Brazil

Overview

Brazil is continental in scale and the official tourism board stresses that its climate is regional rather than national: equatorial rainforest in the Amazon north, a hot and sunny Northeast coastline for much of the year, a pronounced dry season that drives Pantanal wildlife viewing, and cooler winters in the south. Seasons are southern-hemisphere, so December to March is summer. There is no single nationwide best month — pick the region first, then the window.

Climate: Strongly regional: equatorial Amazon in the north, hot and sunny Northeast coast most of the year, a marked dry season inland (important for Pantanal wildlife), and cooler winters in the south; southern-hemisphere seasons.

Plan 12–21 days to see Brazil without rushing. Shorter trips work best from a single base; longer trips justify a second region.

Plan & book

Flights, stays and activities for Brazil will be bookable here soon. For now, check how Brazil fits your budget and dates with the trip finder.

Why go to Brazil

• Rated 10/10 for beach (editorial score)
• Rated 10/10 for nature (editorial score)
• Rated 10/10 for nightlife (editorial score)
• Affordable for daily spending
• Works best on trips of 12–21 days

Travel-style scores

• Beach10/10
• Nature10/10
• Food9/10
• Nightlife10/10
• Culture9/10
• Adventure9/10
• Romance8/10
• Family8/10
• Backpacking9/10
• Luxury8/10

These are WhereWeGo editorial scores — our own calibration of what Brazil is good for, not an external measurement.

Budget

Typical independent-travel estimates, excluding international flights. Planning estimates, not quotes.

Guidance, not guarantees. Rio and São Paulo, Carnival week and the New Year period run materially higher than the Northeast off-season or inland towns; Amazon and Pantanal lodge trips are priced separately and can exceed these ranges.

Flights are not included. We only show flight prices once they come from a live fare source.

Practical information

Language

Portuguese; English is limited outside tourism-facing businesses

Currency

Brazilian real (BRL)

Power

Type N (and C), 127V/220V depending on the region

Safety

Conditions vary sharply by city and neighbourhood — check current official travel advice and follow local guidance on areas and night movement

Tipping

A 10% service charge is commonly added to restaurant bills

Entry

Entry rules depend on nationality — verify current official requirements before booking.

Where to go in Brazil

Pick a city or region to see when to go, how long to stay and what it is good for.

Rio de Janeiro

City

Beaches beneath granite peaks, with samba, viewpoints and a dramatic urban setting.

Explore Rio de Janeiro

São Paulo

City

Brazil's biggest city: restaurants, museums, galleries and the main flight hub.

Explore São Paulo

Salvador

City

Afro-Brazilian cultural capital with a colonial upper town and Bahian coast nearby.

Explore Salvador

Northeast Coast

Coast

Long, hot, sunny beach coastline from Bahia through Pernambuco, Rio Grande do Norte and Ceará.

Explore Northeast Coast

Iguaçu Falls

Park

The Brazilian side of the falls, with panoramic walkways facing the full cataract system.

Explore Iguaçu Falls

Amazon (Manaus)

Region

River lodges, igapó forest trips and wildlife spotting from the Amazon's main city gateway.

Explore Amazon (Manaus)

Pantanal

Region

The world's great wetland for wildlife viewing, best in the dry season when animals concentrate.

Explore Pantanal

Florianópolis

Island

Southern island city with surf beaches, lagoons and a busy austral-summer season.

Explore Florianópolis

When to go to Brazil

Highlighted months balance weather, crowds and price for most travellers.

Suggested itineraries

• Rio, falls and Amazon

  14 days

  Three very different regions linked by domestic flights.

  Route: Rio de Janeiro → Iguaçu Falls → Amazon (Manaus)

• Northeast beach run

  12 days

  Bahia culture then dunes and warm water further north.

  Route: Salvador → Northeast Coast

• Wildlife Brazil

  13 days

  Dry-season Pantanal plus rainforest and a city finish.

  Route: Pantanal → Amazon (Manaus) → São Paulo

Getting around Brazil

• Domestic flights are the practical way to cross regions — distances between the Northeast, Amazon and south are enormous
• Long-distance coaches are extensive and comfortable for regional hops
• A rental car helps along Northeast coastal stretches and in the south
• Boats are ordinary transport in the Amazon basin
• Cities use metros (São Paulo, Rio), buses and ride-hailing apps

Major airports

• GRU · São Paulo

  São Paulo–Guarulhos International — the country's largest hub

• GIG · Rio de Janeiro

  Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International

• SSA · Salvador

  Salvador Bahia International

• REC · Recife

  Recife/Guararapes International — a main Northeast gateway

• MAO · Manaus

  Eduardo Gomes International — Amazon gateway

• IGU · Foz do Iguaçu

  Foz do Iguaçu International

Brazil guides

• Best time to visit

  Best time to visit Brazil

  When to go to Brazil: the months that balance weather, crowds and price, plus what each season actually feels like.

• Trip costs

  How much does a trip to Brazil cost?

  A structured breakdown of flights, lodging, transport and food for a 21-day trip to Brazil at three budget levels.

• Where to go

  Where to go in Brazil

  Matching Brazil's regions and cities to trip types — first-timers, beach weeks, food trips and family holidays.

• Budget guide

  Brazil on a budget

  How to travel Brazil cheaply without gutting the trip — daily numbers, cheaper months and where the savings actually are.

• Itinerary

  21 days in Brazil: itinerary

  A realistic 21-day route through Brazil with sensible stop lengths, travel days and costs.

• Seasonal guide

  Brazil in April

  What Brazil is like in April: weather, crowds, prices and the trips that work best that month.