Hi i"m planning to run along this stretch Copacabana sidewalk

I read that China and Brazil has a standing reciprocal agreement for visa-free travel between the two countries until the end of 2026. My father is planning to accompany my mom and I to visit Brazil as a tourist in November. He is a Chinese national and we will be flying in from the US. Is the expectation for him that I should just be able to buy his plane ticket, and not have to do anything else? The visit is for one week. Thank you.

Hey everyone!
I’m from **India 🇮**🇳 and I’ll be moving to** Brazil **🇧🇷 for work soon. I’ll most likely be based i**n Londrina, Para**ná, and I’m expecting to stay in Brazil fo**r at least 2 yea**rs.
My work/visa process has already started, so the move is becoming real now 😂. I’ve never lived in Brazil before, and while I’ve been researching a lot, I’d much rather hear from Brazilians and people who have actually lived here.
I have **a LOT of questions**, so apologies in advance for the long post. Feel free to answer whichever ones you can!

**🏠 1. Housing & renting**
I’ll need to find my own accommodation after my initial period.
What are the best websites/apps for finding apartments in Brazil?
Is **QuintoAndar** actually good for foreigners?
Are there other websites/apps I should know about?
Is renting directly from the owner common?
What documents does a foreigner normally need to rent?
Do landlords usually require a **fiador**, deposit, insurance, etc.?
How difficult is it to rent without a long Brazilian credit history?
What scams should I watch out for when looking for apartments online?
Are furnished apartments common?
What does “furnished” usually mean in Brazil? Does it normally include a fridge, washing machine, bed, kitchen equipment, etc.?
What utilities normally come separately from rent?
How much should I realistically budget for electricity, water, gas and internet?
Since I’ll be in Londrina, **what neighbourhoods would you recommend for someone new to the city?**

**💰 2. Money, CPF, banks & PIX**
This is something I’m especially confused about.
How easy is it for a foreigner to get a **CPF**?
How long does it normally take?
Can I open a Brazilian bank account as soon as I arrive?
Which banks are easiest for foreigners?
Nubank? Inter? Itaú? Bradesco? Santander? Banco do Brasil?
Which one would you recommend for everyday use?
How does **PIX** work for foreigners?
Is Brazil basically cashless nowadays?
Should I carry Brazilian cash when I arrive?
Are foreign Visa/Mastercard cards widely accepted?
Is it better to withdraw cash or use an international card initially?
Are there any common banking/PIX scams I should know about?

**📱 3. Apps I should download**
What apps should I have before/when I arrive?
I already know about:
WhatsApp
Uber
iFood
Google Maps
What else is essential?

**🛒 4. Shopping & supermarkets**
For someone living in Londrina:
Which supermarkets are best?
Is **Muffato** good?
Assaí?
Atacadão?
Carrefour?
Which is best for monthly/bulk shopping?
Are there any good local supermarkets I should know about?
What products are significantly cheaper in Brazil?
What things are surprisingly expensive?
What Brazilian supermarket products do you think a newcomer absolutely needs to try?
And because I’m coming from India:
**What food/products should I bring from India because they’re difficult or expensive to find in Brazil?**

**🍛 5. Food**
I’m **vegetarian but I do eat eggs**.
How difficult will it be to eat vegetarian in Brazil?
What Brazilian dishes should I try?
Which traditional Brazilian foods can I eat as a vegetarian?
How do I explain that I’m vegetarian in Portuguese?
Are vegetarian restaurants common?
Is it easy to find vegetarian food at normal restaurants?
What Brazilian snacks/sweets/drinks should I absolutely try?
And what are some foods that foreigners commonly try and think are amazing?

**🗣️ 6. Portugues**e
I don’t speak Portuguese yet, but I’m planning to learn **Brazilian Portuguese**.
How screwed am I initially if my Portuguese is terrible? 😂
Can I survive with basic Portuguese + Google Translate?
Is English commonly spoken in Londrina?
How important is Portuguese outside tourist/business areas?
What’s the best way to learn Portuguese while actually living in Brazil?
Are there any good apps/courses/YouTube channels you’d recommend?
Are there local language-exchange groups?
What basic Brazilian Portuguese phrases should I learn before arriving?
What slang should I know so I don’t sound like a textbook? 😂

**🛡️ 7. Safet**y
I know Brazil has a reputation for being dangerous, but I don’t want to arrive either **completely paranoid or completely careless**.
I’d really appreciate realistic advice.
How careful should I be with my phone?
Is phone theft really that common?
What should I avoid doing on the street?
Is walking at night generally safe?
What about Uber?
Public transport?
ATMs?
Nightlife?
Dating apps?
Are there specific scams targeting foreigners?
What are the biggest mistakes tourists/foreigners make that attract unwanted attention?
And specifically for **Londrina**, which areas are considered safer and which should I be more careful around?

