🎉 100 Essential Tips for Visiting or Living in Brazil (From Someone Who’s Lived It)
Welcome to our 100th blog post on YourBrazilAdventure.com! 🎊
After sharing real-world experiences, advice, and insights about life in Brazil that we’ve experienced first hand, or our team of writers has, we’re celebrating this milestone with something truly special:
100 practical, powerful, and sometimes overlooked tips to help you thrive in Brazil—whether you’re visiting for a week or planning to live here long-term.
Let’s dive into the ultimate guide, filled with pro tips and trusted affiliate recommendations to help you travel smarter, safer, and with style.
🌍 Travel & Planning Tips
- Book your flights early through Trip.com for better international deals.
- Brazil uses Type N power outlets—grab this Brazil travel adapter with USB ports to stay charged.
- Don’t risk it—use SafetyWing for travel insurance that actually covers what you need.
- A Wise account gives you the best currency exchange rates with a debit card you can use in Brazil.
- Consider an eSIM card to get online as soon as you land—no local SIM drama.
- Visiting after April 10, 2025? You’ll need a visa. Apply online at brazil.vfsevisa.com.
- Use jet lag relief pills to feel human after your flight.
- Lock your bags with TSA-approved cable locks when flying through Brazilian airports.
- Don’t expect every ATM to work—withdraw cash inside banks, and bring a backup card.
- Save your digital documents AND print copies. Bureaucracy is alive and well here.
🏝️ Where to Go in Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro for views, energy, and bucket-list beauty.
- São Paulo for culture, food, and nightlife.
- Recife for beaches, Afro-Brazilian culture, and hidden gems.
- Jericoacoara for off-the-grid beach lovers.
- Pipa for surf, nature, and laid-back vibes.
- Florianópolis for digital nomads and island life.
- Chapada Diamantina for hiking and waterfalls.
- Manaus if you want to explore the Amazon.
- Salvador for music, festivals, and real Bahia culture.
- Ouro Preto for colonial charm and history.
💬 Language Tips
- Learn survival Portuguese—it goes a long way.
- Locals appreciate effort, even if you’re not fluent.
- Timekettle Translator Earbuds make real-time translation easy in conversations.
- Avoid relying on Google Translate for slang or humor.
- Practice speaking at bars, cafes, and mercados—you’ll improve fast.
❤️ Dating & Relationship Advice
- Small gestures matter. Flowers, sweet texts, or unexpected gifts go far.
- This long-distance necklace makes a thoughtful gift for someone special.
- Be respectful, direct, and emotionally present.
- Family plays a huge role—make a good impression.
- Don’t treat dating like Tinder tourism. Brazilians value sincerity.
🧳 Packing & Safety Essentials
- Lightweight clothes, but always pack a jacket—climate varies by region.
- A travel money belt helps keep cash/passports hidden.
- Carry a portable door lock and doorstop alarm for extra hotel safety.
- Sunscreen is expensive in Brazil—bring your own.
- Don’t overpack—laundry is cheap and easy in most towns.
📸 Best Cameras to Bring to Brazil (Capture Moments Safely)
In Brazil, walking around with a giant DSLR can make you a target. Instead, go with these compact, discreet, high-quality options:
- ✅ Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses – Hands-free photo/video with amazing audio. Stylish and subtle.
- ✅ GoPro Hero 13 – Waterproof, rugged, perfect for beach or hike shots.
- ✅ DJI Pocket 3 – Pocket-sized gimbal camera for cinematic footage.
- ✅ Insta360 X3 – Captures immersive 360° views; great for creative reels.
- ✅ Sony ZV-1 – Compact, pro-quality for vloggers and YouTubers.
🛡️ Staying Safe in Brazil
- Don’t walk and text with your phone out—easy target.
- Use an anti-theft backpack in cities and on buses.
- Avoid political arguments in public.
- Learn about “Boa Noite, Cinderela”—a drink-spiking scam.
- Trust your instincts. If it feels sketchy, it probably is.
💼 Working Remotely in Brazil
- Brazil has coworking spaces in major cities and beach towns.
- Make sure your VPN is on—NordVPN works great here.
- Use Crypto.com for a Visa card that earns rewards while traveling.
- The best jobs? Freelancing, eBooks, AI work, or online services.
- Teach English, manage social media, or offer consulting—you can live well on USD.
🌐 Digital Nomad Life & Earning USD (#46–60)
- Set up multiple income streams before moving—Brazil isn’t great for finding remote work locally.
- Use NordVPN to securely access U.S. sites and banking platforms from Brazil.
- Build your own eBooks, Notion templates, or online courses to sell passively.
