Brazil Travel

Few other countries offer as incredible a mix of vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and diverse wildlife as Brazil. From the bustling streets of Rio de Janeiro, where the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue overlooks the city, to the lush Amazon rainforest teeming with life, Brazil is a destination that captivates the senses. If you are in the process of making Brazil travel plans, you have come to the right place.

Each region of Brazil presents its own unique charm, making it a country that invites exploration and adventure. To start, the natural beauty of Brazil is nothing short of breathtaking. The pristine beaches of Bahia provide the perfect backdrop for relaxation and water sports. Meanwhile, the majestic Iguazu Falls and the incredible Pantanal wetlands offer a thrilling encounter with nature. This dynamic blend of nature, culture, and adventure makes Brazil a must-visit destination for any traveler.

Please use this Brazil travel page as you plan your next adventure. To help you navigate the information I have included on this page, I have provided a quick navigation menu for you to use below. This will make it fast and easy for you to see which top destinations I recommend, which popular parks and destinations in Brazil you should consider visiting, and links to all of the travel guides, itineraries, and packing articles I have written to help you plan your adventure.

I have also included some key information you will need when planning your travel to Brazil. This includes information such as the languages spoken, the currency used, emergency contact numbers to be aware of, visa and passport considerations, required vaccinations, and important driving information (if you plan on driving while on your visit).

	Top Things to See
	Popular Cities
	Languages Spoken
	Currency
	Power Adapters Required
	Emergency Contact
	Visa, Passport, and Immunization Info
	Key Phrases
	Driving Info
	Relative Guides, Itineraries, and Articles
	Packing and Planning Tips

Top Things to See

Before planning your Brazil travel, check out my gallery of the top things to see in the country below for inspiration. There is so much to see and do in the country, so you won’t want to miss out on the top sights!

São Paulo

Iguazu Falls

Recife

Ilha Grande

Rio de Janeiro

The Pantanal

Lencois Maranhenses National Park

The Amazon Rainforest

Salvador

If you are looking for some more fun things to see and do while you are in Brazil, I have linked to my article on the Top 15 Things to Do in Brazil below.

READ MORE:

The Top 15 Things to Do in Brazil: A Guide for Travelers

Popular Cities

Brazil Travel - São Paulo — *São Paulo, Brazil*

As you start planning your Brazil travel, you will want to familiarize yourself with the country’s largest and most popular cities (which are not always one and the same).

This is not only to see if you would like to visit and tour these cities, but also because they will typically be your ports of entry and transportation hubs as you visit them on your trip. To help you with this, I have included a map of some of the key cities within Brazil that you will want to become familiar with below.

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Languages Spoken

The official language spoken in Brazil is Portuguese, which is widely spoken by nearly the entire population of the country. In fact, Brazil is the most populous Portuguese-speaking country in the world. After Portuguese, the most common spoken languages spoken in Brazil include Spanish, English, and German. The following list shows how many people in Brazil are estimated to speak each of these languages.

Portuguese – 208.31 million speakers.
Spanish – 6.38 million speakers.
English – 8.50 million speakers.
German – 2.13 million speakers.

Currency

The official currency in Brazil is the Brazilian real (BRL). The symbol of the Brazilian real is R$. One Brazilian real is made up of 100 cents, or centavos. Brazilian banknotes are printed in denominations of 2 reals, 5 reals, 10 reals, 20 reals, 50 reals, 100 reals, and 200 reals. Meanwhile, Brazilian coins are minted in denominations of 5 centavos, 10 centavos, 25 centavos, 50 centavos, and 1 Brazilian real.

Power Adapters Required

One of the most overlooked aspects of international travel is ensuring you have the proper power adapters. You may or may not be aware that both the voltage and the type of outlet available differ widely from one region of the world to the next. If you aren’t prepared, you won’t be able to charge your electronic devices as you travel.

Even worse, you may damage or even destroy your electronic devices if you don’t have the right adapter with a voltage converter. Electricity supplies worldwide can vary from anything between 100V and 240V. It can be extremely dangerous to use an electrical appliance that is rated at a voltage different from the supply.

