Beaches, Samba and Caipirinha
Brazil, famous for Carnaval, samba, football and so much more, is one of the most incredible countries in the world. Whether you want to enjoy a cold drink on the beach, explore waterfalls, head into the Amazon or walk in colonial towns, Brazil has something for everyone!
This backpacking Brazil travel guide gives you tips on activities to do, route suggestions, budget and safety tips to help you plan your trip to this incredible country!
How much time do I need?
Wow, what a difficult question, huh? Brazil is the fifth biggest country in the world and can take years to explore. Personally, I have spent almost two years in total in Brazil, and my list of things to do and places to see only grows each time I go there. So how do you plan the amount of time you need? Well, cover the basics first. Spend a few weeks going to the most famous places like Rio de Janeiro, Foz do Iguaçu, Salvador and you’ll have an amazing first visit!
For those of you who have a month or two, you can add plenty of places to go up and down the coast, or even into the Amazon or visit the Pantanal, the world’s biggest tropical wetland area! But only if you really want to see jaguars, and other unique animals from the region!
So to sum it up a little. You need at least a week to enjoy Rio and its stunning surroundings. Every week on top of that gives you the opportunity to explore more. Spending the full 90-days of your tourist visa will give you a memory of a lifetime, and many people even extend it another 90 days to max it out! Your choice.
Routes
For a backpacker who wants it all I will give a route suggestion from South to North including everything you want along the coast. This assumes you arrive in Foz do Iguaçu from Argentina, or fly there to begin your Brazil adventure from there. If not, you can still use it as inspiration starting wherever along the route.
After visiting the stunning waterfalls, head over to Florianópolis, or Floripa as the locals call it. From there up to São Paulo to experience the biggest city in the Southern Hemisphere, the true concrete jungle. Travel along the coast until Paraty for some old Colonial history on the cobblestone streets. Then head to Ilha Grande before arriving in Rio de Janeiro while taking in the breathtaking views!
Exploring Rio will take a few days, before you continue North until Arraial do Cabo, a stunning paradise for diving or just chilling by the blue water. From there head North to the state of Bahia and explore the towns of Itacaré, Ilheus and Morro de São Paulo before arriving in Salvador, the first capital of Brazil. This place is full of life, dance and music with African inspirations in the food and culture.
From Salvador head North again stopping in Aracaju or Maceió if you want something a little less visited along the coast. When you’re ready. continue until you reach Recife, famous for one of the best Carnaval’s in Brazil!
Many backpackers and nomads make their way up to the small town of Pipa just outside of Natal. Enjoy some days here before continuing to Fortaleza and then Jericoacoara. This huge trip goes on to its final stop in São Luiz and a visit to the famous Lençois Maranhenses
At any point in any of the major cities you can easily fly inland if you want to add Amazon or Pantanal, or maybe check out the home of the best cachaça in Brazil found in Minas Gerais, an historic state that grew immensely during the gold rush of the Portuguese in Brazil.
Top Activities in Brazil
Brazil is a massive country and there are just so many things to do that you could spend years trying to do them all, so here are some of my favourites!
Carnaval
When people think about Brazil, many people think of Carnaval. A massive celebration that brings millions to the streets with costumes, glitter and moving concerts. It’s a once in a life time experience that everyone should have at least once.
Cristo Redentor
One of the seven wonders of the world, the Christ Redeemer is a must see when in Rio. Located on the top of a mountain, this place will give you an amazing view of the city and the unique landscape that makes Rio de Janeiro magical and one of kind.
Explore Rio de Janeiro
There are so many things to do in Rio, and it will take a few days to explore. Want time to chill with a caipirinha in the hot Brazilian sun as well? Add some days just for that! Walk along the famous promenade of Ipanema and Copacabana. At night, find a place with live music for some samba. These can be found in many places with the most famous one being Pedra do Sal.
Make sure you get the cable car to the top of Sugerloaf Mountain for a nice afternoon with another view of the city. If you like hiking head over to the Two Brothers (Dois Irmãos) for yet again a breathtaking view of the city!
