Essential summer travel hacks for Brazil

Beautiful sunshine, brilliant beaches and bustling cities, Brazil is a dream destination for all types of travellers. Whether you’re looking to explore the sights, sounds and sensations of Rio or trek through the dense greenery of the Amazon rainforest, these summer travel hacks will have your choice of adventure covered.

Here’s a quick round-up of tips to get you started on your Brazilian adventure.

• Book smarter – use Booking.com’s flights price alert feature to track fare drops and get the best deals by receiving personalised notifications for your chosen routes and dates. Consider booking flights with flexible fares so you can change your travel dates without high fees, giving you the freedom to change plans.
• Use local transport – hop on city buses in places like Rio and São Paulo or glide between towns in the Amazon region by river taxi.
• Discover adventure activities – from paragliding over Rio’s iconic coastline to snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters of Fernando de Noronha, get on Brazil’s wild side.
• Immerse yourself culturally – catch a football match at a legendary stadium or try your hand at a capoeira workshop in cities like Salvador or Recife.
• Experience nightlife – dance the night away at samba clubs in Rio’s Lapa district and feast on late-night bites at street food markets in São Paulo.
• Explore hidden gems – venture beyond the tourist trail and explore places like the secluded beaches of Bahia or the breathtaking trails of Tijuca National Park.

Brazil rewards the spontaneous. One day you’re sipping coconut water in Copacabana, the next you’re off chasing waterfalls in Tijuca National Park. Whether it’s a last-minute detour or a flight shuffle, flexibility lets you follow the rhythm of the trip.

Get the best fare with flights price alerts

If you're not watching flight prices in real time, you're probably not getting the best fare. Booking.com’s flights price alert takes the guesswork out of when to book. Just add your Brazil trip dates and get notified when fares drop and rise. Available to Genius users booking through the Booking.com app, this is one of the smartest summer travel tips out there, especially when deals can come and go within hours during the high season.

Use the flexible flight fares feature

Plans can shift, especially when you're travelling across time zones or weaving in multiple destinations. Flexible flight fares on Booking.com let you change your flight with far less stress. 

Change your flight time or date up to 24 hours before your departure time on selected airfares. This way you can travel with the same airline and route you originally planned, and you’ll only have to pay for the fare difference, if there is any.

It's perfect for summer travel in Brazil, where changed plans can lead to the best stories.

When travelling in Brazil, embrace local ways to get around for a truly authentic experience. From hopping on colourful city buses weaving through Rio and São Paulo’s bustling streets to cruising the Amazon by river taxi, these transport options are as much about the journey as the destination.

See more via city buses

City buses can be a maze to navigate, even in one’s own city. But thankfully, big cities like Rio and São Paulo have reliable (and cheap) public buses. Use apps like Moovit or Google Maps in transit mode to plan your routes. While some ticket machines accept cards, always have small change ready. And be prepared to hop off quickly – drivers aren’t known to linger.

Tips for using river taxis and boat tours

Travelling to Brazil's Amazon region? In these parts, river taxis aren’t just transport, they’re a way of life. These small boats zip between remote towns and hidden spots, offering a front-row seat to the jungle.

Along the coast, boat tours pull double duty: getting you from A to B while treating you to stunning views of the shoreline. Always ask locals for the best operators and best travel times – or do your own research – so you always get the safest, smoothest ride.

Adrenaline lovers can take to the skies in a tandem paragliding experience or get up close to marine life in the country’s many picture-perfect islands surrounded by reefs. Whether you’re catching the breeze or diving into an underwater paradise, Brazil’s wild slide will deliver.

Paragliding over Rio

Nothing quite says, “I’ve been to Rio”, like paragliding over the city’s stunning coastline. It’s the ultimate way to get a bird’s-eye view of the city’s natural and human-made beauty. Launch from Pedra Bonita and glide over Ipanema, Leblon and the awe-inspiring Christ the Redeemer statue.

Aim for early morning flights when the winds are calmer and the skies are clearer. Plus, you’ll beat the crowds and get the best light for photos. Unless you’re an experienced paraglider, make sure to book your tandem experience in advance to secure your spot, since this is a wildly popular thing to do in Rio.

Snorkelling at Fernando de Noronha

Live out your mermaid – or Cast Away – dreams at the sun-kissed beaches of Fernando de Noronha. This remote archipelago boasts crystal-clear waters filled with sea turtles, rays and a vibrant reef teeming with life.

It’s a true bucket-list spot, which makes it a huge draw for tourists. To protect this wonder of nature, visitor numbers are capped to protect its pristine environment. Booking early is a must, and spots can fill up months in advance. Consider booking a full-day tour of Fernando de Noronha for a guaranteed chance at seeing the islands. For a smooth experience, pack reef-safe sunscreen and a waterproof camera and be ready to dive into some of Brazil’s best-kept secrets beneath the waves.