To ensure that this doesn’t happen to you, I have included some critical information on the electrical system in Brazil for you to review below. This includes what types of international power adapters you should bring with you on your trip.

Electrical Voltage in Brazil

In Brazil, they operate on a 127/220V supply voltage and 60Hz. While the power supply in Brazil is 127V, some of the newer hotels operate at 220V. If you have an appliance that is single-voltage rated, the voltage rating of the device must be 220V for you to use it without a voltage converter. When shopping for a travel power adapter, it is important to confirm that the adapter you choose has a voltage converter included and isn’t just an adapter.

A power adapter will change the type of plug from one type to another so that you can plug into different outlets. However, a simple power adapter will not change the voltage of the supply to the voltage used by the devices you brought from home (120V in the United States). To do that, you will need a travel power adapter with a voltage converter.

Electrical Outlets in Brazil

In Brazil, the two types of electrical plugs used are Type C and Type N. The Type C plug is the one that has two round pins. Meanwhile, the Type N plug is the one that has two round pins and a grounding pin. Please see the illustrations of the Type C and Type N plugs below to better understand what they look like.

Emergency Contact

In case of an emergency when traveling in Brazil, you should be aware of the following emergency services numbers.

190 – Military Police.
191 – Federal Highway Police.
192 – Ambulance.
193 – Fire Department.

Visa, Passport, and Immunization Info

Brazil Travel - Visa and Passport Requirements

Before booking your Brazil travel, you will want to be sure that you meet all of the necessary passport, VISA, and immunization requirements so that you can ensure you will be allowed into the country. To assist you, I have listed the requirements you will need to consider below for you to review.

READ MORE:

Brazil Entrance Requirements: What to Know Before Traveling

Passport Validity

All visitors are required to have a valid passport for the duration of their stay in Brazil. To be safe, I recommend that your passport be valid at least 3 months past your expected departure from the country.

VISA Requirements

Depending on which country you are from, you may or may not need to apply for a tourist VISA to visit Brazil. The following sections outline the Dominican Republic tourist VISA requirements and how to apply.

Important Note: While passport holders from the United States, Canada, and Australia are currently able to enter Brazil without a VISA for stays of less than 90 days, Brazil will reinstate its VISA requirement on April 10, 2025, for passport holders from these countries.

VISA-EXEMPT COUNTRIES

If you are a passport holder from one of the countries listed below, then you are VISA-exempt. This means that you won’t need to obtain a tourist VISA before traveling to Brazil if you plan on staying for less time than the VISA exemption period.

European Union **	Honduras **	Qatar **
Albania ***	Hong Kong **	Russia **
Andorra **	Iceland **	Saint Kitts and Nevis **
Antigua and Barbuda **	Indonesia *	St Vincent & Grenadines **
Argentina *****	Israel **	San Marino **
Armenia **	Jamaica **	Serbia **
Australia ****	Japan **	Seychelles ***
Bahamas **	Kazakhstan *	Singapore *
Barbados **	Liechtenstein **	South Africa **
Belarus **	Macau **	South Korea **
Belize **	Malaysia **	Malta **
Bolivia *****	Mexico **	Suriname **
Bosnia and Herzegovina **	Monaco **	Switzerland ***
Canada ****	Mongolia **	Thailand **
Chile *****	Montenegro ***	Trinidad and Tobago **
Colombia *****	Morocco **	Tunisia **
Costa Rica **	Namibia **	Turkey **
Dominica ***	New Zealand **	Ukraine ***
Ecuador *****	Nicaragua **	United Arab Emirates **
El Salvador **	North Macedonia ***	United Kingdom **
Fiji **	Norway **	United States ****
Georgia ***	Panama **	Uruguay *****
Grenada **	Paraguay *****	Vatican City **
Guatemala **	Peru *****	Venezuela *****
Guyana **	Philippines **

* – Visa Exempt for up to 30-days

** – Visa Exempt for up to 90-days

*** – Visa Exempt for up to 90-days within 180-Days

**** – Visa Exemption Expires on 4/10/2025

***** – Can Use ID Card to Enter the Country

ALL OTHER TRAVELERS

If you don’t hold a passport from a VISA-exempt nation, you will need to obtain a tourist VISA before traveling to Brazil. The easiest way to obtain a tourist VISA to visit Brazil is to apply for a Brazil E-Visa online. For your convenience, I have included a list of the application requirements for you to review below.

