Brazil

Eco-friendly travel guide to Brazil advises how to be a responsible tourist. Learn how to travel in a sustainable way and how to respect the local people and culture. Make your trip green by supporting locally owned hotels, organic restaurants and other businesses. Read more on how to protect the environment by making conscientious choices and how to travel green in Brazil, South America.

View of Rio de Janeiro

Air quality: 2.8 / 5

Bus connections: 5 / 5

Train connections: 2 / 5

Hitchhiking: 3 / 5

National parks: 5 / 5

Outdoor activities: 5 / 5

Locals' English level: 3.5 / 5

Safety: 4 / 5

Accommodation: US$32 - $65

Budget per day: US$130 - $160

Responsible Travel

The Federative Republic of Brazil, or as it is popularly known as - Brazil, is the largest and biggest country in South America (or Latin America). It is also the sixth most populated country in the world and the fifth-largest country by its land area. When you visit Brazil, you'll know it is one of the greatest places on earth that is blessed with the beauty of nature. The exceptional Iguazu Falls, leisure filled Dunas de Genipabu, the underrated Ilha de Marajo, a hidden paradise called Chapada dos Veadeiros, and so much more! There's an unending list to it! However, when enjoying the unparalleled beauty of nature one must know how to be a responsible traveler. Being a responsible traveler not only means keeping a city clean by throwing litter in dustbins. To be a responsible traveler, or rather a sustainably- responsible traveler, one must look after the environment of the place, help the locals of the place, and give the country his/her love and affection. Here are a couple of ways how you can be a responsible traveler -

Choose green hotels, guest houses, or family-run lodges for your accommodation
While moving around and exploring your location, walk whenever you can or rent a bike, or use travel modes like bus or train/metro instead of private cars
Support the locals of the place by buying local produce, such as art pieces produced by local artisans, buying from food local restaurants, etc by which you can support the economy of the local sellers who depend on tourists
Minimize the use of plastic as much as you can. Buy a just or cloth bag before buying anything, plastic is consuming our earth
Instead of buying several plastic bottles of drinking water, buy charcoal activated tap filter, and carry your own water bottle so that you drink water whenever thirsty without having to buy a new bottle every now and then

Air Quality and Pollution

The air quality and pollution in Brazil, based on an annual report, are moderately unsafe. Above 40,000 people die per year due to the low air quality in Latin America. The primary reasons for air pollution are both outdoor and indoor activities. Outdoor pollution is caused as a result of industry smoke, machine exhaust, vehicle exhaust. In contrast, the most pathetic reason for pollution resulting from indoor activities is firewood and charcoal for cooking purposes. The indoor pollution is seen mostly in rural areas, but it affects the whole of Brazil. The primary pollutant is the PM2.5 category, and its average level in Brazil is 13 µg/m3, which exceeds the recommended maximum of 10 µg/m3 set by WHO. When entering the human body through the nostrils, it causes several lung diseases, lung cancer, respiratory problems, etc.

Respect the Culture

Brazil, the 5th largest country in the world, is a haven of mixed cultures, therefore it might take you some time to exactly know the answers to any culture-related question you have. Almost every people or citizen you see in Brazil, are not the original indigenous people. They have migrated to brazil from different land, maybe in their present generation, or in the generation of their great forefathers.

The population in the cities, towns, and villages comprise of mixed ethnicity - 55% being white (Germans, Italian, Spanish, Polish, but mostly Portuguese), 38% mixed black and white, and the rest of the minority including Africans, Japanese, Arabians, Indians, Amerindians, etc. The original indigenous people of the country were sadly and brutally driven off the jungles during the colonization of the country, where they still live today.

One thing you should know is that social stratification is highly prevalent in Brazil to date. There is an unwritten class system that has been buried in minds of people. Social discrimination on the basis of skin color is a very common occurrence and people with darker skin color such as blacks and browns are socially disadvantaged. The upper and middle classes do not interact much without the lower class that typically consists of drivers and maids. Before placing any public and outspoken opinion on this class stratification, know that it has been continuing for over generations, for thousands of years.

Men, in general, greet each other by shaking their hands while keeping a steady gap. Women, on the other hand, greet each other by placing a gentle kiss on the left and right cheeks respectively. Hugging and backslapping are a common friendly gesture among friends. People of Brazil are very friendly and they do not mind people being in close proximity to each other, such as holding hands while walking, or showing a gesture of romance in public. However, it is a Catholic country, and raising religion in conversation particularly if expressing any strong atheistic views can be considered as a tabboo.

Top 10 Places to Visit

Christ the Redeemer – The 98 feet tall statue of Christ the Redeemer has become a symbol of Brazil’s cultural and national pride. Standing tall on Mount Corcovado in the flamboyant Rio de Janeiro, the iconic World Heritage Site is built on a 26 feet square stone pedestal. The statue is reinforced concrete clad in a mosaic of thousands of triangular soapstone tiles and was officially inaugurated in 1931.

Brasilia – The modernist city of Brasilia, the new capital of Brazil was carved out of wilderness and inaugurated on 1960. This city is famous for its modernist architectures designed by none other than the famous Oscar Niemeyer. The Modernist Cathedral of Brasilia, National Congress Building, Juscelino Kubitschek Bridge, and the Three Powers Plaza are only a few names among the many top tourist attractions in Brasilia! You can also take a self-guided Oscar Niemeyer walk to discover the gems of the city.

Fernando de Noronha – Fernando de Noronha is a volcanic archipelago (group of islands surrounded by the sea) in the Atlantic Ocean, in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil. The archipelago is located 354 km offshore of the Brazillian Coast, and is named after the largest island- Fernando de Noronha which is a protected national marine park and ecological sanctuary with a jagged coastline and diverse ecosystems. There are total of 21 islands and islets spread over a distance of 26 sq. km. famous for undeveloped beaches, divine snorkeling, and scuba diving.

Beto Carrero World – If you’re visiting Penha in Brazil, make it the no. 1 on your To-Do List to visit the largest amusement park in Latin America- the Beto Carrero World. It is spread over an area of 14 sq. km. and has 7 theme areas namely – Nation’s Avenue, Animal World, Old West, Germanic Village, Extreme Adventure, Pirate’s Island, and Fantasy Land. A new theme area called as ‘Madagascar’ was opened on 2014. In total, there are 4 roller coasters, 3 water-rides and more than 100 attractions all together!

Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida – The Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida is one of the most famous tourist attractions. It is the largest cathedral and second largest catholic church in the world. Built in Romanesque Revival architectural style, the church is dedicated Our Lady of Aparecida whose statue was first preserved in an old wooden chapel built in 1745 by the fisherman who found it.

Unipraias Park Camboriu – This naturally built park, now turned into a theme-based amusement park at Balneário Camboriú in Santa Catarina, Brazil. Spread over six hectares of land, the Unipraias Park Camboriu is said to be the only aerial cable car in the world to be connect 2 beaches with an enormous hill in the center. The Mata Atlantica Station has several amusements, the most famous being the ‘Yoohoo! The Fantastic Forest!’ - a low-riding mountain sled that barrels through the Atlantic rainforest at speeds of 60km per hour, and the ZipRider, a 750m-high zipline.

