Brazil: Wild, Loud, and Completely Unforgettable.
From the Amazon to Carnival, Iguazu Falls to Copacabana – this is the trip that rewires you.
Brazil doesn’t do anything quietly. It’s the world’s fifth-largest country, packed with more biodiversity, more culture, and more sheer noise than almost anywhere on earth. The Amazon rainforest covers more than half of it. The coastline stretches over 7,000 kilometres. And somehow, in between all that, you’ve got colonial cities, wetlands teeming with wildlife, and a population that knows how to throw the best party on the planet.
Portugal colonised it in the 16th century. Indigenous tribes lived here thousands of years before that. African influences shaped its music, food, and soul. The result? A culture that’s impossible to pin down, and that’s exactly what makes it so addictive to explore.
This guide covers everything you need, from the best time to visit and how to get around, to what it actually costs and which places are genuinely worth your time.
11-12 hrs
From the UK
May-Sep
Best time (South)
Portuguese
Main language
BRL
Currency
Best Time To Visit
Best time to visit Brazil: November to March for the hottest weather (around 27–33°C) and big vibes like New Year + Carnival.
That said, Brazil works year-round because the climate shifts a lot by region, but nothing is so extreme it stops you travelling.
On the northeast coast, June–July can be showery, usually quick afternoon rain rather than all-day washouts.
For the Pantanal, the driest months are April–October (roughly 30–35°C). The wetter months can actually be brilliant for wildlife too, with chances to spot jaguars, hyacinth macaws, and capybaras.
For a month by month look click here
What To Expect
21°C
- Temperature
Capital: Brasília
Language: The official language of Brazil is Portuguese. You’ll also find that not many people outside of the tourism industry speak English
Currency: The official currency of Brazil is the Real (BRL). Check the latest rates here
Credit Cards & ATMs: Credit cards are widely accepted in Brazil. Although many small businesses, cafes, markets, and spots outside of larger cities often don’t take card. Cash machines are common in major towns and cities but might be a bit more difficult to track down in the countryside.
Plugs: In Brazil, the power plugs are type N, the standard voltage is 127 / 220 V, and the standard frequency is 60 Hz. I recommend buying a universal adapter
Safety: Brazil has a bad rap for being unsafe and is known for its high crime rates. In general, the scenarios that involve tourists are typically mugging and pickpocketing. Safeguard your belongings, avoid traveling alone if possible, and practice caution at all times.
Random useful tip: Tipping in Brazil is typically not expected nor given. Usually, Brazilians only consider giving an extra if there was some special, nonstandard service.
Dont’s: Don’t wander into favelas.
Explore Brazil
From Rio’s skyline to the Amazon’s depths — everything you need to plan your Brazil trip.
City Guides
Itineraries + Maps
Best Places to Visit & Things to Do
Best Time to Visit
Travel Tips
Everything Else
How Much Does Brazil Cost?
Brazil is more affordable than most people expect – but there are traps. Here’s a realistic breakdown.
🎒
Backpacker
~£29 / €33 / $39/day
- Hostel dorms from £8 / €9 / $11/night
- Kilo buffets & street food
- Public buses & metro
- Free beaches, parks, walking tours
🍜
Mid-Range
~£75 / €86 / $102/day
- Private room or budget hotel
- Restaurants and local spots
- Mix of Uber and public transport
- Day trips, museums, guided tours
🏨
Upscale
~£163+ / €187+ / $221+/day
- Boutique hotels and beach resorts
- Fine dining and seafood
- Private tours and helicopter rides
- Fernando de Noronha, Amazon lodges
Detailed Cost Breakdown
Budget
- Hostel dorm: £8–19 / €9–22 / $11–26/night
- Hostel private: £19–41 / €22–47 / $26–56/night
- Budget hotel: £25–57 / €29–65 / $34–77/night
Mid–Luxury
- Airbnb apartment: £41+ / €47+ / $56+/night
- Boutique hotel: £65–130 / €74–149 / $88–176/night
- Beach resort: £130+ / €149+ / $176+/night
City Travel
- Local bus/metro: £0.65–1.20 / €0.74–1.37 / $0.88–1.63
- Uber short ride: £1.70–4.50 / €1.95–5.15 / $2.31–6.10
- Taxi per km: £0.50–0.85 / €0.57–0.97 / $0.68–1.15/km
Long Distance
- Intercity bus (Rio de Janeiro–São Paulo): £8–41 / €9–47 / $11–56
- Domestic flight: £30–80 / €34–92 / $41–108
- Car rental per day: £17–41 / €19–47 / $23–56/day
Eat Cheap
- Budget meal / street food: £2.50–6.50 / €2.86–7.44 / $3.39–8.81
- Kilo buffet (per kg): £4–8 / €5–9 / $5–11
- Coffee: £0.85–1.70 / €0.97–1.95 / $1.15–2.31
Eating Out
- Mid-range restaurant: £8–19 / €9–22 / $11–26
- Churrascaria (BBQ): £15–40 / €17–46 / $20–54
- Local beer (chopp): £1.20–2.60 / €1.37–2.98 / $1.63–3.53
Budget Fun
- Beach outings: free
- Museum entry: £1.70–8.50 / €1.95–9.73 / $2.31–11.53
- National park entry: £5–13 / €6–15 / $7–18
Big Experiences
- Iguaçu Falls tour: £32–130 / €37–149 / $43–176
- Christ the Redeemer + Sugarloaf Mountain: £35–65 / €40–74 / $47–88
- Amazon rainforest jungle tour (multi-day): £80+ / €92+ / $108+
Smart Ways to Save Money in Brazil
💧 Bring a filtered water bottle — tap water isn’t always safe
🚶 Take free walking tours in Rio, São Paulo, and Salvador
⚖️ Eat at kilo buffets (comida por quilo) — cheapest sit-down meal in the country
🚌 Use public buses and metro over taxis
🌙 Take overnight buses — saves a night’s accommodation
🏖️ Brazil’s best beaches are free
📅 Book domestic flights early — prices spike near travel dates
🎪 Many museums have free entry days — check locally
How to Get Around in Brazil
Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world. Getting between places takes planning, here’s what to know.