Application Requirements

Valid Passport (signed, valid up to the end of the travel to Brazil, 2 visa pages free)
Visa application for m (completed online)
Passport-style photo (2” x 2”, white background)
E-visa fee payment (US$ 80.90)

Additional Requirements for Minors

Birth Certificate
Authorization for Issuance of Brazilian Visa for a Minor, signed by both parents
For children of Brazilian parents: Declaração de Não-Cidadania declaring that the applicant is not a Brazilian citizen (does not hold a Brazilian Birth Certificate), signed by Brazilian parents.
If only one parent is listed on the birth certificate, only that parent’s signature is required.
If one parent has sole custody of the applicant, a notarized copy of the court order awarding sole custody and exclusive parental rights must be presented.
If one parent is deceased, a death certificate must be presented.
Copy of passports or other form of photo ID for both parents.

Important Note: The name on the parent’s photo ID must match the parent’s name on the child’s birth certificate. If said parent has changed his or her name since the issuance of the birth certificate, the parent must present documentation showing proof of the name change (e.g., marriage certificate or court order)

Immunization Requirements

Important Note: I am not a medical doctor and don’t have medical experience. The information provided in this section is a summary of information that I got from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States for travel to Brazil. I am providing you with this information to help bring awareness of the necessary vaccinations to you, but consultation with my guide should not replace a discussion about your travels with your doctor or a travel medical clinic.

While there are no required immunizations for entering Brazil (including no Yellow Fever vaccination requirement), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) strongly recommends several vaccinations for those who will be visiting certain regions of the country.

This is in addition to being up-to-date on the standard immunizations recommended for travel. For some guidance on what is recommended before traveling to Brazil, please refer to the tables below.

Routine Vaccinations

The following routine vaccinations are recommended for anyone who will be traveling:

Chickenpox (Varicella)
Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
Flu (influenza)
Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
Shingles

Recommended Travel Vaccinations for Brazil

In addition to the routine vaccinations above, the following are additional vaccinations you may want to consider for Brazil:

Hepatitis A & B (if you haven’t had them).
COVID Vaccination (not required for entry but recommended).
Rabies – If you plan on spending time in remote areas.
Typhoid
Chikungunya – The Chikungunya vaccination is recommended if you are 65 years of age or older or planning on spending more than 6 months in Brazil.
Malaria – If you are traveling to high-risk areas like the Amazon or the Pantanal.
Measles – Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide, so all international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. Please see the CDC measles vaccination recommendations for more information.
Yellow Fever – If you are traveling to high-risk areas like the Amazon or the Pantanal.

Customs and Currency Restrictions

In addition to the other entry requirements for Brazil, you also need to make sure you understand and comply with the country’s customs and currency restrictions. For your convenience, I have highlighted these restrictions for your review below. More in-depth information on the customs restrictions can be found on the VisaHQ website for Brazil Travel.

FREE IMPORT

The following items are considered free-import items but with limits (as described below).

400 cigarettes, 25 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco.
24 units of alcoholic beverages – units classified as either 75cl or 1 litre bottles.
10 units of makeup items.
Clothes and other articles for personal use.
Books and periodicals.

PROHIBITED ITEMS

Before you are allowed into Brazil, you will also need to clear customs to be sure you aren’t carrying any prohibited items with you. For instance, travelers are strictly prohibited from bringing the following items into Brazil:

Illegal drugs.
Guns, explosives, and ammunition.
Knives and deadly weapons.
Fresh fruit and vegetables.
Plant and plant products.
All species of birds.
Pets and animals – unless authorized.
Dairy products – including milk, egg, and cheese.
Fish and fish products.
Cigarettes or alcoholic beverages of Brazilian origin.
Counterfeit money and goods.
Hazardous materials.
Pornographic material.

