Affordability! Food, tours, hotels were all very affordable.
Very few people spoke English. Luckily everyone was so friendly. We did six months of Portuguese DuoLingo before the trip - between that, gesturing, and some Portuguese words sounding close to our high school Spanish, we were able to figure it out. Try to start with Portuguese rather than Spanish or English if you can!

Money belt. We loved Ryaco Money Belt. It was thin so it didn’t get too sweaty, and fit stealthily under a shirt.
Waterproof phone pouch. This Hiearcool Waterproof Phone Pouch is perfect for the beach and Iguazu Falls!
Bug spray (and sunscreen!). Ranger Ready Repellents Picaridin Insect Repellent Spray is TSA compliant, and worked great at Iguazu Falls.
Adapter. Brazil uses a Type N plug. This one comes in a set of 11 different adapters, including Brazil.
Portable charger. This one comes in fun colors, is affordable, has built in cords, and wasn’t too bulky. Perfect for taking around with us during the day.
Layers depending on where in Brazil you’re heading. It was hot while we were there so shorts, dresses, and t-shirts were ideal. In Rio during Carnival, everyone was in bright, festive colors. But in São Paulo, people seemed to wear more neutral colors.

Don’t drink the tap water. The grocery stores have water bottles for drinking / teeth brushing. Make sure to ask if ice is made with filtered water before accepting any in your drink.
Be aware of your surroundings and your phone. We walked around with a money belt tucked under our shirt with only one phone and one credit card, pulling them out only when we were inside somewhere. We never felt unsafe but we were careful to not be alone (especially at night). Just be aware!

As of April 10, 2025, Brazil now requires US Citizens to have a visa. Ensure you get this ahead of time and follow all requirements so there are no issues at the border!
Have fun!! The people in Brazil are so friendly and excited that you’re excited to be in their country. The food is amazing, the views spectacular, and the memories everlasting. We can’t wait to visit again in the future to see even more of the country!

BRAZIL: Travel Tips

AFRICA: Travel Tips