Brazil, the largest country in South America, is famous for its diverse culture, stunning landscapes, historic landmarks, and vibrant cities. From the Amazon rainforest to the iconic beaches of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil offers a wide range of attractions and experiences. Whether you’re looking for adventure, relaxation, or cultural immersion, Brazil has something for you. Plan your trip well, stay safe, and enjoy the vibrant spirit of this incredible country.
Examples of destinations
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is a costal city known for its carnival, samba music, and iconic landmarks like Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain. Many visitors come to enjoy the lively atmosphere of the legendary Copacabana and Ipanema beaches.
São Paulo
This is Brazil’s largest city, a bustling metropolis with a rich cultural scene, museums, theaters, and diverse culinary options.
Brasília
This is the capital of Brazil, known for its unique architecture designed by Oscar Niemeyer. Explore the city’s planned layout and iconic buildings.
Salvador
Salvador is a city with a deep Afro-Brazilian heritage. The city is known for its colonial architecture, music, and vibrant street festivals.
Iguazu Falls
The Iguazu Falls are one of the most spectacular waterfall systems in the world, located on the border between Brazil and Argentina. Experience the breathtaking views and various trails.
The Amazon Rainforest
This is the world’s largest tropical rainforest, and it sports incredible biodiversity and opportunities for eco-tourism and adventure. Roughly 60% of the Amazon Rainforest is in Brazil, but this forest also stretches into Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela.
Many tourists who come to Brazil to experience the Amazon Rainforest pick the city of Manaus as their base and go on shortern and longer excursions from there. Manaus and Belém are the only two cities in the Brazilian rainforest with a population of over 1 million people.
Manaus is located near the confluence of the Negro and Amazon rivers, in the centre of the Amazon Rainforest, and has since long carried the monikers “City of the Forest” and “Heart of the Amazon”. The National Institute of Amazonian Research is located here, as well as several regional museums and native peoples museums. From Manaus, it is easy to catch a tour boat to see the Meeting of the Waters, where the black water of Rio Negro meets the brown water of Rio Solimoes. For roughly nine kilometres, the two waters will flow side by side instead of mixing.
Festivals
Brazil is known for its lively festivals, with Carnival being the most famous. These events are great opportunities to experience local culture and traditions.
The Carnival traditionally takes place on the Friday before Ash Wednesday, but in many places throughout Brazil the festivities have spread out to occupy more than one day, with Friday being the most intense of them. If you visit Brasil during this time of year, expect at least a week of festivities – and remember that traffic will not be normal, prices may be higher, hotels get booked up far in advance, etcetera. The celebrations are especially vibrant along the coast, with the coastal city Rio de Janeiro having the largest celebration of all. In an average year, several million people will participate in the festivities in Rio de Janeiro, including around 1.5 million people who arrive to the city from other parts of Brazil or from abroad.
Cuisine
Brazilian cuisine is diverse and flavorful. Don’t miss trying traditional dishes like feijoada (a hearty black bean stew with pork), pão de queijo (cheese bread), and brigadeiros (chocolate truffles).
The national spirit of Brazil is Cachaça, a destilled spirit made from fermented sugarcane juice. Outside Brazil, it is chiefly famous for being included in the caipirinha, a Brazilian cocktail originating in São Paulo, consisting of cachaça, sugar, lime and ice. Within Brazil, a lot of other cocktails using cachaça are available alongside the caipirinha.
Health and vaccinations
Before traveling to Brazil, check for any required and recommended vaccinations. It is advisable to consult with a vaccination clinic to get an individual assessment of your needs. Several facts will be taken into consideration, such as your age and general health status, what you will be doing in Brazil, which places you will visit, and for how long you will be staying.
Recommended vaccinations often include:
- Hepatitis A and B: Recommended for most travelers to Brazil.
- Typhoid: Especially if visiting smaller cities or rural areas.
- Yellow Fever: Strongly recommended if traveling to certain regions, such as the Amazon. Also remember that some other countries, where Yellow Fever is not endemic, will not let you in after a recent visit to Brazil unless you show evidence of Yellow Fever vaccination.
- Rabies: Recommended for travelers spending a lot of time outdoors, in rural areas or interacting with animals that are not vaccinated.
- Routine Vaccinations: Ensure you are up-to-date on standard vaccines like MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), DPT (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus), and in some cases also influenza.
Additionally, it’s advisable to drink bottled water and be cautious with ice (which may be made using unsafe water) to avoid gastrointestinal issues.
Basic info about Brazil
Language
Portuguese is the official language. Learning at least basic phrases can enhance your travel experience.
Currency
The Brazilian Real (BRL) is the official currency. Credit cards are widely accepted, but it’s good to have cash for smaller establishments.
Safety
While Brazil is generally safe for tourists, it’s important to stay vigilant, especially in crowded areas and tourist spots. Avoid displaying valuables. Be aware of your surroundings.
