In the south-east: Rio de Janeiro, the Costa Verde of Paraty and Ilha Grande, the Iguazu falls and Sao Paulo
In the Nordeste: Afro-Brazilian Salvador, the canyons and waterfalls of the Chapada Diamantina and the beaches of Morro de Sao Paulo
Explore itineraries grouped by geographic area
Planning a trip to Brazil? Here you'll find our 2 day-by-day itineraries (South-East: Rio, the Costa Verde and Iguazu, Nordeste: Salvador, Chapada Diamantina and Bahia), plus all the practical info to organise your journey: currency, visa, e-SIM, health, plugs and useful numbers.
The seasons are reversed compared with Europe and the climate varies greatly: tropical and hot in Rio, Bahia and the north, more temperate in the south. The southern summer (December-March) is hot, humid and festive (it is Carnival time) but rainy; the winters (June-August) are dry and pleasant on the coast, ideal for Salvador and the Chapada. Iguazu is beautiful all year. Rains can cause flooding and landslides: check local conditions.
Updated: June 2026
You need a passport valid for at least 6 months from entry. EU citizens do NOT need a visa for tourism up to 90 days (within a 180-day period), provided you hold a return ticket; other nationalities should check their own rules (some require a visa or an e-visa). Always verify the current requirements before leaving.
The currency is the Brazilian real (BRL). Credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are accepted almost everywhere, even for small amounts, and are the most practical and safe way to pay. It is still handy to carry some cash for beaches, markets and small towns. Exchange is free (banks, casas de cambio, also in hotels); cash sums over USD 10,000 must be declared at customs. Withdraw at ATMs inside banks or malls, in daylight, to reduce risk.
The language is Portuguese (in its very musical Brazilian variant). English is not widely spoken outside large hotels and travel agencies: even in the big cities many people do not speak it. A few words of Portuguese or Spanish (which helps you be understood) are very useful, as is a translation app.
No vaccine is mandatory to enter, but the Brazilian authorities RECOMMEND vaccination against YELLOW FEVER for those visiting many areas, including the Iguazu Falls area, the Pantanal, the Amazon, Minas Gerais and much of the Atlantic forest: have it at least 10 days before departure. Dengue, Zika, Chikungunya and, in the Amazon, malaria are also present: protect yourself from mosquitoes day and night. Public facilities are often inadequate: ALWAYS take out insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation. Drink bottled water.
The main operators are Vivo, Claro and TIM, with good 4G/5G coverage in cities and tourist areas. Buying a local SIM can require a CPF (Brazilian tax number) and be cumbersome for tourists: the easiest option is an eSIM bought before departure. Roaming with non-local SIMs is expensive. In Brazil the Pix instant-payment system is used heavily among residents, but for tourists cards remain convenient.
NOTE: in Brazil the voltage VARIES from city to city. Many areas (Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo) use 127V, others (Brasilia, much of the Northeast and Salvador) use 220V, always at 60Hz: always check before plugging in a non-dual-voltage appliance. Sockets are type N (three round pins), which also accept European type C two-round-pin plugs. Most modern chargers are 100-240V and work anywhere.
The main tourist areas (Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Salvador/Bahia, Iguazu) are on Brasilia time, UTC-3. The Amazon is one hour behind (UTC-4). Brazil does not observe daylight saving time.
💡 Get vaccinated against yellow fever before leaving (recommended for Iguazu, Bahia and the forest areas) and take out health insurance with repatriation. In the cities live the Brazilian way but with caution: little in your pockets, no phone in hand on the street, Uber in the evening, and only the essentials on the beach. That way you fully enjoy Brazil, one of the most joyful and welcoming countries in the world.