9 Things to Know Before You Go

July 2024 · 10 minute read

Are Brazil adventures calling your name? There’s a few things to know (and get excited about!) before you go. Have you been dreaming of a sunrise visit to Iguazu Falls? Imagining morning swims at Ipanema Beach? Thinking about saying ‘sup to a parrot or two in the Amazon Rainforest? Considering a selfie with Christ the Redeemer? Then it sounds like you’re more than ready to explore your options for Brazil adventure travel!

Before you commit to anything though, you might want to collect some additional background information, just to cover all your bases.

Brazil adventure travel

Brazil adventure travel is the kind that you’ll be talking about for the rest of your life.

For example, do you know what the visa process is like? (Hint: super easy.) Do you know what kind of budget you’ll need? What about safety and security concerns? Fear not, for we’ve covered all that and more for your consideration before adventure travel in Brazil. You’ll be saying óla in no time!

9 things to know before Brazil adventure travel

1. It’s affordable

When you think about adventure travel, you probably see the life of your savings account flash before your eyes. Between flights, accommodation, and time off, travel of any kind can be expensive, and adventure travel comes off as the most frivolous without a doubt.

However, the good news is that adventure tours in Brazil don’t have to break the bank. In fact, they can be one of the most affordable trips you take if you shop smart!

If you plan far enough in advance, it can be easier to snag affordable flights; remember that trick about flying on Tuesdays and Wednesdays versus the weekends. In addition to Brazil being an affordable country in general (feel free to still grab your daily cappuccino—it’ll only cost you a bit more than $1), program fees themselves are in the affordable range, falling as low as $300 per week.

Keep in mind though that program fees vary greatly between providers, and make sure to consider factors such as whether accommodation and meals are included in the fee.’

As a general rule, the longer you spend on your Brazil adventures, the more expensive your trip will get. In that regard, it can be helpful to factor in your flight expenses as well. For example, it could be worth it to tack on a few extra days if it means your airfare will be cheaper on those dates. Inquire with your provider about potential discounts or additional costs of extending your trip; there could be savings to find! 

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Brazil adventure travel

Brazil adventure travel: affordable. Views like this: priceless.

2. The visa process is crazy easy

Applying for your visa to Brazil from the US will be no cause for concern or inconvenience, which is a huge upside for any traveler. You may have already heard, but Brazil recently started an eVisa program for American citizens.

What does that mean for you? It means a super easy application process and little to no hassle at immigration upon your arrival in Brazil. Say goodbye to consulate and embassy lines!

Within five working days, your visa to Brazil from the US will be ready (granted you’ve applied correctly!)—meaning you can get going on your Brazil adventures as soon as next week. Feel free to choose Brazil for last minute trips to use up PTO or take advantage of flight deals!

If you’re from a country that isn’t the United States, be sure to check out the GoAbroad embassy directory to find out more about the requirements for getting a tourist visa in Brazil.

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3. It’s safe

You can feel secure while on adventure tours in Brazil! Reputable Brazil adventure travel providers will ensure that your safety is top priority, whether you’re learning to surf, pulling yoga poses, or hang gliding off Iguazu Falls. They’ll double check your vaccinations, remind you to wear sun screen, and inform you of the importance of proper hydration (are you getting your eight glasses a day?).

That being said, if you choose to do Brazil adventure travel on your own, you must make sure you’re doing the proper research on your activities.

That means researching costs so that you don’t get ripped off, how to get from point A to point B so that you’re not left stranded, what equipment or supplies you’ll need for your activities so you don’t injure yourself, and the best times of day to go out so that you’re not caught off guard by the scorching sun or high tides. You weren’t going to hike Sugarloaf Mountain in your flip flops, right?

In addition to that, Brazil is safe if you play it smart, just like anywhere else in the world. Sure, certain parts of Rio and other parts of the country should be avoided, but that doesn’t mean you need to worry about your wellbeing 24/7. 

Have fun, but use your street smarts; don’t go out alone at night, keep an eye on your valuables, and trust your instincts, and you’ll be A-okay!

Programs to check out:

Brazil adventure travel

Looks safe enough! Hey, you’re an adventurer after all.

4. There’s a ton of variety

Brazil is humongous, which means there’s a humongous variety of activities to engage in during adventure travel in Brazil. Do you want to go backpacking or camping in the Amazon Rainforest? Canoeing in the Pantanal? How about sunrise yoga sessions at Copacabana, or cooking lessons with a homestay family?

There are opportunities for scuba, snorkeling, nature tours, rainforest tours (a given in Brazil), and we could keep going. Or maybe you’ll forge your own path and find something completely new!

Whether you have a whole month or just one day for Brazil adventure travel, you absolutely won’t be bored. If you do happen to find yourself twiddling your thumbs (wow, you’re hard to please!), be sure to ask fellow travelers and expats about their own favorite Brazil adventures.

