What NOT to Do On a Trip to Brazil
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re discussing what NOT to do when planning a trip to Brazil. Brazil is Mark’s favorite country in the world so we’ve visited many times over the years; we love Brazilian culture, the people and the food in Brazil. While most travel blogs will tell you what to do in Brazil, we want to be sure you know what NOT to do when visiting South America’s largest country.
Don’t Be Scared to Visit Brazil
Brazil has a bad rap as a dangerous place to visit, and certainly there are dangerous places in Brazil. However, that’s not a reason to avoid visiting Brazil. We bring our kids here often, and have always felt safe, with our usual safety precautions that we would use anywhere in the world.
Of course, you can’t take your safety for granted when you visit Brazil. There are definitely areas to avoid, but that is not different from any big city in the world. Don’t flash your jewelry, watches, or expensive accessories. Dressing casually will also help you blend in like a local, which will make you less of a target.
Don’t Assume They Speak Spanish or English
You might think that because you are in South America you would need to speak Spanish. In Brazil, they speak Portuguese. The two languages are similar, so if you speak Spanish, you may be able to read some of the menus, but the locals will not understand you if you start speaking Spanish.
You might also assume that if you’re in a touristy area you will find English-speakers, which is not the case. There may be a bit of English at the major sites, but once you leave those, you’re going to need a good translation tool if you don’t speak Portuguese.
Don’t Forget to Get to Know the Locals
Brazilians are what makes Brazil amazing! The locals are so friendly and welcoming; if you don’t get to hang out with some locals during your trip, you’re missing out on a huge part of the culture.
Fair warning: they are affectionate as well, so hugging and kissing is part of the culture. They’re not big on personal space!
Don’t Be in a Hurry
People in Brazil are not in a hurry, so you should be ready for that. The farther north you go, the slower things seem to move. Bring your patience and trust that everything will happen, just at a slower pace.
Don’t Drink Beer That’s Not Ice Cold
Brazilians drink their beer ice cold. So cold, in fact, that it can hurt your hand if you grab one from the cooler. If you are served a beer that’s not super cold, you are more than welcome to ask for a new one.
Don’t Throw Toilet Paper in the Toilet
Like a lot of South American countries, the plumbing is not equipped to handle toilet paper. There will be a bin next to the toilet where you can dispose of your used paper. In more touristy areas, there will be a sign reminding you to use the bin.
In some modern buildings, this may not be necessary. If in doubt, you can ask your hosts.
Don’t Forget to Bring Bug Spray and Sunblock
You can buy these things in Brazil, and it’s not overpriced unless you are at a resort. However, sometimes it’s good to bring stuff from home that you’ve used before so you know it works. The sun is strong in Brazil, so even if you’re not at the beach, you should lather up with sunscreen.
And no matter which part of Brazil you visit, there are bugs. Lots of bugs, so make sure you have good bug spray! We do the spray and the bracelets, but the bugs will find any spot you missed!
Don’t Worry About Body Shaming
Brazilians are very free with their bodies and some of the swimsuits you see in Brazil are quite small. This is not the place to cover up and be shy; bring the bikini you’ve been wanting to wear. Modesty is not part of Brazilian culture, and neither is body shaming.
If you want to blend in at the beach, don’t cover up, but also don’t lay on a beach towel. That’s how you can spot a tourist at the beach. Brazilians bring a “canga” or a thin blanket to lay on the beach; towels are just for drying off.
Don’t Use the Wrong Hand Gestures
Brazilians use their hands a lot when they talk and they have a lot of different hand gestures. These can mean different things than what you are used to. For example, the sign we use for “ok” is quite different in Brazil; it’s worse than giving the middle finger. Luckily, thumbs up and thumbs down mean what you think they do, so those are safe to use!
Don’t Think Rio is the Only Carnival Destination
Carnival is a huge celebration leading up to Easter, and it’s really big in Brazil. Most people think of Rio when they think of Carnival in Brazil, but you can celebrate Carnival all over Brazil. Yes, Rio has the largest Carnival celebration in Brazil, but other cities and towns are fun, too! It’s different everywhere you go.
Don’t Expect to See a Lot of Wildlife in the Amazon
The Amazon Rainforest is so dense that the wildlife is not usually out in the open. If you really want to see wildlife in Brazil, you should go to Pantanal, which offers many more chances to get up close to the animals. I floated a river with alligators and piranhas in the Pantanal!
