Occupying a sizeable slice of South America, Brazil is simply larger than life. It features the all-important Amazon rainforest, the famous Carnaval de Rio and the lively cities of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo— all in a country bursting with culture and begetting adventure. Let its spirited soundtrack fuel a rhythmic journey between paradisiac beaches and wild mountains. Keep an eye out for the country's colourful wildlife as you try and keep up the pace.
Mood: vacation favourites
Visit Brazil: get started
Prepping for a trip to Brazil? Pack for adventure and pick between its most exciting cities: beachfront Rio de Janeiro and bustling São Paulo. Best places to visit in Brazil? Epic national parks like Iguazu National Park with its Iguazu Falls or Serra dos Órgãos National Park and its rocky peaks! Start here, by checking out our new tours which highlight the lush Amazonian city of Manaus and ocean resort town of Búzios or book hotels in Brazil’s best cities with our Flight & Hotel packages.
Brazil travel guide
Destination facts
Language
Portuguese
When to visit
We recommend going from April to October, when the weather is cooler and there are fewer crowds. The peak season is from December to March when it’s hot and sunny.
What to bring back
A bottle of the sugar-cane spirit called cachaça, iconic Havaianas flip-flops, a Brazil football jersey, a Christ the Redeemer statuette, a canga (colourful beach cover-up), Brazilian coffee, samba outfits (especially during Carnival!) and colourful handmade crafts like wood-carved sculptures and the hammocks you can find everywhere.
What to eat
Barbecued meats, feijoada (a hearty beef, pork and black bean stew), pão de queijo (cheese bread), anything with açaí (a superfood berry from the Amazon), acarajé (deep-fried black bean patties) desserts like quindim (coconut flan) and brigadeiro (chocolate truffles) and the refreshing sugar-cane based caipirinha cocktail.
Fun fact
A land of incredible bio-diversity bursting with natural resources, Brazil gets its name from its national tree, the brazilwood or paubrasilia. The name was given to this country by Portuguese colonialists in the 16th century, because they would export the trees to Europe where the textile industry used them to dye clothing a dark red. It was a common practice for Europeans to name new lands after the resources found there, plus it was much catchier than the previous name… Terra de Santa Cruz (Land of the Holy Cross).
Important info
For more information on all necessary travel documents and more, check Air Canada’s Travel Requirements page and the Government of Canada’s Travel and Tourism website.
Experience our Brazil tour packages
Unforgettable Brazil
Brazil • Rio de Janeiro • Búzios • Foz do Iguaçu