Porto de Galinhas –An extraordinarily beautiful beach, the Porto de Galinhas is a major tourist destination in Brazil. To enjoy the serenity of this beautiful beach, you must visit the state of Pernambuco; the beach is part of the municipality of Ipojuca. Porto de Galinhas has naturally formed pools (close to the coast), light coloured sand, and sea water so clean that you can see everything below; all of these have helped it for being awarded as the ‘Best Brazillia Beach’ for 8 times in a row.

Serra da Capivara National Park – Serra da Capivara National Park is one of the most renowned national Parks in the whole of America, as it has the largest and oldest concentration of prehistoric paintings in America. Petra Furada and Sitio do Meio are two of the most important sites with stone age artefacts ranging as old as 22,000 years back. Located in the northeastern part of Brazil, it is spread over thousands of square kilometers in area, and has been recognized by UNESCO as the World Heritage Site in 1991.

Chapada Diamantina National Park – The Chapada Diamantina is a biosphere reserve on a plateau with altitudes ranging from 500 to 1000 meters. Blessing the eastern Brazilian state of Bahia with its serene panoramic views, the protected area accessible to the public- the National Park lies in the eastern side of the plateau in the Sincora Range. The Chapada Diamantina National Park is rich in flora and fauna.

Lençóis National Park, Maranhão – Located in the north Atlantic coast of brazil, Lençóis National Park in Maranhão looks just like a beautiful picture painted by an artist. The vast landscape is made of tall white sand dunes. Rainfall in the Maranhão state in the month of February o May has resulted in the formation of crystal-clear turquoise lagoons amidst the sand dunes. Spread of 155,000 hectares of land, this national park is one of the most beautiful places that you can ever visit.

Fernando de Noronha

Explore

Brazil is a beautiful tropical country that most people fall in love with instantly! Brazil is the 5th largest country in the world by area. The modern traditions and culture of brasil includes influence from both Portuguese colonization and the indigenous Brazilian people. Keeping apart the brutality these tribes had to go through during the fest European invasion, the Portuguese colonization had gifted the country with picturesque Gothic, Neoclassical, and Baroque architecture.

City Parks

Ibirapuera Park, Sao Paolo - An urban park in São Paulo, the Ibirapuera Park is spread over 158 hectares of land that consists of museums, a planetarium, auditoriums & recreation areas. There is also tennis courts, basketball court, etc along with cycling paths around the park.

Niteroi City Park, Niteroi - An ecological park in the city of Niteroi, just before going to Rio, where you can enjoy paragliding for r$350.

St Lawrence Cty Park, Curitiba - It is one of the best and well-known city parks in Curitiba, where you can go jogging, picnic, cycling, or enjoy family time with children The atmosphere is very calm and you can also cycle around the park. There is a historic building too that is often used for cultural exhibitons.

Ibirapuera Park, Sao Paolo

National Parks

Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park – Chapada dos Veadeiros in the state of Goiás, is a national park located at the top of an 1.8-billion-year-old plateau. The entry of the village is rough the little village of São Jorge. The protected park covers above 600 square kilometers of area and is home enormous waterfalls and thrilling rock formations. There are 2 trails that lead to the park, both having world famous attractions such as the Grand Canyons of Rio Preto, Cachoeira das Cariocas and Cachoeira de Garimpão.

Itatiatia National Park – Build in 1937, the Itatiaia National Park is the oldest park in Brazil, and definitely one of the most elegant ones as it is a part of the enormous Mantiqueira Mountains. Due to the rugged mountains, hiking/mountaineering is a popular activity among tourists that visit here. The altitude of the mountains ranges from 540 – 2791 meters, and is home to the 2 highest mountains in Brazil- Prateleiras and Agulhas Negras. There is a lot to discover here, from rich fauna that includes rare muriqui monkeys, Atlantic royal flycathcers, toucans, and over 350 bird species from around the world.

Tijuca National Park – The Tijuca National Park in the heart of Rio de Janeiro is a protected tropical rain forest covering up to an area of 39 sq. kms. Although the view of the park is extraordinarily beautiful with lush green tropical rainforests covering the mountains, it is sad to know that Tijuca National Park is all that is left of the exuberant rainforest that once covered the whole of Rio de Janeiro. The has four zones- Floresta a Tijuca, Serra da Carioca, Pedra da Gavea, and Covonca. Activities for tourists include hiking, mountain climbing, a 19th century chapel, beautiful waterfalls, eco-friendly restaurants, and picnic spots for families.

Serra do Cipo National Park – Located in the state of Minas Gerais, the Serra do Cipo National Park lies in the Cerrado biome, covering an area of over 31,639 hectares of land. The park Is classified as IUCN Protected Area National Park of Category 2. The park conserves its scenic beauty by enabling environmental studies, eco-tourism, scientific research, and outdoors recreation. For tourists to enjoy, there are natural pools made out of crystalline water, large areas of free land that has blossoms and orchids. Some endangered species that are protected here are the white necked hawk maned wolf, a rare species of butterflies, and the ocelot.

Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park

Beaches

Praia do Sancho, Fernando de Noronha – One thing you can never miss in Brazil is the paradise-sque looking beaches all around and the breathtaking mountains. The Praia do Sancho is one of them and has regularly secured the top position of Brazil’s to beaches. Unlike other beaches that faces the Atlantic Ocean, it faces west to Brazil. The clear sea, high mountain cliffs, and trees around the beach makes it a beautiful destination to relax.

Lopes Mendes Beach, Ilha Grande - Morro dos Castlehanos in the left and Morro dos Ferreira in the right are the two mountains that line the 2-mile-long beach of Lopes Mendes Beach. The beach has been kept in its natural wild form instead of developing restaurants, bars, and kiosks. It Is perfect for families with children (or not), couples, and friends! There are not many people around, therefore creating a subtle silent relaxation spot, shaded by almond trees.

Praia do Farol, Estado de Rio de Janeiro - It is located on an island in Cabo Frio in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The island just a few meters from the mainland keeps in Praia do Farol a beautiful place with white sand and crystal-clear waters.

Morro do Sao Paulo, Bahía - Morro do Sao Paulo is a beach, in the most remote yet beautiful location in Brazil. It’s located in the northeastern village of Bahia, in the island of Tinharé Island, in the Atlantic Ocean. No cars enter here, and the place is as quite as possible surrounded by tranquility and calmness of palm trees. Among other enjoyable features are the beautiful Church of Our Lady of Light, Beach 2 lined restaurants, Fortress of Tapirandu, Beach 1 famous for its strong surfs.

Praia do Campeche, Santa Catarina – Located in the state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil, is the beautiful rock bounded beach of Praia do Campeche. People cherish activities such as swimming, snorkeling, fishing, taking a boat trip around the local islands, or enjoying fresh fish in the local restaurants surrounding the beach of Praia do Campeche. Located in the south of Florianopolis, many whales visit this beach during the summer months.