- Try Crypto.com for a debit card that earns cashback and is accepted almost everywhere.
- Keep client communication smooth with WhatsApp—it’s Brazil’s #1 app for business and social use.
- Need internet on the go? Grab an eSIM card before you land.
- Always carry a power bank—especially when working remotely from cafés or beaches.
- Use a minimalist, secure laptop backpack like the Pacsafe Anti-Theft Backpack.
- Most Airbnbs don’t have desks—bring a folding laptop stand if you plan to work.
- Coworking spaces exist in major cities—WeWork, Impact Hub, and local options in Rio, SP, and Florianópolis.
- Want to teach English? You don’t need a degree—just structure, patience, and good communication.
- Fiverr and Upwork work great if you focus on U.S. clients while living in Brazil.
- Keep screenshots of payment confirmations in case a job asks for proof of income (for visa or rentals).
- Consider launching a micro-agency remotely with VA support—it’s scalable and location-independent.
- Keep an eye on exchange rates using Wise—it’ll save you hundreds over time.
🍽️ Food, Dining & Cultural Etiquette (#61–75)
- Try everything once: feijoada, pão de queijo, coxinha, tapioca, and brigadeiro.
- Lunch is the biggest meal of the day. Many places offer a “prato feito” (PF) combo.
- Don’t expect spicy food unless you’re in the Northeast. Brazilians love flavor—but not heat.
- Brazilians share food—don’t be surprised if someone offers you a bite.
- Tip 10% if service is good—it’s often already included on the bill.
- Water is not free in restaurants. Expect to pay for bottled water.
- Churrascarias (Brazilian steakhouses) are worth the price—go hungry.
- “Suco natural” (fresh fruit juice) is amazing—especially mango, acerola, and maracujá.
- In the northeast, look out for tapioca crepes and fresh seafood in beachside kiosks.
- Try street food cautiously—go where locals go.
- Learn to ask for “sem gelo” (no ice) if you’re concerned about water quality.
- Grocery stores often have long lines—bring patience.
- Learn to love açaí—but the real stuff, not just the sugary versions.
- Bring a reusable water bottle—it’s hot, and you’ll need it.
- Don’t expect fast service—it’s normal to linger and relax at meals.
🎉 Culture, Fun & Getting Social (#76–85)
- Brazilians are warm, expressive, and talk with their hands—don’t be shy.
- Hugging and cheek kisses are normal greetings—even on a first meeting.
- Carnival isn’t just a party—it’s a cultural phenomenon. Don’t miss it at least once.
- São João (June Festivals) in the Northeast are underrated and full of local charm.
- Football (soccer) is religion—learn the basics, pick a team, and watch a match.
- Live music is everywhere—especially samba, forró, pagode, and sertanejo.
- Nightlife starts late. Arriving at midnight is normal in many clubs.
- Want to blend in? Dress well—Brazilians are stylish, even casually.
- Dating culture is more romantic and affectionate—show intention, not games.
- Be curious, ask questions, and learn about regional differences. Brazil is diverse.
📄 Visas, Documents & Bureaucracy (#86–95)
- If you’re applying for a visa, start early—processing can be slow.
- Make multiple copies of your passport, visa, and ID—you’ll need them often.
- Bring original documents—digital versions aren’t always accepted.
- Legal translations must be done by a sworn translator (tradutor juramentado) in Brazil.
- CPF is essential—get one early for renting, banking, and online shopping.
- To get married in Brazil, you’ll need translated birth and marital status documents.
- Family reunification visas are available after marriage—apply through the Federal Police.
- Avoid overstaying your tourist visa—even by one day. It can lead to fines or reentry issues.
- You can extend a tourist stay by applying before your visa expires—check with the Polícia Federal.
- Use a visa advisor or immigration attorney if dealing with permanent residency.
✈️ Final Travel Wisdom (#96–100)
- Always arrive at the airport early—even domestic flights have long lines.
- Taxis at airports are overpriced—use 99 or Uber instead.
- Learn how to read addresses and neighborhood names. They matter more than street names.
- If you’re bringing gifts, go small and meaningful—Brazilians love thoughtful surprises.
- Come with an open heart and an open mind. Brazil will challenge and change you in the best ways possible.
🎉 Final Thoughts
That’s it—100 tips from someone who’s been on the ground, lived the ups and downs, and genuinely loves what Brazil has to offer.
Whether you’re planning a visit, preparing a move, or already living here, I hope these tips make your journey smoother, safer, and more exciting. And if you found value here, check out our other guides, eBooks, and travel essentials.
Obrigado for being part of our journey through 100 blogs. Here’s to 100 more! 🇧🇷💬
