Travel advisory · BrazilBrasília is in or near an area where governments advise against all but essential travel: Favelas.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.

The national congress of brazil stands tall

Brasília

Brasília is Brazil's planned capital, where Oscar Niemeyer's government buildings and a concrete cathedral stand in open plazas.

Find a room in Brasília Start with the essentials Plan a trip to Brasília

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Brasília is the capital of Brazil, in the Federal District in the central-west of the country, on a plateau more than 1,000 meters above sea level. The city was built from scratch and inaugurated in 1960 to move the government inland from the coast. Urban planner Lúcio Costa laid out its layout, often compared to an airplane, and architect Oscar Niemeyer designed most of the major public buildings. UNESCO listed the city as a World Heritage Site in 1987.

Architecture is the main draw. The key sights are the National Congress, with a dome and an upturned bowl above its twin towers, the Cathedral of Brasília, and the Praça dos Três Poderes. It suits travelers who like modern design. Sights are far apart, so plan on a car, a ride-hailing app or an organized tour. Allow two to three days. May to September is the dry season and the best time to walk between buildings; October to April is the rainy season.

Brasília in five

Use a ride app for every long legThe Plano Piloto is laid out on wide avenues with the monuments far apart, so most trips between sights and restaurants need a ride. Uber and 99 both work in the city, so install one before you land.Getting around
Set up Pix before you arrivePix, Brazil's instant bank transfer system, is used for many shop, café and taxi payments, and QR codes for it are common. Ask your bank whether your card or app supports it, and carry a card as backup.
Carry your passport to government buildingsMinistry buildings and the Congress complex on the Esplanada ask visitors for photo ID at security. Check the visiting rules on each official site before you walk over.
Bring sun protection for the Eixo MonumentalThe monumental axis has long stretches with almost no shade, and the air is very dry for much of the year. Carry water, sunscreen and a hat for walks between the Cathedral and the Esplanada.
Book your BSB transfer before you landPresidente Juscelino Kubitschek airport (BSB) is outside the city center, so a taxi or app ride is the simplest first trip. Confirm the app pickup point at arrivals before you leave the terminal.

Things to do in Brasília

See all attractions in Brasília

Museum · BrasíliaLucio CostaVisit on a weekday if you want a quieter stop and a better chance to speak with a guide.

Sight · BrasíliaCidade Eclética

Square · BrasíliaPraça dos Três PoderesGo early in the morning or late afternoon for a more peaceful visit.

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

Need to know

Currency: Real (BRL)
Entry: Visa-free for many passports; check yours before booking Read more
Emergency: 190 police, 192 ambulance (SAMU), 193 fire
Tipping: 10% service often added in restaurants; not expected in taxis
Time: UTC-3, no daylight saving

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain22 rainy daysHigh26°Low18°Rainy season
FebruaryRain20 rainy daysHigh26°Low18°Rainy, Carnival
MarchRain18 rainy daysHigh27°Low18°Rain easing
AprilRain13 rainy daysHigh26°Low18°Rain easing
MayClear2 rainy daysHigh26°Low16°Dry season starts
JuneClear1 rainy dayHigh26°Low16°Dry, mild
JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh26°Low15°Dry, school break
AugustClear1 rainy dayHigh29°Low17°Dry, low humidity
SeptemberClear4 rainy daysHigh31°Low19°Dry, hot days
OctoberRain14 rainy daysHigh30°Low20°Rains return
NovemberRain24 rainy daysHigh27°Low19°Hot, rainy
DecemberRain24 rainy daysHigh26°Low19°Rainy, holidays

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

Right now in Brasília

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

05:43 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 Brasília

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Coming up

Arena BRB Mané Garrincha · concertRush Fifty Something TourFeb 4, 2027 · Rooms near the venue

Day trips by train

Pirenópolisabout 2.5 to 3 hours by carA colonial town with cobbled streets and swimming holes in the surrounding hills.
Cidade de Goiásabout 3 to 4 hours by carA UNESCO-listed colonial center that makes a full day with the drive.
Chapada dos Veadeirosabout 4 to 5 hours by carA national park of waterfalls and cerrado scenery, best done with a full day and a guide.

Before you go to Brasília

eSIM for BrasíliaData for rides and maps on arrivalRead the guide

Travel insurance for BrasíliaCover for flight changes and medical careRead the guide

Cards and PixWhich card and Pix setup to bringRead the guide

Where to stay in BrasíliaAsa Sul, Asa Norte or Lago SulRead the guide

Rules for Brasília, checked

Check whether your passport needs a visa for Brazil on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs site before you book, as rules differ by nationality and change.Source
Check whether the yellow fever vaccination certificate applies to your route, and carry it if it does.
Carry photo ID when you visit Congress or ministry buildings, because security staff ask for it at the entrance.

Plan around Brasília

Getting around Brasília

Ride apps, buses and the Metrô-DF for the Plano Piloto

Read the guide Money and costs

Pix, cards and typical prices in reais

Read the guide Visas and entry

Visa-free and visa rules by passport

Read the guide Phones and eSIM

Data options for the city and day trips

Read the guide Where to stay

Asa Sul, Asa Norte, Lago Sul and the hotel sector compared

Read the guide Culture and architecture

Niemeyer buildings and museums to plan around

Read the guide

Brasília FAQ

Is Brasília worth visiting?

Yes, if you want Oscar Niemeyer's modernist buildings and Lúcio Costa's city plan, built as the capital from 1960. It is a poor choice if you want street life and walkable neighborhoods, since the city is spread over wide avenues.

How many days do you need in Brasília?

Two days cover the monumental axis, Congress, the Cathedral and the Niemeyer buildings, plus one more for a museum or the lake. Add a day for Pirenópolis if you want a day trip.

Is Brasília safe for tourists?

Use ride apps at night rather than walking between districts, and keep phones and bags out of sight on buses. Ask your hotel which areas to avoid after dark.

Do you need a car in Brasília?

No. Ride apps and taxis cover most trips, and the Metrô-DF reaches several districts. A car helps for day trips to Pirenópolis or Chapada dos Veadeiros.

Do you need Portuguese in Brasília?

Portuguese is used on nearly all signs and menus, and English is less common outside hotels and tourist sites. Learn a few phrases and save a translation app for offline use.