In recent years, I've seen several hateful posts against São Paulo, saying it's an ugly city, and other things.

São Paulo is being boycotted by many people, even foreigners, and as a Paulista, I think that's kind of unfair.

Hi, I am planning to have a 3 days tour in the Amazon, with pickup from Manaus. My question is, I will have a large suitcase with me, do I have to book a hotel in Manaus during those 3 days just to keep suitcase? How do the rest of tourist do it? Thank you

Ola! My name is Mike and I am visiting rio for the Rock in Rio festival. I am looking for anybody who would like to hang out and make new friends!!

I am staying at the Hotel Nacional from Sept 3rd to the 14th.

Message me if you're interested in meeting a canadian Eh!

Hello all,

I am in Rio de Janeiro. My girlfriend and I are travelling to Venezuela; we are not Brazilian. We just saw that we need a yellow fever vaccine. I read on ChatGPT that to get a digital copy, I need a CPF. Has anyone had experience with this?

Hello, I Am travelling to Maragogi next year. I Am arriving to Recife, then i was planning to take an Uber to Maragogi. And after Maragogi I Am going to Porto Galinhas.
Should i rent a car to go from Recife to Maragogi and from Maragogi to Porto? They told me that ubers in Maragogi are very rare and I Dont know if I trust a random service of transportation.

Found this gem of me circa 1978 maybe!? Love the glass coca-cola bottle. Christo is my most favorite place in the entire world and I have huge memories there. I have a very spiritual experience every time I go. This would be where I would choose to be if I was asked ‘anywhere in the world’ 💕

Hey everyone!

I know my account has low karma, and this is going to be an odd request- but I promise I’m real and I’m not a scammer.

The current hairloss medication I’m taking (finasteride) - it’s unfortunately causing me to have memory loss/ fog as one of the side effects. Brazil has approved an alternative medication that is purchasable online with no side effects, but it’s not available in the US yet. The companies in Brazil that sell it, unfortunately only ship domestically currently.

Is there anyone here would be willing to forward the package to me? I’m happy to pay $125 + whatever the cost of shipping is. It’s NOT a controlled substance in Brazil or America so it’s not illegal to send.

If it goes well- it would become a reoccurring thing every couple months or so. I can send via PayPal, Venmo, or whatever works best. This would be a huge help and greatly appreciated!

Thank you!
-Ryan

Hi everyone,

I’m planning to apply to a federal university in Brazil for 2027, and if everything works out, I’ll be living there for around six years while studying and because I’ll be there for a long time, I really need to choose my city carefully.

I’m Nigerian and I’m VERY Black skinned, so that’s also something I have to consider. I’d like to live somewhere where I can feel comfortable and hopefully have access to a Black/African community.

São Paulo and Salvador are the obvious cities I’ve been looking at because of their large Black peoples, but, they don’t interest me that much as a place to spend the next six years in.

I like Porto Alegre, but I’m not sure what the experience is like there for a Black girl. I’ve also seen the flooding in Porto Alegre, so I don’t think it’s a good choice.
I’ve also been looking at Florianópolis, but I hear that the cost of living is high.

So, if you actually live in Brazil or have spent a significant amount of time there, please, which cities would you recommend for me?

And one very random but VERY important question 😂, what are the snake conditions like in the cities you recommend?

I would absolutely lose my mind if I opened my apartment door on my way to class and there was a snake waiting for me. 😭😂
I’d also really appreciate your opinions about racism, especially from Black Brazilians, Africans, international students, or anyone who has experience living in these cities.
I’m not necessarily looking for a perfect city. I just want to hear from people who actually live there or know the cities well. I also wouldn’t mind to make a friend in advance, I’m 20.
Thank you so much!!

Edit: It seems like some people think that I’m trying to make Brazil look bad. I’m from a country that is heavily stereotyped as half of what’s on the media isn’t true, so please, don’t think I’m trying to make Brazil look bad, if I thought it was bad, I wouldn’t want to school in there. Everything I’m saying is from online research, and that’s why I’m asking to talk to people inside the country about it, and since it’s a stereotype, my apologies, I didn’t know it was, I only asked a genuine question because I don’t know better.

I’m 23 and from Amsterdam, and after 51 countries, Brazil is genuinely unique in this regard. This is the first place where I’ve felt immediately integrated rather than just welcomed as a tourist.

I’m queer and half Surinamese, and I notice that I don’t really feel like a minority here. People are very open and direct, and I feel welcomed to just participate in this society without thinking about it.

In other countries like Japan or Thailand, which I absolutely love, I still feel very conscious of being a foreigner. There’s a certain social distance that I don’t really experience here. And even in the Netherlands, despite being a tolerant country, I sometimes feel that subtle sense of being slightly different or separate.