Domestic Flights
Best for covering big distances fast. Rio to Manaus is 4 hours by air, 4 days by boat.
✅ Fast and frequent
✅ Budget fares from ~£30
❌ Book early — prices spike
Car & Campervan
Best for exploring the Pantanal, coastal roads, or the South. Road trips here are genuinely epic.
✅ Total freedom
✅ Essential for rural areas
❌ City driving in Rio/São Paulo is chaotic — not recommended
Public Transport
Best for getting around within São Paulo and Rio. Both have metro systems that are cheap and reliable.
✅ São Paulo metro is extensive and cheap
✅ Rio metro covers key areas
❌ Doesn’t connect cities — city use only
Uber & 99
The safest way to get around cities. Always use apps over street taxis — it’s safer and cheaper.
✅ Cheaper and safer than hailing taxis
✅ 99 (local app) is often even cheaper than Uber
❌ Surge pricing during peak times and events
Intercity Bus
Best budget option between cities. Comfortable overnight coaches save on accommodation too.”
✅ Cheapest option from ~£8
✅ Overnight routes = save on hotels
❌ Very long journeys (Rio to São Paulo is 6 hrs)
Which Is Right For You?
Exploring Rio or São Paulo
Use the metro and Uber
Travelling between major cities
Fly — distances are huge
Amazon or Pantanal
Book a guided tour with transport included
Tight budget, long routes
Overnight bus — comfortable and cheap
Quick Tips
🚕
Use Uber or 99
Always use apps over street taxis — safer and cheaper every time
📅
Book Flights Early
Domestic prices surge during Carnival, New Year, and July school holidays
🌙
Travel Overnight
Overnight buses between major cities save you a night’s accommodation
🚰
Skip Bottled Water
Bring a filtered bottle — tap water quality varies across Brazil
Book Tours & Tickets
Travel Resources
Travel Problems
Missed flights, lost luggage, dodgy hotels. It happens. Here’s how to handle all of it without losing your mind.
Theft & Scams
Pickpockets, tourist traps, and cons you won’t see coming. We break down the most common ones and how to avoid every single one.
Travel Insurance
Don’t skip this one. Especially travelling solo. We compare the best policies and explain exactly what you actually need.
FAQs
Do I need a visa to visit Brazil?
It depends on your passport. UK and EU citizens can now visit Brazil visa-free for up to 90 days — this changed in 2024. US citizens also regained visa-free access. That said, requirements can and do change, so always check the official Brazilian government immigration portal before you travel.
Is Brazil safe for tourists?
It depends enormously on where you are and how you travel. Major tourist areas — Rio’s South Zone (Ipanema, Copacabana), São Paulo’s Paulista and Pinheiros neighbourhoods, Florianópolis — are generally fine with normal precautions. Petty theft, pickpocketing, and phone theft are the most common issues. Avoid displaying expensive jewellery or phones in busy areas, use Uber over street taxis, and don’t wander into favelas without a proper guided tour. The risks are real but manageable with common sense.
When is the best time to visit Brazil?
It genuinely depends on where you’re going. For Rio and the southeast: April–October is ideal — warm, drier, and less humid. For the Amazon and north: June–October (dry season) makes river travel and wildlife spotting much easier. Carnival (February/March, depending on the year) is an experience of a lifetime — but book accommodation 6–12 months out. The Pantanal is best May–September for wildlife. See our full seasonal guide above.
How many days do I need in Brazil?
Realistically, 2–3 weeks minimum to see more than one region. Most first-timers do Rio + one other destination (Iguaçu Falls, the Amazon, or Salvador) in 10–14 days. Brazil rewards longer trips. You’ll want to come back — budget for that.
Is Brazil expensive?
Less than most people expect. It’s significantly cheaper than Western Europe or North America. Budget travellers can manage on £29–41/day. Mid-range travellers spending £65–115/day live very well. The main costs are domestic flights (necessary given the distances) and any big-ticket experiences like multi-day Amazon tours or Iguaçu Falls packages.
What's the best way to get between cities?
For most routes: fly. Brazil is enormous and overland distances between major cities are brutal — Rio to São Paulo is 6 hours by bus, Rio to Manaus is 4 days by boat. Budget airlines like GOL, LATAM, and Azul make domestic flights affordable. For shorter routes (like Rio to Paraty or São Paulo to Campos do Jordão), a bus or rental car makes more sense.
Do I need travel insurance for Brazil?
Absolutely — don’t skip this. Brazil has no reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK or most other countries. A hospital visit without insurance can run into thousands of pounds. Comprehensive travel insurance is non-negotiable, and make sure it covers adventure activities if you’re doing anything remotely active (Amazon trekking, surfing, watersports). Compare options in the Travel Resources section.
Is the tap water safe to drink?
In most major cities, technically yes — but the quality and taste varies a lot. In rural areas and smaller towns, it’s not reliably safe. The safest habit regardless is to bring a reusable bottle with a built-in filter (LifeStraw or Grayl both work well) and skip bottled water entirely. Better for your wallet and the environment.
Travel Hubs Worth A Look
Get Your Free Travel Starter Kit!
