What awaits travellers in Brazil?
Brazil covers around 8.5 million km², the size of a continent, and counted just over 203 million residents at the 2022 census. A trip therefore usually covers two or three regions: the coast between Rio de Janeiro and Salvador, the Iguaçu Falls, the Pantanal, or the Amazon.
The distances make domestic flights the norm; according to the German Federal Foreign Office there are only a few railways. Travellers arriving from abroad and flying onward collect their luggage at the first Brazilian airport and check it in again for the connecting flight.
This page organises the country by region: the Southeast (Rio de Janeiro, Costa Verde, São Paulo), the Northeast (Salvador, Chapada Diamantina, Recife, Olinda), the Amazon, the Midwest (Pantanal, Bonito) and the South (Iguaçu). There are dedicated pages for Fernando de Noronha and the Amazon.
Sources: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · Auswärtiges Amt
What is Brazil like as a travel destination?
Brazil combines megacities such as São Paulo, with 11.45 million residents (2022 census), and Rio de Janeiro with natural areas that rank as UNESCO World Heritage: Iguaçu, the Pantanal, Fernando de Noronha and the central Amazon region. Added to that are colonial towns such as Salvador, Olinda and Paraty.
The national language is Portuguese. According to the German Federal Foreign Office, English is little spoken outside major hotels and tourist centres, while in the South some Spanish is understood.
European, African and Indigenous influences shape the country. Salvador was the first capital from 1549 to 1763 and, from 1558, the first slave market of the New World, as UNESCO notes. According to UNESCO, the Samba de Roda from the Recôncavo of Bahia influenced the urban samba of Rio de Janeiro.
The EDA, the German Federal Foreign Office and the BMEIA all describe a high level of crime, especially in the big cities. Organised transfers, local guides and avoiding overland travel at night make travelling noticeably more relaxed.
Sources: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · Auswärtiges Amt
Which regions are worth visiting in Brazil?
The classic destinations are Rio de Janeiro with the Costa Verde and Paraty, São Paulo, Salvador with the Chapada Diamantina, Recife and Olinda, plus the natural areas of the Amazon, the Pantanal, Bonito and the Iguaçu Falls on the border with Argentina. The Fernando de Noronha archipelago lies about 340 km off the coast.
Rio de Janeiro
In 2012 UNESCO listed Rio's landscape between mountains and sea as World Heritage, from the Tijuca massif at 1,021 m to Sugarloaf, Corcovado and Copacabana. The Christ the Redeemer statue on the Corcovado is 30 m tall and was inaugurated in 1931; Sugarloaf rises 396 m, and its first cable-car section opened in 1912. The German Federal Foreign Office advises against visiting any favelas, even on organised tours.
Costa Verde and Paraty
On the border between the states of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo lies the «Paraty and Ilha Grande» World Heritage site (UNESCO, 2019). Paraty was the endpoint of the Caminho do Ouro, the route over which gold travelled to Europe in the late 17th century, and has preserved its 18th-century town plan; behind it, the Serra da Bocaina rises above 2,000 m.
São Paulo
With 11.45 million residents (2022 census), São Paulo is the country's largest city, and with Guarulhos (GRU), the country's largest airport and most important international hub, it's often the gateway to Brazil. The city offers museums, the Theatro Municipal and a huge restaurant scene.
Salvador and Bahia
Salvador was the capital of the Portuguese colony from 1549 to 1763. The upper town with the Pelourinho sits on a roughly 85 m high escarpment above the Bay of Todos os Santos and has been World Heritage since 1985, marked by colourful houses, churches and monasteries from the 17th and 18th centuries.
Chapada Diamantina
Lençóis, the gateway to the Chapada Diamantina, lies 430 km from Salvador; the bus takes about 7 hours. The national park covers 152,000 ha, has almost 300 km of trails and 33 waterfalls, including the roughly 380 m high Cachoeira da Fumaça. Entry is free, but ICMBio recommends a guide: the trails are barely marked and there is no mobile coverage.
