Information for backpacking in Brazil. Whether you need information about the Brazil entry visa, backpacker jobs in Brazil, hostels, or things to do, it's all here.

Backpacking Brazil

Looking for important travel information while backpacking in Brazil? Here you will find information on working in Brazil, entry visas, Brazil hostels, and much more.

Table of Contents

Facts About Brazil

Occupying a unique position as the only Latin American state to speak Portuguese not Spanish, Brazil is an enormous country with a landmass and population greater than that of the rest of South America put together. From the lush rainforests of the Amazon Basin to the teeming nightlife of Rio, Sao Paulo, and Salvador, Brazil offers backpackers an experience that is unique in the sheer breadth of its variety.

Geographically speaking, Brazil offers vast inland savannah, marshlands teeming with exotic wildlife, colonial gold-boom towns, some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and much more. Brazilians are world-famous for their warmth, generosity and open-minded, relaxed natures. A vibrant musical culture has consistently been the toast of New York and London since Bossa-nova took the world by storm in the 1950s – right up until today.

  • Currency: Brazilian Real (BRL) = 100 centavos
  • Time Zone: Spans several time zones from GMT -2 to GMT -5
  • Language: Portuguese
  • Telephone Services: Country code +55, International access code 00
  • Emergency Numbers: All services 0

Climate in Brazil

When deciding the best time to go backpacking in Brazil, weather certainly plays a role. The climate in Brazil varies wildly depending on what area you are in; the central area is generally dry and arid scrubland, and the dense tropical rainforests of the Amazon jungle to the north feature punctual daily downpours that you can set your watch by. The eastern coast offers a tropical beach climate.

There is a rainy season in Brazil, in the north this falls from January to April, in the north-east it is from April to July and in and around Rio it is November to March.

Things to do in Brazil

Rio de Janeiro

By far the most popular draw to Brazil is Rio – a glittering jewel of high rise buildings and slums set amongst a spectacular primordial landscape of rugged mountains and jagged monoliths rising from the Atlantic coast.

Flying into Rio by night will take your breath away, and you will see why the bay itself is featured as one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World. Home to the famous Christo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) and the Pau de Acucar (Sugar Loaf Mountain) plus the teaming super-social beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema that feature as much in the daily lives of locals as the office grind. Rio is a city with lots to offer both in terms of sightseeing and nightlife.

Within a few of hours’ bus ride of Rio you can find tranquil seaside towns and beach resorts where locals flock to party or relax at the weekends. Fringed by lush sub-tropical Atlantic vegetation, even the journey along the Costa Verde is a pleasure. Spots worth checking out include Buzios, Angara dos Reis, Parati, Ilha Grande and Ubatuba.

The Amazon

The Amazon is the world’s largest natural resource, where around 30% of the surrounding biomass at any one time is composed of insects! Brazil’s Amazon is a jungle experience second to none. Fly into capital city Manaus, and after seeing the faded grandeur of the once-great opera hall head out on a jungle expedition to stay in any one of a number of Amazon lodges. From here you can spot animals at night, visit local native villages by canoe and even go fishing for piranhas.

The Pantanal

A vast marshland where you can find several species of wild cat, alligators and innumerate bird species. In comparison to the Amazon, where all the animals are hiding in trees, the Pantanal is a wild animal lovers paradise and you’ll very likely get more sightings for your money here. Reformed poachers with eagle-eyed vision will take you on tours by day and night on horseback, canoe or jeep. A pair of binoculars is essential!

Salvador da Bahia

Salvador da Bahia is a beating heart of Afro-Brazilian culture. Salvador is the home to the Orixas (African Pantheon of Gods), Candomble (the Brazilian substrate of the Voodoo religion) and a host of dance and musical styles that are prevalent throughout Brazil but with their greatest concentration here.

Take lessons in Forro or Samba dancing, or the really adventurous could have a go at Capoeira – an Afro-Brazilian Martial Art featuring high flips and spinning kicks in a ludicrous combination of strength, skill and agility.

Around Salvador, travel the surrounding Bay of All Saints to discover forgotten sleepy towns such as Cachoeira, boat out to nearby islands or head inland to the roaming mountain-scape of Chapada Diamantina where you can trek for weeks at a time across great plateaus, through rocky gorges and ravines spotted with crystalline waterfalls and subterranean caves.

Ouro Preto

This UNESCO World Heritage Site was the main benefactor of Brazil’s 18th Century gold-rush. As a result, this pristine colonial jewel boasts some of the finest baroque churches you are ever likely to see, and you can stay in charming pousadas (family run hotels) set in old colonial residences. Take a tour of the mines, or simply wander up and down the cobbled hills of Ouro Preto lost in the maze of whitewashed buildings and red-tiled roofs resplendent of a lost age of luxury.

Unique activities in Brazil

Another good way to get an idea of things to do in Brazil is to scan the activities offered by Get Your Guide or Viator. They work directly with local Brazilian tour operators, so you won’t have to scour the internet or roam around town trying to find the best deal.

