COUNTRY GUIDE
Brazil
From the Amazon to the southern coast, many worlds in one country, better with company.
Working in São Paulo, studying in Rio or travelling for months: Unmapped helps you find your city, meet travelers, expats and locals, and join or start things together.
BASICS
Before you go.
- Language
- Portuguese
- English is limited outside international settings, so a translation app helps a lot.
- Currency
- Brazilian real (R$, BRL)
- Cards are accepted almost everywhere. Pix is widely used, but using it requires an eligible account with a participating institution.
- Time zones
- Four zones, most people on UTC−3
- Brasília time (UTC−3) covers the south, southeast and northeast, much of the Amazon is UTC−4. No daylight saving time.
- Power
- Type N plugs, 127 V or 220 V
- The voltage depends on the state and sometimes the city, so check before plugging in.
- Getting online
- eSIM, SIM or Wi-Fi
- Coverage is good in cities and can be patchy in rural areas and the Amazon.
- Emergency
- 190 police · 192 ambulance · 193 fire
- Free to call from any phone.
GETTING AROUND
Easy to move, once you know how.
Fly between regions
Distances are huge, and domestic flights are the usual way to travel between regions.
Long-distance buses
A large coach network links cities and towns, and overnight buses are common on long routes.
City transit
São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília and several other cities have metro lines, and ride-hailing apps are widely used.
Rivers in the Amazon
In much of the Amazon, rivers are the roads, and boats connect towns that no road reaches.
CITIES TO EXPLORE
Where to start.
A few very different places to begin. You can explore any city in Brazil through Unmapped. Search for it in the app.
Manaus
A large city in the middle of the Amazon, where the Rio Negro meets the Solimões, and a base for river trips.
Good for · Nature · River trips · Food
Find Manaus in the app (opens in a new tab)Salvador
Bahia's capital on the Atlantic, with a historic upper town, strong Afro-Brazilian culture and long beaches.
Good for · Culture · Music · Beaches
Find Salvador in the app (opens in a new tab)Brasília
The planned capital on the central plateau, known for modernist architecture and wide open spaces.
Good for · Architecture · Work · A slower pace
Find Brasília in the app (opens in a new tab)Rio de Janeiro
A city between mountains and the sea, with beach life, forested hills and neighbourhoods of very different moods.
Good for · Beaches · Outdoors · City life
Find Rio de Janeiro in the app (opens in a new tab)São Paulo
A vast, fast city and a business and food capital, with museums, parks and a big music scene.
Good for · Work · Food · Culture
Find São Paulo in the app (opens in a new tab)Florianópolis
A city on an island and the mainland, with lagoons, many beaches and a growing tech scene.
Good for · Beaches · Remote work · Surfing
Find Florianópolis in the app (opens in a new tab)
GOOD TO KNOW
Small things that help.
Every region is different
The south, the northeast and the Amazon feel very different in climate, food and the rhythm of the day.
Seasons
Seasons are reversed from the northern hemisphere, and the north is warm all year with a rainy season.
Paying
Almost everything can be paid by card or Pix, even at small stalls.
Late evenings
In many cities, dinner and nights out start late.
Greetings
Greetings are often warm. A handshake or a kiss on the cheek is common, depending on the region and the situation.
Tipping
Restaurants often add an optional service charge to the bill.
UNMAPPED IN BRAZIL
Arrive knowing someone.
Open your next city before you land, then use it every day you're there.
Meet people before you move
Open São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro or Florianópolis before you arrive and see who is here now, who is arriving and who lives there.
Ask the City Chat
Every city can have its own City Chat. Ask about neighbourhoods, coworking in São Paulo or where to find live music.
Join or host something
Find meetups and day trips, or host your own, like a hike above Rio, a food tour in São Paulo or a beach morning in Florianópolis.
Travel together
Share your route along the coast, or post a Buddy Plan for a weekend trip, a class or a night out.
FAQ
Questions about Unmapped in Brazil.
Can I use Unmapped outside Rio and São Paulo?
Yes. You can explore any city in Brazil through Unmapped, and every city can become a City Hub. The cities on this page are just a few places to start.
Can I find people to travel with?
Yes. Share your route as a trip, or post a Buddy Plan, and see who else is heading the same way.
Can locals use Unmapped too?
Yes. Unmapped is for travelers, expats and locals, and many good plans start with someone who already lives there.
Can I explore a city before I arrive?
Yes. Open your next city, see who is arriving, join the City Chat and share your travel plan before you land.
Do I need to speak Portuguese?
No. Unmapped is in English, and City Chats are a good place to ask for help or to find a language exchange.
Looking for another country? Search any city in the world.
Sources & information
Information last reviewed: October 2026Location data: GeoNames (opens in a new tab) (CC BY 4.0 (opens in a new tab))Map: Natural Earth (opens in a new tab)Photo: Davi Costa (opens in a new tab) / Unsplash (opens in a new tab)
Travel information can change. Please verify important information with official sources. Country guides are provided for general information and do not constitute legal, medical, immigration or other professional advice. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Unmapped is not liable for losses resulting from reliance on the information provided. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.
BRAZIL WITH UNMAPPED
Explore Brazil with Unmapped.
Find your city, meet people there and join or start something. Available on iPhone and Android.