Local currency:
The local currency is the Brazilian Real (BRL). Exchange rates fluctuate. Check the current EUR/BRL or GBP/BRL rate before you travel. Visiting Brazil is generally affordable. Keep in mind that when booking hotels, some rates may appear in BRL or EUR, so it always makes sense to check! Most places accept major credit cards, including many street/beach vendors (but not all).
Is Brazil safe?
Every year, Brazil is visited by millions of people, and Brazilians are known for their hospitality. We advise our guests to take sensible precautions as they
would when exploring any unfamiliar big city.
What language is spoken in Brazil?
Portuguese. English is not widely spoken, but Brazilians are known for being extremely
friendly and helpful.
Useful phrases:
• Hello – Olá / Oi.
• How are you? – Tudo bom?
• Nice to meet you – Prazer.
• Goodbye – Tchau.
• Sorry – Desculpa.
• Please – Por favor.
• Thank you – Obrigado / Obrigada" – if
you are a man, say “obrigado”; if you are
a woman, say “obrigada”.
What is the voltage in Brazil?
In Brazil, the voltage is 110 V or 220 V.
Voltage varies by location; São Miguel
dos Milagres operates on 220V.
Do I need an adapter for the outlets?
The outlets used in Brazil are type N, which means your US or EU plugs probably won’t work, so consider bringing a plug adapter.
Helpful tips about Brazil
Typical food:
Brazilian cuisine is a fascinating mix of indigenous, European (mainly Portuguese), African, and, more recently, immigrant influences from various parts of the world. Here are some typical Brazilian foods:
1. Feijoada:
Considered Brazil's national dish, it’s a black bean stew cooked with various cuts of pork, such as dried meat, sausage, and ribs. It's served with rice, farofa, sautéed kale, and orange slices.
2. Acarajé:
Originating from Bahia, it’s a deep-fried ball made from black-eyed pea dough filled with vatapá (a creamy paste made from bread, dried shrimp, nuts, and palm oil) and dried shrimp.
3. Moqueca:
A fish or seafood stew cooked in coconut milk, palm oil, bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, and cilantro. Regional variations include moqueca capixaba from Espírito Santo and moqueca baiana from Bahia.
4. Pão de queijo:
A cheese bread snack from Minas Gerais made with sour cassava flour, cheese (typically Minas cheese), milk, eggs, and oil, baked until soft inside and crispy outside.
5. Coxinha:
One of the most popular Brazilian snacks, it’s a potato dough filled with shredded chicken, breaded and deep-fried.
6. Churrasco:
Brazil is famous for its barbecues, especially in the southern region. Meats like picanha (rump cap), ribs, sausage, and chicken are grilled on skewers and served with sides like farofa, rice, feijão tropeiro (tropeiro-style beans), and salads.
7. Tapioca:
A typical snack from the northeastern region of Brazil, tapioca is made with hydrated and sifted cassava starch. This starch forms a
kind of pancake, which can be filled with various ingredients like cheese, coconut, and condensed milk.
8.Açaí Bowl:
One of Brazil’s most popular specialties, made with frozen açaí pulp and commonly topped with fresh fruit, granola, and other ingredients. It originated in northern Brazil.
Typical drinks:
"Like Brazilian cuisine, Brazilian drinks are diverse and reflect the country's cultural diversity. Here
are some of the most well-known:
Caipirinha:
The national drink of Brazil, made with cachaça (a sugarcane spirit), lime, sugar, and ice. It’s a refreshing cocktail enjoyed throughout the country.
Cachaça:
A distilled spirit made from fermented sugarcane juice. Enjoy it neat, as a shot, or in cocktails such as the caipirinha.
Guaraná:
A fruit native to the Amazon region and the name of Brazil’s iconic soft drink made from its extract. It has a sweet, refreshing, and naturally energizing flavor.
Mate:
A traditional drink from southern Brazil, made from yerba-mate leaves. It can be served hot (chimarrão) or cold (tereré) and is known for its distinctive bitter taste and energizing properties.
Brazilian beer (cerveja):
Brazil has a thriving beer culture, ranging from internationally known brands such as Brahma, Skol, Antarctica, and Bohemia to an expanding selection of craft breweries.
Chopp:
Pronounced "shoppy". Draft beer, unpasteurized, poured from the keg and served ice-cold.
Two things will look like mistakes but aren't. The head of foam belongs there: a chopp poured without one gets sent back. And the glass is small because a small glass is never warm. You’re not being short-changed. You'll get the next one in five minutes.