Praia do Sancho, Fernando de Noronha

Landmarks

Iguazu Falls - When you visit the Iguazu Falls, you can’t think of anything but indulge in the serene beauty of the largest waterfall in the world. Although it’s height is just 285 ft on average, it is taller and twice wider than Niagara Falls. The 275 cascades that stretch over 8857 meters form a horseshoe shape around the Argentine province of Misiones and the Brazilian state of Paraná. Argentine province of Misiones and the Brazilian state of Paraná.

The Serra Verde Express Train – The Serra Verde Express is set on the route from Paranagua to Curitiba and Ponta Grossa to Cascavel. It passes through the beautiful mountainous city of the Serra do Mar, the place you’ll often see in images- lush green trees kissed by thick fog and clouds, dark tunnels, and the train line that’s attached to the mountain body on one side, and has a deep fall on the other. In Curitiba – the capital of Paraná – a lot of cultural attractions are found. Morretes is famous for its gastronomy and old architecture, as well as Paranaguá. Options of the Serra Verda Express such as the Luxury train and the Premium version is also available.

Mount Roraima – Mount Roraima is not only called “the heaven on earth,” but it also holds a place of crucial religious significance to the indigenous people of South America. Mount Roraima standing tall at an elevation of 2,810 meters, is the highest of the Pakaraima chains of plateaux in South America. It serves at the merging section/tripoint of the 3 beautiful South American countries- Venezuela, Brazil, and Guyana. It has a diverse range for flora and fauna, and also 2 types of local endemic plants, all waiting for you to explore. There’s also hiking and mountain climbing routes available.

Salvador’s Pelourinho – Pelourinho is the listed UNESCO World Heritage Site of the first ever capital of Brazil in the 16th century by Portuguese – Salvador. The bright pastel-colored houses and narrow cobblestone streets that are very popular in movies, belongs to this old city of Pelourinho. The city beautifully engraves its pastel colored houses from 17th-18th century and churches that have been washed in gold. Pelourinho is a lively place, with schools of music and dance, cultural centers, to lively bars and restaurants 24/7.

Ouro Preto – The ancient city of Ouro Preto lies in the Eastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais is rich in colonial architecture. The word ‘rich’ has literal reference to it. Out of 800 tons of gold that were sent from Portugal, they were legally used by the government (of that time) for ornamentations and decorations of the interior of the churches. The iconic feature of this old city is that, Ouro Preto was the starting point of the gold rush in the golden age of Brazil. Thus, you can find well preserved Portuguese architecture. Ouro Preto also holds the famous Carnaval every year between the time of February-March (precisely on Saturday before Lent to the day before Ash Wednesday).

Sugar Loaf Mountain – Along with Christ the Redeemer, Sugar Loaf Mountain forms the 2 iconic landmarks of Brazil in Rio de Janeiro. It rises to height of 396 m above Guanabara Bay, and is famous among tourist, especially mountaineers for its 270 routes to climb up to the mountains. Also known as Pão de Açúcar, it offers spectacular view of the Atlantic and Rio de Janeiro.

Metropolitan Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro – The Metropolitan Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro better known as the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian or as the Cathedral of St. Sebastian of Rio de Janeiro will make you believe as if it’s a church from the future. The 75 meters high angular technicolor pyramid is dedicated to the patron saint of Rio de Janeiro- Saint Sebastian. The futuristic church has been designed by Edgar Fonseca in modern style of Mayan architectural style of building pyramids. In addition to the tilted and stained-glass walls, there’s also a basement museum, and ornate doors fashioned out of bronze plaques.

Iguazu Falls

Museums

National Museum of Brazil – The National Museum of Brazil, also known as Brazil Museum is the oldest scientific museum of Brazil. It was built on the foundations of archaeology, ethnology, and natural history, but now has 7 distinctive categories- zoology, botany, ethnology, biological anthropology, archeology, and paleontology. Inaugurated in the year 1818, there was over 20 million collection, until the great fire of 2018, in which most of the entomology collection, including a unique collection of lace bugs, that has been preserved nowhere else in the world. Some honorable mentions are - Bendegó meteorite of 1784, mummy of Princess Kherima, Sarcophagus of Hori, Maxakalisaurus, historical ceiling artwork, throne rooms, and indigenous artifacts.

Museum of Art of São Paulo – Museum of Art of São Paulo is an art museum in the Paulista Avenue of Sao Paulo. It holds the largest and most comprehensive collection of western art work in the whole of Southern Hemisphere! Paintings from Italian, French, Spanish, German, Dutch, Brazil, English schools of art, and more are well showcased. Tintoretto, Eugène Delacroix, Raphael, Picasso, Victor Meirelles, Hans Memling, and Van Gough, are a few of the famous artists whose works have been displayed here.

Inhotim Museum – Home to the largest collection of outdoor exhibitions of contemporary art in Latin America, Inhotim Musuem in Brumadinho. It is also famous for its botanical garden that houses over 5000 species of plants in the inventory, including the Carrion Flower (a native of Asia, and the largest flower in the world).

Oscar Niemeyer Museum – The Oscar Niemeyer Museum in Curitiba is dedicated to and built by the famous Brazilian architect himself – Oscar Niemeyer. The museum is in the shape of a large black eye, and inside it is vibrant displays of modern art and architecture. There are rotating exhibitions of some of the best art pieces that showcases both Brazilian and International style.

Imperial Museum of Brazil – The Imperial Museum of Brazil is dedicated to the royal monarchy that ruled Brazil and is responsible for its rich history and present culture. The Imperial Museum well preserves the rooms, royal object, and important artefacts that displays the beautiful neoclassical royal lifestyle. It has been rated as one of the 7 wonders of Brazil, and hosts 2 of the most exorbitant objects- The Imperial Crown that has 639 diamonds, 77 pearls and weighs 1.9kg, and the ruby-encrusted, feather-shaped gold pen used to sign the Lei Aurea, which freed Brazil’s remaining slaves in 1888.

National Museum in the foreground and National Library in the background

Eat

When describing a country or a place, one cannot simply miss out linking it to the food culture. Brazilian cuisine is famous around the world for its rich and spicy taste. The Brazilian cuisine/cooking style varies regionally as it showcases the influence of the huge continental size of the country, as well as influence of Native Brazilian, Amerindian, European, African, and also Asian cuisine styles. Some of the famous dishes that you MUST TRY in Brazil are

Feijoada – Feijoada is often named as Brazil’s favorite food. It is a rich and thick stew, made with black beans and meat (traditionally cuts of pork are used)

Moqueca – The second in the list is Moqueca, a traditional Brazil seafood delicacy! It is thick stew, traditionally cooked in terracotta vessel. Tomatoes, onions, garlic, cilantro, and coriander form the base of the stew, and is finally slow cooked with shrimp or any other fish.

Picanha or Barbequed Meat – Latin America is famous for its delicious barbequed meat. Although we can try it anytime, anywhere in the world, but the original unaltered taste of smokey salted Picanha (the most popular meat cut) is what you shouldn’t miss out in Brazil.

