Travel tips · Rio de Janeiro · Brazil
Rio de Janeiro travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Rafael Rabello de Barros, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Cariocas are informal, warm and expressive: friends greet with kisses on the cheek, plans are flexible and social life moves outdoors to the beach and the boteco. Portuguese is the language, and while Spanish is partly understood, a few words of Portuguese are appreciated far more.
Key facts
- Language
- Portuguese
- Currency
- BRL
- Plugs
- Type N (and older Type C) sockets; mostly 127 V in Rio, with some 220 V outlets
- Tap water
- Tap water is treated, but locals and visitors generally drink filtered or…
- Emergency
- 190 police, 192 ambulance, 193 fire
Things to know
- Lay a canga (sarong) on the sand rather than a towel; it is what locals do and it dries fast.
- Swimwear is normal along the beachfront, but cover up with a shirt and shorts in shops, restaurants and away from the sea.
- Social plans start late and loosely, but tours, flights and shows run on time.
- Join in the applause when the sun sets at Arpoador; it is a local ritual.
- Ask before photographing people, especially in favelas and at religious ceremonies.
- The OK hand sign is considered rude in Brazil; use a thumbs-up instead.
- Book Christ the Redeemer ahead: Buy timed train or van tickets online in advance for weekends, holidays and the December–March high season.
- Por quilo buffets and the prato feito (a set plate of rice, beans, meat and salad) at botecos cost a fraction of beachfront restaurant meals.
Tipping
Restaurants usually add a 10% service charge (serviço) to the bill, which is customary but optional. Tipping taxis and beach vendors is not expected, though rounding up is appreciated.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Bom dia | Good morning |
| Obrigado / Obrigada | Thank you (said by a man / a woman) |
| Tudo bem? | How's it going? |
| A conta, por favor | The bill, please |
| Quanto custa? | How much is it? |
| Com licença | Excuse me (to pass) |
What to wear
Light, breathable clothes and sandals are standard; keep swimwear for the beach and the promenade, and bring a layer for air-conditioned buses and cooler winter evenings.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type N (and older Type C) sockets; mostly 127 V in Rio, with some 220 V outlets
- Drinking water
- Tap water is treated, but locals and visitors generally drink filtered or bottled water.
- Emergency number
- 190 police, 192 ambulance, 193 fire
- Phone and internet
- Free Wi-Fi is common in hotels, cafés and malls; eSIMs and roaming work well for short visits.
- Time zone
- America/Sao Paulo
Phone snatching and petty theft are the main risks, especially on beaches, in Centro and on quiet streets after dark: carry little to the beach, keep phones out of sight and use ride-hailing at night. Strong rip currents occur on the open-ocean beaches, so swim near the lifeguard posts.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Brazil's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Rio de Janeiro?
Restaurants usually add a 10% service charge (serviço) to the bill, which is customary but optional. Tipping taxis and beach vendors is not expected, though rounding up is appreciated.
+Can you drink the tap water in Rio de Janeiro?
Tap water is treated, but locals and visitors generally drink filtered or bottled water.
+What plugs are used in Rio de Janeiro?
Type N (and older Type C) sockets; mostly 127 V in Rio, with some 220 V outlets
+What language is spoken in Rio de Janeiro?
Portuguese.