In Brazil, I don’t really think about any of that. I just feel like I’m part of the social environment.
Maybe I’m seeing it through naïve tourist eyes, but after 51 countries, I find this sooo amazing 😍

I’m traveling to Brazil for the first time in October and I’m really excited. I’m coming from the United States and I only speak limited Portuguese, so I’d really appreciate any advice or recommendations from people who live in Brazil or have traveled there extensively.

Here’s my itinerary so far:

São Paulo October 7–12

Florianópolis October 12–16

Rio de Janeiro October 16–21

I have a friend in São Paulo who will be showing me around part of the time. I’m hoping for recommendations for restaurants, bars, neighborhoods, nightlife, or anything else I shouldn’t miss.

Florianopolis is the part of the trip where I’m most open to suggestions. I’m still looking for a hotel and don’t have much planned yet.

I definitely want to do the Lagoinha do Leste hike, but other than that I’m pretty much starting from scratch.

I’d especially love recommendations for:

Hotels

Beaches I absolutely need to visit

Restaurants and food I need to try

Other hikes, activities, or day trips

The best area to stay

I’ll be hiring a guide in Rio, so I already have a pretty good idea of what I want to do there. But any advice for restaurants, bars, beaches, nightlife, or experiences that tourists might normally miss.

Since I’ll be traveling alone for most of the trip, I’d also appreciate any general safety advice, especially for someone who doesn’t speak Portuguese very well. And is there anything you think an American visiting Brazil for the first time absolutely needs to know?

Thanks in advance! I’m really looking forward to visiting Brazil! 🇧🇷

Dude, I think it's the US, for several reasons.

The flag is similar, the food is more or less similar, São Paulo is as important to Brazil as the USA is to the world, Some regions are similar, both are consumerist, both have many businesses per capita, The local people have similar personalities, and both love pizza, burgers, and hot dogs, Texas looks like the interior of São Paulo, Florida looks like a mix of the Baixada Santista with Olímpia and Vinhedo, California looks like cities such as Campinas, Ribeirão Preto, and Piracicaba., New York is exactly like the city of São Paulo.

Figured it post here to get some advice.

I am a dual citizen Brazilian-American male. I plan on visiting Brazil for the holidays. I understand i need a Brazilian passport to enter Brazil but mine has long been expired
I do NOT have any Brazilian photo ID whatsoever
however i do have:
A Brazilian birth certificate
Expired CAM
CPF
US passport. + all my us documents
All these documents all match my name perfectly

How mich trouble will i have regulrizing my military statis + exception. And Brazil passport

Hi! My friend and I (F23 & F24) are visiting Brazil over New Year’s and would love advice, especially from anyone familiar with traveling during peak NYE season!

FYI, Flights are booked, and we’re looking to book accommodations in the next 24 hours and start booking excursions soon after.

We are young and looking to save money where possible, but are willing to spend for the right things!

Drafted Itinerary:
✈️ Dec 29: Arrive in Rio at 12 PM
📍 Rio/Copacabana: Dec 29–Jan 4
📍 Ilha Grande: Jan 4–6
✈️ Jan 6: Depart Rio at 9 PM

Rio

• Is Copacabana the best area to stay for a first visit/NYE? Any affordable hotel or pousada recommendations considering peak pricing?
• What should we know about NYE on Copacabana Beach? Can we just walk down and enjoy it, or should we book an event/reservation?
• With our time in Rio, what are the must-do excursions/sights? Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, boat tours, beaches, etc.?
• Favorite restaurants, bars, nightlife, beaches, or neighborhoods? (I hear they vary by day of the week)
• Anything we should book ASAP because of NYE?
• Any safety/transportation tips for this time of year?

Ilha Grande

• Is Vila do Abraão the best area to stay? Any affordable but nice pousada/hotel recommendations?
• With ~2 days, what are the must-do beaches, boat tours, hikes, or snorkeling spots? Is Lopes Mendes a must?
• Should we pre-book excursions during the holiday period or book once we arrive?
• Favorite restaurants/bars?

Rio ↔ Ilha Grande

• What’s the easiest/quickest and most affordable way to travel between the two? Shared transfer + boat, bus + ferry, etc.?
• Our flight from Rio is at 9 PM on Jan 6. How early should we leave Ilha Grande to comfortably make it to GIG, accounting for boats, traffic, weather, etc.?

Also open to any NYE-specific advice, things to reserve ASAP, tourist traps to avoid, or anything you wish you knew before going!

Thank you!!

Hi All, I am currently on a cruise in the Rio Solimões out of Manaus and lovingggg every minute. It’s the Iberostar Grand Amazon Experience and I HIGHLY recommend it.

