South America
Below is a summary of how I entered, whether through a visa or another permitted route.
Prepare these before applying
Applied for Brazil tourist visa from the Brazilian Embassy in Helsinki in March 2019. Received a 1-year multiple-entry visa for 88 EUR.
Last updated 2 hours ago
| S.No | Details | Date | Amount | Currency | Amount (NPR) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | — | — | — | — | 80 | Visa & Documents |
| 2 | ~150/night | — | — | — | 600 | Accommodation |
| 3 | ~100/day | — | — | — | 400 | Food & Dining |
| 4 | — | — | — | — | 100 | Activities |
| 5 | — | — | — | — | 120 | Activities |
| 6 | Free | — | — | — | — | Activities |
| 7 | Free | — | — | — | — | Activities |
| 8 | — | — | — | — | 60 | Transport |
| 9 | — | — | — | — | 120 | Transport |
| 10 | ~120/night | — | — | — | 240 | Accommodation |
| 11 | ~80/day | — | — | — | 160 | Food & Dining |
| 12 | Free | — | — | — | — | Activities |
| 13 | Free | — | — | — | — | Activities |
| 14 | — | — | — | — | 50 | Activities |
| 15 | — | — | — | — | 30 | Transport |
| 16 | — | — | — | — | 50 | Connectivity |
| 17 | — | — | — | — | 40 | Insurance |
| 18 | — | — | — | — | 100 | Miscellaneous |
| 19 | — | — | — | — | 50 | Miscellaneous |
| 20 | — | — | — | — | 60 | Transport |
| 21 | — | — | — | — | — | USD 120 + BRL 2,140 |
| Total | 0.00 | 2,260 |
Last updated 2 hours ago
As of April 2025, US, Canadian, Australian, and Japanese citizens need a visa to enter Brazil. Citizens of EU countries, the UK, Argentina, Chile, and many others can visit visa-free for up to 90 days. Check current requirements before travel as rules change frequently. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry.
The currency is the Brazilian Real (BRL). Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, but carry cash for street vendors and local markets. Use ATMs inside bank branches rather than standalone machines for safety. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash or displaying expensive jewelry, watches, or electronics in public.
Use ride-hailing apps like Uber and 99 instead of hailing taxis on the street. Domestic flights are the most practical option between distant cities like Rio and Salvador, and are affordable when booked in advance. Avoid public buses at night in major cities due to the higher risk of robbery.
Exercise increased caution, especially in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. Stay aware of your surroundings and do not physically resist robbery attempts. Do not accept food or drinks from strangers. Avoid favelas even on guided tours, as neither tour operators nor police can guarantee safety. Use hotel safes for valuables and carry copies of your passport rather than the original.
Brazil speaks Portuguese, not Spanish. English is not widely spoken outside major tourist areas and upscale hotels. Download Google Translate with the Portuguese offline pack before your trip. Learning basics like 'Obrigado/Obrigada' (thank you), 'Quanto custa?' (how much?), and 'Nao falo portugues' (I do not speak Portuguese) goes a long way.
Brazil's seasons are opposite to the Northern Hemisphere. December to March is summer with hot weather and Carnival in February or March. The best time for Rio and the coast is May to September with milder, drier weather. The Amazon is best visited June to November during the dry season.
Brazil uses Type N plugs with a unique three-pin design. Voltage is either 127V or 220V depending on the city (Rio is 127V, Brasilia is 220V). Bring a universal adapter and check the voltage before plugging in devices. Most modern phone and laptop chargers are dual-voltage.
Last updated 2 hours ago
📍 Rio de Janeiro
Take the cog train through Tijuca Forest up to Christ the Redeemer for 360-degree views of Guanabara Bay, Sugarloaf Mountain, and the sprawling city. Ride the cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain (Pao de Acucar) for sunset views over Copacabana Beach. Spend the evening walking along Copacabana's mosaic boardwalk sampling acai bowls and fresh coconut water from beach vendors.
📍 Rio de Janeiro
Spend the morning at Ipanema Beach and walk to Arpoador Rock for the best surf-watching viewpoint. Visit the Selaron Steps in Santa Teresa, a colorful tiled stairway spanning 215 steps. Explore the bohemian Santa Teresa neighborhood by historic tram, visiting galleries and street art. Head to the Lapa Arches district at night for samba clubs and live Brazilian music.
📍 Sao Paulo
Fly to Sao Paulo and visit the Pinacoteca art museum and the surrounding Luz district with its grand train station. Explore the Mercado Municipal to try mortadella sandwiches and pastel de bacalhau (codfish pastries). Walk along Paulista Avenue on a Sunday when it closes to traffic, visiting MASP (Museum of Art) and its impressive collection of European masters.
📍 Foz do Iguacu
Fly to Foz do Iguacu and spend the day at Iguazu Falls National Park on the Brazilian side. Walk the 1.2 km trail that leads to a panoramic walkway extending over the Devil's Throat, where 14 falls converge in a thundering wall of water. Take the Macuco Safari boat ride that goes directly under the falls for a drenching experience. Spot toucans and coatis along the park's trails.
📍 Foz do Iguacu / Puerto Iguazu
Cross the border to the Argentine side of Iguazu for a completely different perspective with closer access to individual falls via upper and lower trail circuits. Take the Ecological Train through the jungle to the Devil's Throat walkway for a top-down view of the 80-meter cascade. The Argentine side offers more trails and closer encounters with the waterfalls than the Brazilian side.
📍 Salvador
Fly to Salvador da Bahia and explore the Pelourinho historic district, a UNESCO site with pastel-colored colonial buildings and cobblestone streets. Watch a capoeira performance in Terreiro de Jesus square and visit the Church of Sao Francisco with its ornate gold-leaf interior. Try acaraje (black-eyed pea fritters with shrimp) from a Bahiana street vendor and listen to live axe music in the evening.
Last updated 2 hours ago
Black bean stew with pork and beef cuts, served with rice, collard greens, and orange slices.
Chewy cheese bread rolls made with tapioca flour and Minas cheese, a beloved snack.
Frozen açaí berry purée served in a bowl topped with granola, banana, and honey.
Teardrop-shaped fried snack filled with shredded chicken and cream cheese in a dough shell.
Brazilian barbecue with various cuts of beef, pork, and chicken grilled over charcoal on skewers.
Chocolate truffle balls made from condensed milk and cocoa, rolled in chocolate sprinkles.
Last updated 2 hours ago
Security Ranking
72/100
Steady
Brazil currently falls in an elevated-caution range across the main government travel advisories we track. Some sources also call out region-specific exceptions, so the public rank is kept slightly conservative.
Refreshed 04 Apr 2026
Last updated 2 hours ago
Christ the Redeemer is Rio de Janeiro's iconic hilltop statue with panoramic views over the city, Guanabara Bay, and surrounding peaks.
📍 Open in Google Maps →Iguazu Falls is one of the world's great waterfall systems, with extensive boardwalks and rainforest scenery on the Brazil-Argentina border.
📍 Open in Google Maps →Copacabana is Rio's most famous urban beach, known for its long promenade, active beach culture, and city skyline backdrop.
📍 Open in Google Maps →Brazil's Amazon region offers biodiversity-rich jungle ecosystems, river lodges, and guided wildlife excursions from gateway cities like Manaus.
📍 Open in Google Maps →Lencois Maranhenses is a unique dune landscape where seasonal rainwater lagoons form between white sand ridges, creating one of Brazil's most unusual natural scenes.
📍 Open in Google Maps →Last updated 2 hours ago
