Before your trip
Plan your itinerary and make reservations in advance. If you're attending an event in Brazil (Carnaval, New Year's, etc.), book early — tickets and hotel rooms are limited in high season.
Make sure your passport is valid and get a visa if required (see our Visa to Enter Brazil page). Official consulate info: Consulate-General of Brazil in New York (also Miami, Boston and San Francisco).
Get info on the Brazilian currency and arrange your travel funds ahead of time. We also recommend a Portuguese phrasebook — most hotel staff speak some English, but many cab drivers and waiters don't.
What to bring
- Plenty of sunblock, plus caps, hats and sunglasses for summer.
- Mosquito repellent if you plan eco-tourism or rural areas.
- Personal grooming and hygiene supplies; check whether your hotel provides a hair-dryer and iron.
- A few extra days of any medication you take, in case of flight delays.
- Light clothing for summer — t-shirts and shorts suit the tropical climate.
Do's and don'ts
- Get information from hotel clerks and official tourist stands.
- Always carry a photocopy of your passport plus your hotel's address and phone; avoid carrying the original.
- Know where the U.S. embassy is in the city you're visiting, in case you lose a document.
- Don't display expensive cameras or valuables, and never leave them unattended on the beach.
- Avoid street food and drink only bottled water.
- Don't overexpose yourself to the sun — Brazilian summers are intense; always use protection.