Recife and Olinda
Olinda was founded next to Recife in 1535 and grew rich on sugar; its old town with around 20 baroque churches has been World Heritage since 1982. Recife is the home of Frevo. According to the German Federal Foreign Office, shark attacks keep occurring at beaches in greater Recife.
Fernando de Noronha
The archipelago lies about 340 km off the coast and has been World Heritage since 2001; visitors pay an environmental fee for each day, R$ 105.79 in 2026. More on the Fernando de Noronha page.
Amazon and Manaus
The Teatro Amazonas in Manaus was built with money from the rubber boom and opened in 1896. Near the city, the dark Rio Negro and the sand-coloured Solimões flow side by side for around 6 km without mixing; the region is also home to Jaú and Anavilhanas National Parks. In detail: Amazon.
Pantanal
At around 14 million ha, the Pantanal is one of the largest wetlands in the world (UNESCO). In the north, the unpaved Transpantaneira road runs about 150 km from Poconé to Porto Jofre, past caimans, macaws, jabirus and, with luck, jaguars. The south is served by Miranda and Corumbá.
Bonito
Bonito lies about 300 km, roughly a 4-hour drive, from Campo Grande and has direct flights from São Paulo. It is known for flutuação, snorkelling in rivers such as the Rio Sucuri, plus caves and waterfalls; the lake at the Gruta do Lago Azul, 21 km from town, may only be viewed.
Iguaçu
The Iguaçu Falls on the border with Argentina are almost 3 km wide, with drops of up to 80 m; both national parks are World Heritage, the Brazilian one since 1986. The roughly 1.5 km Trilha das Cataratas ends at the walkway in front of the Garganta do Diabo; tickets are only sold online with a time slot. The park opens weekdays from 9 am to 4 pm and weekends from 8.30 am; the ticket costs R$ 134 for foreign visitors and R$ 121 for travellers from Brazil and Mercosur (as of September 2026).
Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Auswärtiges Amt · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · Melhores Destinos · Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade (ICMBio) · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · Panrotas · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · Wikipedia · Descubra Mato Grosso (SEDEC-MT Turismo) · Secretaria de Turismo de Bonito-MS · Secretaria de Turismo de Bonito-MS · Secretaria de Turismo de Bonito-MS · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · Urbia Cataratas, Konzessionärin des Parque Nacional do Iguaçu · Urbia Cataratas, Konzessionärin do Parque Nacional do Iguaçu · Urbia Cataratas, Konzessionárin do Parque Nacional do Iguaçu · Distrito Estadual de Fernando de Noronha (noronha.pe.gov.br) · FlightConnections
Destinations
Regions with their own page
Islands and regions
When is the best time to visit Brazil?
There is no single best time to visit: according to the German Federal Foreign Office, the South and Southeast see the most rain from November to early April, while the Northeast sees it from April to July. The Pantanal's dry season runs roughly from April to September. Travellers wanting to combine Rio, Salvador and the Pantanal will find August and September relatively dry in all three regions.
| Region | Relatively dry | Rainy | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast (Rio, São Paulo, Paraty) | May to September | November to early April | Carnival Tuesday falls in February or March, depending on Easter |
| Northeast (Salvador, Recife) | September to February | April to July | Chapada driest May to September |
| Amazon (Manaus) | July to September | December to May | extreme low water in October in drought years |
| Pantanal (Cuiabá) | May to September | November to March | wildfires and smoke in the dry season |
| South (Iguaçu) | no pronounced dry season | rain spread across the year | cool nights June to August |
Southeast and South
Rio is warm year-round; from November to March it sees the most rain, and according to the German Federal Foreign Office this regularly leads to flooding and landslides. According to the BMEIA, the South is subtropical with sometimes cold winters. When water levels are high, the park management temporarily closes the walkway to the Garganta do Diabo in Iguaçu, most recently from 11 to 15 September 2026.