Vatapá – Vatapá, an original of the state of Bahia, is a thick rich flavored stew made from bread, palm and coconut oils, varieties of herbs, and ground nuts. The main ingredient of original Vatapá is shrimp. Different variations of Vatapá are available in the country with the main ingredient being different- tuna, cos, vegetables or chicken. Vatapá is best tasted with rice.

Caruru – Caruru is another Bahian original. It is made a fried mix of shrimp, okra, toasted nuts, and onions, fried in palm oil, or drizzled with it.

Acarajé – The Acarajé is a common Afro-Brazilian street food. These are balls of mashed black peas and onions, deep-fried in palm oil. This popular street food is either served on its own or with Caruru or Vatapá.

Farofa – Usually served with rice or barbeque, Farofa is a delicious dish made by frying small pieces of bacon covered in a batter of tapioca flour. It has a salty smoky flavor that greatly enhances the taste of barbeque meats and rich thick stews.

Feijoada

Drink

The Food culture of Brazil has a rich taste from the influence of various authorities that ruled here. Brazil’s traditional drinks pops out the ample availability of Amazon fruits and plants. Drinks in Brazil ranges from a sweet non-alcoholic range to traditional alcoholic beverages in Brazil. The legal age for the consumption of alcoholic drinks in Brazil is above 18 years of age.

A list of non-acohoi traditional Brazilian beverage you should try are –

Guarana – A soft drink (non-alcoholic) made from the energy boosting extract of an Amazonian Plant, and has a fizzy texture.

Vitamina de abacate – An avocado smoothie made with milk and sugar.

Agua de coco – Tender coconut water served directly with freshly cut coconut.

Chimarrão – A traditional way of having tea shared with friends, the special tea- Chimarrão is served in a metal mug and everyone takes a sip from it.

And, a list of Brazilian alcoholic drinks that have been praised by traditional history are –

Caipirinha – An official cocktail of Brazil, and namely its national drink, Caipirinha is basically two ounces of cachaca, a half lime cut into wedges, and little bit of sugar, served in a classic old glass.

Cachacha – Cachaca is sugarcane spirit. It is a clear freshly pressed and fermented sugarcane juice.

Quentão – Quentão is traditional Brazilian cocktail made from 1:1 ratio of Cachaca and water. Spices like cinnamon, clover, ginger are added after caramelizing sugar, and then after adding the liquids, the whole mixture is brought to boil.

Tap-water

A recent data by the United Nations in their National Development Project declared that citizens of Brazil has "sustainable access to an improved water source." Hence, you need to worry about safety when drinking tap water in brazil. Still, you might find it shocking how the consumption of packaged drinking water and bottled mineral water has had a tremendous 6000% rise from the year 1974 to 2003, and is still rising. This is quite alarming, regarding the plastic waste produced. Despite regular reassuring posts by water provides, Brazilians prefer packaged drinking water because of the taste as the taste of tap water is very blunt. Tap water is absolutely safe to drink, and if you have no problem regarding its taste, you can drink it carefree. You can otherwise use it for cooking, cleaning, bathing, washing, anything. In many Brazilian homes, people use coolers or faucet filters, as well as traditional ceramic filters in handmade clay containers.

Carbonated Water - Carbonated water is obtained artificially and is quite popular in Brazil and if you want to order carbonated water, make sure to say – “agua com gas” or “agua mineral com gas”. Non-carbonated water or normal water is known as “agua sem gas”.

In case you prefer packaged water, here is your mini useful guide for drinking water in Brazil –

Find a grocery store or supermarket and buy bottled mineral water from there. Restaurants serve only bottled mineral water and they won’t be brought to you unless you order one, which has generally higher prices than in supermarkets. Also, it is a rule that water filters are not provided to guests in hotels and restaurants, they too serve packaged water with higher prices.

Large bottles of drinking water such as packaged water bottles up to 2.5L have lower price than 4 half-liter bottles or cups of drinking mineral water.

Although the production of mineral water is strictly guarded by Brazilian Association of Mineral Water Industries, it is still advised to check the Ministério da Saúde (meaning Minister of Health) registration number on the label.

Avoid drinking mineral water from any rural area, which you might feel is not safe to drink.

In general, be extra careful about drinks prepared by food vendors. Some stalls and their staff are cleaner than others. Established food and craft fairs, which are monitored regularly by Sanitation Inspection (Vigilância Sanitária), tend to be safer than isolated vendors.

When hiking in Brazil, you might come across springs marked with "água potável" (potable water) signs. Ideally, you should ask for confirmation from a knowledgeable guide about the area's spring water safety.

Activities

Apart from ample picturesque beaches and mountains, one thing you’ll never run out of in Brazil includes the varieties of activities you can enjoy here while travelling. When visiting beaches, there’s an endless option of activities you might like to perform- from surfing, fishing, snorkeling, kayaking, scuba diving, playing beach volleyball, trying from the local vendors, barbequing, and so many more. Similarly, the mountains of Brazil that looks no less than a paradise, gives you a list of thrilling adventures to try such as mountain climbing, paragliding, mountain biking, canyoning, hiking, camping, and paragliding. Nonetheless, here’s still a list of things you can (or I should say must) try when visiting Brazil –

Attend the Carnival – The most famous and widely known, Carnival of Ro de Janeiro literally defines Brazil! The experience of witnessing this extravagant festival is one in a million, and I’m sure you wouldn’t wan to miss it in your life!

Visit Christ the Redeemer in a different joyful trip by taking a short 20-minute train ride to the top of Mount Corcovado through the Tijuca National Park.

Visit the hearty and soulful Escadaria Selaron created to pay homage and tribute to notable Brazilians, individual US states and famous artists such as Bob Marley and Michael Jackson.

In the samba district of Rio- Jala, where you’ll find the Escadaria Selaron, is also where many samba schools are located. So even if you miss the Carnival, you can check the schedule of the schools and enjoy their dance that are organized all year-round.

Visit the unparallel beauty of exotic wildlife in the Iguazu National Park.

If you are a surfer or you want to learn surfing, head over to the surfer’s destination- Arpoador.

Enjoy dancing to the Afro-Brazilian rhythms with the locals in the Porto da Barra Beach.

Lose your breath when you see the panoramic sunset view from the cable car ride atop Sugarloaf Mountains.

Be a foodie! You just can’t miss out on the typical Brazilian dishes!

Pay a small tip while standing on pedestrian to enjoy the free drink offered by Bip Bip in Rio along with acoustic musicians playing on the street in the night.

Watch Capoeiristas showcase their complex martial arts moves in the form of dance in Salvador’s Terreiro de Jesus Square.

Meet friendly drummers and musicians in the Pelourinho Quarter

Visit the astonishing Ilha Grande off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, for a solo relaxation

Book a trip to Abismo Anhumas in Bonito to enjoy Scuba diving, snorkeling, explore inside a cave, and so much more.

In the Northeast Pernambuco, snorkel with sea turtles at Fernando de Noronha.

Accommodation

Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world by area, and to travel and explore such a gigantic country with never ending list of destinations, it can be really tiring. Therefore, what most traveler do before visit a place is book an accommodation, so that there’s no hassle with all luggage when you arrive to your destination. With growing modernization, almost every hotel has upgraded their advantages to online booking.

