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South America · 24+ destinations to browse
A country the size of a continent — Rio's granite peaks rising straight out of the sea, Iguaçu's 275 waterfalls, the Amazon, and the Pantanal wetlands where you can actually see a jaguar. Then 7,000 km of beach, baroque gold-rush towns in the hills of Minas Gerais, and a food and music culture unlike anywhere else.
Best time
April – October in most regions; note the seasons are reversed
Daily budget
₹3,500 – ₹12,000/day
Visa
eVisa
Safety
3.2 / 5
Practical information
Currency
Brazilian Real (R$, BRL)
Languages
Portuguese, English limited outside tourist areas
Time zone
4 zones (UTC−2 to −5); most of the country is UTC−3
Emergency
190 police, 192 ambulance, 193 fire, 191 highway police
Internet
Good 4G/5G in cities and along the coast; patchy to absent in the Amazon and the interior.
SIM cards
Vivo, Claro or TIM prepaid — you need a CPF (tax number) for some plans, so an eSIM bought before arrival is often simpler.
Getting around
Brazil is bigger than the continental United States, so fly between regions — buses between cities are excellent but the distances are punishing. Long-distance coaches are comfortable and cheap, with reclining 'leito' overnight services. In cities use ride apps rather than hailing. There is almost no intercity passenger rail.
Visa details
Indian passport holders need a visa. Brazil reintroduced its e-Visa, applied for online, for several nationalities — check the current requirement for an Indian passport with the Brazilian consulate before booking, as this has changed more than once. Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required or strongly advised for the Amazon, the Pantanal and much of the interior.
Know before you go
Popular foods
- Feijoada
- Pão de queijo
- Churrasco
- Açaí na tigela
- Moqueca
- Brigadeiro
- Caipirinha
Famous festivals
- Carnival (February or March — book many months ahead)
- Festa Junina (June)
- Réveillon on Copacabana (New Year's Eve)
- Parintins Folklore Festival
- Oktoberfest in Blumenau
Etiquette
- Greet with a handshake, or cheek kisses between women and between men and women
- Brazilians stand close and touch when talking — it is warmth, not intrusion
- Never call a Brazilian 'Spanish', and don't open with Spanish — the language is Portuguese
- Being 15–30 minutes late to social plans is normal
- Tipping is usually a 10% service charge already added to the bill
Packing suggestions
- Light clothes, plus warm layers if heading south in winter — it genuinely gets cold
- Strong insect repellent for the Amazon and Pantanal
- Yellow fever certificate for the interior
- A cheap secondary phone or wallet for city days; Type N/C adapter
Travel tips
- Seasons are reversed — Brazilian summer is December to March, winter is June to August
- Distances are continental. Budget for internal flights rather than assuming you can drive it
- Petty theft is the real risk in big cities: carry little, keep your phone out of sight in the street, and use taxis at night
- Learn a few words of Portuguese — English is far less widely spoken than travellers expect
- Book Carnival and New Year accommodation six months or more ahead, at several times the usual price
- Get the yellow fever vaccine at least 10 days before travelling to the Amazon or Pantanal
Popular cities
Destinations in Brazil200 total
Showing the 24 most popular of 200 — search or pick a tag above to find a specific place.
Rio de Janeiro
4.5Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
City of Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. It lies in southeastern Brazil, most comfortable in the dry winter months from June to August.
Christ the Redeemer
4.5Alto da Boa Vista, Brazil
Colossal statue of Jesus in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It lies in southeastern Brazil, most comfortable in the dry winter months from June to August.
Sugarloaf Mountain
4.5Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Peak situated in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It lies in southeastern Brazil, most comfortable in the dry winter months from June to August.
Corcovado
4.5Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Mountain in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, known for the Christ Statue. It lies in southeastern Brazil, most comfortable in the dry winter months from June to August.
Copacabana
4.5Copacabana, Brazil
Neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro. It lies in southeastern Brazil, most comfortable in the dry winter months from June to August.
Maracanã Stadium
4.5Maracanã District, Brazil
Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It lies in southeastern Brazil, most comfortable in the dry winter months from June to August.
Pedra da Gávea
4.5Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Mountain in Brazil. It lies in southeastern Brazil, most comfortable in the dry winter months from June to August.
Tijuca National Park
4.5Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Brazilian national park. It lies in southeastern Brazil, most comfortable in the dry winter months from June to August.
Museum of Tomorrow
4.5Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Science museum. It lies in southeastern Brazil, most comfortable in the dry winter months from June to August.
Museu Nacional
4.5Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Museum of UFRJ in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It lies in southeastern Brazil, most comfortable in the dry winter months from June to August.
Quinta da Boa Vista
4.5Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Public park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It lies in southeastern Brazil, most comfortable in the dry winter months from June to August.
Petrópolis
4.5Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Municipality of Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. It lies in southeastern Brazil, most comfortable in the dry winter months from June to August.
Paraty
4.5Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Municipality of Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. It lies in southeastern Brazil, most comfortable in the dry winter months from June to August.
Serra dos Órgãos National Park
4.5Petrópolis, Brazil
National park in Brazil. It lies in southeastern Brazil, most comfortable in the dry winter months from June to August.
Itatiaia National Park
4.5Minas Gerais, Brazil
National park of Brazil. It lies in southeastern Brazil, most comfortable in the dry winter months from June to August.
Armação dos Búzios
4.5Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Municipality of Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. It lies in southeastern Brazil, most comfortable in the dry winter months from June to August.
Arraial do Cabo
4.5Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Municipality of Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. It lies in southeastern Brazil, most comfortable in the dry winter months from June to August.
Cabo Frio
4.5Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Municipality of Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. It lies in southeastern Brazil, most comfortable in the dry winter months from June to August.
Angra dos Reis
4.5Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Municipality of Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. It lies in southeastern Brazil, most comfortable in the dry winter months from June to August.
Ilhabela
4.5São Paulo, Brazil
Island municipality 4 miles off the coast of São Paulo state in Brazil. It lies in southeastern Brazil, most comfortable in the dry winter months from June to August.
Ubatuba
4.5São Paulo, Brazil
Municipality of São Paulo state, Brazil. It lies in southeastern Brazil, most comfortable in the dry winter months from June to August.
Santos
4.5São Paulo, Brazil
Municipality in the São Paulo state of Brazil. It lies in southeastern Brazil, most comfortable in the dry winter months from June to August.
São Paulo
4.5São Paulo, Brazil
Largest city of Brazil, and capital of the State of São Paulo. It lies in southeastern Brazil, most comfortable in the dry winter months from June to August.
Ibirapuera Park
4.5São Paulo, Brazil
Park in São Paulo. It lies in southeastern Brazil, most comfortable in the dry winter months from June to August.