Smart Self-Managed Tours

Country guide

Brazil

A photograph of Brazil
Photograph · Tet · CC BY 4.0

Brazil is the largest country in South America and the fifth largest on earth, with over 213 million people, 26 states and a Federal District built to hold the capital, Brasília. Its Atlantic coastline runs 7,491 kilometres and it borders every country on the continent except Ecuador and Chile. Most of the Amazon basin is Brazilian, including the world's largest river system and the most extensive virgin tropical forest left standing; the same country also holds wetlands, savanna, plateau and low mountains. São Paulo is the most populous city and Rio de Janeiro the second. The distance between any two of these is the planning problem.

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information
Language spoken
Portuguese
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+55
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Brazilian real (BRL)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
190 police · 192 ambulance · 193 fire
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type N · 127 or 220 V by location
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Not recorded
Voltage and water guidance must be checked for the destination

Planning a visit

  1. January: no seasonality data recorded
  2. February: no seasonality data recorded
  3. March: no seasonality data recorded
  4. April: no seasonality data recorded
  5. May: no seasonality data recorded
  6. June: no seasonality data recorded
  7. July: no seasonality data recorded
  8. August: no seasonality data recorded — this month
  9. September: no seasonality data recorded
  10. October: no seasonality data recorded
  11. November: no seasonality data recorded
  12. December: no seasonality data recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

Filter the list

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Category

Historic monuments 0 Museums 0 Places of worship 0 Nature sites 6914 Viewpoints 0 Food and drink 0 Markets and shopping 0 Entertainment 0 Nightlife 0 Family attractions 0 Art and culture 0 Activities 0

Typical visit duration

Up to 1 hour 6914

Interests

History 4336 Art 4011 Museums 880 Nature 7569 Sea and beach 6914 Viewpoints 655
  3. Independence Park Independence Park
    03 1 hour

    Independence Park

    Independence Park, known locally as Parque da Independência, is a monumental public landscape in São Paulo. The park encompasses the historic site where Brazilian independence was proclaimed in 1822.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • São Paulo
  4. Arpoador
    04 1 hour

    Arpoador

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Rio de Janeiro
  14. Jabaquara
    14 1 hour

    Jabaquara

    • High
    • Nature site
    • São Paulo

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Brazil be?

Brazil’s scale makes 10–16 days appropriate for one region rather than a national circuit. Build around a single gateway such as Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo, then add one coherent coastal, nature or cultural extension.

What entry documents are needed for Brazil?

Visa information is maintained by Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs through its consular portal. Eligibility depends on nationality and visit purpose; use the ministry’s current table instead of relying on a past visa waiver.

What is the best way to travel around Brazil?

São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro handle major international and domestic connections. Flights bridge the country’s long distances, coaches cover many regional corridors, and national passenger rail is not a general substitute for either.

When is a practical time to visit Brazil?

Brazil has no single best month because Amazon, northeast-coast, Pantanal and southern conditions differ. April–June and August–October are broad shoulder periods, but the chosen region’s rainfall and access cycle should decide the dates.

What money and payment basics apply in Brazil?

The Brazilian real (BRL) is the unit used for prices. This guide does not record current bank fees or acceptance patterns; check the displayed total and conversion currency before authorising a card or cash transaction.

What practical safety details should I save for Brazil?

Brazil separates emergency services: 190 police, 192 ambulance and 193 fire. Type N sockets operate at either 127 or 220 V depending on location, and national tap-water suitability is Not recorded.