| If you are considering exploring South America, Brazil | | | | Brazil in the end of February. |
| should be at the top of your list. Brazil is an absolute | | | | One problem that Brazil tends to bring up for |
| blast for backpackers given the friendly people and | | | | backpackers is the large distances between cities and |
| very happy attitude of the culture. | | | | regions. This is not a country that is easily seen on foot |
| Brazil has become a hot destination for many young | | | | or even by bus or train. Most of the inner sites in Brazil |
| travelers wishing to see a different sort of culture and | | | | require plane transport, and you can find some |
| climate. Where many college age people of former | | | | discount airlines that leave from some of the bigger |
| generations would spend their summer vacations | | | | cities in Brazil. It's also important to take a good guide |
| trekking across Europe, today many Americans and | | | | book with you that includes plenty of maps, books |
| Europeans spend that time in Brazil. While Brazil is | | | | such as those by Lonely Planet tend to be the most |
| generally considered to be a friendly and | | | | accurate and up to date. You will also want to be |
| accommodating country to visitors, it's important to | | | | prepared for the extreme weather and heat that is |
| take a few steps to assure that your trip will be a | | | | common in Brazil. Remember, the Amazon River is |
| pleasant one. | | | | located in this country and rainforests abound. That |
| The main language spoken in Brazil is Portuguese, | | | | sounds romantic, but dehydration can be a major issue |
| unlike the Spanish spoken in the rest of South | | | | as can heat stroke. |
| America. If you take the time to learn a few key | | | | If you enjoy the beach life, Brazil is definitely for you. |
| phrases in Portuguese, the people will be even friendlier | | | | You can spend days on the beach in hotspots such |
| as well as patient with the language barrier. You will | | | | as Rio de Janeiro. This is by far the touristiest area of |
| need a visa to spend time in Brazil. For United States | | | | the country, so try to get out and about to other areas. |
| citizens, that will cost you $100 (free for Europeans!). | | | | Salvador da Bahia and Recife are worth a visit. Sau |
| You will also need about $35 a day to live on while in | | | | Paolo and Brasilia are not so hot and probably should |
| Brazil. Your best bet is not to visit during December | | | | be avoided. Remembering to bring all of your |
| through February, as this is summer in Brazil and prices | | | | necessities with you, including enough money to get |
| tend to go up when the country goes on vacation. If | | | | along and your passport, as well as an open mind will |
| you want to be in the country for Carnival, however, | | | | make your trip to Brazil a memorable and interesting |
| you'll need to spend the extra money and travel to | | | | journey. |