Helpful Tips About Brazil
LOCAL CURRENCY:
The local currency is the Brazilian Real (BRL). The US dollar (USD) exchange rate is about 5 to 1, and for the British pound (GBP), it’s about 6 to 1. Visiting Brazil is generally affordable. Keep in mind that when booking hotels, some rates may appear in BRL or USD, 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.
PHRASE TIPS:
• Hello – Olá / Oi.
• How are you? – Tudo bom?
• Nice to meet you – Prazer.
• Goodbye – Tchau.
• Sorry – Desculpa.
• Please – Por favor.
• Thank you – Obrigad(a/o) – 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 110/220V. The power supply can vary from state to state; São Paulo operates on 110V.
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.
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 parts 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. There are regional variations like the moqueca capixaba from Espírito Santo and the 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, beans tropeiro, 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.
TYPICAL DRINKS:
Just like in cuisine, Brazilian drinks are diverse and reflect the country's
cultural diversity. Here are some of the most well-known:
1. Caipirinha: The national drink of Brazil, made with cachaça (a sugarcane spirit), lime, sugar, and ice. It's a refreshing drink popular throughout the country.
2. Cachaça: A distilled spirit made from fermented sugarcane juice. It can be consumed straight, in cocktails like the caipirinha, or shots.
3. Guaraná: A fruit native to the Amazon region of Brazil and the name of a very popular soft drink made from the fruit's extract. It's known for its sweet and energizing flavor.
3. Mate: A typical drink from the southern region of Brazil, made from the leaves of the yerba mate plant. It can be consumed hot (chimarrão) or cold (tereré) and is appreciated for its bitter taste and stimulating properties.
4. Açaí bowl: Though more commonly known as food, açaí is also consumed as a thick drink, usually served in bowls and topped with fruits and granola. It's especially popular in the northern region of Brazil.
5. Cerveja: Brazil has a growing craft beer scene, with a wide variety of artisanal beers produced nationwide. Well-known brands include Brahma, Skol, Antarctica, and Bohemia, among others.
6. Batidas: Cocktails with tropical fruits, condensed milk, and cachaça or another alcoholic base. Some examples include coconut, passion fruit, and
strawberry batidas.
7. Quentão: A hot drink typical of June festivals, made with cachaça, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, and sugar. It's a comforting drink, perfect for the colder months of the year.