CONTROLLED ITEMS

In addition to these prohibited items, the government of Brazil has placed limits on the quantity of other items that can be brought into the country. The following items are considered controlled items in Brazil:

Flowers, plants, and plant products require special permission to be brought into the country.
Meat, egg, or fish products require special permission to be brought into the country.
Cats, dogs, and other animals being imported will need an international health certificate from the country of origin which was issued less than 10 days before their arrival. Pets 90 days or older will also require a Rabies vaccination certificate issued 30 days before the intended date of arrival.

Currency Restrictions

According to the US State Department website for travel to Brazil, there are currency restrictions in place for those both entering and leaving the country. If you are carrying more than 10,000 BR or its equivalent, it must be declared when entering or exiting Brazil.

More than 10,000 BR or its equivalent must be declared when entering Brazil.
More than 10,000 BR or its equivalent must be declared when leaving Brazil.

Key Phrases

As a part of your Brazil travel preparation, you will need to prepare yourself for how they talk in Brazil so that you can understand the dialog as you interact with local residents and other travelers. This includes understanding key phrases so that you can ask for things, respond to others, and get around the country much easier.

Here are some common phrases that you may need to use while visiting Brazil:

Greetings and Introductions

My name is… – Meu nome é…
What is your name? – Qual o seu nome?
Hello – Olá.
How are you? – Como vai você?
I’m fine, thanks – Eu estou bem, obrigado.
Nice to meet you – Prazer em conhecê-lo.
Good morning – Bom dia.
Good afternoon – Boa tarde.
Good night – Boa noite.
See you later – Até mais.
See you tomorrow – Vejo você amanhã.

Asking for Directions

I am lost – estou perdido.
To the right – Para a direita.
To the left – Para a esquerda.
Stop (verb) – Parar.
Where is the bathroom? – Onde fica o banheiro?
Can you give me directions to… – Você pode me dar instruções para…
Where is the…? – Onde está o…?

Everyday Phrases

Do you speak English? – Você fala inglês?
I don’t speak Spanish – eu não falo português.
Can I take your picture? – Posso tirar uma foto sua?
Can you take my picture? – Você pode tirar minha foto?
Please – Por favor.
Excuse me – Com licença.
Thank you -Obrigado.
You’re welcome – De nada.
I am …. years old – Eu sou …. anos.
Can you speak more slowly? – Você consegue falar mais devagar?

Shopping

Do you have any…? – Você tem algum…?
I would like to purchase…. – gostaria de comprar….
I would like to order… – gostaria de fazer o pedido…
How much does this cost? – Quanto custa isso?
The bill, please – A conta, por favor.

Emergency Assistance

Help me! – Me ajude!
I need a doctor – Eu preciso de um médico.
I need a pharmacy – Eu preciso de uma farmácia.
Where is the tourism police – Onde está a polícia de turismo?
I have an emergency – Estou em uma situação de emergência.

Driving Info

Most travelers who visit Brazil rely on car transfer services, ride-share services, or tours that include transportation to get around. In fact, the Uber ride-share service is a great way to get around while visiting Brazil. I used Uber quite a bit, and it worked wonderfully. However, renting a car may be a convenient option in some circumstances. If you are interested in driving while you are in Brazil, I have provided some tips for you to review below.

License Requirements

You must be 18 years or older to drive a vehicle in Brazil. Having an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) to drive in Brazil is not mandatory if you will be visiting for 180 days or less. However, obtaining an IDP before visiting Brazil may be a good idea to be safe. In addition to the IDP, you must always carry your local driver’s license and your passport with you while driving.

Important Note: Even with this IDP, you will need to have your regular license and passport with you.

Driving Tips

Before you depart for your trip, you will want to familiarize yourself with the following tips for driving in Brazil.