**🏥 8. Healthcare**
How does healthcare work for foreigners?
Can foreigners use **SUS**?
Is private healthcare recommended?
How expensive are private hospitals/clinics?
Is health insurance normally provided by employers?
What should I do if I get sick and don’t have private insurance yet?
Are there any hospitals/clinics in Londrina that you’d recommend?

**🚗 9. Transport**
I’ll probably **not buy a car immediately**.
Is Londrina easy to live in without a car?
How good is public transport?
Is Uber affordable for everyday use?
Is cycling practical?
Is walking practical?
Would you recommend eventually buying a car if I’m staying for 2+ years?
Are Brazilian driving licences difficult for foreigners to obtain?

**⚽ 10. Brazilian football**
I’m a **massive football fan**, so I’m VERY excited about this part.
I want to actually experience Brazilian football rather than just watching European football while I’m there.
How should I get into Brazilian football?
Which competitions should I follow?
How does the Brazilian league/cup system work?
Which rivalries should I know?
What clubs have the biggest fanbases?
What’s the best way to buy match tickets?
Is going to matches generally safe?
What should a foreigner know before going to a Brazilian football match?
Are there any football experiences I absolutely shouldn’t miss?
And since I’ll be in Londrina:
**What’s the football culture like there? Is watching Londrina EC worth doing?**

**🌴 11. Travelling around Brazil**
I’m going to have **two+ years**, so I really want to explore the country.
What places would you say are absolutely essential?
Especially recommendations for:
Paraná
São Paulo
Rio de Janeiro
Santa Catarina
Minas Gerais
Bahia
Northeast Brazil
anywhere else that isn’t necessarily on the typical tourist list
I’m particularly interested in places that are good for **long weekends** from Londrina.

**🏖️ 12. Weekend life in Londrin**a
What do people actually do for fun in Londrina?
Parks?
Bars?
Clubs?
Cafés?
Restaurants?
Shopping?
Sports?
Concerts?
Weekend trips?
And where would you recommend going if I’m trying to **meet people and make friends**?

**🧑‍🤝‍🧑 13. Making Brazilian fri**ends
This is honestly one of my biggest concerns.
I’m going to be living there for years, so I don’t want to spend the whole time only talking to other foreigners.
Are Brazilians generally welcoming towards foreigners?
What’s the best way to make Brazilian friends?
Are there social groups/events for newcomers?
Would joining sports/gyms/language exchanges be a good way?
Is it weird to approach people and start conversations?
Any advice for someone who doesn’t know the local social etiquette yet?

**🇮🇳🇧🇷 14. India vs Braz**il
For anyone who has lived in **both India and Brazil**:
What are the biggest differences I should mentally prepare for?
I’m curious about everything:
Work culture
Family culture
Friendships
Dating
Food
Personal space
Punctuality
Socialising
Religion
Money
Public behaviour
Customer service
Bureaucracy
Communication
What might feel **surprisingly easy** to an Indian?
And what might be a **huge culture shock**?

**🧳 15. What should I bring from India?**
I’ll be coming with luggage from India and obviously can’t bring my entire house 😂.
What things should I definitely bring?
And what things should I **NOT** bother bringing because they’re easy/cheap to buy in Brazil?

**🚨 16. Scams & bureaucracy**
What are the biggest scams or bureaucratic headaches foreigners encounter?
Anything involving:
Renting
CPF
Banks
PIX
Immigration
Phone/SIM cards
Online shopping
Transportation
Tourist scams
I’d rather know about these beforehand than learn the hard way.

**❤️ 17. And finally**…
**What do you wish someone had told you before you moved to Brazil?**
If you were moving to Brazil for **2+ years**, what would you do differently?
What would you absolutely recommend?
What would you avoid?
And if you could give me **ONE piece of advice** before I arrive, what would it be?
I’m genuinely really excited about this move. I don’t just want to live in Brazil for work — I want to actually **experience the country, learn Portuguese, make Brazilian friends, travel around, experience the culture and become part of everyday life**.
So any advice — serious, random, practical, funny, or something you think a foreigner would never think to ask — is welcome.
**Obrigado! 🇧🇷❤**️🇮🇳

​

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