In Brazil, you’ll find all ranges of accommodation options. From cheap hotels, basic lodging, minimal motels, to family run hotels, luxurious and extravagant double bedroom hotels, luxury resorts, as well as, dormitories, and hostels, you can choose from a wide range of options.

You can also choose to camp during trekking. You can find a place to sleep for as low as $4. However, if you are someone who likes good hygiene, and would prefer a clean and moderately good place to stay, you should opt for a double room, which are cleaner and realistically meant for family travelers. The cost too is not so high, it’ll cost minimum $4 to $5 more, ranging more R$45-50. Also, the place of your stay matters in the price of a comfortable hotel. For example, in Rio de Janeiro you can get a good 3-star hotel at the rate of $20 - $30 per night, and to be honest good quality hotels at such a deal is a steal, because with low price like this you cannot expect a good night stay in places like Europe or US.

However, beware if you’re a single traveler, because most single travelers end up paying as much as the cost of a double room for a quality single room, which is a really bad deal. Also, no matter if you choose to stay in a , in tourist spots – both large and small – over New Year and Carnival, you can only book a hotel if you choose to stay for a minimum of four to five days, stay-time less than that won’t be entertained.

Green Hotels

What are green hotels and why it should be your first option when choosing a place of accommodation?

Green hotels or Eco hotels are modern sustainable hotel projects that have been developed in recent times to cope with the drastically declining environmental health. These hotels have strict rules and guidelines to ensure that any activity related to the hotel does not cause harm to the environment in any way but rather, if possible helps the environment. However, contrary to some outdated beliefs, this does not mean you will be staying in a jungle without posh bedsheets, and there won’t be any internet connection. They make sure their guests stay in non-toxic and safe environment. What most people love about green hotels are the use on non-toxic housecleaning services such as non-toxic detergents, organic soaps, 100% cotton made bedsheets, and towels, newspaper recycling, smoke-free environment. Not only do the eco hotels help the environment but they also help the locals around by hiring skilled local craftsmen especially from Costa Rica to design the architecture in traditional local style, by serving organic and locally grown fruits and food, by promoting the traditional culture and cuisine as they call chefs from the local restaurant to work from them. Many hotels send the leftover breads and vegetables to the nearby zoos so for the animals to consume.

Brazil, being a nature’s haven, has many green hotels. In the Amazon and Pantanal (and some national parks) there are purpose-built lodges available where you can stay one or more nights. Some in the Manaus area are very luxurious, which is quite useless to go for because these types of accommodation have only basic facilities as people do not stay indoors for the whole day but rather for some rest. Please note that you have to book lodge accommodation in advance and they are often used by tour groups (i.e., you cannot just show up at one and arrange a bed for the night).

Hostels and Guest Houses

Hostels, or commonly called as Backpacker’s Hostels are renovated buildings that offer shared rooms with bunk beds (usually in dormitories). There is a shared lounge, a common bathroom, and maybe sometimes a kitchen, or else the hostel staffs provide meals or you have to get food from outside. On the other side, Guesthouses are rather a much more private space, where a family or an owner, shares a house separate from the owner’s house, with 4-7 rooms. The guests get their own space, their own kitchen, bathroom, and everything, much like a home. In some place’s guesthouses can be a cheap/inexpensive hotel, whereas in some places, guesthouses can be a private residential house converted for lodging purpose. In Brazil, you’ll find both. Hostels in Brazil are mostly chain/groups of hostels that run under Federação Brasileira de Albergues da Juventude which is a national youth hostel association, and you shall find at least one hostel in every city under it. Unsurprisingly, independent private run hostels are also on the rise these days. Backpacker’s hostels are common among solo travelers and couples who love being friendly with strangers, and have no such issue for intimate or personal space. Similar to hostels, are dormitories, and one might get confused into thinking both are same. Yes, both hostels and dormitories are similar, however those titled as so and so ‘Dormitories’ have a couple dollars cheaper price but poor quality. Pay a few dollars more and choose to get a better place to stay than a dormitory.

Guesthouses in Brazil are termed as Pousadas, pensões, and postos. To be more specific, guesthouses are called as pousadas, and they can be very characterful, classy, and provide you with the right atmosphere you need. Some pousadas can be quite luxurious but are comparatively much cheaper than a hotel with the same standards.

On the other hand, pensões are not specifically guesthouses but rather family-run small hotels. They too are cheaper than hotels (not cheaper than pousadas) and can standards that go from nothing better than dormitórios to high luxury class. Pensões are a place to look for when you are staying in a small town, and not a city. They form the bulk of accommodation centers in major tourist towns.

Last comes the postos which are popular among hitchhikers. These are highway service stations and are usually spread around town outskirts. They are pretty decent with a small clean place to live and a shower.

Apartments

Many tourists when traveling to a foreign place, like to rent an apartment than stay in a hotel. Most of the time, it is because one has to go for work in the specified country; whereas sometimes the reason is as mere as based on someone's likeliness. If you're staying for more than a month, apartments are better options than hostels or pousadas. Unlike hotels, and other accommodation types, you will get both luxurious and cheap apartments in almost every city of the country, the price may differ somehow, features of depending on how important the city is- such as Sao Paolo.

Almost every apartment has basic features - a TV, kitchen with microwave and refrigerator, washroom, free wifi, parking area, balcony, terrace availability, a workspace, etc. Sometimes, you might get a dishwasher and hairdryer access too. Generally, every apartment have air-conditioning options except those that are extremely cheap.

Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing in Brazil is very much popular among foreign as well as local tourists, all because most Brazilians (especially the middle aged and old ones) are very friendly. You will find many Brazilian hosts accepting guests. The time most travelers choose Couchsurfing over other type of accommodation is during festivals like the famous Carnival, and Semana Santa.

If you do not know what Couchsurfing is, Couchsurfing is an online community of people who love traveling. The website www.couchsurfing.com is a place where a traveler, when visiting a foreign land can choose to stay in the home of another traveler, who is also a couchsurfer. The ideal purpose of this is to not only to exchange cultural values and get to know the foreign place more deeply, it also helps in saving money. Now, you might be thinking whether Couchsurfing is dangerous and fraudulent? The answer to that is No. Couchsurfing is very much safe to use, even for solo female travelers, and the authorities pay special attention to the verification of its users. Nevertheless, once in a while you might come across some bad comments about the host who’s been trying to take money or has offered sexual advancements to a traveler. BUT, these happens very rarely. Here are some guidelines so that you can choose to travel safely while using Couchsurfing –

When selecting a place, look for hosts that have good, and more number of reviews. Also, send requests to more than one hosts (if they have good revies), but even if there’s one host with bad to no reviews, try avoiding it unless you are confident on your self-defense martial arts skills.

ALWAYS REMEMBER, Couchsurfing is a free to use non-profit organization. Neither the host should ask for money, nor the traveler should offer it. If this happens, quit.

If you have agreed to travel your destination with a host, make sure to do some research. This means, before meeting the couchsurfer host, keep the police number, emergency number, and some self-defense safety gadgets ready. Be careful, and don’t carry too much of liquid money.

