Brazil has strong legal protections in major areas: same-sex marriage has been legal since 2013, and courts have extended protections against discrimination. Big cities (especially São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro) have vibrant queer scenes and world-famous Pride events. Social attitudes vary—urban areas are generally welcoming, while some smaller towns and rural areas are more conservative. We travel with situational awareness, avoid public displays of affection where it may attract attention, and use vetted, welcoming suppliers. Your Tour Leader will brief the group so the trip stays joyful and relaxed.
Overview
- Capital: Brasília. Major gateways: São Paulo – GRU (Guarulhos) and Rio de Janeiro – GIG (Galeão); domestic hub SDU (Santos Dumont) for Rio city flights; regional hubs include SSA (Salvador), CNF (Belo Horizonte), POA (Porto Alegre), REC (Recife), FOR (Fortaleza), MAO (Manaus).
- Language: Portuguese (Brazilian). English is used in tourism districts of major cities.
- Currency: Brazilian Real (BRL/R$). Cards widely accepted in cities; ATMs common (fees/limits vary). Carry small cash for markets/tips.
- VAT/Sales tax: Brazil uses state/federal taxes; no general VAT refund scheme for tourists on retail purchases.
- Power: Mainly 127V or 220V / 60Hz (varies by city/building). Plugs Type N (Brazilian three-pin) and Type C. Bring a universal adaptor and check device voltage.
- Water: Tap water is treated in big cities but many travellers prefer bottled; use bottled for brushing teeth outside top hotels.
- Driving: Right-hand driving. Distances are long; urban traffic can be heavy. Some rental firms may request an International Driving Permit—check before travel.
- Time: Predominantly UTC−3; Brazil currently does not observe daylight saving.
- Health: No mandatory vaccines for most travellers. Yellow Fever vaccine is recommended for some regions (incl. Amazon, parts of central/north); mosquito precautions advised (dengue/Zika risk).
- Local culture: Warm, expressive, and social. Casual-smart dress in cities; beach culture is relaxed. Ask before photos; bargaining is limited to markets (not shops).
- Food & drink: Feijoada, churrasco, moqueca, pão de queijo, fresh tropical fruit, brigadeiro, plus outstanding regional cuisines and caipirinhas. Vegetarians/vegans catered for on request. Legal drinking age 18.
Airfare
International flights
- Not included unless specifically stated.
- We’ll confirm the arrival/departure airport(s) (typically GRU or GIG). If your itinerary ends in a different region (e.g., Salvador, Manaus), consider an open-jaw ticket or add a domestic hop.
- Please wait for our written tour confirmation before booking personal international flights.
- Typical booking windows: best economy pricing ~3–5 months out; business class ~5–8 months.
- Check baggage rules carefully—some regional fares are hand-luggage only unless you add a bag.
- Want us to handle it? We can book and ticket your international flights (service fee applies), align schedules to the land itinerary, share fare options, and assist if airlines adjust timings.
Domestic / regional flights (within your itinerary)
- Where used, they’re usually included (unless otherwise stated) and ticketed in economy class.
- Allowances follow the operating carrier; details appear on your final docs.
- These fares are subject to change until ticketed due to airport/government taxes and exchange-rate movements; any increases/refunds will be communicated promptly.
Good to know: Names must exactly match passports; aim to check in 3 hours before international and 90 minutesbefore domestic departures.
Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory—medical cover, trip cancellation/curtailment, lost property and any paid-for activities. Ensure your policy covers domestic flight disruptions, Amazon/remote travel, and medical evacuation if visiting remote regions.
Tour Leader
Afrigay trips are hosted by Mike or a trusted Tour Leader, with licensed local specialist guides in each region (Rio, São Paulo, Salvador, Amazon, Iguazu). Your leader manages logistics, check-ins, safety briefings, day pacing and the thoughtful touches that make a trip feel special.
Travelling Alone
Solo travellers are very welcome. You can:
- Room solo (single supplement applies), or
- Opt to share—we’ll try to pair you with a traveller of similar profile to avoid the supplement. If we can’t match you, we’ll offer the best single rate available.
Meals
Inclusions vary by itinerary and are shown on the What’s included tab. We aim to include a Welcome Dinner and a Farewell Dinner so the group connects at the start and celebrates at the end. Not all meals are included—we leave space to explore neighbourhood gems. We happily cater for vegan/vegetarian, gluten-free and other needs—please advise in advance.
Optional Activities
Only the activities listed as Included on your trip page are part of your package. Anything else is optional and not included.
If you’d like extras, we can arrange them at additional cost—before travel or on tour—subject to availability, season, weather and any minimum numbers. Optional add-ons are usually paid direct to suppliers; if we pre-book, they’ll appear on your invoice. Your insurance must cover any optional activity you choose.
Tipping Protocol
Tipping is modest in Brazil and always at your discretion. Many restaurants add a 10% service charge (“serviço”)—if it’s added, no extra tip is expected; if not, ~10% is appreciated.
- Restaurants/Bars: 10% if not already included.
- Taxis/e-hailing: round up.
- Hotel porters: around R$5–10 per bag (~US$1–2).
- Housekeeping: R$5–10 per room per night (~US$1–2).
- Local guide/driver (day touring): R$50–100 per person per day (~US$10–20, group-size dependent).
- Tour Leader (multi-day Afrigay host): US$5–10 per person per day—aligned with common global norms.
Your Tour Leader will brief you on any hotel/restaurant service charges already added.
What to Bring
- Passport & copies, visas/eVisa (if required), insurance details.
- Bank cards and some BRL cash; notify your bank of travel.
- Adaptors (Type N/C), power bank, unlocked phone for eSIM/SIM.
- Light layers (tropics can be hot/humid; southern regions cooler in winter); a rain jacket for summer showers.
- Comfortable walking shoes, swimwear, sun protection (hat, high SPF, sunglasses), insect repellent.
- Personal meds and a small first-aid kit.
We’ll send a tour-specific packing cue sheet with your final documents.
LGBTQ+ Information
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Additional Information
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Rights Reserved
We may make reasonable changes to the itinerary, accommodation, transport or sequencing when required by weather, safety, governmental advice, availability or operational factors. Equivalent or higher-quality services will be substituted where possible. Afrigay Travel and partners operate within Brazilian law and industry standards (and applicable international standards); participation implies acceptance of our full Terms & Conditions issued at booking.