Essential Travel Tips for Brazil :

• 90 days visa on entry

• Brazil is a vast country, so do your research about places you want to see

• insect repellent is a must

• only use licensed taxies or Uber is a very cheap option

• stay hydrated, and don't drink tap water

• you may require vaccinations for hepatitis A, typhoid, yellow fever, and malaria

• given the long distances between cities, flying can be an excellent option to cover more

• a little Portuguese will take you a long way in interacting with locals

• watch for your belongings in crowded areas and on public transport

• you won't need to carry much cash. You can pay almost everywhere with credit cards.

Some quick facts about Brazil:

• Population: 212 million: Brazil ranks among the most populous nations globally, fostering a dynamic and culturally diverse society.

• Area: 8,516 million sqm: South America's largest country boasts diverse landscapes, from dense rainforests to sprawling urban centers.

• Capital: Brasília: renowned for its modernist architecture and strategic urban planning, reflecting the country's aspirations for progress and development.

• The largest city: São Paulo, epitomizes the nation's economic vitality and cultural richness, serving as a vibrant hub of commerce, industry, and the arts.

• Regions: North, Northeast, Central-west, Southeast, South

• There are 26 states, each with a distinct identity and contributing to the country's diverse cultural tapestry.

• Official language: (Brazilian) Portuguese reflects the nation's colonial heritage and is a unifying force among its diverse population.

• Currency: Brazilian Real (BRL)

• Religion: Christianity (88%), particularly Catholicism and Protestantism, is the primary religion in Brazil

• Time zone: UTC -2 to -5
  

How did I get the idea?

First, let's start with some background on how this idea started. The first time I traveled on a long backpacking trip was in Southeast Asia about six years ago; wow, six years ago; just saying that out loud makes me think about how time flies so fast. Anyway, so on that trip, I had the most fantastic experience of my life so far; it's shaped the way I am in ways I don't even know, but what else it did was give me the thirst to try to make other long backpacking trips in different places in the world. I chose South America as the next destination for reasons I would also go by in this blog post.

I've always been fascinated by South America, from all the nature sights from the Amazon rainforest, Andes, and Patagonia region and other stunning national parks to the Machu Pichu that's on my and many other people's bucket lists to the fantastic and unique blend of food and the wonderful, kind and warm people. This is just the tip of the iceberg because as you dive deep into each country and what they offer, you start finding more and more things that will entice you to want to go and explore that country.

I knew that Brazil was one of the best countries to visit in South America, so I decided to start there. I started looking for a cheap plane ticket there. I've found one from Lisbon that goes to Sao Paolo. If you're planning to fly to Brazil from Europe, I would recommend flying from Spain or Portugal to either Rio or Sao Paulo; those routes would get you the best prices.

What's the plan so far?

Just a rough estimation of where I need to be and how much time I have. At the end of the month, I'll have to meet some friends in Colombia, so I'll take a boat from Manaus, the largest city in the Amazon, which you can only reach by car and boat, to Leticia in Colombia, the town on the border with Brazil and Peru. From experience, I know that when backpacking, it's ideal to have some flexibility in case sudden opportunities arise. You are not tied to a schedule. I want to tease a couple of ideas about the boat trip to Colombia, but most of the details go into a separate and fascinating blog post that I've already planned; what fascinating, I say? I'll take a 6-day boat trip on a slow boat that will offer a unique experience of the Amazon and the people that live there, and I have to mention that I'll be sleeping in a hammock on the boat's deck.

Arriving in Brazil

My flight was from Lisbon to Madrid, then a 5-hour layover and another 11-hour flight from Madrid to Sao Paulo. After landing, I got my backpack, cleared customs quickly, and went to catch the bus to Villa Madalena, where my hostel was. Another thing that I need to mention is some cash is required before getting to Brazil if you're planning to take public transport. On the bus, I met Casper. Coincidently from Denmark, he was kind enough to help me figure out how to get public transport in Sao Paulo. One thing that both of us didn't expect was how crazy the rush-out commute would be. We got stuck in one train station waiting to board a train from the redline because all the trains were packed with people, and there were no trains with my backpack. Eventually, after one hour of waiting, we got in and went to Luz station in the city center, where we split up, and I took the yellow metro line to Villa Madalena.

It was still early, so I couldn't check in at the hostel, but I went showering and had coffee and breakfast. Next, I had to deal with the most important thing: getting a Brazilian sim card; that was relatively straightforward given how many articles I've read online about how difficult it is to get a sim card for foreigners because we don't have a CPF (security number ). I just went to El Dorado Mall and got one pre-paid sim card for a month costing 120 reais ( about 21 $) with 75 GB of internet.

