Brilliant  Brazil holidays & tours

UK citizens do not currently need a visa for trips to Brazil of 90 days or less. Requirements can change, though – for the most up-to-date information on visas, please use the quick-check tool on our visa requirements page. 

This sprawling country has a string of unmissable sights, with Rio de Janeiro topping the list of best tourist attractions in Brazil. From the beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana to Corcovado and the statue of Christ the Redeemer, no trip is complete without a stop here. Brazil’s natural wonders follow closely behind, including the dramatic Iguazu Falls and the Amazon rainforest, as well as the Pantanal Wetlands where some of Brazil’s native wildlife can be seen. Further afield, discover the beaches and African influences of Bahia, along with the colonial charms of Minas Gerais. 

Theft is one of the biggest dangers faced by tourists in Brazil, especially among crowds (including at Carnaval) and on beaches. It’s best to avoid wearing expensive jewellery or taking valuable possessions with you, and avoid beaches after dark. Otherwise, most visitors will experience no issues during their Brazil holidays, although it’s always wise to take sensible precautions. Joining guided Brazil tours is a good option if you’re concerned about travelling independently, with tour leaders on the ground to help as needed, and who have a good idea of any risks. 

Brazil is a huge country, the fifth largest in the world, so you’ll encounter different climates from the hotter tropical north to the humid subtropical south. The wettest months tend to begin in December until anywhere between April and July, although the Amazon is hot and humid year-round. The peak summer months, from December and March, are the hottest, and you can see Carnaval bring Rio to vibrant feather-shaking life in February. For sun without such fierce heat and fewer crowds, the shoulder months of October/November and April can be a great alternative.

The Brazilian real (plural reais) is the official currency of Brazil, with one real divided into 100 centavos. Coins include 5, 10, 25 and 50 centavos as well as 1 real, with banknotes in denominations of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 reais. You may also find 1 real bank notes – these are no longer printed so are rare, but are still in circulation. Credit cards are very widely accepted.

Tipping isn’t usually expected in Brazil, with many restaurants adding a discrentionary charge already on bills.

Unless you’re visiting Brazil in midwinter, be prepared to pack for the heat – loose layers are ideal. A lightweight raincoat and sturdy footwear is also a good plan if you’re visiting the Iguazu Falls on our Brazil tours, and be prepared for high humidity if you travel to the Amazon where you’ll need to cover up against insects and to protect your skin in the rainforest. In Rio, anything goes: you’ll want beachwear and lightweight clothes to explore this stylish city in comfort but otherwise attitudes are very relaxed. For more tips, check out our packing guide.  

There are no specific vaccination requirements to enter Brazil. Travellers are recommended to have the usual course of vaccinations for life in their home country, including boosters for diphtheria and tetanus. While there is no requirement for a yellow fever vaccination certificate, travellers to most areas of Brazil are advised to have a yellow fever vaccination following a 2017 outbreak. Those at higher risk should also consider Hepatitis A vaccination. Malaria is present in Brazil and antimalarials are essential for the Amazon, but not required if you only visit the Iguazu Falls and Rio de Janeiro. Other mosquito-borne diseases include dengue fever and Zika, which is most harmful for pregnant women and their unborn children, so it is important to take insect repellent 

You shouldn’t leave without visiting a churrascaria, where endless meats on skewers are sliced onto your plate – Brazil challenges Argentina for the title of South America’s best barbecue. Look out for moqueca, a fabulous fish stew served in a hot clay pot, feijoada, made by stewing black beans and pork, and pão de queijo, a delicious combination of cheese and bread. For something sweeter, you’ll find the purple acai berry everywhere, as well as ultra-sweet brigadeiros, Brazil’s version of the chocolate truffle. Finish with a caipirinha cocktail, or a shot of cachaca, the fiery spirit made from fermented sugarcane juice. 

The Rio Carnival is famous world-wide, an extravaganza of music, dance and eye-catching outfits paraded through the streets of the city for the February celebrations, with a fiercely competitive samba competition at its heart. No other event quite compares, but you’ll find festivals taking part year-round, especially for Christian holidays as well as at New Year, and often with unique African influences in Salvador. The Festas Junina, or June festivals are also important, giving gratitude for past harvests and prayers for those to come, especially around the north coast and in the countryside.  

One of the most biologically diverse places on earth, you’ll need to venture off the beaten track into the Amazon or the Pantanal for Brazil’s best wildlife, with everything from pink Amazon dolphins to the elusive jaguar. You can also spot capybara, howler monkeys, spider monkeys, tapirs, anaconda, piranhas, caimans, toucans, and macaws in the brightest shades of the rainbow. The Iguazu Falls aren’t quite as wildlife-rich but are another great place to see local animals, while if you head to Rio’s rainforest, there’s a chance to see monkeys, marmosets and macaws (among other creatures) in the city’s trees. 

Absolutely, it would be a shame to limit yourself to a single destination when there’s so much to discover on Brazil tours. Do bear in mind there are huge distances involved, so you’ll need to take internal flights if you’re travelling from Rio de Janeiro to the Amazon or the Iguazu Falls – Rio de Janeiro to Manaus is at least four hours by plane, for example. As a result, many Brazil holidays tend to focus on just a couple of key destinations to avoid too much travelling.