Southeast and South: Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Foz do Iguaçu
| Rio de Janeiro | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 31 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 30 |
| Low °C | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 23 |
| Rainfall mm | 208 | 152 | 173 | 101 | 71 | 49 | 45 | 42 | 69 | 108 | 220 | 232 |
| São Paulo | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 29 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 28 |
| Low °C | 20 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 20 |
| Rainfall mm | 230 | 175 | 145 | 84 | 67 | 58 | 61 | 36 | 68 | 104 | 148 | 177 |
| Foz do Iguaçu | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 33 | 33 | 32 | 29 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 |
| Low °C | 22 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 21 |
| Rainfall mm | 147 | 129 | 117 | 124 | 163 | 108 | 85 | 70 | 121 | 211 | 159 | 179 |
Average daily highs and lows, and monthly rainfall. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station SANTOS DUMONT (1 km, 3 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station CAMPO DE MARTE (5 km, 722 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station CATARATAS INTL (13 km, 240 m), auf 170 m umgerechnet. Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020.
Northeast
On the coast around Salvador and Recife, the rainy season runs from April to July, with June the wettest month in Recife. In Lençóis in the Chapada Diamantina, rainfall is lowest from May to September.
Northeast: Salvador, Recife and Lençóis in the Chapada Diamantina
| Salvador da Bahia | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 30 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 30 |
| Low °C | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 25 |
| Rainfall mm | 83 | 87 | 100 | 147 | 166 | 138 | 128 | 96 | 71 | 69 | 72 | 57 |
| Recife | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 30 |
| Low °C | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 26 |
| Rainfall mm | 85 | 94 | 124 | 170 | 203 | 261 | 206 | 115 | 59 | 36 | 24 | 38 |
| Lençóis (Chapada Diamantina) | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 32 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 31 | 33 | 32 | 33 |
| Low °C | 25 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 25 |
| Rainfall mm | 112 | 84 | 107 | 93 | 47 | 44 | 36 | 33 | 24 | 66 | 99 | 84 |
Average daily highs and lows, and monthly rainfall. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station DEPUTADO LUIS EDUARDO MAGALHAES (20 km, 20 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station GUARARAPES GILBERTO FREYRE INTL (10 km, 10 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station CHAPADA DIAMANTINA / HORACIO DE MATTOS (15 km, 511 m), auf 400 m umgerechnet. Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020.
Amazon and Pantanal
The Rio Negro at Manaus regularly drops to its lowest level in October, reaching record lows in drought years. In the rainy season, around two-thirds of the Pantanal lies submerged, in places several metres deep; according to the BMEIA, the dry season brings a marked increase in wildfires with heavy smoke.
Amazon and Pantanal: Manaus and Cuiabá
| Manaus | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 34 | 33 | 31 |
| Low °C | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 |
| Rainfall mm | 224 | 236 | 268 | 262 | 205 | 119 | 76 | 50 | 68 | 103 | 135 | 213 |
| Cuiabá (Pantanal) | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 35 | 37 | 36 | 34 | 33 |
| Low °C | 23 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 |
| Rainfall mm | 218 | 223 | 187 | 102 | 48 | 9 | 11 | 15 | 34 | 115 | 169 | 183 |
Average daily highs and lows, and monthly rainfall. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station CAMPO PONTA PELADA (5 km, 81 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station MARECHAL RONDON (6 km, 188 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020.
Sources: Auswärtiges Amt · Bundesministerium für europäische und internationale Angelegenheiten (BMEIA) · timeanddate.com · Urbia Cataratas, Konzessionärin des Parque Nacional do Iguaçu · Wikipedia · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · Wikipedia
What do you need to enter Brazil?
Citizens of Switzerland, Germany and Austria do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days (as of September 2026); a passport valid for at least six months at entry is required, and a national ID card is not sufficient. Other nationalities are subject to their own rules, which the Brazilian foreign ministry lists in its visa overview by country.
| Topic | Switzerland | Germany | Austria |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa | not required | not required | not required |
| Stay | 90 days per 180 days, not extendable | 90 days within six months | usually up to 90 days |
| Document | passport, valid at least 6 months beyond departure recommended | passport or child's passport, valid 6 months | passport, valid 6 months; proof of return ticket and funds required |
According to this overview (as of 26 August 2026), citizens of, for example, the USA, Canada, Australia and India need a visa for visits. Travellers from Japan, the United Kingdom or South Africa remain visa-free for up to 90 days, and Argentinians, Chileans and Colombians can even enter with a national ID card. For Swiss, German and Austrian citizens, the exemption applies for a maximum of 90 days within 180 days.
