Explore Brazil
Samba, sun, and soul — dive into a country bursting with color and warmth.
Brazil is a land of extraordinary natural beauty, infectious music, and warm, welcoming people. From the Amazon rainforest to the beaches of Rio, the country pulses with energy. Brazilians are famously friendly and will go out of their way to help travelers who make an effort with Portuguese.
Quick facts
Essential phrases
All phrasesCultural norms
All tipsGreetings are warm and physical
GreetingsBrazilians are extremely affectionate in their greetings. Expect a kiss on each cheek (or one in São Paulo, two in Rio) even when meeting someone for the first time. Men often hug and slap each other on the back. A cold or distant greeting can come across as rude.
It's Portuguese, not Spanish
LanguageBrazil is the only Portuguese-speaking country in South America, and Brazilians are proud of their language. Addressing them in Spanish can be taken as disrespectful. Even basic Portuguese — "obrigado" (thank you), "por favor" (please) — is warmly appreciated.
Rodízio dining is an experience
DiningBrazilian churrascarias (steakhouses) use a rodízio system where servers bring endless rounds of grilled meat to your table. Flip your card to green for more, red to stop. Pace yourself — the best cuts often come later. The salad bar is also excellent and worth exploring first.
Tipping guide
Full guideA 10% service charge is usually included in restaurant bills. Additional tipping is not expected but appreciated for exceptional service.
Restaurants
10%
Most restaurants add a "taxa de serviço" (10% service charge) to the bill. Paying it is technically optional but customary. Check your bill — if included, no additional tip is needed.
Bars & beach vendors
Round up or R$1–5
At bars, rounding up is appreciated. Beach vendors selling drinks or snacks do not expect tips, but rounding up is a nice gesture.
Taxis & ride-shares
Round up
Tipping taxi drivers is not expected. Rounding up to the nearest real is sufficient. For ride-share apps, you can tip in the app.
Hotel staff
R$5–10
Tip bellhops R$5–10 per bag. Housekeeping R$5/night is appreciated. Doormen who hail taxis appreciate R$2–5.
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