Here are all the practical travel tips that’ll help you navigate the logistics and avoid some common pitfalls. Trust me, I wish I had known these tips before my trip!
CPF Number
A CPF number is similar to a tax or National Insurance number, and you’ll often need one to make some purchases in Brazil. This includes buying SIM cards, which is why I opted for an e-SIM to avoid the hassle of communicating in Portuguese. If you want more details on SIM cards, check out my blog post here.
Be aware that only Brazilian residents have CPF numbers. As a traveller, this can create challenges, such as when trying to book bus tickets online, which often require a CPF number. This meant we had to buy tickets at bus stations, usually on the day of travel. While this was mostly fine, it sometimes meant fewer seats were available.
Climate
We arrived in Rio de Janeiro at the start of October. Unfortunately, it was quite rainy but still warm. We did have a couple of sunny days, though! October generally had overcast skies and rain, especially in southern Argentina, which we also visited. From November onwards, the weather turned hot and sunny, with temperatures often exceeding 30°C (86°F) every day until we left mid-December.
Withdrawing Cash
While most places accept cards, even on the beach, carrying some cash is wise. We tried withdrawing money at Rio de Janeiro’s airport, but they only exchanged cash and didn’t accept cards. However, there were cash machines, but the withdrawal fee was around £5. Waiting until you’re in the city is better, where fees are lower.
In Rio, we found a Santander ATM with a withdrawal fee of R$20 (£3), lower than the airport. The machines usually dispense R$100 notes, which isn’t always convenient, but the staff helped exchange them for smaller notes.
Getting Around
Car
For short trips, I recommend using Uber. It’s safer than taxis since there’s a record of the journey, and it prevents overcharging. We didn’t experience this, but it’s a common issue in many places. Ubers are quite affordable, about £3 for a 20-minute ride.
Buses
Our Brazilian friends back home advised us to avoid local buses, especially in larger cities, as they tend to be crowded and have a higher risk of pickpocketing. Given that we looked like tourists, it wasn’t a good idea for us to take that risk.
For travelling long distances, I definitely recommend using buses. Honestly, it’s the most practical way to get around unless you want to spend a lot on flights. The bus prices are quite reasonable. Just keep in mind that the air conditioning is usually on full blast throughout the journey, so it can get very cold on overnight buses. Make sure to bring layers to stay warm. Additionally, the bus toilets are quite decent for coach standards and usually have toilet paper available.
A word of caution: I had an unpleasant experience on our first long bus journey. One of our seats, unfortunately, mine, was wet with urine. It certainly made for an eventful trip, to say the least.
Flying
Brazil is vast, and sometimes flying is necessary. However, flights can be expensive. For example, we considered flying from Campo Grande to São Luís to avoid a two-day bus journey, but the tickets were around £300-£400 each.
Trains
Brazil lacks extensive train services, except for metro lines in major cities, which are useful and feel safe to use.
The Ultimate Handy Tip
When paying with a debit card, always tell the server you’re using a credit card. They will ask “crédito ou débito?” (credit or debit), and if you choose debit, your card won’t work. For some reason, international debit cards need to be processed as credit.