According to the BMEIA, border officers occasionally limit the stay to 30 days and note this by hand on the entry stamp, so it's worth checking the stamp right away.
Import rules: drugs, fresh food and e-cigarettes are prohibited; cash exceeding the equivalent of USD 10,000 must be declared.
Minors: Brazilian children, including dual citizens, need a certified consent declaration if not travelling with both parents. For other children travelling with only one parent, the German Federal Foreign Office and the BMEIA recommend a consent declaration with a copy of the parents' passports.
Entry rules can change at short notice. The Brazilian authorities and the representation responsible for your place of residence are decisive — for Swiss citizens, for example, the consulate general in Zurich; the current visa overview for all nationalities is published by the Ministério das Relações Exteriores (Itamaraty).
Sources: Consulado-Geral do Brasil em Zurique, Ministério das Relações Exteriores · Auswärtiges Amt · Bundesministerium für europäische und internationale Angelegenheiten (BMEIA) · Eidgenössisches Departement für auswärtige Angelegenheiten EDA · Ministério das Relações Exteriores (Itamaraty)
What vaccinations and health precautions does Brazil require?
According to the CDC, Brazil does not require proof of yellow fever vaccination at entry. Hepatitis A is recommended for all travellers, and yellow fever for most regions, including Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, the Amazon, the Pantanal and Iguaçu; the Swiss expert committee for travel medicine (healthytravel.ch) advises considering yellow fever protection for all of Brazil. Mosquito protection matters everywhere because of dengue, chikungunya and Oropouche.
| Region | Yellow fever vaccination (WHO) | Malaria |
|---|---|---|
| Rio de Janeiro, Costa Verde, São Paulo | recommended, entire states | no risk in the cities of Rio and São Paulo |
| Salvador, Chapada Diamantina | only parts of Bahia, check locally | no risk in Salvador, otherwise low |
| Recife, Olinda, Fernando de Noronha | not recommended; EKRM: consider it | no risk in Recife |
| Manaus, Amazon | recommended | low in Manaus, high in parts of the state |
| Pantanal, Bonito | recommended | low |
| Iguaçu | recommended | low |
Travellers continuing from Brazil to neighbouring countries such as Bolivia, Colombia or Paraguay need a valid yellow fever certificate there according to the BMEIA; the original vaccination booklet belongs in your luggage.
According to the German Federal Foreign Office, dengue, chikungunya, Zika and Oropouche occur nationwide year-round, and the BMEIA points to periodically very high dengue case numbers. There is neither vaccine nor treatment for Oropouche, so mosquito protection day and night is essential. Vaccinations against dengue and chikungunya, and malaria prophylaxis for the Amazon basin, should be discussed with a doctor.
Private clinics in the big cities are good but usually require a credit-card guarantee or prepayment before treatment. Travel insurance with repatriation cover is important.
Sources: healthytravel.ch, Schweizerisches Expertenkomitee für Reisemedizin (EKRM) · Auswärtiges Amt · Bundesministerium für europäische und internationale Angelegenheiten (BMEIA) · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) · Eidgenössisches Departement für auswärtige Angelegenheiten EDA
How safe is Brazil for travellers?
The EDA rates travel to Brazil as fundamentally safe but describes crime as very high, especially in the cities. Remote border areas, for example with Venezuela, are structurally problematic; the current travel advice from the EDA, the German Federal Foreign Office and the BMEIA should be checked before departure.
- Rio: according to the German Federal Foreign Office, muggings occur even during the day in Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon and Lapa; avoid favelas even on tours, and don't go to the beach at night.
- Drink spiking: in Lapa and at Pedra do Sal, drinks have repeatedly been spiked in order to rob victims afterwards in their accommodation.
- São Paulo: avoid Praça da Sé and Estação da Luz at night and on weekends.
- Northeast: the EDA cites gang fighting in Ceará, Pernambuco and Bahia, including in Recife and Salvador; use taxis there and don't walk at night.
