3 March 2020

15 Things To Know Before You Travel To Brazil

Brazil is one of those landmasses that is way too big to try and describe in a single sentence. However, regardless of the area of the country, you decide to visit, here are a few tips that cover important basics that will probably be beneficial to you at any stage of the trip.

Rio de Janeiro Is Not The Capital City

It was once the capital city until the year 1960. After that, the capital was moved to Brasília in the middle of this country where the current government is based.

Rio de Janeiro city is now known as a capital to the state of Rio de Janeiro, but no longer the entire country.

Spanish Is Not The Widely Spoken Second Language Or Native Language

Many tourists that arrive in Brazil are under the false impression that if they know a bit of Spanish they will be fine, yet Portuguese is actually the language that is official in this country and most of its residents learn Spanish and English due to the requirements of the business industries.

While Portuguese and Spanish may be fairly similar, learners usually notice an easier way to learn the other after mastering one, it still does not mean that speaking Spanish will automatically make traveling around Brazil easier.

In addition, the English language is not spoken commonly. Yet São Paulo along with a few of the more popular tourist’s destinations in Rio de Janeiro have a few people that have a bit of knowledge of English.

If you want to impress a few of the locals, learn a few of the Portuguese expressions, they will usually appreciate this more.

Beer Is Always Served In Small Glasses

All over Brazil, most of the places that serve beer will do so in smaller glasses, that are usually smaller than the ½ pint glasses. The idea behind this makes sense as most areas in Brazil experience heat that is extreme, and the larger glasses warm up faster, which means your beer would become warm.

In the bars, the beer is typically served in the 600ml large bottles served with a smaller glass that you can drink from, or in a chopp which is draft beer served in small glasses.

The exception to the small glasses can be found in the southern parts of this country, where the German-influenced towns will in some areas serve the large-sized beers.

A Green Man At A Crossing Does Not Always Mean That It Is Safe To Cross

When in Brazil always wait for every car to stop completely before you decide to cross a road, regardless of whether there is a green man that tells you are allowed to cross.

It’s common for cars to start speeding up from far away when the light has turned orange and then skip through these lights once they have turned red, which really annoys the drivers from the other junctions.

This may be classified as a general safety rule, but skipping red lights is so common in Brazil that it is something you need to be aware of.

Brazil Makes Really Good Wine

The wines from France, South Africa, and France might not need to be too concerned about any new competition anytime soon, but the Brazilian wines, particularly the sparkling varieties like the Brut Champenoise which comes from the south of this country is exceptionally good.

They also have a few outstanding reds and wonderful rosés, which originate from local wineries based in Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro.

You should definitely pay a visit to the Winehouse and Canastra in Rio de Janeiro so that you can sample the best of the best Brazilian wines. Canastra which is French-owned only sells Brazilian wines, while Winehouse sells both Brazilian and national wines.

Brazil Is Not Always Hot, In Some Areas It Even Snows

You heard right, Brazil is a country that also gets snow. In the southern tip of this country, the temperatures plummet below freezing during the months of winter with occasional snow.

The snow is usually very light, but definitely, enough to dash your hopes of tropical, warm days. In the north part of Brazil, the climate is tropical throughout the year, but if you are visiting the south it is very cold in winter and could come as an unpleasant surprise for travelers who only packed flip-flops, t-shirts, and shorts.

Brazil Hosts An Oktoberfest

In the south of Brazil, there is a significant German influence which is easy to see in the food, architecture, traditions and even the physical attributes associated with the locals.

In San Catarina, every October the town of Blumenau holds a traditional celebration known as Oktoberfest. This celebration is held over a number of days that honors German heritage along with lots of beer, dancing, singing, and traditional food.

This event is known as the 2nd largest beer festival across the globe, shortly after the Oktoberfest in Munich.

You May Need a Visa

A trip to Brazil may require you to have a visa before you go. Depending on the country you are a resident in or where your passport is from, you may require a visa.

If you do so then consult the experts in this area – you will find out more if you visit the website.

The Subway Features Women-Only Carriages

Subways in the main cities offer carriages for women only, yet this rule is only applicable during the peak hours from 6am to 9am and 5pm to 8pm from Monday to Friday.

If men enter one of these carriages, they could face a fine of as much as R$1,000 which translates into $320USD. Outside the peak hours, both women and men are permitted to use these carriages.

The security on these subways does not tolerate any excuses, especially since the carriages state women-only warnings that are painted in pick in both Portuguese and English.

Avoid Going On A Jungle Trek On Your Own

The Amazon is easily the most incredible habitat in the world. It also really big and comes with potential dangers to those that want to explore this habitat alone.

If you would like to venture into this rain forest always use reputable and qualified guides that know about the risks and the paths in these areas. This same rule is applicable to Pantanal.

Brazil Is Usually Safe For Tourists But You Have To Be Always Very Careful

Brazil might not be one of the safest countries in South America and renowned for the bad press when it comes to violence, crime, and their higher murder numbers.

Yet the reality behind these statistics is mainly to do with the criminal activities between the gangs that are based far away from the tourist destinations.

In general, Brazil is relatively safe for visitors and tourists but still. The scenarios that involve tourists usually involve non-violent pick-pocketing or muggings, but in most cases, tourists usually do not encounter these issues. It is still wise to practice precautions in the main urban areas like Salvador, Recife, and Rio de Janeiro, and safeguard your belongings.

Brazil has one of the most beautiful islands in South America

Florianopolis is a must when traveling in Brazil! It’s literally a paradise and comes with everything you can demand from the island. Floripa (as locals call it) is heaven for backpackers, travelers, hikers, party people, surfers but also a great spot for some nice family time.

Best time to visit Florianopolis is between November and March, otherwise, the temperature is dropping down since it’s located quite south.

There are many small villages and towns around the islands where you can score some fancy hotels, affordable aibnbs or some amazing backpackers’ hostels with great vibes.

Brazil Can Become Expensive

It’s often assumed that South America is a budget-friendly place to visit and in general, this is an accurate assumption. However, a few of the main cities like Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo can be costly, especially in wealthier neighborhoods like Leblon and Ipanema which are also some of the top tourist areas.

Check out our roundups of best hostels in RIO & SAO PAULO for backpackers.

Brazil is also not a country that you want to purchase electronics from. With the increased import taxes, a few items are often double sometimes even more than the price that you would have paid in Europe or the U.S. Accommodation, drinks and food are also pricey in the peak seasons like the Carnival and New Year where the prices are known to double or triple.

Avoid Hanging Your Bags Over The Back Of Chairs

Even though Brazil is regarded as safer than the press makes it out to be, theft and muggings do happen, and tourists should always be aware of this.

Hanging your belongings over a chair is not wise as it is easy for a person to grab your things and quickly run away. It is far better to keep your bag wrapped around the legs of a table or keep your belongings close to your body.

Book Your Taxis Through The Airport Agencies or Use Uber

On arriving at an airport in Brazil, book your taxi through one of the agencies or call uber opposed to using the unofficial cabs. Even though it costs more, you will not be subjected to additional charges when you arrive at your destination.

There is also no change in the price caused by traffic which means you will arrive at a hotel without having to take unnecessary routes. Most of the taxi drivers are regarded as honest, yet there are a few that will take advantage of a foreigner that lacks local knowledge.

You can avoid these issues by booking your taxi through the airport agencies or getting a SIM card with data and calling yourself uber.

Source: Traveling Lifestyle

Author: Viktor Vincej