Safety First

• Adopt a low-profile approach: don’t use your phone while walking, keep your camera in your bag, leave watches and jewelry at home, and carry only the cash you need for the day at the beach.
• Use taxis at night, avoid walking alone in the Lapa district after dark, and never resist during a robbery—hand over your belongings to stay safe.
• Store your passport and spare cards in your hotel safe, and carry only the cash and one card you’ll need for the day when going out.

Health and Vaccinations

• Get a yellow fever vaccination before visiting the Amazon or Pantanal (complete it at least 10 days before departure), and use insect repellent containing DEET throughout your trip.
• While private clinics in Brazil offer high-quality care, they can be expensive—make sure to purchase travel insurance that includes medical evacuation.
• Tap water is not recommended for drinking; buy bottled water from supermarkets instead.

Money and Payments

• Restaurant bills include a 10% service charge—you don’t need to tip extra. For hotel porters, 5–10 Brazilian reais is sufficient.
• International cards work well in malls and hotels, but cash is king at markets and beaches—carry plenty of small bills (20–100 reais).
• It’s hard to exchange Brazilian reais once you leave the country, so try to spend them all while you’re there. ATMs inside malls are safer for withdrawals.

Language and Communication

• Prepaid SIM cards from Vivo, Claro, and TIM require passport registration—available at airport counters. Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels and shopping malls.
• Download a Portuguese translation app and offline maps. English is not widely spoken in Brazil, so useful phrases like Bom dia (Good morning) and Quanto custa (How much) come in handy.

Other Details

• Electricity is available at both 127V and 220V; sockets are Type N. Bring a universal adapter and check the voltage before plugging in devices.
• Hotel prices in Rio can multiply several times over during Carnival and New Year’s, so book 3–6 months in advance.
• Many shops and businesses are closed on Sundays and public holidays—avoid scheduling shopping trips on Sundays.
• Customs strictly prohibits bringing fresh fruits and meat products into the country, with hefty fines for violations.

Pre-Departure Checklist

• Print your hotel confirmation and itinerary to show during random immigration checks.
• Ensure your credit card is enabled for international use, including contactless and no-PIN transactions.
• Install a Portuguese language pack and offline maps on your phone, and bring a portable charger that meets airline regulations.
• Double-check the name and passport number on your e-visa approval letter for accuracy before booking non-refundable arrangements.
• Take photos of your passport, visa pages, and flight tickets and save them to the cloud, and share a copy with family.
• Check the weather and strike news for Rio and São Paulo in the week before departure, and allow buffer time for emergencies.