- Getting around: avoid overland travel at night; in Rio, according to the BMEIA, land before 8 pm and book taxis at the official airport counter; don't resist during a robbery.
Current situation: EDA, Auswärtiges Amt and BMEIA; in Rio also the COR-Rio app.
Sources: Eidgenössisches Departement für auswärtige Angelegenheiten EDA · Auswärtiges Amt · Bundesministerium für europäische und internationale Angelegenheiten (BMEIA)
How do you get to Brazil and travel around the country?
Most long-haul flights land at São Paulo-Guarulhos (GRU), the country's largest airport, or at Rio de Janeiro-Galeão (GIG). Nonstop flights to São Paulo from Europe run from, among others, Madrid, Lisbon, Rome, London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Zurich, from North America from Miami, New York, Toronto and other cities, plus from Doha, Dubai, Istanbul, Addis Ababa and Johannesburg (as of September 2026). Within the country, domestic flights are the most important means of transport.
| Region of the world | São Paulo-Guarulhos | Rio de Janeiro-Galeão |
|---|---|---|
| Europe | Madrid, Lisbon, Porto, Rome, Milan, London-Heathrow, Frankfurt, Munich, Amsterdam, Brussels, Barcelona, Zurich–São Paulo (SWISS, typically 11 h 45 min) | Lisbon, Porto, Madrid, Rome, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Amsterdam, London-Heathrow, Frankfurt |
| North America | Miami, Orlando, New York-JFK, Newark, Washington, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Toronto, Montreal | Miami, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, New York-JFK, Toronto, Montreal |
| Central America and the Caribbean | Panama City, Mexico City, Punta Cana | Panama City |
| South America | Buenos Aires, Santiago de Chile, Bogotá, Lima, Montevideo, Asunción | Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Mendoza, Rosario, Salta, Santiago de Chile, Lima, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Asunción, Montevideo |
| Middle East and Turkey | Doha, Dubai (Emirates), Istanbul | Dubai |
| Africa | Addis Ababa, Johannesburg and Cape Town (South African Airways), Casablanca, Luanda | no nonstop flights |
| Asia and Oceania | no nonstop flights; connect via Doha, Dubai, Istanbul or Addis Ababa | no nonstop flights |
According to SWISS, Guarulhos lies about 25 km east of São Paulo; getting into the centre takes 45 minutes to an hour by bus or train, and around 35 minutes by taxi. The safest place to book a taxi is at the counter inside the terminal. Travellers arriving from abroad and flying on within the country collect their luggage at the first Brazilian airport and check it in again for the domestic flight; there are hardly any railways, but there are long-distance buses.
| Route | Mode of transport | Distance and duration |
|---|---|---|
| Salvador – Lençóis | bus; flights not daily | 430 km, bus about 7 h |
| Campo Grande – Bonito | car or bus | around 300 km, about 4 h |
| São Paulo (Congonhas) – Bonito | direct flight | around 2 h 05 min |
| Poconé – Porto Jofre (Pantanal) | Transpantaneira, unpaved | around 150 km |
| Iguaçu: visitor centre – trail | park bus, included in ticket | round trip around 12 km |
Rental cars: because of many poor roads, the German Federal Foreign Office advises extreme caution and against driving at night; the limit is 0 per mille. Germans can drive with a national licence and passport, while Austrians, according to the BMEIA, need a Portuguese translation certified by the Detran authority. Navigation apps can route you through shortcuts into dangerous neighbourhoods; it's better to stick to main roads.
Sources: FlightConnections · FlightConnections · SWISS · Auswärtiges Amt · Bundesministerium für europäische und internationale Angelegenheiten (BMEIA) · Eidgenössisches Departement für auswärtige Angelegenheiten EDA · Melhores Destinos · Secretaria de Turismo de Bonito-MS · Descubra Mato Grosso (SEDEC-MT Turismo) · Urbia Cataratas, Konzessionärin do Parque Nacional do Iguaçu
What currency applies and how do you pay in Brazil?
Payment is in Real (BRL). At the ECB's reference rates of 18 September 2026, 1 euro cost 5.89 real and 1 US dollar around 5.14 real. Credit cards are accepted nationwide; cash withdrawals at ATMs are often capped at 500 to 2,500 real per day.
Card fraud is widespread, according to the German Federal Foreign Office: withdraw money during the day at bank branches, check the amount on the terminal, and keep a second card stored separately. In Rio, taxis and beach vendors are better paid in cash, because manipulated terminals do occur. Debit cards that only run on the European V-Pay system don't work outside Europe.
| Item | Price | Converted |
|---|---|---|
| Sugarloaf cable car, day ticket | from R$ 205 | around EUR 35 / USD 40 |
| Corcovado rack railway, adults | R$ 134 | around EUR 23 / USD 26 |
| Fernando de Noronha environmental fee, per day | R$ 105.79 | around EUR 18 / USD 21 |
| Iguaçu National Park, foreign visitors | R$ 134 | around EUR 23 / USD 26 |
| Chapada Diamantina National Park | no entrance fee | guide separate |
Tipping: if a restaurant, bar or hotel adds a service charge to the bill, it counts under Brazilian labour law (Law 13,419 of 2017) as a tip and belongs to the staff.
Sources: Europäische Zentralbank · Auswärtiges Amt · Parque Bondinho Pão de Açúcar · Trem do Corcovado · Panrotas · Distrito Estadual de Fernando de Noronha (noronha.pe.gov.br) · Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade (ICMBio) · Urbia Cataratas, Konzessionárin do Parque Nacional do Iguaçu · Presidência da República do Brasil
Where do you stay in Brazil?
In Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Salvador, options range from large city hotels to small guesthouses, called pousadas in Brazil. In Paraty, Olinda and Lençóis you often stay in pousadas in historic houses, and in the Pantanal and the Amazon in lodges with an excursion programme.
The EDA advises asking at the hotel which neighbourhoods to avoid. The German Federal Foreign Office reports on travellers who, after meeting people in nightlife districts, were drugged and robbed in their hotel rooms or holiday rentals; properties with a staffed reception offer more protection.
In the Chapada Diamantina, Lençóis is the usual base. On Fernando de Noronha, the daily environmental fee comes on top of every night's accommodation.
Sources: Eidgenössisches Departement für auswärtige Angelegenheiten EDA · Auswärtiges Amt · Melhores Destinos · Panrotas
What do you eat and drink in Brazil?
The cuisine is strongly regional. In São Paulo, beef ranks high, often served as rodízio, where different cuts of meat are brought round continuously; local specialities include Tutu de Feijão, a bean dish, and Linguiça, a pork sausage. In Bahia, Afro-Brazilian dishes shape the cuisine.
Well known dishes include Feijoada, a stew of black beans and pork, Pão de Queijo, and in Bahia Moqueca and Acarajé; Caipirinha is mixed with Cachaça.
The EDA and the German Federal Foreign Office warn of counterfeit alcohol containing methanol: buy spirits only from trustworthy shops and venues. According to the German Federal Foreign Office, contaminated sugarcane juice (Garapa) can transmit Chagas disease.
Sources: SWISS · Auswärtiges Amt · Eidgenössisches Departement für auswärtige Angelegenheiten EDA
What culture and festivals shape Brazil?
Brazil is Portuguese-speaking and strongly Afro-Brazilian in character. UNESCO lists the Samba de Roda from Bahia (2008), the Frevo from Recife (2012) and the Capoeira circle (2014) as intangible cultural heritage. The biggest festival is Carnival; Carnival Tuesday falls in February or March, depending on Easter.
According to UNESCO, capoeira is simultaneously a fight and a dance performed in a circle, accompanied by singing and percussion. Frevo, with its acrobatic Passo dance, belongs above all to Recife's Carnival.
The Samba de Roda emerged in the 17th century in the Recôncavo of Bahia from the traditions of enslaved Africans and, via migrants, influenced the urban samba of Rio.
According to the German Federal Foreign Office, sunbathing topless and changing on the beach can lead to arrest. A permit from the FUNAI authority is required for Indigenous protected areas.
Sources: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · timeanddate.com · Auswärtiges Amt
What experiences belong on a Brazil trip?