Festivals in Brazil

Don’t miss out on the biggest party on the planet – Carnival! Rio is famous for its week-long display of show-stopping samba. Consisting mostly of partially naked men and women dressed as huge peacocks, mermaids and other wild fantasy figures dancing frenetically aboard equally inventive juggernauts of sound.

Or head to Salvador for a more involved experience – if you do, make sure to join a Bloco (a carnival block), as the pipoca (popcorn) experience outside of the human security cordon is not for the uninitiated!

How to Travel Around Brazil

If you’re flying to Brazil or plan to take short flights within the country, we recommend using a few different flight comparison search engines. Kiwi is a new favourite among travellers. On average, we have found the cheapest flights to Brazil with them compared to the other websites out there.

Of course, it is always worth checking Skyscanner to guarantee you’re getting the best deal. Both websites offer great flexible search options, allowing you to search the whole country of Brazil to find the cheapest airport to fly into, and also see prices for a full month if you’re flexible on travel dates.

Due to the massive distances involved (Rio to Salvador takes two days for instance) it is often worth flying to get around Brazil. Several budget airlines now operate within Brazil including TAM, BR, Gol and Varig.

Bus Travel in Brazil

The buses are excellent in Brazil, although be prepared to spend quite a hefty amount of time on them as Brazil is a huge country. The same cannot be said for the roads however, especially inland and up north. With everyone driving on the same side of the road (whichever one has less potholes), bus rides can be a hair-raising experience.

There are many regional companies operating in Brazil. Some of the better ones are Electrobus and Tres Amigos, the first of which runs a Sao Paulo area based service and the second runs a tourist based Sao Paulo to Rio service with plenty of stops at tourist locations along the way.

Long-distance buses run at several different classes and for a few extra pounds you can travel in considerably greater comfort. Be sure to take a jersey on board as they love to crank up the air-con to near freezing!

Backpacking Tours in Brazil

Though part of the fun of backpacking Brazil is exploring on your own, there are situations, especially when venturing off the tourist trail, when it does make sense to go with a guide or a small group. For these times, a popular option among backpackers is G Adventures. They hand-select local guides to ensure authenticity and quality. This is especially a good option for those backpacking Brazil alone who would like to meet up with like-minded travellers. Their most popular trips in Brazil are their 18-to-thirty somethings tours covering Brazil and Argentina.

Health and Safety in Brazil

It is recommended to get vaccinated for Hepatitis, Polio and typhoid before going to Brazil. These vaccinations can be supplied by your local GP and will cost under BRL50. Malaria is confined mostly to the Amazon. Dengue fever is common within cities; avoid areas of stagnant water where the larvae breed. Rabies also exists in South America. Check with your local travel clinic.

You will need comprehensive travel insurance; in particular, you should ensure that your policy covers the cost of repatriation since medical care in Brazil is not up to the standard of most western countries. You will need to provide a yellow fever vaccination certificate at entry point if you have previously been to some at-risk regions of South America and Africa. For further details of mandatory vaccination requirements please visit the website of the Brazilian Ministry of Tourism at: www.turismo.gov.br.

Crime is rife in major cities like Sao Paulo, Rio and Recife with unfortunate street crime and violent assault. Favelas fringe all major metropolitan centres and are best avoided by tourists.

Crime is less of a problem in smaller towns and seaside resorts though you must always remain vigilant of your personal belongings and stay aware of your surroundings. The best way to avoid trouble is to not make yourself a target. Detachable non-necessary items such as watches, cameras, flashy mobile phones, stuffed day-packs and sunglasses make you number one on a robber’s hit-list but a young singleton without any of these confections will quickly be passed over for a juicier target.

Just as you would in any major city use common sense – avoid dark streets at night and check with locals where it is safe to go. Avoid travelling around by night alone, taxis are cheap and plentiful.

Do not become involved in drugs whilst in Brazil, although hard drugs like cocaine are widely available, police entrapment of foreigners is common and prison sentences are harsh and prison conditions are even harsher.

Brazil Visa Requirements

On arrival in Brazil, your passport will need to be valid for a minimum of six more months, and you must have a return ticket. You will also need to show evidence of having enough money to support yourself for the duration of your stay (a maximum of 90 days although this can be extended by the Federal Police).

Tourists are not entitled to employment in Brazil. Holders of European and South American passports don’t need a Visa to visit (please see Employment page for information on working in Brazil).

Please visit The Brazilian Ministry of Tourism’s website at www.turismo.gov.br for details of mandatory vaccination requirements.

Foreigner work permits and backpacker jobs in Brazil

EU nationals are permitted to enter and reside in Brazil without a permit for up to 90 days but must show proof of a return ticket. Tourists are not allowed to work, but Visas are available for various types of work. Voluntary work and temporary work Visas should be applied for if necessary, from the Brazilian Embassy.

As is the case with most South American countries, it is generally very difficult to find work in Brazil because Brazilian nationals are eager for employment and so even the lowest paying positions are often taken up. Most opportunities for working experiences will be found in either teaching English or volunteering.

Teaching English in Brazil

Private language institutions, schools, and general places of work are likely to be the most popular places to find work teaching English in Brazil. The TEFL qualification can put you in good standing in case positions should be competitive, but generally English language teachers are highly sought after because of the increasing importance given to learning the language.

