Brazil
Phone Code
+55
Capital
Brasilia
Population
216 Million
Native Name
Brasil
Region
Americas
South America
Timezones
Brasília Time
UTC-03:00
+15 more
On This Page
Brazil is the largest country in South America, known for the Amazon rainforest, Carnival celebrations, Christ the Redeemer, Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, and diverse landscapes from tropical coast to wetlands. Portuguese is the official language. Visitors are drawn to Rio de Janeiro's beaches and culture, São Paulo's urban energy, Amazon rainforest adventures, Iguazu Falls (UNESCO site), Salvador's Afro-Brazilian heritage, Pantanal wetlands wildlife, and vibrant music and dance traditions. Brazil offers incredible biodiversity, cultural richness, and natural wonders across vast and varied regions.
Visa Requirements for Brazil
Brazil offers visa-free entry to citizens of many countries including EU member states, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and most South American nations for tourism or business stays of up to 90 days. United States citizens can apply for an e-visa online, which is processed electronically and typically approved within a few business days. Citizens of countries requiring traditional visas should apply through Brazilian consulates, submitting application forms, passport photographs, travel itinerary, proof of accommodation, financial statements, and yellow fever vaccination certificate if traveling from endemic areas. Visa requirements and procedures can vary, so verify current regulations before planning travel.
Common Visa Types
Visa-Free Entry
For tourism, business, or family visits for citizens of EU countries, UK, Australia, Canada, Argentina, and other eligible nationalities.
E-Visa (VITUR)
For tourism, business, cultural events, or sports for US citizens and other designated nationalities through online application.
Tourist Visa (VITUR - Consular)
For nationalities not eligible for visa-free or e-visa who wish to visit Brazil for tourism purposes.
Business Visa (VITEM-II)
For business meetings, conferences, contract negotiations, or establishing business operations in Brazil.
Important Travel Information
Travel Guide
Brazil is a continent within a country — the fifth-largest nation on earth, covering half of South America, with a coastline that stretches 7,500 km and an interior that encompasses the world's largest rainforest, the world's largest wetland, and some of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet. Rio de Janeiro is the entry point for most visitors and delivers on every promise: Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado overlooking the city, Sugarloaf Mountain rising from Guanabara Bay, Copacabana and Ipanema beaches where carioca culture plays out daily, the Lapa arches and samba clubs, and Carnival — the world's largest street party, where millions dance in the streets for five days each February/March. São Paulo is the counterpoint: South America's largest city (22 million), a financial and cultural powerhouse with the best restaurants on the continent (from Japanese in Liberdade to Italian in Bixiga to contemporary Brazilian at D.O.M. and A Casa do Porco), world-class museums (MASP, Pinacoteca), and a nightlife scene that runs until dawn. Iguaçu Falls — 275 waterfalls spanning 2.7 km at the Argentina-Brazil border — is one of the planet's most overwhelming natural spectacles. The Amazon rainforest covers 5.5 million km² and is accessible from Manaus (jungle lodges, river cruises, wildlife spotting) or Belém (the Amazon's gateway city, with the Ver-o-Peso market). The Pantanal — the world's largest tropical wetland — is the best place in South America to see wildlife: jaguars, giant otters, caimans, capybaras, hyacinth macaws. Salvador de Bahia is the heart of Afro-Brazilian culture: Pelourinho's colonial architecture (UNESCO), capoeira, candomblé, acarajé street food, and the most vibrant Carnival outside Rio. The northeast coast from Recife to São Luís hides spectacular beaches (Jericoacoara, Fernando de Noronha — a marine paradise, Lençóis Maranhenses' surreal desert-lagoon landscape). Chapada Diamantina's tabletop mountains and waterfalls, Bonito's crystal-clear rivers for snorkelling, and the gaucho culture of the south (Porto Alegre, wine region of Serra Gaúcha) round out a country where the diversity is genuinely staggering.
Ways to Experience This Destination
Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado, Sugarloaf Mountain, Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, the Lapa arches and samba clubs, Santa Teresa's bohemian hillside, Maracanã stadium, and Carnival — the world's largest street party (five days in February/March, with samba school parades at the Sambadrome and blocos de rua street parties across the city).
The Amazon rainforest from Manaus (jungle lodges, river cruises, pink dolphins, piranha fishing, indigenous communities) or Belém (Ver-o-Peso market, riverine cuisine). The Pantanal wetland (world's best jaguar spotting, giant otters, caimans, capybaras, hyacinth macaws — best visited May–October in the dry season). Fernando de Noronha marine archipelago (diving, sea turtles, spinner dolphins).