In a country this big, there’s no chance you won’t find at least one thing that leaves you breathless.

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5. You’ll have an opportunity to make a difference!

Something super cool about adventure travel in Brazil is that it often doubles as an opportunity for volunteering. In such cases, you’ll be served adventure with a side of altruism. It could be rainforest tours mingling with endangered species conservation, or hiking melding with childcare and community development in remote villages, just to name a few examples.

You can definitely expect to see a lot of programs offering a volunteering component with children or the environment when shopping for adventure travel programs in Brazil.

Of course, if you’re just looking for some chilled out Brazil adventure travel where your only responsibility is kicking back and letting the good times roll, that’s okay too! If the only difference your trip makes is on a personal level, there’s no shame in that.

Just be sure to make the most of every moment and to minimize negative impact (aka, don’t leave the place worse than you found it!) no matter what you decide to do during Brazil adventures.

Program to check out:

Brazil adventure travel

Conservation is one of the most important issues in Brazil, and you can use your adventuring to make a difference.

6. Short on time? No problem!

If you only have a week or a few days to spare for adventure travel in Brazil, that’s okay! There are plenty of programs and opportunities tailored to travelers who don’t have much time to work with in their schedules.

Whether you’re a professional on sabbatical, a high school grad with a few weeks before college starts, a parent who is taking a much-needed vacation, or a gap year traveler with all the time in the world, there will be an opportunity for you—and it will be a dream come true.

If your free time is limited, make sure to budget the time you do have. Write down all the things on your Brazil adventure travel bucket list, and plan your days accordingly. Make sure to stay realistic as well; if you only have two days in Brazil, you probably won’t get to see much of the Amazon.

Instead, maybe plan to hit all the coolest spots in Rio or Sao Paulo, so that you’re still within striking distance of the airport. If you’re organized and travel with intention, you’ll leave satisfied with your Brazil adventures!

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7. You can pick up new language skills

In case you hadn’t heard, the official language in Brazil is Portuguese. Do you speak Portuguese? No? Then this is the perfect opportunity to pick up some cool new skills to boost your resume or open doors to future travel opportunities.

Oh, you do speak Portuguese? Well that’s fine too, because there are about a dozen indigenous languages spoken in Brazil. Before you depart, do some research on which languages are spoken in the region of Brazil that you’re headed to in order to make the most of your experience.

If the activity you choose for adventure travel in Brazil isn’t necessarily focused on language learning, check with your provider and see if it’s possible to be set up in a homestay for the duration of your time in Brazil.

You may not be fluent by the time you leave (or maybe you will be depending on how long you’re staying!), but you’ll surely pick up at least a little bit of the language through constant exposure and immersion.

Program to check out:

Brazil adventure travel

There’s probably more than one or two lessons to be learned on the Amazon River (namely, wear bug repellent).

8. It’s the perfect winter (or summer) getaway

The seasons in Brazil are reversed from those in the northern hemisphere, and don’t quite look the same either. During winter in the northern hemisphere, the weather in Brazil remains balmy with occasional rain showers; so if winter has become too much for you to handle, consider making your escape down south for Brazil adventures.

Rainy season from October to March is ideal for Brazil adventure tours if you want to visit the Pantanal for birdwatching, or explore the famed area by boat. However, dry season from April - September has its own merits, as animals will emerge to gather around watering holes, and you’ll be able to venture out by 4x4.

Additionally, Brazil becomes even more affordable during the northern hemisphere summer from June - August, during Brazil’s low tourist season—which is great news for students looking for an international summer adventure, or for holidaymakers looking for something new and unfamiliar.

9. You’ll leave feeling inspired!

From incredible sunrises over the mountains, and breathtaking sunsets on the beach, to misty rainforest canopies full of colorful wildlife, your Brazil adventure travel will leave you with a renewed sense of wonder.

Our planet shows off some of its best angles in Brazil, so be sure to bring a camera, GoPro, or journal to document your experiences, feelings, and insights throughout the duration of your trip. When all is said and done, who knows what kinds of things you’ll have experienced and learned.

You can take your newfound inspiration and go full steam into your next chapter, whatever that may be!

Explore ALL Adventure Travel Programs in Brazil

You’re ready to find adventures in Brazil!

Brazil adventure travel

Get out there and make the most of your Brazil adventures!

Ready, set, go! Now that you’re savvy to visas, budgets, safety, weather, and more little nuggets of information on Brazil adventure travel, you’re hopefully feeling the adrenaline pumping already, and it’s time to book that flight and head off to a new continent. If you stay safe, stay smart, and stay out of your comfort zone, you will surely have the most fulfilling Brazil adventures imaginable. Boa sorte!

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