See the Traveller’s Worldwide website, below, for vacancies in teaching English in Foz do Iguazu. Teachers with Traveller’s Worldwide are not required to have any teaching qualifications. Accommodation, usually in a hostel, is provided.

Volunteering in Brazil

There are a great many opportunities to volunteer throughout Brazil, from conservational projects to work with underprivileged and impoverished families. Many of the volunteer agencies mentioned below organise similar schemes and projects across a wide range of countries, including other South American nations, but they often require your own funding, which can amount to more than BRL3000 so it is wise to plan well in advance for such programmes.

AFS International Youth Development

Depending on your age, AFS offers places on either its Schools Programme (for 15 to 18 year olds) for ten months, or the International Volunteer Programme (for 18 to 29 year olds) for six months. In both cases, volunteers are accommodated by host families in Brazil.

The Schools Programme is more focused on students experiencing life in Brazil, whereas the International Volunteer Programme involves participation in a social project. Again, volunteers are required to raise their own money to fund their trip and costs can total BRL3000 or more.

Latin Link

The focus of work with Latin Link is Christian missionary projects within church communities in South American countries. Examples of projects include work in community centres, orphanages, shelters, and in schools. Depending on the nature of the project volunteering can last for up to six months, or more in some cases. Volunteers are required to fund their own travel, insurance, living costs, donations etc. which can amount to more than BRL1500.

Oasis

Oasis is a volunteer organisation arranging projects in Brazil for Christians aged between 18 and 30. They run two schemes: the Frontline Teams Abroad programme lasts for up to nine months, and the Frontline Global Links programme lasts for six weeks.

Work in Brazil consists of helping young people in poor urban areas with spiritual, physical, and emotional issues. Volunteers are expected to fund their own travel, insurance, living costs etc. which can amount up to BRL3000, so it is best to plan ahead in terms of finances.

Project Trust

Social care work, environmental projects, and English language helpers are all needed for the Project Trust’s twelve month volunteer programs in Brazil. Volunteers must be aged between 17 and 19 and a half years old and are expected to raise BRL3850 themselves to fund their project, this includes all expenses for living costs, travel, donations etc.

There are currently volunteer opportunities in Blumenau, Arax, and Ribierao Preto. Work consists of assisting teaching in the colleges and schools, for more information visit their website, below.

Useful links to find volunteering positions in Brazil

  • TEFL are one of the leading organisations for teaching English in Brazil and abroad
  • Latin Link is a Christian charity which does missionary work in Brazil
  • Project Trust organise gap years in Brazil as well as other countries around the world.

Brazil Hostels and Budget Accommodation

Budget travel and hostels in Brazil including: Brazil hostels.

 

Accommodation is readily available in charming family hotels known as Pousadas. Albeurges (youth hostels) offer cheaper rates of 20 BRL and below, often with breakfast included. Accommodation varies massively in price from as little as 20 to 150BRL a night depending on location, facilities and style.

Cheaper pousadas or Albeurges are unlikely to have hot water showers, while in premium destinations you can stay in the lap of luxury with private sunken plunge-pools looking out across the ocean and room complexes interconnected by water. Brazilian hotel breakfasts consisting of cakes, cereals, cold meats, cheeses, tropical fruits, various juices and breads plus hot dishes are a law unto themselves.

We have had good experiences finding hostels in Brazil on HostelWorld. They have the largest inventory of hostels worldwide, and with over 10 million reviews and ratings from other travellers, you know exactly what to expect.

Another good way to find accommodation while backpacking in Brazil is by checking hotels.com and  booking.com. With both sites, you’ll not only find hotels in Brazil, but also homestays, hostels, and other unique accommodation. We have discovered some great finds and have appreciated the ability to book ahead. You can use their advanced filtering to narrow your results by budget, location score, overall review score, and amenities. Many of the places on booking.com also offer free cancellation, which takes the pressure off the planning phase of your trip to Brazil.

Useful links for backpacking in Brazil

  • Kiwi and Skyscanner – Flight comparison search engines to find the cheapest flights to Brazil and within the country
  • GetYourGuide and Viatora collection of local activities in Brazil. Also offers Skip the Line tickets for crowded attractions
  • Tiqets – Website selling entrance tickets and skip the line tickets for major tourist attractions in Brazil
  • G Adventures – guided small group tours in Brazil, great for solo travellers or for those interested in a more adventurous trip which would require a guide
  • HostelWorld – #1 hostel search website to find accommodation while backpacking Brazil. Thousands of hostels and millions of reviews from fellow travellers
  • Booking.com – commonly used booking site in Brazil. Hostels, hotels, and other unique accommodation with advanced filtering and millions of reviews
  • Travel Insurance – read our comprehensive overview of Travel Insurance and some recommended providers for Brazil backpacking

There you have it, the ultimate Brazil backpacking guide. We hope you have found all the information you need for backpacking around Brazil.

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A guide for backpacking around Brazil. Get important travelers information when it comes to Brazil including visa requirements, employment opportunities, common Portuguese phrases and translation, as well as Brazil hostels.

 

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