Seven things you should know before traveling to Brazil

Climate in Brazil

Brazil's climate varies across its regions. The North has a humid tropical climate with rainy and mildly dry seasons. The Northeast has a similar climate with a more pronounced wet and dry season. Moving towards the Center West, the climate is a mix between the North and Northeast. As we move south, the climate becomes subtropical. The Southeast has distinct winter and summer seasons with hot summers and mild winters, while the South is even more subtropical with slightly cold winters. Mountainous regions in the South have occasional snowfall during the winter.

Sunset on the boat near Praia Paraty Mirim

My trip is starting in São Paulo in April. I have to say it's pleasantly warm, and with also a gentle breeze sometimes. Heading north from here, the climate will get increasingly humid, but to my surprise, the nights are a bit more cooled off, so it's relatively enjoyable to be out at night. The tricky part is when I get to the northeast of Brazil, the average temperature will converge towards 30 degrees, and there will be high humidity and rainfall, specifically in Manaus, which is in the middle of the Amazon. So it's lovely that I'm spending some time in the southeast getting used to the climate.

People and language in Brazil

Brazil is a land of vast diversity. It is a country that offers a unique blend of colors, sounds, and flavors unmatched anywhere else. From the warm and welcoming people to the various regional accents and dialects, Brazil is a kaleidoscope of cultural experiences. Although Portuguese is the official language of Brazil, it is worth noting that there are regional differences in the vocabulary and accents of the language.

Based on my experience in Brazil so far, I have to say that I am pleasantly surprised by how friendly the people are here. It is so easy to strike up a conversation with Brazilians. Admittedly, the language barrier can sometimes be an issue, but that does not stop people from trying to help you. So, learning a bit of Portuguese could go a long way. Since coming here, I have met many Brazilians and even made friends with some of them, and I get to spend time with them.

Safety in Brazil

In any case, here are some safety measures you can take to avoid getting in trouble :

• Avoid walking alone at night, especially in shady places; take an Uber or be with friends when you go out.

• If you see a big group of suspicious people, don't be loud and try to stay out of their way; you never know their intention.

• Don't wear flashy clothes, and be mindful of your personal belongings

• Be kind and respectful to people around you; you're a visitor in their country, so say hi to people. Most of the time, they are friendly and willing to help out.

• Avoid using your phone in crowded areas; look for a safe place, like a shop or a restaurant, where someone can't just run and grab it.

People dancing on Avenida Paulista ,Sao Paolo

Alone on the bus on my way to a waterfall near Paraty

As a solo traveler, I have to admit that before coming to Brazil, I also got a bit scared about how safe traveling here would be, especially in larger cities like Sao Paulo, Rio, and Salvador. I've read many stories online about armed robberies, violent crime, situations where you go out and get drugged, and they come with you home and steal your stuff, all kinds of nasty things. As such, when I landed and wanted to take public transport to my hostel in Sao Paulo

I was a bit concerned. Eventually, after I emailed the hostel and they told me the best way to get there, I decided to follow their advice and do it. Sufficed to say that my concerns were a bit overreacted because the neighborhood that I was staying in was so safe; even at night, I got to walk around and never felt unease; there are lights everywhere, and Villa Magdalena is a pretty lively neighborhood, a lot of people go out, or for a late-night jog or having dinner at some restaurants.

I've read that public transport is one of the best in South America, with an extended metro network combined with trains and buses. Police routinely patrol the underground, so that made me feel relatively safe. Besides this, if you want more comfort, uber is easily accessible and cheap.

When doing the free walking tour in São Paulo, we were warned to keep our stuff close to us in crowded areas, as petty theft is quite common there. We were also warned not to be downtown at night. I saw why that's the case: A lot of the buildings are closed, abandoned, or the ones that are opened close after dark, so there's not much to do there, and there are a lot of homeless people.

As soon as I left the big cities, the smaller towns started to feel safer, a feeling I had in the countries I traveled to. People got on with their lives, and no one was waiting around the corner to steal or harm their belongings. When I got to Parary, I explored a nearby waterfall. I left quite early in the morning and came back hitchhiking because I had to wait too long for the bus. I used public transport often, which was on time, cheap, and safe.

Public transportation in Brazil

Brazil is an enormous country, and the options for moving around are limited. Few train lines exist apart from the big cities, and not many train lines exist throughout the country because of the difficulty of accessing certain areas. Flying between long distances is recommended and used by most travelers. The metro in Sao Paolo is safe and reliable, and there are five reis per ticket.

The most used mode of transportation is buses. I've taken long-distance buses, night buses, and local buses. It's the primary transport method, and the comfort depends on your booking company, especially on long journeys.