Do a video call before meeting the host in real. See if he/she makes you feel uncomfortable or not. Not only is safety a big issue for solo female travelers, it carries similar importance to solo male travelers and couples too. Don’t think its rude to deny a host, be open-minded and speak up. It is a group of friendly travelers.

Don’t share your personal phone number or email before meeting the person in real and feeling comfortable around them.

There are also other points to travel safely while Couchsurfing, such as not to drink or party too hard so that your conscience and safety is in someone else’s hands, knowing your area of travel, etc. However, the above stated points should be enough to help you choose a safe host for a great travel experience!

Camping

Camping in Brazil holds an important place in the Wishlist of adventurous travelers who are amazed by the country’s wilderness and natural beauty. Thus, it is needless to say there are plenty of campsites in Brazil. Along with registered/licensed campgrounds, free camping or wild camping is also legal in Brazil. Mostly, campsites in Brazil are located near beaches or important tourist spots, hence rarely you might have to go off the road to find a camp spot. Here is a small detailed discussion on the two types of camping you can try out in Brazil –

Camping on a campsite – Campsites in Brazil are located near beaches and cities and therefore you don’t have to turn your steering wheels strictly away from the main road. These campsites have basic amenities like a clean shower place, a toilet (clean and separate for men and women), and a shared kitchen or a small restaurant. Some campsites have a ‘classy appeal’ to it as are set up particularly for camp vans. The two biggest advantages of paid camping or camping on licensed campsites are the availability of bathroom and the presence of security 24/7.

Wild or free camping – Wild or free camping is when you don’t pay to set up a tent, and you can camp anywhere. Although camping freely anywhere in Brazil is not considered illegal, there are some things you should keep in mind. One, the security of your possessions, and two, the place of camping. The place of camping contributes a lot to your safety and security. If you’re a solo traveler planning to free camp, then choose a remote place where rarely any people go. Try to stay away from main roads or near a public building/tourist destination. Apart from these there are other safety measures you must follow while free camping, such as not to carry any costly or precious ornaments, carrying a mosquito net, keeping in mind to preserve the nature and not litter it.

Ecotourism has also shown its effects on camping in Brazil by introducing eco-friendly campsites in the Amazon and the Pantanal. One helpful way of contributing to ecotourism is by bringing your own tent or renting one.

Regions

Brazil is the fifth largest country on earth. It is divided into five regions, mainly drawn around state lines, but they also more or less follow natural, economic and cultural borderlines.

Regions of Brazil

North
Manaus

Northeast
Strong black culture (especially in Bahia) mingles with early Iberic folklore and Indigenous traditions. This is often considered the country's most beautiful coastline, and has the sunniest and hottest climate; but it is also the country's driest and poorest region.

Central West
The Pantanal wetlands, great farms, young cities, the cerrado and the Federal District, with its otherworldly modernist architecture. Birth place of the "sertanejo" music style.

Southeast
The cosmopolitan heart of the country. São Paulo and Rio are the largest cities of the country and its economic and industrial hub; there are also some century-old colonial towns, especially in Minas Gerais.

South
Is a land of valleys and pampas where a strong gaucho culture (shared with Uruguay and Argentina) meets European influences. It has the best standard of living in Brazil with only two large cities (Curitiba and Porto Alegre) and several mid-size cities and rural settlements. Great German, Italian, Polish and Ukrainian took place in the region during the 19th century.

Cities

Brazil has many exciting cities, ranging from pretty colonial towns and coastal hideouts to hectic, lively metropolises; these are a few of the more prominent travel destinations:

Brasília - The capital of Brazil, and an architectural spectacle. Noteworthy buildings include a basket-shaped cathedral, the beautiful Arches Palace (seat of the Ministry of Justice) and others.
Florianópolis - The city is located in an island in the Atlantic Ocean in the southern state of Santa Catarina, with lakes, lagoons, amazing nature and more than 40 clean, beautiful, natural beaches. Major destination for Argentines during the summer months.
Fortaleza -- The fifth biggest city in Brazil, blessed with beautiful beaches. Home of the Iracema Beach street market. A good base for exploring the beaches of the northeastern coast, including Jericoacoara. Famed for forró music and comedians.
Manaus - Located in the heart of the Amazon, is the capital of Amazonas State and it is also the biggest city of the Amazon. At Manaus the rivers Negro and Solimões meet to became the Amazonas River. The best place to go to visit the Amazon rainforest. It is a gateway to the Anavilhanas and to Jaú National Park.
Porto Alegre-- a major city between Argentina and São Paulo and gateway to Brazil's fabulous Green Canyons.
Recife - A major city in the Northeast region, originally settled by Dutch colonizers. Nicknamed "The Brazilian Venice", it is built on several islands linked by many bridges. Rich in history, art and folklore. Do not miss neighboring Olinda and Porto de Galinhas. The city is also a gateway to the amazing archipelago of Fernando de Noronha.
Rio de Janeiro - World famous, beautiful city that welcomes visitors with that big statue of an open-armed Jesus atop Corcovado Hill.
Salvador - The first capital of Brazil is home to a unique blend of indigenous, African and European cultures. Its Carnival fun is famous, and the influence of African culture and religion is remarkable.
São Paulo - Brazil's largest, richest and most cosmopolitan city, where you can find strong influences of several ethnicities, including Italian, Korean, Japanese, German, Russian, Caribbean, Greek and Arab.
Tubarão - is the main city of the Tubarão River basin region, which comprises 20 municipalities and a population of 350,000 inhabitants.

Getting There and Moving Around

Now, after we have solved the issue of selecting the best place for us to stay in Brazil, the next step is to take the most suitable travel option. When we think about travelling to any other country, the first and only convenient mode of travel that appeals to us is by flight method. To enter Brazil, no matter by which mode of transportation you choose, you must have to have a passport and a tourist visa (both of which are valid up to 5 years). To obtain a tourist visa of Brazil, you must submit important documents like required such as a passport (valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry in Brazil), a passport size photo, a copy of your roundtrip ticket or a letter from your travel agency with confirmed roundtrip bookings, or a proof of your ability to pay to be able to stay in Brazil, and along with these, an application form that shall be provided by the Consulate should also be filled out completely. There are also rules for minors stating that – Children under 6 years of age are required to show a certificate of vaccination against polio stating the type and age; and children below 18 years of age travelling to Brazil without a legal parent or guardian must provide a notarized letter of consent from the parent or guardian.

For citizens of the United States of America, Canada, Australia, Japan and 42 other countries don’t need a visa to visit Brazil. Please check your local embassy if you need a tourist visa. Moving Around in Brazil – Moving around the fifth largest country in the world is a pretty big deal. Not every transport system might be suitable for you, since what matters is your health and hygiene, as well as saving up some bucks yet wanting it to be as comfortable as possible. The most common way of traveling in the country of Brazil by tourists is by using domestic flights. Local people usually prefer buses over flights, since that seems cheaper to them. Public transport outside of the Amazon is generally by bus or plane, though there are a few passenger trains, too. However, your travel services will be crowded, plentiful and, apart from planes, fairly cheap. Car rental is possible, but driving in Brazil is not for the faint-hearted. Hitchhiking, over any distance, is not recommended.

