Brazil travel guide
Brazil travel guide: Rio de Janeiro and the wider country
Brazil is South America’s largest country and one of the world’s most varied — Rio’s mountain-and-sea geography, the Amazon basin, Iguazu Falls, the Pantanal wetlands, the Northeast beaches (Bahia, Pernambuco). Rio is the iconic entry point.
Destinations we cover in Brazil
Country overview
Brazil spans tropical, Atlantic-coast, Amazon, and subtropical climates. Most Western travelers can enter visa-free for 90 days. From 2026, an electronic authorization is being phased in for some nationalities.
- Language
- Portuguese (Brazilian, distinct from European Portuguese). English less common than expected outside tourism.
- Currency
- Brazilian Real (BRL). Currency volatility makes travel timing affect costs significantly. Use ATMs from major banks.
- Best time to visit
- April-October is the practical sweet spot for Rio (cooler, drier). December-February summer brings Carnival in February but extreme heat. Northeast beaches (Bahia) best November-March.
- Trip highlights
- Rio’s Christ the Redeemer + Sugarloaf + Copacabana + favela tours, Carnival (February), Iguazu Falls, Salvador’s Afro-Brazilian culture, Amazon expedition extensions.