Brazil with Kids: The Ultimate Family Travel Guide

Imagine snorkeling in the crystal-clear, turquoise waters of Bonito’s Rio da Prata surrounded by colorful schools of fish. Or, hiking through Chapada Diamantina, an expansive land of red-rock mesas and verdant slopes punctuated by towering waterfalls, subterranean rivers, and quartzite cave systems. These are just the beginning when it comes to the adventures that you and your family will experience in Brazil with kids.

You’ll also enjoy plenty of sun, sand, and samba along the beaches of Rio de Janeiro and an invigorating exploration of Afro-Brazilian culture in Salvador. From island hopping to Ilha Grande and Florianópolis to wildlife observation in the Pantanal, get ready for the Brazil family vacation of a lifetime.

Want to learn more about traveling Brazil as a family? Read on for our ultimate family travel guide.

Why You’ll Love Visiting Brazil with Kids

 

Brazil is known for its incredible landscapes, from the life-rich Amazonia to Iguaçu Falls, a thunderous convergence of 275 different waterfalls. But that’s not all. 95 percent of tourists who travel to Brazil can’t wait to return. What’s more, 98 percent of visitors rate Brazil’s legendary hospitality the best in the world. Coupled with a vibrant culture, delectable cuisine (including Brazilian BBQ), and gorgeous weather, get ready for an unforgettable family vacation. Find out more about what to do in Brazil on a family vacation.

Traveling to Brazil: When to Go

High Season: December through March, July, and Carnaval

Weather: A year-round destination, Brazil’s temperatures rarely dip below 20°C (68°F), apart from in the mountains and southern regions. A large nation, the climate varies from hot and dry in the arid interior to humid and sticky in the tropical rainforests of the Amazon jungle.

National Holidays: Carnaval is a six-day festival that begins on the Friday afternoon before Ash Wednesday. Brazil sees ramped up crowds roughly one week before Christmas until one week after Carnaval. A lively time of year, many Brazilian families go on vacation during this season. What’s more, the greatest influx of tourists arrive.

Brazil Family Adventure: FAQs

Capital: Brasilia

Time: Brazil has three time zones. But more than half of Brazil is in what is called the Brazil Eastern Time Zone or the Brasilia Time Zone (GMT/UTC -3) including the Brazilian states most visited by travelers. The other time zone most visitors encounter in Brazil is the Western Time Zone (GMT/UTC -4 hours).

Language: Portuguese

Voltage: Brazil uses both 110 v in the cities and 220 v along the coast.

Adapter: Type N for US appliances

Visas for Brazil

Contact your nearest Brazilian embassy or consulate for up-to-date visa information based on your nationality.

If you hold a passport from the United States, Canada, Japan, or Australia, the Brazilian government recently announced visa-free travel. The new policy takes effect on June 17, 2019. For those traveling to Brazil who are nationals of countries not listed above, you must still go through the visa process.

If you do need a visa, we recommend iVisa’s visa service for peace of mind. Read on to find out more about visa requirements for Brazil: Mark Your Calendars: Visa-Free Travel to Brazil Begins June 17th.

Health & Vaccinations

Before every trip, make sure you and your family are up-to-date on routine immunizations including measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your yearly flu shot. All visitors should have travel insurance that covers medical expenses. Vaccinations for Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Yellow Fever are also recommended. Check with your doctor before travel.

Getting There

The main international airports are Galeao International Airport (GIG) in Rio de Janeiro and Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) in São Paulo.

For a trip into the Amazon, the Eduardo Gomes International Airport (MAO) serves Manaus, Brazil, and you can get direct flights from the US (Miami) via American Airlines and LATAM Airlines Brasil. For a vacation to Bahia, the Deputado Luís Eduardo Magalhães International Airport (SSA) serves Salvador.

During the high season in Brazil, which runs from December through March, airplane tickets into Brazil and lodging prove most expensive. This season peaks with Carnaval. If you’re looking to save as well as avoid crowds, consider a Brazil family vacation between May and September. The one exception to the rule is July, a Brazilian holiday month.

Flight time from Miami to Manaus: approximately 5 hours

Flight time from Miami to Salvador: approximately 8 hours

Currency in Brazil

We recommend that you use ATMs or only exchange at places authorized by the Brazilian Central Bank (BCB). Brazil’s currency is known as the real (pronounced “he-al”). Symbolized with the R$ sign. the country doesn’t accept other currency types. Visitors can exchange up to $3,000 USD.

Most establishments also accept international credit and debit cards. But use extra care when using credit cards and debit cards. Scams have been reported. To stay safe, only use well-known financial institutions and indoor ATMs wherever possible.