Dive into the soul of the country, where football isn’t just a game, it’s a religion. Then, test your dexterity and grace in a capoeira class – part martial art, part dance, totally fun.

Attending a futebol match

Besides holding the record for the most World Cup wins, Brazil has competed in every World Cup tournament and produced more professional footballers than anywhere else. Put simply, when it comes to football, Brazil doesn’t come to play. More religion than sport to most fans, attending a football match in Brazil will set a new bar for any viewing experience.

Grab tickets to a match at Maracanã Stadium in Rio or Allianz Parque in São Paulo. Even if you're not a sports fan, the atmosphere is electric and deeply cultural. It’s one of the best summer travel ideas for Brazil.

Take part in a capoeira workshop

If you’re able to, trying a capoeira workshop is an absolute must while on your Brazil trip. This unique art form is a vibrant blend of dance, martial arts and music. It’s essentially a full-body celebration of Brazilian heritage.

Head to cities like Salvador or Recife, where beginner-friendly capoeira classes are widely available and locals are eager to share this fun experience. Not only will you get a workout unlike any other, but you’ll also connect with the rhythm and history that make Brazil so special.

Plus, capoeira is a fantastic way to meet new people, immerse yourself in local culture and impress your friends back home with moves they’d want to learn too.

When the sun sets in Brazil, the real party begins. From the pulsating samba beats in Rio’s iconic Lapa district to the buzzing street food markets of São Paulo, Brazil’s nightlife is a vibrant mix of dance and deliciousness. The night scene here is all about soaking up local rhythms and flavours, so here’s how to enjoy your Brazil trip after dark.

Finding the best samba clubs

Very few experiences beat samba on summer evenings, as the sights and sounds of the Lapa district stir the senses. This is the city’s premier nightlife hub, and many clubs offer an unforgettable mix of live samba music, colourful décor and a lively crowd that keeps the energy buzzing all night long.

Expect a festive atmosphere filled with dancing and plenty of opportunities to join in. To save time and skip the queues, consider arriving around 23:00 before the crowd peaks after midnight. Dress smart-casual to blend in with the locals and get ready for an authentic, upbeat Brazilian night out.

Not familiar with samba? Consider taking a samba dance class from an actual carnival queen. After all, when in Rio…

Visiting late-night street food markets

You haven't really travelled in Brazil until you've had a pastel at 02:00. These crispy, golden fried pastries are addictive as they are good. In São Paulo, Praça Roosevelt transforms into a bustling late-night hotspot, where food stalls serve up delicious local treats alongside refreshing drinks.

To make the most of your experience, arrive around 22:00 or 23:00 to avoid the busiest crowds and enjoy snacks like coxinha (chicken croquettes), acarajé (black-eyed pea fritters) and queijo coalho (grilled cheese on a stick). It’s the perfect way to soak up the local vibe and fuel your salsa-dancing summer nights in Brazil.

Like with any trip, the real magic often lies beyond the well-trodden paths. From the serene shores of Praia do Espelho in Bahia to the rugged dunes of Ilha Grande’s Lopes Mendes beach, you’ll find that these hidden gems offer a quieter, more relaxed and authentic slice of the country’s nature. Exploring these spots means trading crowds for calm, but it will leave you refreshed and in awe of Brazil’s tranquil beauty.

Discover lesser-known beaches

Beyond the famous Copacabana and Ipanema, Brazil hides some real beach treasures perfect for escaping the crowds. Take Praia do Espelho in Bahia, where turquoise waters meet dramatic cliffs. There are fewer tourists, fewer – or none, in some cases – souvenir shops. Expect total relaxation, save the occasional kitesurfer whizzing past. 

Or head to Praia de Lopes Mendes on Ilha Grande, a soft-sand beach reachable by a ride on a small boat and a short rainforest stroll. You can also book a boat tour of Ilha Grande and let your plans be taken care of by trusty locals.

To truly enjoy this place, plan your visit on a weekday to avoid the weekend rush. Aim for early mornings or stay later in the afternoon to see the beach in golden hour splendour.

Visiting Tijuca National Park

Tijuca National Park is a nature lover’s dream, boasting stunning waterfalls, mysterious caves and hiking trails that’ll get your heart pumping and your camera clicking.

It’s the perfect escape during your Brazil trip to somewhere quieter yet full of adventure. Enjoy the fresh air and a chance to reconnect with the ancient rainforest. In the summer, waterfall rappelling is a white-knuckle activity that’s perfect for bold hikers. Just pack a change of clothes, your hiking boots, bring plenty of water and get ready for some seriously breathtaking views.

Travelling to Brazil in summer is like rolling a die and wanting it to land on all six sides. You’ll want to see everything, experience even more and then do it all over again. With these summer travel hacks in your back pocket, you’ll hopefully be able to plan smarter and have a truly memorable time in Brazil.