Travel advisory · BrazilSome governments advise against travel to parts of Brazil.The warnings cover only these areas: Ceilandia, Favelas, Paranoá, Santa Maria, São Sebastião, Venezuela border area.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice

Areas with warnings

Ceilandia · avoid non-essential travel · Italy, US
Favelas · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, Spain, New Zealand, US
Paranoá · avoid non-essential travel · Italy, US
Santa Maria · avoid non-essential travel · Italy, US
São Sebastião · avoid non-essential travel · Italy, US
Venezuela border area · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, France

Also named by one government: 160 km strip along Brazil's land borders (US), Complexo da Maré (Canada), Complexo da Penha (Canada), 20 km strip along the Bolivian border (excluding Pantanal National Park) (Canada), 20 km strip along the Colombian border (Canada), 20 km strip along the French Guiana border (Canada), 20 km strip along the Guyanese border (Canada), 20 km strip along the Paraguayan border (Canada), 20 km strip along the Peruvian border (Canada), 20 km strip along the Surinamese border (Canada), 50 km strip along the Venezuelan border (Canada), Amazonas River and tributaries, Amazonas State (between Codajás and Belém do Solimões) (UK), Border zones (unspecified) (France), Chapada Diamantina National Park (trilha do 21) (Spain), Planaltina (Italy), Samambaia (Italy)

Government	Advice	Updated	Read the advice
United Kingdom (FCDO)	No advice against the whole country (regional advisories)	–	Read the advice
United States (State Dept)	Exercise increased caution (regional advisories)	Aug 31, 2026	Read the advice
Canada (Global Affairs)	Exercise a high degree of caution (regional advisories)	–	Read the advice
Germany (Auswärtiges Amt)	No advice against the whole country (regional advisories)	Oct 27, 2026	Read the advice
New Zealand (SafeTravel)	Exercise increased caution due to high crime rates (regional advisories)	–	Read the advice
France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs)	Vigilance renforcée (pays à risque) (regional advisories)	–	Read the advice

Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.

South America

Brazil

Rio's beaches, the Amazon, Salvador's colonial old town and Iguazu Falls make up very different trips inside one country.

Start with the essentials Plan a trip to Brazil

Brazil is the largest country in South America, covering about half the continent, and the fifth largest in the world by area. It is a federation of 26 states and a Federal District. Brasília is the capital, São Paulo is the most populous city, and Portuguese is the official language, spoken almost everywhere. Brazil is the only Portuguese-speaking country in the Americas.

Travelers come for the Amazon rainforest, home to the world's largest river by water volume, for the beaches and dunes of the Northeast, for the Pantanal wetlands, and for Iguazu Falls on the Iguaçu River. Rio de Janeiro and Salvador add city life and history, and the colonial towns of Minas Gerais add historic sites. Brazil is considered the most biodiverse country on Earth. The climate changes by region: the north is equatorial, the south has cool winters, and the Northeast is semi-arid, so the best months depend on where you go. With a country this large, plan two or three regions rather than trying to see everything.

Five things to know before Brazil

Apply for the e-visa if you are US, Canadian or Australian
Since April 2025 citizens of the US, Canada and Australia need a visa for Brazil, applied for online through the official eVisa platform before travel. UK citizens stay visa-free for 90 days; check other passports. Visas and entry
Fly between regions, not overland
Rio to Salvador is about two hours by air and Rio to Manaus about four; by road they take days. Book domestic flights early for Carnival, Easter and the July holidays. Getting around
Book Carnival stays months ahead
Carnival falls in February or early March, and rooms in Rio and Salvador often need a minimum stay at several times the usual price. The date moves each year with Easter. Rio de Janeiro
Get the yellow fever vaccine for the Amazon
Proof of vaccination is not needed to enter Brazil, but the vaccine is advised depending on your route, especially the Amazon. Ask a travel clinic well before you go. The Amazon
Keep your phone out of sight on the street
Phone snatching is the most common crime against visitors in Rio and São Paulo, including on beaches. Use it in shops or cafes, and carry only what you need.

Brazil travel guides

Practical guides from writers who live there.

Rio de Janeiro

Where to stay, the beaches and Carnival.

Read the guide São Paulo

Neighborhoods, food and getting in from Guarulhos.

Read the guide Salvador

Pelourinho, Bahian food and street Carnival.

Read the guide The Amazon

Lodges from Manaus, river levels and what to pack.

Read the guide Brazil e-visa

Who needs the $80.90 e-visa, who is visa-free and how to apply.

Read the guide Travel insurance

Medical cover for the cities and the rainforest.

Read the guide

Top places to visit in Brazil

See all attractions in Brazil

aerial photography of city building near the seashore during daytime

Sight · SalvadorPelourinho

Landmark · Fernando de NoronhaPraia do Sancho

City park · São PauloTrianon - Tenente Siqueira CamposWeekdays tend to be quieter than weekends.

Historic site · Rio de JaneiroCais do ValongoConsider a guided tour led by someone of African heritage for deeper historical and cultural context.

