Do not take valuables to the beach
Phones, jewellery and large amounts of cash attract theft on city beaches. Carry a key and a small note into the water, and leave the rest in a hotel safe.
Country hubSouth America
Where to stay in Brazil
Beaches, music and a country that is its own continent.
Brazil is continental, and a first trip should choose a region rather than try to see the whole country. Rio is the obvious entry point for beauty and beach life, but São Paulo, Salvador and the northeast offer very different experiences. Portuguese, not Spanish, is the language; safety requires real attention in the big cities; and the distance between places is larger than most maps suggest.
Country hub
Brazil
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1 city guide
Country hub
- City guide
- Rio de Janeiro
- Country hub
- South America
- On the desk
- São Paulo · Salvador · Florianópolis
City guide
1 city guideCity guides in Brazil
One city, deeply mapped — more are being researched.
Before you book
The country-level things that change the stay.
Brazil · Country hub
Use rideshares and the metro
Apps and licensed taxis are safer than hailing on the street, especially at night. The metro in Rio and São Paulo is clean, cheap and a good way to cross busy areas.
Learn a little Portuguese
English is less common than in Europe, and Portuguese opens doors in restaurants, shops and taxis. A few phrases and a translation app are enough for most trips.
Country hub
Not sure which city to start with?
Tell me how long you have and what you want from the trip. I’ll help you choose the city and the base.
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Ask about your routeA note from the editor
“I’d rather tell you which area to skip than sell you another list of ‘best hotels’.”
The guides are independent. Booking links may earn a commission; they never change the shortlist.
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