FAQs

Do I need a visa for entering in Brazil?

Brazil adopts a policy of reciprocity regarding visas. This means that nationals of countries that require visas for Brazilian citizens will need a visa to travel to Brazil. On the website www.gov.br, you can access a list of countries that require a visa to enter Brazil. Generally, if you have a European passport or are from a Mercosur country (Argentina, Paraguai e Uruguai), a visa isn't necessary. If you're American, Australian, or Canadian, a visa is required, but since April 2025, you can apply for an e-visa through the website brazil.vfsevisa.com/ at a cost of $80.90. *All visas are valid for up to 90 days.

What is the best time to go to Brazil?

Since Brazil is a country of continental dimensions, the weather really depends on where you plan to go. To make it easier, I suggest you draw a line at the city of São Paulo and think that south of this line it gets a bit cold in winter, and north of this line it's always hot. The difference in the northern part is that it's very hot with rain in the summer and a little less hot without rain in the winter. Obviously, I'm generalizing, but this is a good way to think about the seasons in Brazil.

Let me give you an example. If you go to Rio in July – the peak of Rio's winter – temperatures range from 19°C to 24°C (66°F to 75°F). I think any European or American reading this post knows that such a temperature is super pleasant. I've been to Rio many times in winter myself and was able to go to the beach on a super sunny and lovely day. Keep in mind that it hardly ever rains in Rio de Janeiro during winter, meaning your chances of getting a beautiful beach day are high, even in winter.

Well, to give you a clear answer, generally, spring (September, October, and November) and autumn (March, April, May) end up being the best times to travel in Brazil. These are typically the low seasons, and temperatures are neither too hot nor too cold. This means you'll likely have a more affordable trip, and the weather will be on your side.

How dangerous is Brazil?

One of the things I hear most when people ask me about Brazil is if it's very dangerous here. My answer is always the same: no! Brazil isn't as dangerous as you might have heard, and I guarantee you'll have an incredible trip when you come here! For example, I lived in São Paulo for over 15 years and never had any problems with theft or anything like that.

Anyway, anywhere you go in Brazil, you need to be aware. To help you understand what I mean, I've put three examples here of how you can act when you visit:

You're at the beach and going for a swim in the ocean. Don't leave your belongings unattended. Ask someone next to you if they can keep an eye on your things.
You went out to a bar in São Paulo and are heading back at 2 AM. Don't walk home. An Uber is much cheaper and more practical. If you want to explore the city, do it during the day. I guarantee it's much better.
In big cities, don't walk around looking at your phone on the street. Always be alert because one of the biggest problems in large Brazilian cities today is cell phone theft.

I think it's clear that the secret in Brazil is to be mindful of your belongings so that nothing bad happens. As I've already said, if you take small precautions, I'm sure you'll have an incredible trip.

How expensive is Brazil?

Brazil is still affordable for foreigners. Obviously, in big cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, prices are a bit higher, but I still believe they don't compare to Europe or the US, for example. I think it's easier if I give you some examples. A night's accommodation for two people in an Airbnb in Rio de Janeiro goes for around $50. To have a really good lunch at a restaurant I'd eat at daily in São Paulo, you'd pay about $6. A 360ml beer at the supermarket is less than $1. If you go to the Northeast or any rural area of Brazil, the prices are definitely even cheaper than that.

What is the best way to travel inside Brazil?

As you already know, Brazil is huge, and it will heavily depend on your itinerary here, but buses and planes will always be your best options. The railway network isn't very extensive, and there are practically no train trips available. Options like BlaBlaCar also exist and work very well, but like anywhere in the world, the availability of rides depends on what's offered.

Bus Travel

For buying bus tickets, I recommend using ClickBus, but other options that work super well are Buser or Flixbus. Buser operates like a shared bus service and often ends up being cheaper. I've personally traveled from São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro several times with them, and it has always worked very smoothly.

Air Travel

If you're going to more distant places and need to buy plane tickets, always use decolar.com. Besides consistently offering the best prices, it's also possible to pay for your ticket in installments, which can be a good option if you need to reduce your upfront costs.

Renting a Car
Renting a car is always an excellent option because it gives you more flexibility. Since there are many rental company choices, prices aren't usually that expensive, and it's often worth it depending on the itinerary you're planning. I always use rentcars.com because they compare the best rental companies for me.

* If you buy through one of the links above, you are helping to keep this blog alive. :)

Do I need cash to pay for things in Brazil?

Payment methods in Brazil are quite advanced, and you'll hardly ever need to use cash for payments. You can pay with a credit card or use Apple Wallet or Google Pay almost anywhere. Nevertheless, it's a good idea to carry a bit of cash in case your phone battery dies or you forget your card.

An interesting development is that in 2020, the Central Bank of Brazil launched a digital payment system called PIX, which revolutionized how people pay and transfer money. Today, almost everyone uses PIX, and it functions as a free transfer system that can be used by both individuals and businesses. Anywhere you go, you'll be asked if you want to pay with PIX, but this isn't an option for foreigners because you need to have an account with a Brazilian bank to use it.

Rio de Janeiro in July - Winter