TIPS FOR TRAVELING IN BRAZIL
GENERAL INFO AND TIPS
You are coming to a vibrant, welcoming, and diverse country. You can visit different types of biomes (including the Amazon Forest), amazing beaches, incredible cities and towns. You can explore a continental-size country with so much cultural diversity and delicious cuisine (or cuisines, as it's different in different parts of the country).
Bear in mind, though, that Brazil is a developing country and has its challenges. In this section, we offer some tips on how to better navigate your trip, starting with some peculiarities:
Do not drink tap water. We advise you to either drink filtered water (you can find filters everywhere and even the "água da casa," the free water in restaurants, is filtered water) or mineral bottled water.
Do not toss toilet paper or any other piece of trash in the toilet. The plumbing system is not that great and you can end up with a clogged toilet. Better to avoid that and toss the paper in the bin that is next to the toilet.
Do mind your surroundings and watch out. Security can be an issue in Brazil but avoiding bad areas, using common sense, and being street smart can help you stay away from trouble. For more security tips, refer to the “Your safety” section, below.
LANGUAGE
Which language is this? Is this Spanish?
People in Brazil speak Portuguese (not Spanish as many people might think).
Due the size of Brazil, there are different dialects (especially the accent and some words), but the language is the same and understood by all Brazilians.
One thing that works everywhere is a “thumbs up.” It’s used ubiquitously and can mean “thank you,” “yes, thanks,” “no thanks,” “goodbye” (especially if combined with saying “tchau”), and of course “no problem” and “all good.” Use it as often as you can.
English? Do not expect people to be able to speak (good) English outside of airports and hotels. Most people study English or Spanish at school, but not everybody can really speak. Young people may be keener to chat a bit. In any case, people are normally very kind to try to understand what you mean, and they will try to help, even if they do not speak the language.
Spanish? Portuguese and Spanish are very similar in structure and even vocabulary. If you know Spanish, you may not understand everything that people are saying, but people will probably understand (at least some of) what you are saying. But take care, people may see it as condescending if you start speaking Spanish expecting them to understand. Pro tip: use “obrigada” (if you’re a woman) or “obrigado” (if you’re a man) rather than “gracias” :)
If you’d like to learn something before the trip, you can also find some important phrases here.
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VACCINES | REPELLENT
Do I need to get any shots before traveling to Brazil?
If you are going to the Amazon or Rio de Janeiro region, it’s recommended to get the vaccination for yellow fever. In recent years, Rio had a lot of cases of yellow fever. If you’re visiting the Amazon, depending on where specifically you are going it may also be recommended to take pills to prevent malaria.
Throughout Brazil there are problems with dengue fever, Zika, and chikungunya—each of these illnesses are transmitted by mosquitoes, so we strongly recommend you use mosquito repellent, especially during early morning and late afternoon.
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VOLTAGE
What is the voltage in Brazil? Do I need an adapter?
Unfortunately, the answer isn’t so simple. First, the outlets used in Brazil are type N—this means your US or EU plugs are unlikely to work, so you will need a plug adapter.
As for voltage, Brazil operates on a 110/220V supply voltage, and the power supply may vary from state to state. Most electronics you will bring to Brazil are probably dual voltage (e.g., cellphones, laptops), meaning you can plug them into the wall with only a plug adapter. But if you are electronics that can only use a specific voltage (i.e., hair dryers, portable steamers etc,) you should check the voltage of the specific city you are in.
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EATING AND DRINKING
What should I try in Brazil?
Fruits in Brazil are diverse and fantastic quality—try all the fruit juices (especially fruits you’ve never seen before)! Acerola, Mangaba, Mango (Manga), Passion Fruit (Maracujá), Graviola, Cajá, Ananas with mint (Abacaxi com hortelã), you name it.
Dedicated kiosk/bar places selling just juice (with a long list of options) can be found everywhere.
Do not forget to try the coconut water at the beach!
If you like meat, you are in the right country: churrascarias “rodízio” are all-you-can-eat restaurants, where waiters will walk around serving different kinds of meat. Fogo de Chão and Mocellin (only in Rio de Janeiro) are popular Brazilian restaurants that serve great churrasco.
Restaurants usually include a 10% tip on their bill. That’s the right amount if the service was good, anything on top of that is not expected. If the service was bad, you can choose not to pay the 10% (just mention it by the time of paying).
