Brazil Travel Resources: What We Actually Use

eSIM — install before the plane lands

A Brazil data plan activates the moment you switch your phone off airplane mode at the gate. No queue at Claro, no SIM-swap at the airport, no gap where you can't call the driver waiting outside.

Skip if: Staying more than 30 days or need a local phone number for bank apps. Get a physical Vivo or Claro SIM in that case.

Travel insurance — compare before you fly

Compares multiple policies with the coverage levels that matter for Brazil: medical expenses $100k+, evacuation $250k+, 24/7 assistance line in English. Read the full breakdown on our travel insurance page.

Skip if: Short coastal trips covered by a premium credit card. Nomad stays longer than 90 days — use SafetyWing instead.

Multi-currency card for spending in reais

Real mid-market exchange rate, no hidden markup, and a debit card accepted everywhere Visa is. You top up in your home currency and spend in BRL without the 4-6% penalty most banks charge.

Skip if: If you only need to withdraw cash once or twice, any major card works. Wise pays off when you're using it daily.

US, Canada and Australia passport holders

Always start here. The Brazilian government e-visa portal is the only official channel. It's an online form, a fee, and a processing window. No middleman needed for most applicants.

Visa concierge if you want someone to handle it

For travelers who don't want to deal with the government portal, iVisa files the application on your behalf for a service fee. The outcome is the same visa — you're paying for convenience.

Skip if: If you're comfortable with online forms. The official portal costs less.

Hotels, pousadas and apartments

The deepest inventory for Brazil, including small pousadas outside the major chains. Free cancellation filters are reliable. Pay-at-property options work well with Wise.

Hostels and backpacker stays

For solo travelers and longer trips. Reviews are more specific to the hostel experience than Booking — cleanliness, social scene, location trade-offs.

Day trips and attraction tickets

For destinations outside Salvador and Rio where we don't operate directly — Iguazu, Chapada Diamantina day tours, Amazon lodges, Morro de Sao Paulo transfers, Pantanal.

Skip if: Walking tours in Salvador or a private guide in Rio. Book those with us directly.

Intercity buses

English interface for booking Brazilian intercity buses. Covers the routes most travelers need: Rio to Paraty, Salvador to Praia do Forte, Sao Paulo to Rio, Recife to Porto de Galinhas.

Skip if: For day trips from Salvador to Morro de Sao Paulo — you need a catamaran, not a bus.

Rides within cities

Both work across every major Brazilian city. 99 is a Brazilian app often slightly cheaper in smaller cities. Install both before you land and keep cash for backup — cards fail occasionally.

Flight delay and cancellation compensation

For delays over 3 hours or cancellations on international flights, there's a reasonable chance you're entitled to compensation under EU261 or similar rules. AirHelp files the claim on your behalf for a cut of the payout.

Skip if: If the airline already offered a rebooking you accepted. Compensation rules depend on cause and jurisdiction.

Nomad insurance for stays over 30 days

Monthly subscription model that stays active as long as you're abroad. Cheaper than trip-based policies if you're spending a month or more in Brazil. Decent medical coverage, weak on cancellation.

Skip if: Short trips under two weeks. A standard policy through VisitorsCoverage is better value.

Adventure activities coverage

The default policy excludes most physical activities most mainstream insurers skip — kitesurfing, climbing, paragliding, scuba beyond recreational depths. Worth it if your trip includes Chapada Diamantina hikes, surf camps or dune buggies in the northeast.

Skip if: Pure city-beach travel. The premium isn't justified.