Gerais, featuring high-altitude trails, waterfalls and cooler mountain climates.
One of Brazil's highest peaks in Minas Gerais, offering challenging hikes and panoramic sunrise views.
A popular, steep hike in Rio de Janeiro with dramatic rock formations and rewarding coastal vistas; requires good fitness and caution.
Airports
How to reach Brazil by plane.
Brazil's busiest international gateway serving São Paulo with extensive domestic and global connections; 25–40 km from central São Paulo with airport shuttle, buses and taxis.
Primary international airport for Rio de Janeiro, located on the north side of Guanabara Bay with bus, taxi and ride-hail links to the city.
Major domestic hub serving the capital and offering connections to many regional destinations; efficient for accessing central-west Brazil.
Convenient airport for visiting Iguazu Falls with regular flights from major Brazilian cities and proximity to the falls and neighboring Argentina/Paraguay.
Primary gateway to the Brazilian Amazon, used for river cruise departures and jungle lodge connections.
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
A large and diverse group reflecting mixed Indigenous, African and European ancestry; present across urban and rural Brazil.
Descendants of European immigrants (primarily Portuguese but also Italian, German, Spanish) concentrated in the south and southeast.
Communities with African ancestry forming an essential part of Brazil's cultural, musical and religious traditions, notably in Bahia and urban centers.
Numerous distinct indigenous groups primarily in the Amazon region maintaining languages, customs and traditional territories.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
The national passion and dominant sport, with fervent club and national team support — attending a match is a cultural experience.
Indoor and beach volleyball are very popular recreational and professional sports, with strong national teams.
Popular on many coastlines with numerous surf breaks attracting both locals and international surfers.
An Afro-Brazilian martial art that blends dance, acrobatics and music; classes and demonstrations are common in cultural centers.
Traffic
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
Vegetarian options are increasingly common in cities; ask for pratos sem carne (dishes without meat) and rely on feijoada vegetariana, salads, cheese bread and vegetable stews. Smaller towns may have limited options, so carry snacks or look for vegetarian-friendly cafes.
Veganism is growing in urban centers; many restaurants can adapt dishes but always confirm use of butter, cheese and fish-based broths. Markets offer fruits, manioc, beans and rice as reliable staples.
Cassava (manioc) and rice-based dishes make gluten-free eating relatively easy, though cross-contamination can occur. Carry a phrase card stating gluten intolerance in Portuguese when dining.
Healthcare
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting Brazil.