Check your bill to make sure you pay only what you owe.
Açai and Cupuaçu are fruits from the Amazon. You can find them as juices, but more common is to eat them as an ice-cream style snack, sold in dedicated stores by the bowl (“tigela”) or per kilo.
What is Brazil’s most popular drink?
Cachaça is a very popular Brazilian liquor made from sugar cane. Bars will sell caipirinhas (made with lime) and caipifrutas (made with other fruits), which are usually fresher (and stronger) than what you would get at a bar in the United States or Europe. They will probably offer to make it with vodka (a “caipi-vodka”) because many locals consider that more chic. Ask for cachaça instead. Some other drinks in Brazil, click here. Chimarrão only exists in the south of Brazil.
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GETTING MONEY
What money is used in Brazil?
In Brazil, the currency is Brazilian Real (Reais, in the plural).
1 USD = 4.93 BRL (January 2024)
There is no 1 BRL bill anymore in Brazil—they got rid of it in2005. If someone gives you one by mistake (it’s green with a Hummingbird), keep it—they’re quite rare nowadays and a nice souvenir!
Note that the design of coins in Brazil changed some years ago, so it’s common to see coins as in the picture below (the new version) but also to see the old designs, which all were silver coins. Coins are never fake, don’t worry about it.
How can I get Reais?
You won’t be able to pay for anything in Dollars or Euros in Brazil, but there are exchange counters in airports, big shopping malls, and many big hotels (though it’s not common to see exchange shops in the middle of the city). You will likely get the best exchange rate withdrawing money from ATMs, particularly inside the airport.
For security reasons, most ATMs are turned off between 10pm to 6am, so plan your expenses in advance. One exception: Airport ATMs are always open, but at night they have a withdrawal limit of 300BRL. For your safety, before using an ATM, check if there is anyone around you or who seems to be checking out the people withdrawing money.
In front of the ATM, before putting your card inside, pull the card slot and check if it moves. Sometimes criminals put a fake slot in front of the real slot to steal credit card data. As a general rule, it’s a good idea to try to withdraw money from ATMs located inside shops or shopping malls.
ATMs are available almost everywhere in main cities, but small cities, especially in the countryside, might not have any ATMs at all. Pipa has three ATMs (though we’ve seen reports that they are not always in service…)
Can I use my credit card?
Credit card are accepted almost everywhere in big cities, but for small restaurants and shops it’s better to ask beforehand. Smaller restaurants and stores will probably not accept Amex.
To buy something from a street vendor or on the beach you’ll almost always need cash (they also accept "PIX," which is the Brazilian version of VENMO. But to use that, you need a Brazilian bank account).
For your security, when paying for anything by card, do not let your card out of your hand. In a restaurant, tell them you want to pay by card and wait for them to bring you the machine. The same applies at gas stations: never let them take your card!
Where should I go shopping?
If you’re coming from the U.S. or Europe, the exchange rate is on your favor. So, shopping can be a good idea.
In Pipa, the stores will be smaller and more casual. You will not find the same range of options as you would in a nice shopping area in Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo.
Shopping malls are open every day in Brazil (they close only in certain holidays). Most of them close at 10pm. The same goes for supermarkets, in big cities you can even find some that are open 24 hours a day.
Below are our favorite stores in Rio de Janeiro, most of which you can find in other places in Brazil:
• Clothes for Women: Animale, Lenny Neimeyer, Osklen, Le Lis Blanc, Sacada, Vix, Farm (Fabula for Children), Totem
• Clothes for Men: Osklen, Foxton, Oficina Reserva, Richards
• Others: Granado, HStern, L’Occitane Au Brésil, Havaianas
Browsing in markets and supermarkets can also be fun, they will have fruits you’ve never seen! Most shops on the street close at night, though it’s not difficult to find a midnight snack in the central places.
People walk around selling everything at the beach: ice cream, drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), hammocks, beachwear, and snacks at reasonable prices. Haggling is possible but you’ll usually not get more than 20% off and sometimes prices are fixed.
Havaianas are THE national footwear and WAY cheaper in Brazil than in the United States. You can find them in almost every supermarket or clothes shop and also in dedicated shops. If you want to take home a souvenir, this is a good idea! Note that are also “generic” brands of flip-flops sold everywhere but their quality is not the same, so look for ones with the “Havaianas” brand name.