Don’t Overeat at the Rodizio
A Rodizio is a Brazilian steakhouse, and it translates to “rotation.” You may have visited one in the United States, as they are gaining popularity. Essentially, servers rotate around the room with various types of meat. I’ve seen many people overeat to the point of misery because the servers just keep coming. At some point, you have to tell them no. You will have a little card at your table that is green or red, which signals to the waiter if you would like more food or not.
Don’t Lose Your Consumption Card
If you visit any nightclubs in Brazil, or some cafeteria-style restaurants, you will be given a consumption card. We’ve also seen them on the highway at rest stops that have a convenience store. You will be given a card upon entry, and you will charge everything to that card. At the end of your visit, you will “cash out” your card and pay the balance on it. If you lose this card, you will pay a huge fine.
Don’t Forget to Try New Food in Brazil
You may see a lot of food items that you don’t recognize or have never heard of before, especially fruit. Brazil has tons of different kinds of fruit that you can’t get anywhere else. So, if you have the chance to try some different fruits in Brazil, go for it! Even the fruits you do know, like avocado and papaya, are way different here. They are more flavorful, and the avocados are huge! (And affordable!)
Don’t Be Afraid to Dance!
Music is a big part of Brazilian culture, and many times, you’ll just see people dancing to music. From little kids to grandparents, everyone gets up to dance when the mood strikes. Get out there and join them! If you don’t, you’re going to regret it!
You can also take Capoeira lessons when you visit; this is the martial arts/dance performance you see in the north. It’s fun to watch, but it’s even more fun to learn how to do it.
Don’t Expect Cell Service Everywhere
You can extend your mobile plan to Brazil, and it will work in most places. However, just like any destination, there may be some areas where you don’t have service. If you need directions, make sure you download them ahead of time so you won’t get lost if you lose your signal.
Two important apps to have in Brazil are WhatsApp and Uber. WhatsApp is widely used for communication, and you may need it to reach your hotel, Uber driver, etc. Uber, especially in larger cities, is safer than grabbing a random taxi.
Don’t Underestimate Bus Rides
Bus rides are an easy and economical way to get around Brazil. Sometimes, the bus is the only way to get somewhere. However, don’t forget that Brazil is larger than the continental United States. It can take all day or night to arrive where you’re going. Bus routes may have different options, ranging from a luxury coach bus to a chicken bus. You pay for what you get, so get the best ticket you can afford, especially on long trips.
Don’t Think Brazil is All the Same
Again, Brazil is the size of the United States, so there are many regions, each with their own culture, food, and accents. For example, São Paulo is an international city with amazing Japanese, Lebanese and Italian food. In the south, you have cowboys and ranches. So, just like you can’t expect to see all of the United States in one trip, you can’t see all of Brazil in one trip either.
Don’t Tour the Favelas
Favelas are some of the poorest neighborhoods in the cities and for some reason, favela tours are a popular thing to do in Brazil. Just because you can take a tour, doesn’t mean you should. The people that live in favelas are not animals in a zoo; they are human beings. Treating their neighborhood as an attraction is dehumanizing; they are just people trying to make a living and raise families like anyone else.
Don’t Drive in Brazil
I don’t have any driving tips for Brazil except don’t do it. Traffic is insane, road quality is terrible with huge potholes, and it takes hours to get anywhere.
If you do decide to drive, always have cash on hand as you need to “tip” the guys on the street to watch your car. If you don’t tip them, there’s a good chance something might happen to your car.
Also, if you are driving at night, be very careful at stoplights. Everyone seems to run red lights at night, so just because you have a green light, don’t assume you are in the clear. This applies to pedestrians, too. Don’t just step out into the street because you have a walk sign.
Don’t Use ATMs Outside the Bank
In many countries, you can use just about any ATM to withdraw cash. However, in Brazil, we recommend using the ATM inside the bank. This is less convenient as you have to plan around bank hours, but it’s much safer.
Don’t Confuse Hotels with Motels
Hotels in Brazil are like anywhere else, and can range from luxury accommodations to budget options. However, motel means something different in Brazil. Motels are short-term accommodations that you can rent by the hour. They’re pretty common here because many Brazilians live with their parents into their 30s or until they get married, so motels fill a need for young couples to meet up away from their parents’ house.
Don’t Diss Rice and Beans
Rice and beans are a staple in Brazilian cuisine so you may as well learn to love it if you don’t already. Rice is typically white rice, sometimes with coconut added. The beans come in many forms, though. Bean stew is pretty common.
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Want more tips for visiting Brazil? Check out some of our other blog posts:
