Brazil Travel Guide: What to See, Do, Costs, & Ways to Save

Brazil is the largest country in South America and home to some of the world’s most metropolitan cities, but this is just the beginning. The world famous Carnival takes place every year where millions dance, samba, and party the days away. Wildlife fans will enjoy exploring the wetlands of the Pantanal and the Amazon rainforest, while those who enjoy colonial architecture and historic cities will revel in the chance to visit Salvador. Throw in beaches, soccer, beautiful people, and cheap prices, and it’s pretty easy to convince someone this is a country worth seeing. Brazil sells itself and this travel guide can help you plan your trip there.

Things to See and Do
Typical Costs
Budget Tips
Related Guides
Related Articles
Booking Resources

Brazil

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Brazil

1. Rio de Janeiro

Rio has so much to offer visitors that it will take you weeks to scratch the surface. Rio has more museums than you could imagine, endless beaches, parties, delicious food, lively locals, and much more. It’s a great (albeit slightly expensive) city.

2. Florianópolis

Florianópolis has been attracting surfers and sun worshippers for years and is one of Brazil’s most popular beach destinations. There’s an endless array of beaches, excellent seafood, quaint Azorean fishing villages, and awesome nightlife. It’s an especially popular stop for young travelers.

3. Amazonia National Park

The Amazon covers 8% of the earth’s surface but is home to 50% of its biodiversity. The Amazonia National Park is almost 40% of the nation’s landmass and is perfect for birdwatching, trekking, and kayaking. There are many points of entry, chances to go hiking, camping, and river tours.

4. Fernando de Noronha

Fernando de Noronha was Brazil’s first Marine Park (70% of the island is protected) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The beaches are fantastic and largely deserted as only 420 people are permitted on the island at a time. To me, it’s one of the most gorgeous places in South America.

5. Iguacu Fall

These magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site waterfalls lie share the border the Argentina. The falls are higher than and twice as wide as Niagara Falls. 450,000 cubic feet of water thunder down the 275 cascades every second. Admission price is 4 BRL.

Other Things to See and Do

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1. See a fútbol match

Soccer is religion here, and going to a match is one of the most entertaining things you can do in Brazil. Maracana is one of the largest stadiums in the world and seats 100,000 supporters. With the 2016 Olympics turning the world’s attention to the country, soccer fever is all the rage. Take in a match if you can.

2. Enjoy Rio Carnival

The Rio Carnival is one of the most famous parties in the world. Music and dancing take over the streets with thousands of people enjoying the celebrations before the start of the somber period of Lent. Prices during this festival triple and you need to book months in advance, but it’s worth every penny to experience the local flavor.

3. Brasilia

Although not as famous as Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia is definitely worth a visit. The city was inaugurated in 1960 and is a masterpiece of modernist architecture, attracting aficionados the world over. The city is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

4. The Pantanal

These are the largest wetlands in the world, located in the west, stretching into parts of Bolivia and Paraguay. As can be expected, the Pantanal is a wildlife watcher’s dream come true. Over 11,000 species of animal live in the wetlands, from the rare Marsh Deer to the Giant Anteater and the Hyacinth Macaw.

5. Recife

Recife is home to some of Brazil’s most beautiful beaches and is the second largest city on the country’s northeastern coast. The city’s historical center is extremely beautiful with dozens of restaurants and quaint establishments. Head to nearby Olinda, a colonial city designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1982.

6. Salvador

Visit Brazil’s first city and cultural capital, Salvador on the country’s northeast coast. Also known as the ‘capital of happiness’, visitors enjoy the city’s easy-going atmosphere and colonial architecture. The colonial center of Perlourinho was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.

7. Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo is the third largest city in the world and the largest in South America, home to over 17 million people. Visitors to this expansive city can enjoy world class nightlife, music, and cuisine. While it lacks the charm of Rio, I still like it.

8. Manaus Opera House

The Amazon theater is located in the heart of Manaus. Built in 1896, it strongly reflects the Italian Renaissance influence from the time. It has been featured in several movies.

