6 Important Tips for Travelers to Brazil

[lauren quinn]

While Brazil is a major metropolitan city, its infrastructure is not necessarily user friendly - as many discovered during the recent Summer Olympics. However, this does not mean your trip needs to be stressful. With a little pre-planning, you never have to stray from that vacation feeling. 

PREPARING YOUR DOCUMENTS FOR BRAZIL TRAVEL

Obtain a Tourist Visa

To enter the country, citizens of a number of countries (including the USA) must get tourist visas affixed to their passports - and they're not cheap (120USD for U.S. nationals, for example). These can  be easily obtained from a Brazilian Consulate in your home country. I have made a simple how-to-get your Brazilian Tourist Visa video, highlighting the process. It is best to start planning for your visa 2-3 months before departure. However, I have had many clients book last-minute trips and hire a visa expediting service who handled their process quickly and efficiently. 

Prep Your Credit Cards/ATM Cards

It is best to contact your credit and debit card companies prior to departure to alert them of your dates of international travel. Many banks now allow you to prepare for your trip directly online. Brazil has mainly domestic banks, with ATMs that sometimes give even the locals difficulty. If you certify that you're bringing your cards, this will help eliminate issues receiving local currency.

PACKING FOR BRAZIL

Check the Weather!

Brazil is the same size as the continental U.S., which means the weather varies greatly! This does not mean that winter brings snow, but it does mean that temperatures can be cool. In some states you will need a jacket, scarf and warm socks, so properly prepare for where you are traveling to. Additionally, remember that Brazil is mostly a tropical country, so it's likely to rain at least once during your trip. Last but not least, remember that Brazil is in the southern hemisphere, so the seasons are the opposite of Europe/the States (i.e., January is summertime and July is winter).

Pack Accordingly

Most people either overpack for Brazil or simply have no idea how to prepare. For example, Rio de Janeiro’s beach scene is very different from that of L.A.’s Santa Monica or Sydney’s Bondi. I have seen many guests bring heavy towels unnecessary for beach use instead of a beach sarong. Or they arrive with a suitcase full of jeans and electronic equipment and end up lugging around extra weight for nothing. 

BRAZIL HOTEL AND AIRPORT TRANSFER

Find Good Accommodation

While I am a big proponent of embracing spontaneity while traveling, here it really is best to pre-book accommodation. In Brazil there are no “good" and "bad" neighborhoods, but rather better and worse neighborhoods. But there are “good” and “bad” streets; this means that each street has a different level of culture and safety, and within the same neighborhood, from one block to the next, the streets can vary greatly. If you need a little local expertise, you can contact the Bromelia Travel Concierge. We offer a free 30-minute phone consultation to answer any of your questions or concerns about travel to Rio de Janeiro.

Know your Airport of Arrival/Arrange Pick-up

A number of cities in Brazil have multiple airports and are often large distances apart. São Paulo, for example, has four airports, Rio de Janeiro has two. Public Transport to/from the airport is often meager, and can add a couple of hours onto your already long journey. Private drivers are much more affordable in Brazil then other countries. Contact your accommodation to make arrangements with a secure transfer on your behalf. If in Rio, we can help arrange a private, secure, English-speaking driver to be waiting for you at arrivals. 

Brazil can be a very easy and extremely rewarding trip. When prepared for correctly, your experience will leave you feeling alive. Bem-vindos ao Brasil!