Highlights include the cable car up 396 m Sugarloaf Mountain and the rack railway to the Christ statue in Rio, the walkway in front of the Garganta do Diabo in Iguaçu, wildlife watching along the Transpantaneira, snorkelling in the rivers of Bonito, and hikes in the Chapada Diamantina.
- Sugarloaf: cable car from Praia Vermelha via Morro da Urca, daily 8.30 am to 9 pm, from R$ 205.
- Corcovado: the rack railway has run to the Christ statue since 1884, carrying over 1.5 million passengers a year; adults pay R$ 134.
- Iguaçu: on the «Amanhecer nas Cataratas» tour you enter the park before opening from Wednesday to Saturday, breakfast included; two- and three-day passes are also available.
- Pantanal: besides jaguars, UNESCO cites giant otters, marsh deer and the hyacinth macaw, the largest parrot species.
- Bonito: flutuação in the Rio Sucuri or at the Rio da Prata, diving in the Abismo Anhumas, plus the Buraco das Araras.
- Chapada Diamantina: canoe trip through the Marimbus wetland, about 4 hours from Remanso to the Rio Roncador.
- Amazon: boat trip to the Meeting of the Waters near Manaus, only with established operators, since the German Federal Foreign Office occasionally reports robberies on boat tours.
Sources: Parque Bondinho Pão de Açúcar · Wikipedia · Trem do Corcovado · Urbia Cataratas, Konzessionärin des Parque Nacional do Iguaçu · Descubra Mato Grosso (SEDEC-MT Turismo) · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · Secretaria de Turismo de Bonito-MS · Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade (ICMBio) · Wikipedia · Auswärtiges Amt
How do you travel sustainably in Brazil?
Several natural destinations manage visitor numbers: Iguaçu sells capped tickets with a time slot, Bonito works with vouchers issued through local agencies, and on Fernando de Noronha guests pay a daily environmental fee. Following these rules and booking local guides supports both protection and local incomes.
Bonito justifies its voucher system by pointing to transparency around revenue and the carrying capacity (capacidade de carga) of the attractions. Brazil also penalises transporting protected animals and plants between states; leave behind souvenirs made from animal parts, seeds or seedlings.
According to the EDA, wildfires in the Amazon and Pantanal occasionally lead to park closures; in the dry season the rule is: stay flexible and avoid open fires.
Sources: Urbia Cataratas, Konzessionärin do Parque Nacional do Iguaçu · Prefeitura Municipal de Bonito · Panrotas · Auswärtiges Amt · Eidgenössisches Departement für auswärtige Angelegenheiten EDA
What can you combine Brazil with?
The easiest combination is with Argentina: the Iguaçu Falls are shared between the Brazilian and the Argentinian national park. At the confluence of the Iguaçu and Paraná rivers, Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil also meet. Within Brazil, Fernando de Noronha and the Amazon region round out a longer trip.
More on the pages for Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, which can be added on to a trip through the South.
Travellers continuing onward should note the neighbours' own rules: according to the BMEIA, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Paraguay require proof of yellow fever vaccination, and according to the German Federal Foreign Office, Argentina requires travel health insurance.
Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre · Bundesministerium für europäische und internationale Angelegenheiten (BMEIA) · Auswärtiges Amt
Who is Brazil suited to, and who less so?
Brazil suits travellers who want to combine nature, music and cities and who budget for extra flights and transfers for Iguaçu, the Pantanal or the Amazon. It is less suited to short trips with many stops, or to anyone who would find the high crime rate in big cities, and the caution it requires, wears on their enjoyment.
- Well suited: nature lovers, culture-focused travellers interested in Salvador, Olinda and Paraty, and beach travellers.
- With children: Iguaçu and Bonito are well organised; discuss yellow fever vaccination and mosquito protection with a doctor early.
- Less suited: anyone who wants to wander city centres alone at night or head into the countryside without English or Portuguese; tight budgets also suffer under domestic flights and entrance fees such as the cable car from R$ 205.
Sources: Auswärtiges Amt · healthytravel.ch, Schweizerisches Expertenkomitee für Reisemedizin (EKRM) · Parque Bondinho Pão de Açúcar
