Brazil

Brazilian cuisine is a vibrant reflection of its diverse heritage. To eat like a local, start your morning at a padaria (bakery) with a pão de queijo (cheese bread) and a strong cafezinho. For lunch, look for restaurantes por quilo, where you pay by the weight of your plate—an excellent way to sample everything from farofa to fresh salads while staying within your daily limit. You can easily log these costs in the Hello app’s budget tracker to keep your R$ (Brazilian Real) spending in check.

Don't miss a traditional Feijoada (black bean and pork stew), typically served on Saturdays. For a splurge, visit a churrascaria for a rodízio-style meat feast. Expect to pay around R$ 100 to R$ 200 (approx. $20–$40 USD) for a high-end experience in cities like São Paulo. Since these meals often involve large groups of friends, use the Hello expense splitting feature to settle the bill instantly without any awkward math. For a quick snack, grab a coxinha (shredded chicken in fried dough) or a refreshing açaí bowl topped with granola and guaraná syrup from a corner juice bar.

Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country, so planning your movements is essential. For long distances, domestic flights are the standard; use the Hello trip planning tool to keep your flight details and confirmation codes for carriers like LATAM or Azul in one place. For medium distances, Brazil’s intercity bus network is surprisingly comfortable. Opt for a Leito (sleeper) or Semi-leito bus for overnight journeys between cities like Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo; they feature reclining seats and air conditioning for around R$ 150 (approx. $30 USD).

Within major cities, Uber and the local app 99 are the safest and most efficient ways to get around, especially at night. To call a ride the moment you clear customs or step off a bus, ensure you have an eSIM from Hello activated. Having a reliable data connection means you won't have to hunt for spotty airport Wi-Fi to find your driver or navigate the extensive Rio Metro system. In cities like Curitiba, the integrated bus rapid transit (BRT) is a model of efficiency, but you'll need your maps handy to find the iconic tube-shaped stations.

Brazil is increasingly a cashless society. While the local instant-payment system, Pix, is used by everyone from street vendors to boutiques, it generally requires a Brazilian bank account. As a traveler, your best bet is a travel-friendly credit card, which is accepted almost everywhere, even by beach vendors selling grilled cheese (queijo coalho). Keep a small amount of cash—around R$ 100 (approx. $20 USD)—for emergencies or remote areas. Use the Hello app to track your spending in Reais so you aren't surprised by the exchange rate later.

Safety is about being 'esperto' (smart). Avoid flashing expensive jewelry or the latest smartphone on busy streets. If you need to check your location or reply to a message, step into a shop or pharmacy first. Staying connected is a safety must; with a Hello eSIM, you can maintain a constant data connection to share your real-time location with travel companions or access banking apps securely. If you need to withdraw cash, always use ATMs located inside secure areas like banks (Banco do Brasil or Bradesco) or shopping malls during daylight hours rather than standalone machines on the street.