Going to shopping malls is almost like a national sport, people go to a mall for everything: eating, going to the cinema, bowling, going to the bank, or just for window shopping. If it’s raining outside, all the malls will be packed!
If you pay by card, you will almost always be asked “crédito ou débito,” and the answer for foreign cards should almost always be “crédito.”
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YOUR SAFETY
What should I do to stay safe?
Pipa is generally very safe, but following some precautions is always wise, especially in bigger cities.
If you are attending a street party or festival (not including the parties we’re throwing), we recommend using a waist wallet inside your clothes and not carrying valuables or expensive jewelry.
Take a copy of your passport and leave your valuables/documents in a safe place (e.g., hotel safety box).
When going from place to place in a major city, try to take an Uber or taxi (Uber is way cheaper), especially during the night. You can also use the app “99 taxi” to order a taxi and get a better rate. Tips aren’t mandatory but will always be greatly appreciated.
A tip specifically from visiting Rio de Janeiro – in Rio, it’s better to take a taxi than an Uber.
Taxis in Rio are never bothered by street vendors or even by criminals. The best way to get a taxi is by using the app Taxi Rio, which will ensure that drivers do not try to trick you by taking a longer route.
Buses are not regular (or do not follow their schedule) and most stops do not have a name, making it very complicated if you do not know the city. At night-time, it can also be dangerous.
During the night (after 10pm), it’s common for drivers not to stop at red traffic lights to avoid robbery, so do not be surprised. If you’re driving you are also allowed to do so (just check to make sure there are no other cars coming).
In big cities, avoid walking alone or walking on the street during the night, even if it’s just a few blocks. Take a taxi or Uber, it won’t cost you much.
While walking in the city, even during the day, and even in generally “safe” neighborhoods, be careful about using or carrying your smartphone visibly—keep it in your pocket. If you need to use it, first enter a shop to make a call or send a text.
Observe the people around you to know how to behave. For example, if you see lots of people walking and using their phone you will probably feel safe doing the same.
People in Brazil are normally very kind; however, keep your wits about you and don’t trust people you don't know. If someone you just met offers to take to your hotel or somewhere else, don’t go with them!
Don’t show off jewelry/watches and don’t wear them on the street (the same goes for expensive sunglasses). Especially in city centers and crowded areas such as bus terminals.
Try to stay around groups of people, don’t walk around alone and drunk in a dark alley.
If you are in a crowd, keep your hands in your pockets to avoid being pickpocketed. Take a neck pouch and only leave enough cash for a beer in your pocket.
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RENTING CARS | DRIVING IN BRAZIL
Should I rent a car?
In Pipa, there is probably no need to rent a car. We will provide transportation to and from the airport to the hotels and from the hotels to our events. You can also order taxis from your hotel for other needs.
In other big cities, we also recommend using ubers and taxi, as driving can be difficult, even for locals.
If you do rent a car, don’t rely on Google Maps 100%, especially in Rio de Janeiro. When navigating in a city, it may send you through a favela. It’s often better to know the name of the neighborhood and follow the signs. Waze also works there.
Avoid driving at night-time. If you do, pay attention to your surroundings. Try to do rolling stops and stop 50m before a red light, and if you don’t feel safe stopping, just run the red light. In some cities such as Rio and Recife, the official advice is not to stop at red lights at night. This also means that, even if the light is green for you, someone might speed through the crossing.
Driving in Brazil
Note: in some cities (Recife, Rio, São Paulo…), people drive crazy. On some streets you will find not only cars, but horse carts, people and dogs crossing, bikes, many potholes, etc., so be cautious while driving!!! The same happens on roads between cities - please do not think you are in driving in the United States! Moreover, the speed limit changes very often from 120km/h to 50km/h or to 80km/h.
The legal blood-alcohol level for driving is zero, meaning zero tolerance, not even one sip!
Please close the windows and lock the doors when driving, especially at night.
In gas stations, an employee will pump the gas for you, so you don’t have to get out of the car. If you are paying by card, wait for them to bring the machine to you or they will ask you to go to the cashier to pay, but never give your card to them.
Avoid leaving valuables inside the car when parking. Do not leave documents, laptops, or money. If you are leaving any items with the car, its best to put them in the trunk (never on the seats where people can see them).