Destinations in Brazil

CityJericoacoaraExplore

red and white ship on sea during daytime

CityFortalezaExplore

CityGramadoExplore CityPraia da PipaExplore

waterfalls under blue sky during daytime

CityFoz do IguaçuExplore

IslandIlha GrandeExplore

CityManausExplore

CityParque Nacional dos Lençóis MaranhensesExplore

What a day costs in Brazil

Per person, in BRL

Work out your trip

BudgetR$175a day≈ $32 · per person

Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.

Bed a night: R$80
Food: R$60
Transport: R$15
Sights: R$20

Mid-rangeR$525a day≈ $97 · per person

A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.

Bed a night: R$250
Food: R$150
Transport: R$45
Sights: R$80

ComfortR$1,220a day≈ $224 · per person

A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.

Bed a night: R$500
Food: R$350
Transport: R$120
Sights: R$250

Checked Oct 3, 2026 by Lucas MoreiraA source for every line on the trip cost page. Flights not included. Rates By Exchange Rate APIWork out your trip

When to go

Rainy days

Best

JanuaryRain22 rainy daysHigh26°Low18°Hot, humid
FebruaryRain20 rainy daysHigh26°Low18°Hot, Carnival
MarchRain18 rainy daysHigh27°Low18°Hot, showers
AprilRain13 rainy daysHigh26°Low18°Warm, drier
MayClear2 rainy daysHigh26°Low16°Warm, dry
JuneClear1 rainy dayHigh26°Low16°Mild, dry
JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh26°Low15°Mild, dry
AugustClear1 rainy dayHigh29°Low17°Mild, dry
SeptemberClear4 rainy daysHigh31°Low19°Mild
OctoberRain14 rainy daysHigh30°Low20°Warm
NovemberRain24 rainy daysHigh27°Low19°Warm, showers
DecemberRain24 rainy daysHigh26°Low19°Hot, busy

Average daily high and low in Rio de Janeiro, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to BrazilPut the places you like in Brazil on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Right now in Brazil

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 30°
Humidity: 48%
Wind: 7 km/h
Chance of rain: 72%

Brasília

05:36 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-3

Today29°20°72%Monday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 72%.
Tue29°19°67%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 67%.
Wed30°21°82%Wednesday: Rain. High 30°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 82%.
Thu30°20°90%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 90%.
Fri30°20°67%Friday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 67%.
Sat30°21°84%Saturday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 84%.
Sun29°20°88%Sunday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 88%.

Updated 02:11 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 5.437 BRL

Amount

Converted to

BRL · Brazilian Real

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Brazil

Big events, festivals and concert tours

Events calendar

FebruaryRio CarnivalFeb 5 – 13, 2027

Festivals by month

Jan
FebRio CarnivalRio de JaneiroCarnival of São PauloSão Paulo
Mar
Apr
May
JunFesta JuninaAcross Brazil
Jul
Aug
SepRock in RioRio de Janeiro
Oct
Nov
Dec

On tour in Brazil: Rush Fifty Something Tour Curitiba, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Brasília, Jan 22 – Feb 4, 2027 · Karol G Tropitour São Paulo, Feb 12, 2027 · Foo Fighters Take Cover Tour Belo Horizonte, São Paulo, Feb 18 – 20, 2027 · Slipknot (sic)est Stadium Tour 2027 São Paulo, Sep 4, 2027

Before you go to Brazil

Brazil e-visaUS, Canada and AustraliaRead the guide Travel insuranceMedical cover comparedRead the guide eSIM for BrazilData for maps and PixRead the guide Cards and cashCards work almost everywhereRead the guide

Rules for Brazil, checked

Declare cash or traveler's checks worth US$10,000 or more online before you enter Brazil.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Read more Make sure your passport is stamped on entry; traveling without an entry stamp can lead to fines when you leave.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Read more US, Canadian and Australian citizens need a visitor visa, applied for online, for tourist stays of up to 90 days.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Read more

Brazil FAQ

Do US citizens need a visa for Brazil?

Yes. Since April 2025 US, Canadian and Australian citizens need a visa, applied for online through Brazil's official eVisa platform. Apply well before you fly.

Do UK citizens need a visa for Brazil?

No. UK citizens can visit visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism, and the UK advice says the passport needs six months of validity from arrival. Check the rule for other passports on Brazil's visa pages.

How many days do I need in Brazil?

Ten days covers Rio and one more base such as Salvador or Iguazú. Two weeks lets you add three or four nights in the Amazon.

Can I pay by card in Brazil?

Yes, cards and contactless payments work almost everywhere, including many beach kiosks. Locals use Pix, an instant bank transfer that most visitors cannot set up.

When is the best time to visit Rio de Janeiro?

April to May and September to October, when it is warm but less humid and rainy than summer. December to March is hot, busy and the peak season for prices.

Is Portuguese needed in Brazil?

English is limited outside hotels and tourist businesses. A translation app and a few words of Portuguese help a lot, and Spanish is only partly understood.