Brazil

Travel tips for Brazil: safety advisories, currency and cash vs. card, tap water, plugs, local phrases, food, and advice from travelers.

Cash and cards

Cards work almost everywhere. Brazil is nearly cashless, so visitors can rely entirely on credit or debit cards for everything from major restaurants to street vendors, needing only a small amount of backup cash for emergencies.

Try the food

Feijoada: A hearty, slow-cooked stew of black beans and various cuts of pork, typically served with rice, collard greens, and toasted cassava flour.
Pão de Queijo: Warm, chewy, and naturally gluten-free cheese bread rolls baked from cassava flour and local cheese.
Moqueca: A fragrant seafood stew simmered in clay pots with coconut milk, tomatoes, onions, coriander, and bright orange palm oil.
Coxinha: A teardrop-shaped, deep-fried croquette filled with creamy shredded chicken and encased in a crispy dough.

Say it in Portuguese

Hello: Olá
Thank you: Obrigado / Obrigada
Please: Por favor
Excuse me: Com licença
How much is this?: Quanto custa isso?
The bill, please: A conta, por favor
Yes / No: Sim / Não
Goodbye: Tchau

Essentials

Plugs: Type C / Type N
Voltage: 127V or 220V (varies by region), 60Hz
Driving: Right side
Tap water: Avoid — buy bottled
Emergency: 190 (police), 192 (ambulance), 193 (fire)
SIM tip: Download an eSIM like Airalo before arrival to avoid the hassle of buying a local physical SIM, which often requires a Brazilian tax ID (CPF) to activate.

Etiquette

A 10% service charge is almost always included in restaurant bills, so additional tipping is not expected, though rounding up for exceptional service is appreciated.