I've only taken boats to explore some remote places on the coast, lovely beaches, and different islands. Here, I would recommend taking public boats as they're going to be much cheaper. If you need to travel to a remote beach, go with someone to split the cost of the trip. The easiest way is to book a board tour from the city or hostel. For more about public transport in Brazil, go to this link.

Money and spending in Brazil

Important notes :

• Whenever you pay with your card in Brazil, you must always say crédito when paying although you have a debit card . This one also surprised me initially, and my card was declined until I did this. I asked a lot of travelers, and they have been through the same thing.

• Most places in Brazil are cashless. Another thing that surprised, you can even pay for a coconut at the street vendor in the park with a card

• They have this type of restaurant where you get a card at the entrance, and every time you order something, it's going to that card. Before you pay, you need to pay the balance of your card so the tourniquets can open.

• So far, most of the places I used cash were in public transport when taking a local bus, metro, or boat.

​From my experience so far, I'm using my Revolut card to pay everywhere, and it never gets declined, but I always have some quick cash in hand, about 200 reais ( 40 $ ).

I will say that Brazil is a country for all budgets, and there's a stark contrast between the very rich and the poor.

Cuisine in Brazil

Brazilian cuisine uniquely blends various cultural influences, such as European, African, and Asian. Portuguese cuisine has had a significant impact, as has the food traditions of the indigenous people of South America. Due to the country's size, Brazilian culinary traditions vary in different regions. However, experiencing Brazilian cuisine is an inevitable part of visiting the country. Here are some of the most popular national dishes that one must try:

1. Tapioca: a gluten-free starch made from cassava root. It is used to make flatbread-like pancakes filled with savory or sweet fillings.

2. Pastel: deep-fried pastries with assorted ingredients like ground meat, cheese, palm hearts, or catupiry (creamy cheese) are popular street snacks across Brazil.

3. Paçoca: is a crumbly treat made from ground peanuts, sugar, and sometimes cassava flour. It is enjoyed as a snack or dessert.

4. Coxinha: Shredded chicken wrapped in dough, shaped like a teardrop, breaded, and deep-fried. Crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, often served as an appetizer or party food.

5. Açaí: a superfood fruit popular in coastal cities, often combined with other fruits, granola, or similar ingredients and served as a refreshing snack.

6. Brigadeiros: Brazilian chocolate truffles topped with sprinkles, white chocolate, or various fillings.

7. Empadas: are small savory pies filled with chicken, cream cheese, peas, and corn. They are sold as street food in Brazil, and other meat fillings are available.

8. Farofa: is a dish made of fried tapioca flour, fried bacon, rice, and beans. It can be served as a side or main dish and provides a unique texture and flavor to meals.

9. Pão de Queijo: Cheese bread made from cassava flour and queijo Minas, a Brazilian cheese. It is a beloved snack with a chewy texture and cheesy flavor.

Brazil is also a dream country for coffee lovers. This country produces one-third of the world's coffee and is a leading grower and exporter of coffee beans. Brazilian coffee is known for its distinctive taste and quality.

Nature in Brazil

My nature highlights planned for one month Brazil Trip :

• Beaches in Ihla Grande

• Hikes near Rio de Janeiro

• Salvador de Bahia Natuional park

• Amazon River boat trip

Brazil is one of the world's largest countries, renowned for its natural beauty and popular tourist sites. The Amazon Rainforest, which covers 60% of Brazil, is one of the most significant natural wonders in the world. It represents half of the world's remaining rainforests and is home to various plant and animal species. The Iguazu Falls, shared with Argentina, is also one of Brazil's most important sites and the world's most significant falls. In addition to the Iguazu Falls, Brazil boasts 72 national parks, many of which are the biggest tourist attractions in the country. These parks have mountains, rivers, falls, lakes, canyons, and valleys. Some of the most popular parks include Lencois Maranhenses, Monte Roraima, and Chapada dos Veadeiros. There are endless opportunities for an active holiday in Brazil, including hiking, swimming, and wildlife observation. Brazil has the largest biodiversity in the world, with the most bird and reptile species on the planet. If you're looking for an adventure, Brazil is the perfect place to explore hidden beaches, deserted areas, and lush forests. However, it's important to remember that the country is home to many wild animals, so booking a tour or an experienced guide is best to help you stay safe.

And yes, let's not forget that Brazil has some of the best beaches in the world.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Quick Notes about Brazil

3. Background & Inspiration

4. Climate Variations

5. Language & Culture

6. Safety Precautions

7. Money Matters in Brazil

8. Exploring Brazil's Natural Beauty

9. Cuisine & Culinary Delights