Air

Domestic Flights in Brazil – Domestic flights in Brazil may look like a good option if you’re having a short stay in the country. However, domestic flights are expensive too. The most economical way of exploring the country by taking flights is by having an air pass. This air pass is provided by Brazil’s very own airlines- Gol and Tam. Again, there are a list of terms and conditions you must agree to while buying this air pass, and that is, you must book a double way international ticket, to prove that you are not a Brazilian resident but a foreign traveler, residing in a foreign land.

São Paulo–Guarulhos International Airport, Brazil

Bus

Because of costly domestic flights and underdeveloped train lines, traveling by bus is the most common and comfortable option for almost every Brazilians. Remember that, there are stations named as Rodoviária, usually built on outskirts of cities, and these stations leave inter-city busses. Buses are operated by hundreds of private companies, but prices are standardized, even when more than one firm plies the same route, and are reasonable. Long-distance buses are comfortable enough to sleep in, and have on-board toilets, (well, they are not so great on long journeys and in some cases, you’d prefer to run out of the bus for the odor). Buses stop every two or three hours at well-supplied postos, but as prices at these are relatively high it’s not a bad idea to bring along water and some food. Some bus companies will supply meal vouchers for use at the postos on long journeys.

Leitos in Brazil are luxury busses. These are inter-city buses that run only at night. Double the cost of normal long-distance buses and one-third of flight tickets, this is one in a lifetime experience you must take. There are lesser number of seats in these buses, but they are all comfortable reclined seats, partitioned by curtains for each person. At night, if a person has insomnia, he or she is attended by a staff member with a cup of coffee of your choice and conversation. In other words, it’s a luxurious air plane sort of but in a bus, and lesser the cost of airplane.

A bus station in Brasilia, Brazil

Train

Although there’s an extensive network of railway routes in Brazil, almost all of them are meant for the transport of cargo. Even if some passenger trains exist, they are much slower, and inconvenient if you want to get to somewhere, they are better for leisure purposes. For example- The Serra Verde Express.

The metro is one of the easiest ways to get around major cities like Rio and São Paulo. Fares are generally cheap costing you somewhere between $4-$6. You can also get yourself a metro travel card, these are rechargeable and saves you from the time-consuming process of buying tickets before every ride. The metros are generally cleaner and safer than traveling by local bus. However, the metros do not operate at night (unless it's Rio Carnivale) so you will need to make alternative arrangements. Be aware of discount tickets on the street, they are likely to be fakes. Always purchase from a metro station ticket booth or machine. As always, when traveling on the metro make sure that you keep watch of your belongings at all times, especially during peak hours when metro carriages are packed full.

Railway Station Sao Paulo, Brazil

Hitchhiking

In a country as big and as adventurous as Brazil, you might love the idea of hitchhiking if you have traveled around like that. Even if you are thinking about it, get the idea out of your mind as soon as possible!

Hitchhiking in Brazil is not at all safe! Crimes in this country is a huge problem, no matter if you are hitchhiking in the city or countryside, there’s always a possibility that you might face some sort of danger. Yes, the locals of Brazil are very friendly and helpful, but when you travel in the vehicle of someone else in an unknown country, you’re literally throwing your safety out of the car. There have been several cases where tourists / hitchhikers have been robbed, raped, kidnapped, or threatened to indulge in some kind of illegal activity. The locals never recommend hitchhiking. It is the last option when you have to go miles but there’s no bus or taxi, and you can’t walk anymore. Even if you hitchhike safely, you know that there’s a chance of getting robbed if you place your tent in unlicensed camping grounds.

However, the good news is that in the recent years many travelers have hitchhiked in Brazil and other South American countries, and they say it is absolutely safe to hitchhike. There are no worries of getting robbed or murdered, etc. However, in order to hitchhike safely, they recommend to be thorough with the road conditions and driving rules and conditions of Brazil.

Others

Other ways of moving around brazil includes taxis, ferries, boats and riverboats in the Amazon. You can also rent a car and drive on your own after getting an international driver’s license.

Taxis in Brazil are a good option to get around until traffic comes to halt your journey. Taxis are the most common form of travel as they are quite inexpensive, and safe. Although in metropolis cities like Sao Paolo and Rio, it’ll cost you a little more than normal. Also, the rates may increase a little, or you may offer a tip to the driver out of gratitude during festivals. Apart from taxis, you can also rent a car in Brazil. However, these companies park their cars mostly around the airport and have compulsory pre-booking option. Also, don’t forget to get an international driver’s license.

Road conditions are not that bad in Brazil, but more specifically they depend on the region. In the entire southern region, you’ll get good quality of roads, but in the northern side, the roads near the coastal region are well paved and better than what you’ll find in the interior. The more interior you go, from cities to towns, to countryside, and finally in the Amazonian region, the condition keeps decreasing to worst.

Water taxis in the Amazon are called as Amazon Riverboats. Although they are much slower, they are very very cheap. You can also travel to the tributaries of Amazon by hiring your own boat, and maybe go up to Peru or Venezuela if you want! If you’re looking for some relaxation right in the middle of a peaceful jungle, go forward to it. A nature lover would not want to miss the views!

Apart from Amazonia, water travel is available in other parts of the country as well. Ferries work as a form of transport in Brazil. Ferries regularly run around the bay of Salvador, in the islands of Paranaguá and the ferry of Niteroi that is a compulsory part if you want to go to Rio.

Sustainable Shopping

With the growing needs of man, and limited amount of non-renewable resources, the first and foremost thought of most countries in the world is how to lead a sustainable way of live, so that not only we but our future generations can thrive well. Saving planet earth has become a major issue. Although many countries try to bring up new ways, most fail as the citizens on the country cannot afford the soaring price of eco-friendly products.

Brazil is a hub of leading macro-industries. Brazil is one of the top leading producers in the world of cotton. It is also the largest textile and fashion industry in the world. Young industrialists and entrepreneurs who are more conscious about the nature are coming up with new ideas to drive the sustainability movement in the whole world, starting from Brazil.

According to a research data provided by the world’s leading searchable database of statistics, studies, infographics and more- Statia.com, in the year 2019, the citizens of Brazil has shown a tremendous increase in preference and use of any products that are eco-friendly or sustainable. Some examples would be –

More than 50% of the total population of Brazil chooses to buy locally produced food and fruits, thereby supporting the economy. More than 60 of people repair broken things and reuse it instead of buying a new product, or when going to buy a new product, they recycle the old one. Almost every person strictly avoids or tries their best to avoid buying any product that are harmful to the environment, and nearly 50% people try to buy from socioenvironmental responsible brands.

