South America travel is booming. What you need to know about visiting Brazil
I don't know that I was adequately prepared for my visit to Brazil - is anyone?
Home to over 70 National Parks, Carnival and of course, the Amazon Rainforest, Brazil is not only gargantuan, its landscape is varied.
And South America is shaping up to be one of the hottest destinations for Aussie travellers in 2025, according to new booking insights from Intrepid Travel.
Of course, having spent a couple of weeks traversing the country (first lesson: two weeks doesn't even touch the sides), there are some lessons I'm keen to share before you head off on a Brazilian adventure of your own.
South America is shaping up to be one of the hottest destinations for Aussie travellers in 2025. Getty
READ MORE: The best time to go skiing in Australia this winter has been revealed
Be wary of everyone and everything
There's no point in sugarcoating things; crime is prevalent across Brazil, particularly in large cities like Rio De Janeiro, and you will need to think carefully about your safety every time you leave your hotel.
It goes without saying that you'll need to leave anything of value behind (no jewellery or flashy clothes please), lock your car door the minute you get in, and avoid walking anywhere by yourself - particularly at night. Be mindful too, of the ATMs.
I used an ATM at the airport with a security guard stationed out the front and my card got skimmed. Adding insult to injury, the concierge at my hotel also stole my credit card details and emptied that account too.
READ MORE: Best hotels in the world have been crowned for 2025
Copacabana Beach is only one coastal highlight. Getty
Brazil is so much than its beaches
Copacabana Beach might be playing on your mind, but remember that it's just one of over 2,000 beaches dotted around Brazil's coastline.
Obviously there's the Amazon Rainforest and Pantanel, not to mention Iguazu Falls, one of the world's largest waterfalls, but nature lovers will also find staggering dunes and natural swimming pools in Ceara and Maranhao and the vast savannahs of Jalapao.
READ MORE: Does clearing your Search history actually get you cheaper flights?
You can eat cake for breakfast
Look, buttered toast and cereal will always have their place, but who can say no to starting the day the Brazilian way with a little cake for breakfast?
You'll find variations of our favourite comfort food at any good breakfast table, but common cakes include bolo de fuba, pound cake and coffee cake. Don't worry, you'll find all the usual fruits and breads as well, but it's nice to know you have options (and that indulging in them daily is free of judgement).
Some Portuguese is helpful
Don't know your obrigado from your por favor? While we're not expecting a Duolingo masterclass in the lead up to your trip, learning a few phrases and key words will prove useful - particularly if you plan on travelling outside the touristic areas where English isn't commonly spoken. At the very least, download Google Translate - unless you're going as part of a group tour, you're going to need it.
The R is actually pronounced H
Completely ruining Duran Duran's 1982 hit Rio for me is the fact that any time a word begins with the letter R, it makes a H sound which means Rio is actually pronounced Hio.
Safety is a big concern especially in large cities like Rio. Getty
Piranhas are your friend (almost)
Forget all those horror movies which show super aggressive piranha skinning humans to the bone within moments of entering the water.
There's no doubt about it, they bite and when they do, it's deep and unpleasant, but nothing quite like Hollywood would have you believe. Enjoy those Pantanel cruises with pleasure and maybe also stop thinking about the anaconda.
Christ the Redeemer is fleeting
Fun fact: Rio can be super foggy - so much so that the iconic 30-metre Christ the Redeemer statue is often hidden behind a thick layer and whether or not you get to see the statue in all its glory is down to dumb luck.
The same goes for whatever views you're expecting at the top of Sugarloaf Mountain. Be prepared that it may not pan out quite like you'd hoped and that you may have to rely on other people's holiday photos.
The country offers plenty of stunning views. Getty Images/iStockphoto
The Pantanal is just as spectacular as the Amazon
The Amazon might steal all the limelight, but don't let those column inches blind you to the sheer wonder of the Pantanal, the world's tropical wetland. Spanning more than 42 million acres and encompassing four separate areas brimming with wildlife which are easier to spot in the wide open spaces.
Highlights include jaguar spotting during a night safari, horse riding, river cruising and yes, cooking the piranha you have fished yourself (if that's your thing). Wildlife is best spotted during the dry season (May to September).
And finally, if you get a chance, be sure to visit Ouro Preto, a spectacular colonial town in eastern Brazil which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you can visit churches with intricate Baroque art, hike scenic mountains and learn about the Gold Rush era as you relax in what could be one of the most charming towns in the country.
Best time to visit South America
The best time to visit South America depends on the specific region and activities you're interested in, but generally, the dry season (April to October) is ideal for trekking and exploring the highlands. However, the Amazon and other tropical regions can be enjoyed year-round, each season offering a unique experience.
For Brazil specifically, the best time to go is generally between December and March during the summer months. This period offers warm, sunny weather, ideal for exploring beaches, cities, and experiencing Carnival.