Copacabana and Ipanema (Rio), Jericoacoara (wild dunes and lagoons, Ceará), Fernando de Noronha (marine paradise, Pernambuco), Praia do Forte (sea turtle conservation, Bahia), Florianópolis (42 beaches on an island, Santa Catarina), Porto de Galinhas (natural pools, Pernambuco), Lençóis Maranhenses (surreal white dunes with blue lagoons, Maranhão), and Trancoso (bohemian beach village, Bahia).
Salvador de Bahia: Pelourinho (UNESCO colonial quarter), capoeira performances, candomblé temples, acarajé and vatapá street food, Carnival (the most authentically Afro-Brazilian), the Mercado Modelo, and the Baía de Todos os Santos islands. Recife and Olinda (Carnival, frevo dance, colonial architecture). São Luís (reggae capital of Brazil, Afro-Maranhense culture, colonial centre UNESCO).
Feijoada (black bean and pork stew — the national dish), churrasco (barbecue, especially in the south — rodízio style), açaí bowls (from Belém, where it originates), pão de queijo (cheese bread from Minas Gerais), acarajé (Bahian street food of black-eyed pea fritters), coxinha (chicken croquette), moqueca (Bahian fish stew with coconut milk and dendê oil), caipirinha (cachaça, lime and sugar — the national cocktail), and São Paulo's extraordinary restaurant scene.
Iguaçu Falls (275 waterfalls, 2.7 km wide — Argentinian and Brazilian sides), Chapada Diamantina (tabletop mountains, caves, waterfalls in Bahia), Bonito (crystal-clear rivers for snorkelling, Mato Grosso do Sul), Lençóis Maranhenses (white sand dunes with seasonal lagoons), the Aparados da Serra canyons (southern Brazil), and the Serra Gaúcha wine region (Italian heritage, temperate climate).
Money & Currency
Brazilian Real (BRL)
Currency code: BRL
Practical Money Tips
Currency in Brazil
Brazil uses the Brazilian Real (BRL, R$). The Real fluctuates significantly against major currencies — check current rates before travel. ATMs offer the best exchange rates; avoid airport currency exchange counters (which charge 5–10% commissions). Banks in Brazil exchange currency but with limited hours and paperwork. The Banco do Brasil exchange desks at major airports (Guarulhos/GRU in São Paulo, Galeão/GIG in Rio) offer reasonable rates as a first option on arrival. Street money changers are illegal and risky — avoid them entirely.
ATM Availability
ATMs (caixas eletrônicos) are widespread in Brazilian cities — at banks (Banco do Brasil, Itaú, Bradesco, Santander, Caixa Econômica Federal), shopping centres and airports. However, many Brazilian ATMs do NOT accept international cards. The reliable options: Banco do Brasil (look for the yellow logo) and Bradesco ATMs most consistently accept Visa and Mastercard international cards. Banco24Horas network ATMs (found in convenience stores and shopping centres) also work with international cards. Daily withdrawal limits are typically R$1,000–1,500 per transaction. ATM fees: your home bank charges plus a local fee of R$6–10 per withdrawal. For safety: use ATMs inside banks or shopping centres during business hours, never standalone street ATMs at night. Always decline Dynamic Currency Conversion.
Card Acceptance
Card acceptance in Brazil has improved significantly — Visa and Mastercard are accepted at most restaurants, shops, supermarkets, hotels and petrol stations in cities. Contactless payment (Apple Pay, Google Pay) is growing but less ubiquitous than in Europe. American Express has limited acceptance. Many Brazilian businesses offer parcelamento (instalment payments by card) — you'll be asked 'débito ou crédito?' (debit or credit) at every transaction, and sometimes how many instalments. Always choose 'à vista' (single payment) to avoid confusion. Cash remains important for: street food, market stalls, beach vendors, small shops in favelas and peripheral neighbourhoods, and tipping. Carry R$100–200 in small notes (R$10, R$20, R$50) at all times.
Tipping Customs
Tipping in Brazil is moderate — most restaurants add a 10% service charge (taxa de serviço or couvert) to the bill, which is technically optional but almost always paid. If no service charge is included, leaving 10% is standard. At bars and casual restaurants, rounding up or leaving R$2–5 is sufficient. Hotel porters: R$5–10 per bag. Taxi: round up to the nearest Real. Tour guides: R$20–50 per person for a full day. Housekeeping: R$5–10 per day. Beach vendors and juice bar staff: not expected but R$1–2 appreciated. At self-service (por quilo/by-weight) restaurants — a uniquely Brazilian institution — no tip is expected.
Note: Always check current exchange rates before traveling. Currency exchange is available at airports, banks, and authorized money changers.
Cities with missions
Where this country maintains embassies or consulates
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Brazil Embassies Worldwide
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Embassies in Brazil
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Cultural institutes — Brazil
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