Roads that connect one state to another are federal highways known as BR-000, in which “000” should be replaced by another three-digit number.
- If this number starts with 0, then the highway starts at Brasília and runs towards the extremes of the country.
- Highways starting with 1 run north-south.
- Highways starting with 2 cross the country from east to west.
- Highways starting with 3 run northwest-southeast or northeast-southwest.
State highways that run within a single state will start with the two-letter code of the state (e.g., SP-101 stands for São Paulo State Highway 101) instead of the “BR”.
Roads in some cities may be toll roads and the cost can vary from R$1,50 to R$20,00 depending on the road.
If you are planning to make a left turn, pay attention to the road before making your turn. Other cars may still pass you on the left-hand side of your vehicle.
Be aware of and look for pedestrians at all times. They may try and cross the road even when they don’t have the right of way.
Many Brazilian streets and sometimes even highways have speed bumps. These speed bumps are typically clearly marked, so be mindful to look out for them.
Driving at night may be dangerous in less developed areas of Brazil due to the lack of visibility and street lights. It is always best to avoid stopping at red lights in these areas due to the risk of being robbed.
If someone hits your vehicle at night, it may be a criminal trying to get you to stop. Try leading them to a place with more people (say, a police station, a hospital, or a 24-hour gas station).

Traffic Laws

The final and arguably the most important things that you will need to know before driving in Brazil are the driving laws and regulations. For your convenience, I have included some of the most important regulations for you to review below.

Stop signs are the red octagonal signs found in most of the world, with the text “PARE” meaning stop in Portuguese.
The “give way” or “yield” sign is displayed in an equilateral, red-edged triangle pointed downwards.
Unless posted otherwise, the speed limits in Brazil are typically as follows:
- Residential/local streets: 30 km/h.
- Multi-lane avenues: 60 km/h.
- Highways (urban areas): 80 km/h for light vehicles, 60 km/h for heavy vehicles.
- Highways (rural areas): 110 km/h for light vehicles, 80 km/h for heavy vehicles.
Traffic lights in Brazil typically mean the following:
- Red: Stop and stay stopped until the light changes. It is illegal to turn right on Red in Brazil unless a direita livre sign is placed next to the traffic light.
- Red Arrow: Traffic in the direction of the arrow must stop.
- Yellow: Stop unless you cannot safely do so, as the light is about to turn Red.
- Flashing Yellow: This means the lights are not working.
- Green: You may proceed unless you block the intersection, in which case you must wait for traffic to clear before proceeding.
- Green Arrow: Traffic in the direction of the arrow may proceed as long as the intersection is clear.
- Red and Green Person: Used at pedestrian crossings. Green means walk, and Red means do not enter the intersection.
Seat belts are mandatory for all occupants of the vehicle.
Since 2008, Brazil has practiced a zero-tolerance policy for drunk driving. Any driver with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of up to 0.03% will have their license suspended for 12 months and will be fined BRL 2,934.70. A BAC of over 0.03% is a criminal offense and is subject to jail time.
The following regulations pertain to driving with children in the vehicle:
- Children under the age of 10: Must always ride in the back seat. If there are more children in the car than can fit in the back seat, the tallest child is allowed to ride in the front seat. This does not apply to children under the age of 1.
- Children under the age of 1: Must ride in rear-facing seats.
- Children between the ages of 1 and 4: Must ride in front-facing seats.
- Children between the ages of 4 and 7: Must use a car booster seat.

Relative Guides, Itineraries, and Articles

To assist you as you start to put together your travel plans for Brazil, I have provided a comprehensive list of all of my travel guides, itineraries, and travel inspiration articles for you to review below.

The Top 15 Things to Do in Brazil: A Guide for Travelers

The Ultimate Two-Week Brazil Travel Itinerary for Adventurers

Ultimate Iguazu Falls Travel Guide: Tips and Recommendations

Iguazu Falls Photography Guide: Tips and Tricks for Stunning Shots

Iguazu Falls Packing Guide: Must-Have Items for Your Adventure

Experience the Brazilian Amazon: A Manaus, Brazil Guide

Amazon Rainforest Photography Guide: Tips and Techniques

Amazon Rainforest Packing Guide: Essential Items You Need

Plan Your Perfect Getaway with this Rio de Janeiro Guide

Packing and Planning Tips

Once you start putting together your Brazil travel plans, you may want to reference some of my handy travel packing and planning guides that I have put together. To make it easy to find and access these guides, I have included them for your reference below.