Destination Guides
Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
Brazil's scale means most trips focus on a couple of regions rather than trying to cover the whole country, Rio de Janeiro's beaches and iconic skyline, the Amazon rainforest, and Iguazu Falls each anchor a distinct kind of trip. The dry season (May-September) is generally the most comfortable for travel, though Carnival (February-March) draws visitors specifically for the festival despite the summer heat. A 7-10 day trip allows Rio plus one other region, most commonly Iguazu Falls. Because Brazil's regions require domestic flights to connect and its safety considerations vary by neighborhood and city, an advisor's local knowledge of where to stay and how to move around safely is especially valuable here.
Local Etiquette & Cultural Tips
Brazilian culture is warm, physically affectionate, and deeply social.
Friendly greetings: A cheek kiss (often both cheeks) is standard between women and mixed pairs, a warm handshake or hug between men who know each other.
Dress respectfully: Beachwear stays at the beach in Rio, dress up a bit more for dinner and nightlife.
Dining times: Lunch is often the largest meal, dinner from 8:00pm onward.
Local customs: Personal space is smaller than in the US, standing close and touching during conversation is normal, not intrusive.
Transportation and timing: Domestic flights connect Brazil's major regions, taxis and rideshares cover cities well.
Practical tip: Portuguese, not Spanish, is the national language, a common point of confusion for first-time visitors to South America.
Souvenirs
For the Foodies: Brazilian coffee or a bottle of cachaça, the spirit used in caipirinhas.
For the Fashionistas: Havaianas sandals or a piece of beachwear from a Rio boutique.
For the Home: A piece of colorful Brazilian folk art or a semi-precious stone from Minas Gerais.
Suggested Gratuities
Private Tour Guides: $20-25 per person for a half-day tour
Shared Group Tour Guides: $10 per person
Taxis/Rideshares: Round up the fare
Restaurants: A 10% service charge is often included, check the bill before adding more
Private Drivers: $15-20 per trip
Housekeeping: $2-3 per night
Porters: $1-2 per bag
Spa Staff: 10% of the service cost
Practical Travel Notes
Currency: Brazilian Real
Language: Portuguese
Transportation: Domestic flights for long distances, taxis and rideshares in cities
Weather: Tropical and varies by region, dry season May-September generally most comfortable
Walking: Cities are walkable in tourist areas, use common-sense precautions with belongings
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