Brazil

Brazil is vast, so resist the temptation to squeeze the Amazon, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and Iguaçu Falls into one rushed itinerary. Choose one region and allow travel time between major stops. Rio de Janeiro works beautifully as a first visit, combining Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, Sugarloaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer and lively neighbourhoods such as Santa Teresa. For nature, add Iguaçu Falls or a few days in the Costa Verde; for culture and Afro-Brazilian heritage, consider Salvador and nearby Praia do Forte. Use Hello’s trip planning tools to organize flights, accommodation, tours and free days in one place. Brazil’s seasons vary by region, but coastal destinations are generally warm year-round. Book popular attractions and long-distance flights early, especially around Carnival, New Year and school holidays. Leave room for spontaneity: a local market, samba circle or quiet beach often becomes the most memorable part of the trip.

Domestic flights are usually the practical choice between distant cities: Brazil’s size makes journeys such as Rio to Manaus or São Paulo to Salvador far longer by road. In cities, metro systems are useful in São Paulo, Rio and Brasília, while buses cover extensive urban networks. For shorter journeys, use an official taxi or a reputable ride-hailing service, and check the vehicle’s licence plate and driver details before entering. Avoid displaying phones or valuables at busy transport hubs, and take extra care on public buses after dark; travel advisories warn that crowded stations and public transport can attract pickpockets. For intercity buses, choose established companies and book through official websites or terminals. If renting a car, keep doors locked, windows closed and valuables out of sight, particularly at traffic lights. Save offline maps, your accommodation address in Portuguese and key transport details before leaving reliable Wi-Fi. Hello eSIM can provide connectivity from arrival when bought and activated before landing, helping with maps, translation and ride bookings without roaming charges.

Brazilian food changes dramatically from one region to the next, so treat every destination as a new menu. In Bahia, try acarajé, a crisp black-eyed-pea fritter filled with vatapá and shrimp, and moqueca, a fragrant seafood stew. In Minas Gerais, look for pão de queijo, feijão tropeiro and comforting home-style plates. Rio and São Paulo offer everything from churrasco and feijoada to Japanese-Brazilian cuisine and inventive modern restaurants. In the Amazonian north, Belém is the place to seek out tacacá, pato no tucupi, maniçoba and fresh river fish; açaí is traditionally served with savoury foods or farinha rather than only as a sweet bowl. Street stalls can be excellent, but choose busy vendors with high turnover and watch food being cooked hot. Ask whether prices are charged by weight at buffet restaurants, and confirm whether service is included. Keep small notes and coins for markets, cafés and beach vendors, while using a card at established businesses.

Brazil’s currency is the real (R$). Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in cities, but carry a modest amount of cash for markets, small cafés, buses and beach kiosks. Check the amount on the card terminal before approving payment, and use licensed exchange bureaus or bank ATMs rather than accepting help from strangers. Hello’s budget tracking can keep expenses organized in reais, while expense splitting is useful for shared taxis, accommodation and group meals. For everyday safety, keep your phone and wallet discreet, carry only what you need and avoid walking alone in quiet areas at night. Do not accept drinks from strangers, and use well-lit routes recommended by your accommodation. Save digital and paper copies of your passport and travel insurance details separately from the originals. Portuguese is the national language; learning obrigado or obrigada, por favor and quanto custa? makes daily interactions easier. An active Hello eSIM also lets you translate menus, contact accommodation and check official transport information when you are away from Wi-Fi.