We can’t leave out fashion behind. The fashion industry is dangerously notorious for its fast-changing fashion trends which causes a huge adverse effect on the environment. However, there are some original Brazilian brands that are famous for their sustainable clothing lines. The Brazilian Fashion Transparency Index released its own magazine about the importance of transparency in fashion brands, and 20 brands that were chosen as sustainable brands of Brazil. Among them, ANIMALE, C&A, OSKLEN, ZARA, PERNAMBUCANAS, RENNER, HAVAIANAS, RIACHUELO, and HERING are the top sustainable brands, they are dedicated to their policy and commitments. In the year 2017, Brazil opened its very own ‘Brasil Eco Fashion Week’ in Sao Paulo. This fashion runway shows hosts as many as 50 eco fashion brands around the world in its glamorous prompt runway, and is definitely open for public to see.

Recycling

Brazil, the biggest country in Latin America, generates nearly 80 million tons of solid waste every year. Concerning selective waste collection and recycling, there is still plenty of room for improvement. In every Brazilian municipality, waste picker cooperatives are responsible for sorting trash and selling it to recycling companies. All profits from those sales are equally divided among cooperative workers. As cooperatives succeed or fail, so do workers, families, and communities. As reported by the online publication “RioOnWatch” in 2019, 1,055 Brazilian cities had a recycling program. The country recycles one percent of its waste, the publication “The Brazilian Report” informed in July last year. Plastic recycling in Brazil is mainly related to polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, “which are abundant in the rubbish generated in Brazilian cities, and there are many waste pickers who work in the separation of this type of recyclable material”. Some years ago, according to the information, about 51 percent of this material was recycled in Brazil. While 314,000 tons of PET had been recycled in 2014, one year later this figure decreased to 274,000 tons. The main barrier for recycling in Brazil is the lack of infrastructure: only 62% of the Brazilian population have access to regular garbage collection and the collection of recyclable material is very rare. There is also the lack of measures that can really educate the population about the importance of recycling.

The most commonly recycled materials in Brazil are: Paper, aluminum can, Steel can, tires, and Plastic. Out of these five items, cans, plastic bottles and paper (specially cardboard paper) are the most recycled in Brazil. This is due to the fact that they constitute and economic activity.

Brazil was ranked as the world champion in recycling cans for the past five years. In 2007, more than 96% of the cans available in the market were recycled. So the incentive most Brazilians are seeking is, overall, monetary.

Waste

Brazil as a country is the 5th biggest producer of waste in the world. Even though major progress has been made in the past few years, Brazil faces many challenges when it comes to waste management. 42% of all waste collected still goes to improper and unsafe destinations, the infrastructure needs major improvements and public buy-in to new regulations is low. The solution to this would be a stronger focus on resource management. One out of every 12 Brazilians have no regular waste collection service at their doorstep. One of the reasons behind it, Abrelpe’s president noted, is lack of funding. “We have two issues. One is the lack of awareness about the importance of the appropriate management of solid waste in protecting the environment and preventing diseases. This perception is not so clear among members of society and public officials. The second, a more serious one, is the fact that this is a municipal duty, and municipalities are indebted enough as it is. There’s no funding to afford all this process,” Filho pointed out.

Brazil is one of the 10 largest producers of food waste in the world, discarding some 30% of all fruit and vegetables harvested. According to the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, around 40,000 tons of food are thrown away every day in the country, where it decomposes in landfills, releasing significant amounts of methane. Yet Rio de Janeiro, a city of about 6.7 million, is also one of more than 70 cities worldwide that have pledged to become "carbon neutral" by 2050. Cities account for about 75% of CO2 emissions, according to the United Nations, and more than two-thirds of the energy we consume.

Work and Study Abroad

Brazil is one of the most fast developing countries in the world, and to work here, or pursue higher education in this colorful country can be a great choice for you!

Many companies offer work in Brazil, and many reputed companies of the country offer internship internationally. In most cases, you have to work for 5-6 days in a week, and the office timings can stretch to a decent 8 hours per day. However, before appearing for job interviews in the Brazil, there’s a lot of homework that one has to do.

You should gain more knowledge and experience in the job market in your specific field of work, depending on your country- Brazil, or more specifically the state. Although it is not a written law, but you must know the language of the country you are deciding to work in. To help candidates with all these stated above, there are many internship programs that provide you with a language learning class, economics class, discussions that help you know Brazil, its rules and regulations better. Most of these internship programs are for about 3 months, whereas working as a foreign employee in Brazil can have a minimum time period of 6 months.

Exchange Student

Institutions in Brazil are famous for their world class quality of study. Both private and public institutions have exceptional faculties, facilities, and solid comprehensive courses for any subject you want to read. A ranking by the QS World University Rankings, showed that among 1200 public and private institutions in Brazil, 4 earned spot in the top 400 and 17 were placed among the top 800 among the whole world. No wonder why many international students look forward to studying in Brazil. It’s much more than just the fun and beauty of the country. Needless to say Brazil has high quality of education, and that too with a very affordable cost! Most private institutions have a very low annual fee ranging from 2000 USD to 10,000 USD. However, public institutions are free to Brazilians. The better news? Some public institutions are free even to international students.

The Brazilian Exchange Bureau knows well how to enhance the country’s academic reputation that is already in spotlight! Brazil has an active pursuit of industrialization as the Bureau itself boasts about the country’s education policies and programs to foreign student exchange companies.

But these exchanges are not only limited for gaining higher education such as undergraduates’ program and post-graduates’ program. High School students can also apply for foreign exchange. The NACEL exchange student organization has high school exchange programs. These programs are available for students are between 15 to 18 years of age. One can either for ‘Semester’ Exchange which is for 5 months (either from July to December, or from February to July; or one can apply for a year’s exchange – which is for 10 months. The prices for exchange include everything, from host school admission fees, host family tuition and accommodation fees, transportation cost from airport to the host family, language course fee, textbooks and any other stationery needed, and last but not the least – support and emergency assistance 24/7. No wonder why every institution and every exchange student program in Brazil is a great steal!

Au Pair

Working and staying as an Au Pair in Brazil is one of the best options if you want to work in brazil but don’t want to spend so much money. If you don’t know what Au Pair is, an AU Pair is a helper from a foreign country works for and looks after a family in the destined country (known as the host family). In exchange of the foreign helper’s assistance, the host family makes the au pair a temporary part of their family, providing shelter and food, thus the au saves his or her money. In return, the host family also gives a little monetary allowance for the foreigner for their own personal use.

Most Au Pairs are women, as staying with a host family is much safer than staying alone in an unknown land. People of Brazil are known exclusively for their fun-loving, friendly and bright side! There are many families in Brazil that are looking for au pairs, and previous reviews have How been positive about almost every host family.

Volunteering

When tropical beauty of nature comes to our minds, Brazil is the definition of it. Brazil is a fast developing country much like India, however much of Brazil still live in poverty. The population living in extreme poverty rose from 7.4% in 2014 to 9.2% in 2018. Therefore, there's never enough to the amount of help you can offer.

Volunteering in Brazil is available for tourists too. There are many options such as a flexible volunteering program for 1-8 weeks, or extended work of 8-10 months. Make sure to do some research on your desired topic, as some topics of volunteer projrects are based on -

Rainforest Restoration and Sustainability
Wildlife sanctuary reserve
Preserving the Amazon
Social Projects
Environmental Projects
Research and protection of Biodiversity
Helping the poor people