If you like museums, the Museum of Tomorrow is a great way to spend some time as well!
Wander São Paulo
This massive concrete jungle can feel overwhelming for a lot of poeple. The biggest city in the southern hemisphere is a place that never sleeps. Different neighbourhoods offer different things, like the bohemian vibe of Vila Madalena. São Paulo is also full of museums, parks, shows, theatre and nightlife! There is always something going on.
I recommend Ibirapuera Park, the Central Park of São Paulo, a popular place for exercise and escaping the concrete jungle. Beco do Batman is a great place to look at street art and share a beer with friends. If you travel alone don’t worry, just get a beer and Brazilians will come talk to you!
Salvador
The first capital of Brazil is a city full of life, great beaches and a strong historical culture. Here you will find bands practicing for Carnaval in the streets, capoeira, and old Portuguese architecture.
Enjoy some of the great beaches in the Barra neighbourhood before heading to Pelourinho for drinks and live music at night. Walk the cobble stone streets and enjoy the colourful buildings in the historic centre where Michael Jackson made his music video with the local Oludum band!
Lençois Maranhenses
Located all up in Northern Brazil, this place is one of a kind. On the coast a few hours from São Luiz, the sand dunes, or lençois in Portuguese, fill up with water during the Brazilian summer and spring. This leads to one of the most unique spots in the world where the desert meets the ocean, creating little pools between the sand. A super cool experience if you make it this far North in Brazil.
Be aware that the pools dry up during the Brazilian winter so visiting after October is probably not worth it. The best time to visit is between May and October.
Foz do Iguaçu
Even though the biggest part of the majestic waterfall of Iguazu are found on the Argentinean side, do not miss the Brazilian side of the waterfalls. The much smaller park on this side is definitely worth. A shorter trail along the water gives a stunning view of the waterfall on the other side. Also there is a pathway for you to get close and wet underneath the waterfall on the Brazilian side. This gives you another view where you get to see the devils throat from another point of view, and is well worth it.
Amazonas
Heading to the Amazon can be done in many South American countries, but the major part of the Amazon, lies in Brazil. Manaus, the capital of the state of Amazonas in Brazil is a major city with over two million people living there. This is a common jumping off point before heading deeper into the Amazon. There are plenty of agencies that will take you there, with different experiences that are highly recommended.
Pantanal
A different experience, and one that is unique to Brazil, is the Pantanal. The world’s largest wetland area is home to many cool animals, with the jaguar being the most popular. Also many monkey, crocodiles, piranha, anaconda and a Brazilian favourite, the Capybara.
Ouro Preto
This old colonial town from the early days of the Portuguese in Brazil. A major point for the Portuguese during the gold rush in what is today the state of Minas Gerais. Now this town is famous for its preserved Portuguese architecture with little to no modern structure. This gives the town a charming and unique look that brings many tourists to walk in its historical streets today. For those making a visit, make sure you try some different cachaças, as you will be in the home state of the Brazilian national liquor.
Budget for Brazil
Brazil is not the cheapest in South America, but can definitely be done on a budget. Expect to spend around $40 per day here. This includes staying in dorms, eating mostly local food and using local transportation.
If you plan on visiting the Amazon or the Pantanal, you need to budget extra. Also, it is quite easy to spend a lot of money drinking in Brazil, so if that sounds like you keep that in mind when budgeting. In the right places, Brazil is the cheapest country in South America to drink, but combined with the heat and amazing locals, it adds up!
Food
Traditional Brazilian food consists mostly of rice, beans, salad and a choice of protein. These meals can be found everywhere and can cost as little as $2, but will fill you up for sure. For a snack, you can find coixinha or pastel on basically any street corner for a dollar. Typically eaten with sugar cane juice.
Brazil is famous for its barbecue and restaurants with all you can eat meat, where the servers come and give you different types until you say stop. A great and fun experience for any meat lovers out there. If you make some friends you might also end up with an invitation to a Brazilian barbecue at someone house, which is basically just meat and beer all afternoon.
