Fascinating Facts

• Brazil has more species of monkeys than anywhere else in the world. 

• The world’s largest beach – 24,606 feet long - is in Brazil. 

• Brasilia, the country’s capital, was built in just 41 months.  

• During wet season, the Amazon River, which is the world’s largest, is up to 30 miles wide. 

Religion and Ethnic Groups

• Roman Catholic 64.6%, other Catholic 0.4%, Protestant 22.2%, other Christian 0.7%, Spiritist 2.2%, other 1.4%, none 8%, unspecified 0.4% (2010 est.)  

• White 47.7%, mulatto (mixed white and black) 43.1%, black 7.6%, Asian 1.1%, indigenous 0.4% (2010 est.) 

Greetings 

• The most common greeting is a handshake. Among friends a hug is common. 

• Women usually give the person they are greeting light kisses on both cheeks. 

• In a group or social setting, the person arriving is expected to greet everyone first. You’re also expected to say goodbye to everyone before you leave. 

General Social Etiquette 

• It’s quite common for Brazilians to cut lines. This is tolerated if the person further back believes they are more important than others in line, or they know someone who can assist with jumping the line.  

• Brazilians are not punctual. When visiting a Brazilian home, arrive 15-30 minutes after the designated time. 

• Coffee is a symbol of hospitality and, when offered, you shouldn’t turn it down. 

• If invited to a Brazilian home, bring flowers or a small gift for the hostess. 

• Avoid giving gifts that are sharp, such as scissors, that may be interpreted as a desire to sever ties. Also avoid giving gifts that are purple or wrapped in purple--a color associated with mourning. 

• Avoid discussing or debating politics, poverty or religion, and expressing opinions that are critical of government or society. 

• Avoid being sarcastic or mocking during conversations. Brazilians are generally optimistic and light-hearted and it is highly possible that wit or irony may be misunderstood. Light and inoffensive humor plays a larger part in Brazilian conversation. 

Eating 

• Brazilians look down on eating food with their hands and even use utensils for pizza. For other finger foods, use napkins or toothpicks to pick up the food. 

• Leaving food on your plate or taking more food than you can eat is considered rude, as is eating while walking. When at a juice bar or snack stand, people will remain standing until they finish.  

• When offered food, if you say “Thank you,” this will be interpreted as “No, thank you and seen as rudely refusing.”  

Getting Around

The metro is one of the easiest ways to get around major cities like Rio and São Paulo and are generally cleaner and safer than local buses. However, the metro doesn’t operate at night. Beware of any tickets sold on the street, since they’re likely to be fake. Always buy your tickets at the metro station. 

Taxis are also an inexpensive way to get around and a safe option when traveling at night. To ensure you get into a licensed taxi, it’s better to avoid hailing one off the street. Instead, call for one or pick one up at a taxi stop. 

Driving in Brazil can be a stressful and daunting experience due to road conditions in rural or remote inland areas, heavy traffic and, most importantly, reckless driving behavior such as tailgating. Talking on your cell phone is prohibited, and you’re not allowed to wear flip flops while driving. 

If you are in Brazil for less than 6 months your national driver's license is valid, but it’s best to get an International Driving Permit. 

For long-distance travel, domestic flights are the best option, although they can be quite expensive. Buses service most areas of the country. However, they’re slow and are known to breakdown often. 

Key Phrases

Hello: Olá  

Goodbye: Tchau (informal); Adeus (formal) 

Good morning: Bom dia 

Good afternoon: Boa tarde. 

Goodnight: Boa noite 

How are you?:  Tudo bem? 

How’s it going?: Como vai? 

I'm good, how are you: Eu estou bem, e você/e tú?  

I am pleased to meet you: É um prazer conhecê-lo.  

Nice to meet you: Prazer.  

See you later: Até logo!  

Have a nice day! Tem um bom dia. 

See you tomorrow: Até amanhã  

Please: Por favor 

Thank you: Obrigada (Note that obrigado is said by men and boys; obrigada is the feminine counterpart that women and girls would use.)            

You’re welcome: De nada 

Excuse me: Com licença  

Forgive me: Perdão  

Friend: Amigo (masculine); Amiga (feminine) 

I don't understand: Não entendo.  

Could you speak more slowly?: Pode falar mais devagar?  

I understand perfectly: Comprendo perfeitamente. 

I don’t know: Eu não sei. 

I’m sorry: Desculpa