January 24, 2024 | View Online | Sign Up
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For an enormous country sprawling farther than the contiguous United States, Brazil can be criminally minimized by tourists.
Sure, Rio’s iconic Copacabana and Christ the Redeemer may be the headliners, but a staggering assortment of return-trip-justifying wonders often fly under the surface. Urban explorers can revel in the complexities of São Paulo and Rio, while the Amazon’s mysterious aura has bewitched visitors for centuries.
Grab your best pair of dancing shoes.
Welcome to Brazil.
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| EAT, SLEEP, DO
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Your Guide to the Best of Brazil
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💃 What to do
Brazil’s tourist offerings are as vast as the country itself. Whether it’s Samba, soccer, and Sugarloaf Mountain, or Rio, rainforests, and the Redeemer, your trip will be nothing short of spectacular. Truth be told, it’ll be hard to nail it all down in one visit, but that shouldn’t stop you trying. Here are some of the best things to do in Brazil.
😋 What to eat
Your exposure to Brazilian food might be limited to steakhouses, and although carnivorous endeavors might be the highlight, the country’s culinary map is diverse and delicious. Ensure you arrive with this list of the best things to eat so you don’t leave disappointed.
🛌 Where to stay
Obviously, your Brazilian hotel choices will be dictated by the specific regions you visit. Thankfully, every corner of the country is blessed with outstanding options. Here’s a cheat sheet with some of the best hotels in Brazil to get you going with your planning.
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| TRAVEL PLANNING WITH CONCIERGE
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Did you know one of the most common reasons people don’t use up their PTO is due to planning fatigue? It’s understandable. Planning a trip can be overwhelming and time-consuming but we don’t believe in letting PTO go to waste. That’s why we’ve rolled out Concierge.
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🇮🇹 3-day gluten-free food tour in Rome
🇧🇷 5-day hiking trip in Brazil's rainforests
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🌎 The destination is up to you & the options are endless!
Concierge is valued at $2,850, but we are offering Next Stop readers an exclusive deal. Get a lifetime of expertly planned adventures for only $199 today.
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| MONEY MOVES
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Save Your Money for Carnaval
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You’re not gonna want to skimp on the spending when you arrive in Brazil. With so much to do, you’ll want to hold onto every penny you can. So where should you cut your costs? The flights, of course.
Thankfully, if you’re armed with some points and miles, it’s more than possible to get to South America for pennies on the dollar.
We’ve thrown together a guide to flying to Brazil using points and miles. Good luck!
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| TRAVEL INSURANCE
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6 Reasons to Consider Travel Insurance
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Traveling is full of adventure, and it’s important to be prepared for the unexpected. One way to ensure peace of mind during your travels is by considering travel insurance.
While it may seem like an additional expense, travel insurance provides you with crucial financial protection and support in various situations.
Click here to explore six compelling reasons as to why you should seriously consider getting travel insurance before your next trip.
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| BRAZIL FAST FACTS
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🇧🇷 It’s damn big: Brazil is the 5th largest country in the world by land mass, the 6th largest by population, and shares its border with ten different countries
☕ Caffeine kings: Brazil is the world’s largest coffee producer, pumping out 44 million bags of coffee a year from its 300 thousand plantations. The plant was initially introduced by the French.
✨ The star attraction: The stars in Brazil’s unique flag are for more than just show: they’re a copy of the constellations visible on the night Brazil became a Republic. There are also 27 to represent the 26 federal states and 1 district.
📚 Book your escape: The Brazilian prison system has an interesting quirk. For every book a prisoner reads, they lessen their sentence by four days.
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| KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
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The Elephant in the Room
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Brazil is an unbelievable place but there’s no denying that a visit here requires a little extra care. Poverty is rampant in the country and, as can be expected, that leads to crime.
Urban areas are affected far more than rural ones and the favelas should be avoided–even on tours. Locals strongly advise against wearing too much jewelry and keeping cameras and phones out of sight–in short, anything that could draw attention to your valuables.
If you take the usual precautions, like not walking alone at night, staying aware of your surroundings, and sticking to the right areas, you’ll have a fantastic time. Just be extra careful.
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When to Visit
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Knowing when to visit Brazil will depend entirely on the purpose of your visit.
Summer runs from December through March, while June through September is Winter. But depending on where you’re going, it might not matter too much. As a general rule, the further North you go, the hotter and more humid it gets year round.
Of course, Brazil is known for its immense parties like Carnaval. Naturally, if you’re hoping to participate, you’ll need to be there the Friday before Ash Wednesday any given year. If you’re hoping to avoid the crowds, don’t even think of coming at that time.
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Brush Up on Your Portuguese
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Don’t make the common mistake of assuming Brazilians speak Spanish. Portuguese is the official language here, and English speakers are few and far between.
In major cities like Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, you’ll get by a little easier, but outside of those two places, it’s best to assume English won’t be common. Before you head out, try and learn a few Portuguese phrases. As with anywhere, a little effort and respect goes a long way.
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| WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING IN BRAZIL
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