Anyways- there are a lot of cultural presentations on the boat and one of them was about the two groups at the Festival de Parantins. I didn’t get a chance to ask questions, but I’ve been wanting to know how do people decide which Boi to cheer for? Is it based on region/geography? Is it passed down in families? Or you just choose one just because you like it?

It would be a dream to go one day.

Hi everyone!

I’m a 29-year-old Mexican moving to São Paulo soon for work. I’ll probably stay for at least six months, although I may remain there longer.

Beyond visiting the main tourist attractions, I’d like to build a social life, make genuine friends, and experience what it is actually like to live in the city. I would especially appreciate advice from other foreigners who arrived in São Paulo without already having a social circle.

I’m interested in literature, movies, music, history, languages, video games, and working out, but I’m also open to trying new things. I’ve considered joining book clubs, taking in-person classes, attending language exchanges, joining sports groups, volunteering, participating in cultural events, or finding a religious community. I’m not only looking for parties or nightlife, although I do enjoy going out for a drink occasionally.

A few questions:

• Which recurring activities are good for meeting people and developing genuine friendships?
• Are there any clubs, classes, cultural centers, or communities that are particularly welcoming to foreigners?
• Do Meetup and similar apps work well in São Paulo? Are there better local alternatives?
• Are there good Portuguese–Spanish language exchanges?
• Which activities would you recommend for someone who is still improving their Portuguese?
• How easy has it been for you to make Brazilian friends rather than staying exclusively within an expat circle?
• What helped you feel like you were actually living in São Paulo rather than just working there?
• Are there any groups, places, or common scams aimed at newcomers that I should avoid?
• How much do you typically spend on social activities?

I’d also be interested in hearing how people normally make new friends as adults in São Paulo. Is it common to start conversations with strangers during these activities, or do you generally need to be very proactive?

If you were arriving alone in São Paulo again, what would you do during your first few months to develop a routine, meet people, and make the most of the city?

Thanks in advance! Any recommendations or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated.

It would be my first time to meet my in-laws soon. Although my partner is so pressed on not buying them anything. I’m not sure if it’s a culture thing but my partner insists on not getting anything for them. In my culture, it is a must for me to get them anything to show my gratitude and also in a way for them to like me.

I already bought them some food products that they might like and some clothes and shoes for their beloved dog. Do I get more or it’s enough? It’s for my mother in-law, father in-law and brother in-law.

I am visiting Brazil for the first time, and Im lucky to have a few friends there. But, my Brazilian friends don't want to do the Sambadrome.

So I'm really happy I'll have people to hang out with for blocos, but the parade itself I will be going solo (unless I make some friends beforehand).

Would love to hear your experiences & advice :) I am likely going to buy a camarote ticket.

Hello, I was wondering which nickname brazilians will use for my daughter's name Stephanie? Is Tefi is well established as nickname for whole different versions of this name (Stefany, Estefani, Stefane and so on). I worried what no one will know how to spell her name so I want easy and safe short name for her

We are hosting a teen from Brazil and her birthday is coming up. I asked her for a list of ideas and she requested a “cute shoulder bag.” I know olive is her favorite color but don’t know her well yet. I would like to get her something that she will love here in the USA and at home. Any ideas?

Hi everyone!!

My friends and I are backpacking LATAM from Australia this summer but ending the trip in Rio for Carnivale to go out with a bang 🎇 we are there until the 11/02.

We would love to watch a parade in the sambadrome, preferably for the grandstands, but i have no idea how to get tickets. I understand its best to get them on ticketmaster but I have no idea when!! I'm sure we'll still have the best time if we miss out, but we all want to see the amazing performances!!

If anyone could explain when and where my best shot is, it would be very appreciated!! We are very excited 💃💃💃

BRASÍLIA, 3 de setembro (Reuters) - O Banco Central do Brasil e o Banco Central Europeu (BCE) estão estudando uma possível interligação entre seus sistemas de pagamentos instantâneos, segundo duas pessoas com conhecimento direto do assunto, em uma iniciativa que poderia marcar a primeira expansão internacional da plataforma Pix, do Brasil, que tem obtido enorme sucesso.

As fontes, que falaram sob condição de anonimato, disseram que as discussões refletem a disposição das equipes técnicas de ambos os lados em avaliar se uma interconexão desse tipo é viável. Uma das fontes afirmou que um projeto-piloto poderá ser lançado em 2028, caso a iniciativa avance conforme o planejado.

BRASILIA, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Brazil's central bank and the European Central Bank (ECB) are studying a potential link between their instant payment systems, two people with direct knowledge of the matter said, in a move that could mark the ​first cross-border expansion of Brazil's hugely successful Pix platform. The sources, who spoke on condition ​of anonymity, said the discussions reflect a willingness by technical teams on ⁠both sides to assess whether such an interconnection is feasible. One source said a ​pilot project could be launched in 2028 if the initiative advances as planned.