Here you can find important information about the main tourism-related topics in Brazil, from documentation to vaccination requirements.

Health

Public health services in Brazil are free for foreign tourists. So, if you are in an accident or present any health problems, just call the Mobile Emergency Service (Samu) dialing 192 on the phone. The call is free.

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Security

Most tourists have a good experience when arriving in Brazil, but, especially in the big cities, you must be careful not to become targeted by thugs. See below our tips about safety during your trip:

  • Upon arriving at the airport, look for registered cabs.
  • Whenever you need to open your wallet in public, avoid exposing big cash notes.
  • Do not place your wallet or your phone in the back pockets of your pants, especially in places that are very busy and full.
  • Do not carry large amounts of cash in your wallet, purse or bag. Take only small amounts in the country’s currency for daily expenditures.
  • If you have to take a lot of money, keep it in bags used inside your clothing, closed with zippers or velcro strap and tied with an elastic around your waist.
  • Avoid leaving with important documents and, if you have more than one credit card, take only one. In case your credit card gets stolen, you will have another card for future spending.
  • Leave your passport where you are staying and take only a certified copy of it.
  • Use the safe where you are staying, if the place has one, to keep your money, original passport, credit cards and other important items.
  • Most thefts occur in places where there are large concentrations of people, like markets, subway stations, bus stations and full buses. Luggage theft is also common in airport lounges. Keep an eye out.
  • Avoid walking through empty places or neighborhoods indicated as dangerous by the local residents. This advice is especially important in large cities and to people who are travelling alone.
  • Be wary of people who offer a ride in a non-registered cab, at the airport or in any other location.
  • If you go to the beach, don’t leave your belongings in the sand while you go into the water.
  • If you rent a car, don’t leave any luggage or bags visible inside. If this is unavoidable, try to park the vehicle in a safe place, where there is policing.
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Visa and Documents required

Visas required to enter Brazil are issued by the Brazilian consulates abroad.

Citizens from Mercosur member counties are not required to present visa, only the passport or a valid identification document.

Citizens from the European Union and many other countries are also not required to issue a visa, they are only required to present a passport. To check if you need a visa to travel to Brazil, access the Consulate’s Website.

Beginning June 17, 2019, citizens of the United States of America, Australia, Canada and Japan will be able to travel to Brazil without a visa. The measure benefits holders of a valid passport traveling for tourism, business, artistic or sports activities. The initiative also covers travelers transiting through Brazil. Visitors will be granted a stay of up to 90 days, which can be extended once for the same period, as long as they do not exceed 180 days within a 12-month period, counted from the date of the first entry.

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Weather

Brazil has climates that suit all tastes, thanks to its great territorial extension, combined with factors such as altitude, pressure and ocean proximity. The average annual temperature is 28° C in the North and 20° C in the South of the country.

The Brazilian winter happens between June and September and in some cities of the South and Southeast, temperatures reach less than 0° C, with frost and snow. In the summer, you can enjoy a 40° C heat in cities such as Rio de Janeiro. Summer in Brazil is the best time to go to the beach, drink coconut water, plunge into the sea and sunbathe.

Regardless of the season, it’s always a good idea to pack a coat and pants, because the weather can change suddenly in some locations, especially in mountain and coastal regions.
Seasons in Brazil:

Summer: from the 21st of December to the 21st of March.
Autumn: from the 21st of March to the 21st of June.
Winter: from the 21st of June to the 23rd of September.
Spring: from the 23rd of September to the 21st of December.

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Language

The official language of Brazil is Portuguese, which is derived from the language in Portugal, but with different accent and some different expressions. Many Brazilians speak English and Spanish, and in some States, you can also find people speaking German (Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul, for example), Italian (São Paulo and Paraná, for example), indigenous languages (Amazonas and Mato Grosso do Sul, for example) and other languages.

Here are some words and basic expressions that can help you during your visit to Brazil:

Hey, what’s up? : Olá, tudo bem?

Good morning! : Bom dia!

Good afternoon! : Boa tarde!

Good night! : Boa noite!

What is your name? : Qual é o seu nome?

My name is… : Meu nome é…

Do you speak english/spanish ? : Você fala inglês/espanhol?

Please : Por favor.

Thank you : Obrigado.

You are welcome : De nada.

Excuse me : Com licença.

Great! : Que bom!

Can you give me some information? : Pode me dar uma informação?

Can you help me? : Pode me ajudar?

I am lost : Estou perdido.

I don’t understand : Não entendo.

Can you speak slowly, please? : Pode falar mais devagar, por favor?

I don’t speak portuguese : Não sei falar português.

Are there any bank/restaurant/hotel/taxi point nearby? : Há algum banco/restaurante/ponto de táxi/hotel perto daqui?

How much does this cost? : Quanto custa isso?

Where can I get… ? : Onde posso conseguir…?

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