In the Northeast, the African influence is huge in combination with seafood. Try Acarajé, a fried dough filled with shrimp and spices that is super delicious. Also the famous fish stew called Moqueca is a must try in this part of Brazil.
Accommodation
There are plenty of decent hostels in most places you want to visit in Brazil, and often come with a free breakfast. They are also a great way to meet locals, as they are frequently used by Brazilians as well. Expect to pay anywhere between $10-15 per night depending on location and time of year. If you go during Carnaval expect to book months in advance and for the prices to go up by a lot. Last minute booking can be impossible in places like Rio during Carnaval.
Transportation
Transportation in Brazil is plentiful and you can find buses that go anywhere you want. Most locals travel by bus, and because of its size of Brazil you can find buses that travel for days between major cities.
Because of the distance you might consider flying in Brazil. There are several airline carriers such as LATAM, Azul and Gol. Make sure you check all of them for the best prices. There are plenty of flights each day between major cities, but it’s not necessarily the cheapest way of getting around. In certain situations thought it might be the only option since a bus would take days.
In the biggest cities like São Paulo and Rio, there are pretty decent metro systems that can easily take you between neighbourhoods for around $1 a ride.
When to go to Brazil
Brazil can be visited year round, especially in the Northern part where it’s always quite hot. The summer between November and March might be a bit too hot for most, although the daily showers help a little.
If you go during the winter the temperature will be cooler and without much rain. Keep in mind that in the South the temperature can drop. For example, winter in São Paulo can go as low as 5 degrees Celsius. Further south you might even experience snow!
Safety
Safety in Brazil is a hot topic, and many have a lot of fear before going to Brazil. I’d say if you follow a few precautions you will be mostly fine. In the bigger cities avoid walking alone at night, and streets with a lot of people and plenty of light. Don’t flash expensive items or walk around with your phone. Also watch your belongings at all times on the metro. Outside of the biggest cities you will be mostly fine.
Never travel without insurance, and by following a few safety tips, you will have an amazing time in Brazil!
Safety Tips:
- Always have some cash at hand in case someone wants to rob you. Better to hand over a few notes than to be caught with nothing or lose your credit card.
- Always keep your valuables safely on you on night buses and never put your backpack in the overhead compartment.
- In large crowds be careful with your belongings. Things in your pocket can easily be taken, but also smaller backpacks, bum bags etc. Make sure you secure them to avoid pickpockets in these situations.
- Do not wander around alone at night in places you are not familiar with. If you have to, stick to well lit streets as much as possible. Preferable where there are more people. If you need to use your phone for maps, do it discreetly and never wave your phone or wealth around.
- Don’t wear flashy things and leave your expensive jewellery at home.
- Bring a padlock and use the lockers in hostels for all your valuables.
- Be careful with how much you drink, accepting drinks from others or the use of drugs. There are many stories out there, so try not to overdo anything unless you have people with you to take care of you.
By taking some precautions you will be fine in Brazil, and come back with wonderful memories of this beautiful little paradise.
Resources
So, are you ready for an adventure to Brazil? Here are some of the resources I personally use when I travel. Great value and support, in addition to the best deals out there!
BOOKING – The best place to book accommodation. In my experience the site with the best prices, deals and selection. Perfect for a budget traveller.
HOSTELWORLD – The best place to find hostels, and also has group chats for all your bookings and places you’re going to make it easier to meet people. Perfect for solo travellers!
SKYSCANNER – When I need to find the cheapest days and ways to fly somewhere, Skyscanner is always the first place I go.
GET YOUR GUIDE – A massive marketplace for inspiration and booking of tours and activities for each place you visit.
AIRALO – What I use to stay connected on the road. A slightly more expensive option than buying local sim cards, but nothing beats having e-sim installed and ready to go as soon as you cross the border.
Some links may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn commission from products or services I recommend. For more, see disclosure.
