WHAT IS THE LOCAL CURRENCY?

Brazilian Real (BRL). The exchange rate to the USD is about 5 to 1. As a result, visiting Brazil is generally affordable. Keep in mind that when booking hotels some rates may appear in BRL or USD, so it always makes sense to check! All places accept major credit cards, including many street / beach vendors (but not all).

WHAT ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS?

Starting in April of 2025, US citizens might will need a visa to visit Brazil, which must be obtained from a local embassy, consulate or visa center before traveling.

WHAT LANGUAGE IS SPOKEN IN BRAZIL

Portuguese. English is not widely spoken but Brazilians are notoriously friendly and helpful.

Some helpful phrases:

Hello – Olá / Oi.

How are you? – Tudo bom?

Nice to meet you – Prazer.

Goodbye – Tchau.

Sorry – Desculpa.

Please – Por favor.

Thank you – Obrigad(a/o) – if you are a man, say “obrigado”; if you are a woman, say “obrigada”.

WHAT IS THE VOLTAGE IN BRAZIL?

​

Brazil operates on a 110/220V supply voltage and 60Hz. The power supply may vary from state to state, Sao Paulo operates at 110V.

IS BRAZIL SAFE?

Yes. Brazil is visited by millions of people every year and Brazilians are renowned for their hospitality. That being said, we would advise our guests to take sensible precautions as they would when exploring any unfamiliar city; such as not taking expensive items when walking around.

HOW DO I GET AROUND IN SAO PAULO?

Sao Paulo is best explored by car. Most visitors will be better off not renting a car: Ubers are plentiful and cheap and driving in Sao Paulo can be an adventure! Certain areas of Sao Paulo are walkable (such as the area around Rua Oscar Freire and Paulista Avenue), however in general we would not advise walking without a local resident/guide/driver after dark. There is a Metro, which can be useful for reaching certain locations (such as Neo Quimica Arena).

WHAT WILL THE WEATHER BE LIKE?

Given its size, the climate in Brazil differs from the tropical North to the sub-tropical South. Our wedding will take place in the Brazilian autumn, meaning that Sao Paulo and the Southern parts of Brazil should see more mild, dry conditions with cooler evenings. However, the weather in Sao Paulo is often varied and the city can experience almost any kind of weather on any given day – so rest assured we will be prepared for all eventualities!

​​

​

WHAT IS THE LOCAL FOOTBALL TEAM? CAN I WATCH FOOTBALL DURING MY TRIP?

​

Sao Paulo has a rich footballing history and is home to several major football clubs. Most notably, the city is home to: two-time world champions, Corinthians; 2022 Brazilian champions, Palmeiras; and Sao Paulo FC. The nearby coastal city of Santos is home to the football club of the same name, best known for giving the world Pele. The Brazilian top division (known locally as the “Brasileiro” or officially as Serie A or the Campeonato de Brasil) takes place between mid-April and December.