FAQ`s about Brazil
Brazil is a large country, with an incredible variety of destinations to be visited. Brazil offers incredible landscapes, rich culture, music, gastronomy, warm people… You will find below a list of a frequent ask questions that could be useful for you:
Which are the most important destinations to visit in Brazil?
Well, of course we start with Rio de Janeiro, the called “cidade maravilhosa” is not the capital of Brazil (it`s Brasilia), but it`s no doubt, the most important touristic city, worlwide famous and visited by people around the world. Rio will be waiting for you with the incredible samba, the magic of the carnival, Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, the Corcovado with the Christ the Redeemer on top, the Sugar Loaf to see the Guanabara Bay, the Maracana Stadium, the Sambodromo, churches, restaurants, warm people… A great place to visit. Then, Sao Paulo is the commercial and financial heart of the country, and it`s one of the most populated cities in the western hemisphere. Salvador de Bahia is linked to the origins of Brazil, to the beginnings of the portuguese empire in the Americas and to the origins in Africa. Enjoy local music and the typical Capoeira. Iguazu Falls is an incredible place, where the magic of nature will surprise you. Declared recently, one of the new 7-wonders of nature, Iguazu Falls is a must-see when you visit Brazil. If you`re looking for nature, ecoturism and beautiful beaches, Fernando de Noronha is a wonderful place to enjoy. And Manaos, is the gate to visit the Amazonas and the incredible rainforest.
How I get around when I arrive to Brazil?
Well, basically by air. Of course you can go from Rio to Sao Paulo by land, because both cities are separated by 360 km only, but if you want to fly to Amazonas, or Salvador, or Iguazu… the best way is to fly. There are many frequences between Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, and from these two cities to main destinations in Brazil. Take a look to our article about approximated flight times between main destinations in Brazil to check how much would take to fly to different destinations
What`s the best time to visit Brazil?
Well, all the year round is good time to visit Brazil. Because of the tropical location, the weather is warm throughout the year, making it an ideal place to escape the cold. When it comes down to planning a trip to Brazil, figuring out the best time to visit all depends on the activities you have in mind and what you’re looking to do. For example, if you want to enjoy the Carnival, take a look to the calendar that changes every year, but it`s usually in February.
September is the beginning of spring in Brazil. Although spring is considered the low season, the temperature is warm and pleasant so it`s a good idea to travel during that season. This goes for the seawater too, making it a great time to visit Brazil’s tropical beaches. It’s also one of the best times to visit the Pantanal, an enormous area of seasonally flooded savannahs and drylands.
Come the end of October, you might face some rainfall so if you’re looking to squeeze in a trip to the Amazon, you’ll want to do this beforehand. Because these months are considered the low season, you won’t find the music or activities in comparison to other months. This is ideal for those looking for some peace and quiet and lower price tags.
December is the start of the high season and summer time. Visitors from all over the world flock to Rio de Janeiro to escape the cold. Christmas and New Year’s are particularly busy as people gather to experience Rio dressed in white as the fireworks go off over the Copacabana Beach.
After Christmas, tourism does drop off a bit in January but picks right back up in February or March, with the celebration of Carnival. Book in advance if you`re really interested in visiting Rio during the Carnival.
Fall in Brazil means beautiful weather as the warm temperatures of summer begin to cool down. The crowds of travelers that visited during the summer months have left, making it less crowded and more affordable.
As Brazil is a tropical country, it does not get a true winter time. Temperatures do drop and it might get a bit chilly in the evenings, but you’re still met with the warmth of the sunshine.
These months are a lovely time to visit the Green Coast between Rio and Sao Paolo. You might run into some rain showers, however, it is easy to plan your day around the one or two showers that briefly arrive in the afternoon.
Is it safe to travel to Brazil?
Brazil has a reputation for being a rough destination, one where travelers need to be extra cautious and on their guard at all times in places like Rio, Sao Paulo, Salvador de Bahia, and large cities in general. Unfortunately, petty theft and street crime are a common occurrence in Brazil. The crime rate in Brazil has been on the rise for many years now so travelers here will need to be on vigilant. But that doesn’t mean you should avoid the country. You just need to be a smart traveler:
Walk with purpose and avoid unknown areas
Don’t carry cash
Separate your cards
Don’t bring valuables to the beach
Carry a spare wallet
Avoid outdoor ATMs
Which documents do I need to enter to Brazil?
You need an updated passport, and you have to check if VISA is required or not. For US Travellers, and most european countries, visa is not required. Check with your local embassy to see if you need visa to enter to Brazil.