9. Dance the capoeira

This Afro-Brazilian martial art is a “war dance” practiced and performed by thousands of people throughout the country. If you aren’t too embarrassed to try it out, it’s a memorable experience for everyone involved.

10. The Manaus Municipal Market

Located in Manaus, this building is right on the bank of the Rio Negro and covers 12,000 square meters. Many locals come here for their daily shopping. You can find almost anything you can imagine—fish, caimans, turtles, fruit, wine, and knick-knacks.

Typical Costs

Accommodation – A dorm room in a hostel (8 beds) starts around 20-30 BRL. Private rooms are about upwards of 100 BRL. You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. Small, family owned budget hotels are also widely abundant and cost between 70-100 BRL. Use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates. Your own room in a homestay can cost as little as 35-50 BRL. An entire apartment through Airbnb averages around 140 BRL and a shared room averages around 32 BRL.

Food – Small, locally owned restaurants here cost 14 BRL for a meal that includes a couple of courses and a drink. Nicer meals at a more casual restaurant with a nicer décor will cost around 35 BRL. Grocery shopping is very cheap, just about 100 BRL per week. All prices are higher in Rio.

Transportation – Long-distance buses are a convenient, economical, and comfortable way to travel in the country. Bus tickets cost about 8-10 BRL per hour of travel. A ride from Rio de Janeiro to Sao Paulo costs 440-650 BRL. A ride from Rio de Janeiro to Florianopolis costs 160-240 BRL. Be sure to buy your ticket at least one day in advance. Train service is limited to the tourist-oriented steam train that offers transport in between two important Brazilian tourist towns, Sao Jao del Rei and Tiradentes. Local public transportation costs 2.8-5 BRL per ride. Uber is an option for inner-city transportation and is currently available in 11 Brazilian cities.

Activities – Prices for football matches cost upwards of 35 BRL per ticket, depending on where you’re seated and entrance to Iguazu Falls is about 42 BRL. Amazon river cruises cost a few hundred dollars to thousands depending on how long and luxurious they are. Museums and similar attractions cost around 10-20 BRL.

Suggested daily budget

170-250 BRL / 50-75 USD (Note: This is a suggested budget assuming you’re staying in a hostel, eating out a little, cooking most of your meals, and using local transportation. Using the budget tips below, you can always lower this number. However, if you stay in fancier accommodation or eat out more often, expect this to be higher!)

Money Saving Tips

Agree on taxi prices – Agree on the price for your journey with the taxi driver before setting off—many drivers will refuse to use their meters and try to rip you off. It’s much better to take a bus most of the time.
Couchsurf – Nothing’s cheaper than sleeping for free. Couchsurfing connects you with locals who will give you not only a free place to stay, but also a local tour guide who can introduce you to all the great places to see.
Go off season – December to March is also a pretty busy time as people from the Northern hemisphere escape the winter. Try to avoid these dates if you want to keep prices low.
Eat Coxinha – These are the perfect snack to keep you going on long bus journeys. They are deep fried chicken pockets and cost just a few cents.
Buddy up – In Brazil, you’ll pay a premium for a single room, almost twice the cost of a double. Pair up with a friend to halve the cost of your accommodation if you’re not keen on staying in a dorm.

My Must Have Guides For Traveling to Brazil

How to Get Free Flights

This book shows you how to take money out of the travel equation and and master the points and miles game. It will show you how to easily collect and redeem travel points for free airfare and accommodation so you can get you out of your house faster, cheaper, and in comfort.

Conquering Mountains: The Guide to Solo Female Travel

Kristin Addis writes the solo female travel column for this website and her detailed guide addresses all the concerns women have about traveling and gives the specific advice and tips you need to conquer the world and stay safe.

How to Teach English Overseas

This book will teach you everything you need to know about landing your dream job and features interviews with dozens of teachers, recruiters, detailed information on the top teaching destinations, sample resumes, advice on nailing your interview, and much more.

How to Travel the World on $50 a Day

My New York Times best-selling paperback guide to world travel will teach how to master the art of travel so that, no matter how long you want to travel for, you’ll save money, get off the beaten path, and have a more local, richer travel experience.