Brazil
Travel guide & places to visit in South America
- Capital
- Brasília
- Currency
- Brazilian Real (BRL)
- Language
- Portuguese (official)
- Best time
- April, May, June
About Brazil
Largest Latin American economy, 12th globally. Agriculture (coffee, soy, beef), mining, manufacturing, fintech. Growing tech sector.
Geography
Area: 8,515,770 sq km
- • Mostly tropical
- • Temperate in south
- • Equatorial Amazon
- • Semi-arid northeast
Government
Type: federal presidential republic
Capital: Brasilia
Economy
GDP: $1.609 trillion
Per Capita: $7,500
Demographics
Population: 218,689,757
Languages: Portuguese (official)
Religions: Catholic 64.6%, Protestant 22.2%, none 8%
Explore Brazil's Regions
Discover 27 distinct regions, each with unique landscapes and culture.
Major Cities in Brazil
Explore 50 cities with unique attractions and experiences.
Places to Visit
island
Ilha dos Frades
Brazil
island
Fernando de Noronha
Brazil
garden
Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden
Brazil
beach
Ipanema beach
Brazil
nationalpark
Caracol State Park
Brazil
mountain
Sugarloaf mountain
Brazil
Travel Essentials
Contact & Emergency
Phone Code: +55
Currency: Brazilian Real (BRL)
fire: 193
police: 190
ambulance: 192
Practical Info
Electricity: 127/220V / 60Hz / Type N
Driving: Right
Water: Bottled only
Tipping
- • 10% usually added to restaurant bill automatically
- • If not included, leave 10%
- • Taxi: round up
- • Hotel: R$5-10 per bag
When to Visit Brazil
Best Months
April, May, June, August, September, October
Peak Season
Dec-Feb (summer, Carnival, beaches), Jul (school holidays)
Off Season
Mar-May (post-Carnival, pleasant weather, fewer tourists)
- Feb-Mar
Carnival (Rio, Salvador, Recife, Olinda)
- Jun
Festa Junina (June festivals nationwide)
- Sep
Independence Day (Sep 7), whale watching in Santa Catarina
- Dec
Reveillon (New Year's Eve on Copacabana)
Top Destinations in Brazil
- 1Rio de Janeiro (Christ, Copacabana, Sugarloaf)
- 2Iguazu Falls
- 3Amazon Rainforest (Manaus)
- 4Salvador (Pelourinho)
- 5Fernando de Noronha
- 6Florianopolis
- 7Sao Paulo (food capital)
- 8Pantanal (wildlife)
- 9Lencois Maranhenses
- 10Ouro Preto
- 11Chapada Diamantina
- 12Bonito (crystal-clear rivers)
- 13Paraty
Cultural Tips
- Brazilians are warm and physical — hugging and cheek kisses are standard greetings
- Portuguese is NOT Spanish — learn basic Portuguese, not Spanish
- Bikinis and swimwear norms are more liberal than most countries
- Football is religion — pick a local team to make friends
- Safety: use Uber/99 instead of random taxis, avoid flashing valuables
- Acai in Brazil is a meal, not a smoothie bowl
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brazil safe?
Tourist areas in Rio, SP, Salvador are generally safe with precautions. Don't flash valuables, use Uber/99, avoid deserted areas at night. Favela tours only with reputable guides.
Best time for Carnival?
February or early March (dates vary). Rio for spectacle, Salvador for participation (dancing in the streets), Olinda/Recife for culture. Book 3-6 months ahead. Prices triple during Carnival week.
Daily budget?
Budget: R$150-250/day ($30-50). Mid-range: R$400-800. Rio and SP are priciest. Northeast (Salvador, Recife) is 30-40% cheaper.
What to Buy in Brazil
Countries Bordering Brazil - Cross-Border Travel Guide
Plan seamless cross-border travel to countries bordering Brazil. Discover visa requirements, border crossings, and multi-destination trip opportunities.
And 2 more neighboring countries
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