What to Eat in Brazil

Ready for a smorgasbord of delectable food choices? Then, Brazil’s the perfect country for you. From Brazil’s renowned take on barbecue to delicious street food, you’ve got almost endless options. Read on to find out more about Brazil’s must-try food for kids:

• Brazilian Street Foods: What to Eat When Traveling with Kids
• 6 Brazilian Foods You Must Try

Safety in Brazil

Criminal activity proves more common in certain parts of Brazil such as its borderlands (except for Pantanal and Iguacu National Park) and impoverished inner-city areas. Avoiding public buses is also recommended by the US government. As with any location that you’re visiting while at home or abroad, remain aware of your surroundings and stay vigilant. Don’t venture out after dark and use common sense. For more information on safety during your Brazil family vacation, read on.

What to Wear in Brazil 

Brazil can be hot and humid because of its proximity to the Equator. Think muted colors and wrinkle-free fabrics that can be easily washed out in the sink when packing. Quick-dry fabrics are also your friends. Although counterintuitive, don’t forget a couple of long sleeve shirts and pants and always opt for loose-fitting clothes in breathable fabrics. Don’t forget comfortable walking shoes that can handle short hikes through the rainforest or trips to scenic waterfalls. For more on what to bring, check out our ultimate pack-and-go checklist.

Adventure Awaits Your Family in Brazil

• From Sushi to Carnaval: A Cultural Guide to Family Vacations in Brazil
• Rio with Kids
• 8 Interesting Facts About Brazil

The Best of Brazil’s Bahia

• Traveling Brazil with Kids: The Waterfalls of Chapada Diamantina
• Brazilian Adventure: Visiting a Quilombo
• Things to Do in Brazil: A Capoeira and Drums Class

The Brazilian Amazon

 

What’s it like to travel into the heart of the Brazilian Amazon? Check out our latest articles:

• 8 Interesting Facts about the Amazon Rainforest
• The Rainforest for Kids: 3 Books Your Kids Will Adore

What Travel Bloggers Have to Say About Our Trips

 

Ready for a Brazil family vacation with Our Whole Village? Check out our latest reviews from top family travel bloggers:

• Venture in the Wilds on a Brazilian Amazon River Cruise with Our Whole Village by Keryn Means for Walking On Travels
• The Amazon Rainforest with Kids: A Magical (Unplugged) Expedition by Eric Stoen for Travel Babbo
• A Life-Changing Amazon Rainforest Adventure with Our Whole Village by Laurel Perry for Ciao Bambino
• A Mother-Son Trip in the Brazilian Amazon with Our Whole Village by Keryn Means for Travel Age West
• What to Know Before You Book a Trip to Brazil with Our Whole Village by Keryns Means for Walking On Travels

An Adventure That’ll Make the World a Better Place

At Our Whole Village, we specialize in family travel with a purpose. What does this mean for you and your family? We carefully consider the consequences our journeys have on local communities and the environment. We work hard to ensure that your next exhilarating, authentic, immersive journey with us has a positive impact, too.

How? By working with a variety of local charities and organizations that give back to local communities. In Brazil, these include the Almerinda Malaquias Foundation (FAM) and the VivAmazonia School. We also carefully select the eco-friendly businesses and hotels with which we work to lessen our “footprint.” The result? A brighter future for these destinations. Check out these articles to read more about our “kind” approach to tourism.

• Family Adventures that Change the World
• How to Teach Ethical Travel to Our Kids

Book a Family Holiday to Brazil

When it comes to traveling with us, we take care of the logistics so that you can relax and focus on making lasting memories with your family. Then, get ready for a life-changing adventure that you and your kids will cherish for a lifetime.

Contrary to popular belief, travel with kids doesn’t have to be stressful. We’ve worked hard to craft our Brazil family adventures so that they appeal to every member of your family. We’ve also removed the guesswork. That means we’ve got everything covered from pick up (and drop off) at the airport to hotel accommodations, excursions, meals, and more.

We partner with local companies to build the perfect all-inclusive experiences for curious, adventurous families. We’ll manage every detail of your Brazil trip so that you can sit back and get your relax on. Contact us now to discuss the perfect Brazilian getaway for your family. 

Ready for Your Brazil Family Adventure?

Ready to learn more about a family getaway to Brazil? Join us on an 8-day Brazil Family Adventure to Chapada Diamantina and Salvador, an immersive, authentic way to experience all that Brazil’s rich culture has to offer. Or, find out more about our Amazon river cruise departures, the perfect unplugged vacation into the heart of the rainforest. 

At Our Whole Village, we create transformational trips for curious families who want to create lasting memories while making a difference. We’re here to help you and your family experience the world, its peoples, and its cultures. Contact us today to learn more about the unforgettable experiences that we handcraft for curious families just like yours.

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