Road trips are always a fun experience. You get to see the scenery and explore places you may not have seen if you were flying. You get to experience the little things you may have missed on the plane.
Brazil has one of the best road trip experiences with the beautiful rainforests, beaches, and grasslands. You will get a diversity of surroundings while still being able to do things that everyone loves to do. Here is your guide to the best road trip experience.
The Best Routes
With the grasslands, cities, beaches, and rainforests, there are many great places to travel to and have a great view as you do it. Here are some of the best routes to take when taking a road trip in Brazil.
BR-101
This route follows the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean. It is an incredible drive, and the scenery can’t be beaten. You can start or end in Rio, a beautiful place for sightseeing and a must when visiting Brazil.
This route reaches about 2,900 miles, but you can choose the length of your road trip. There are plenty of beautiful cities to visit. When traveling this route, you should check out Paraty. With its historical sights and jungle-covered mountains, you don’t want to miss it. You can even go for a dip in their gorgeous blue waters!
As a matter of fact, we have listed 9 reasons why you should visit Paraty on this post, so take a look if visiting this paradisiac place interests you!
You can find a swath of stores, sights, and tourist attractions along this route for the best experience. Or you can find yourself in remote areas for some tranquility. Finally, make a stop at one of the beaches to take in the sound of the ocean and stretch your legs.
The Pantanal
Brazil has beautiful and diverse wildlife that you can enjoy, whether hiking or just going for a drive. The Pantanal offers just that. You can witness Brazil’s natural environment on the Pantanal route through Transpantaneira, Estrada Parque, and the Interior.
It is best to plan your trip during the dry season. This not only increases your chance of seeing wildlife in their natural habitat, but you don’t have to worry about any of the areas being flooded by the rain, shortening your trip.
It is best to use a vehicle that can withstand off-road conditions when taking this route. These conditions include shifting sand, potholes, and uneven surfaces that can be upsetting for new, inexperienced drivers. You can even partake in tours here if you would feel more comfortable.
You can also find more information about the Pantanal in this post we made!
Beach Drive
If you are looking for a scenic route to the ocean, this is the best route. Starting in Northeast Brazil in Camocin to Fortaleza, you can find a beautiful trail to take in the sea. You can even find yourself camping along these beaches for a bit of privacy, or you can stop at one of the beach towns for an upscale guesthouse.
It is accessible all year long, so you don’t have to worry about visiting during a specific time of year. For the best experience, though, you should visit during the dry season between June and January.
The roads here can be a little demanding on your vehicle. With the hard sand and the shifting dunes, you may find a flat tire. Prepare yourself for these situations. You don’t want to get a flat in remote areas between beach towns.
National Park Da Bocaina
This is your route if you are one for more adventure and off-road conditions. You can visit this park and experience where the term wild came from in wildlife. The roads are all unpaved, so you will need to have an offroad vehicle for this route.
Because this is close to the jungle, you will find that you will find slick spots and mud all year round. So you will find yourself “roughing” it more often than finding a cabin or guesthouse to stay in when you camp here. However, these are available in certain spots if you plan out beforehand.
This drive stretches between Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, so this is a great trip to take if you want to experience nature before exploring the brick jungles. There are some great views of the mountains and breathtaking waterfalls that will add to the splendor of this road trip.
Cultural Road Trip
If you are looking for a more historical and cultural experience, the route from Diamantina to Paraty is excellent! It contains colonial towns, baroque and rococo churches, beautiful beaches, and wilderness.
This route is accessible all year long, unlike some of the other options, and although it has unpaved roads, they are maintained well. You won’t have to worry about renting or using an offroad vehicle to make it through these areas.
The Best Attractions And Itineraries
Brazil is a beautiful place to travel to, and so there are many attractions you can add to your itineraries. You can find yourself entertained in many ways. Here are some things to look into to add to your itinerary:
- Shopping
- Historical spots
- Natural landmarks
- Visit the beaches
- Art and music
Shopping
Shopping is a must when you travel to different cities within Brazil. You can find various items, whether designer clothing or handcrafted items. You can get whatever you feel fits your unique style.
If you love shopping, there will always be stores along your route, but the top cities to visit for the best shopping experience are:
- Salvador
- São Paulo
- Rio de Janeiro
Both Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo have paved the path for local and international shopaholics. They provide anywhere from large malls to small markets that offer more than you can fathom.
Salvador is a beautiful place to stop if you are looking for bargain deals. They have been rising in their tourism with low prices in shopping and historical landmarks. You will find that you can’t go wrong here.
By the way, have you considered using a prepaid card on your trip to Brazil? We gathered all the major info you need to know about it in this post, so take a look if you’re interested!
Historical Spots
Many large cities have historic districts and landmarks that you can see. Even many historical towns make for a great detour on your road trip. You won’t be able to hit every single one as you take your road trip.
One of the most clever things to do is figure out your route and research towns and cities on that route. There will be plenty for you to do and see while entertaining you. You can even spend days at your carefully chosen spots.
Whether you are traveling through the wilderness or going from city to city, here are some historical landmarks that would be worth seeing if you were nearby:
- Arcos da Lapa in Rio de Janeiro
- Sao Paulo Museum of Art
- Church of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim in Bahia
- Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro
- Montserrat Fort in Salvador.
If you want to see more of what Lapa in Rio de Janeiro has to offer, take a look at these tips of what you can do there during the day!
Natural Landmarks
With all the different landscapes, you will find a plethora of landmarks that you can visit. Whether it is a beautiful waterfall in the middle of a forest or the Atlantic Forest, you will not get bored with these natural wonders.
Here are a few popular natural landmarks that are a must-see when in Brazil:
- Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro
- Iguazu Falls in Parana (One of the Seven Wonders of the World)
- Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro
- Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro
- Lencois Maranhenses National Park
- Fernando de Noronha
Visit The Beaches
If your route takes you close to the beach, try to incorporate a day where you spend it near the ocean. You don’t want to miss the magnificent beaches of Brazil and spend a day relaxing out in the sun. Plus, it gives you a great excuse to stretch your legs and have some fun!
Art And Music
Brazil’s culture is intertwined with music and art. There are many art districts within each large city so make sure to visit one while there. You don’t want to miss out on the dancing and seeing the culture through a painting, sculpture, or a dance!
What Are The Costs
You will have to consider many things when you are planning your road trip to Brazil. First, this country is considered to be more expensive than many others. This is due to the tourist attractions and beautiful terrain.
Your price per a day for this road trip can go up or down depending on what you put into your budget. Here are some things to consider:
- Shopping
- Eating at restaurants
- Camping vs. hotels or guesthouses
- Rental vehicles
- Entertainment
- Fuel
- Other expenses
- Length of trip
On average, you will be spending about a hundred dollars a day per person. However, if you are great at budgeting and finding the best deals, you can be spending as little as $80 a day. If it takes you a week to complete the trip, you may be spending anywhere between $560 to $700 for one person.
These costs do increase if you add rentals, and this is with the assumption that you have your own vehicle to drive on these routes. However, you can find great deals online that will give you bundle packages, whether for the trip or any entertainment you want to participate in.
Things To Know About Car Rentals
If you don’t have a car, you can always rent a car. It may not be worth the trouble if you already have one, but if you don’t, you will need to take a few things into consideration:
- Costs
- Type of vehicle
- Where you are going
- Where to rent
- Requirements for renting a vehicle
Costs
Rental cars can cost as little as ten dollars a day which doesn’t drain your wallet too quickly, but it can become quite costly. The more perks or luxuries you want, the price will increase, and this also depends on what type of vehicle you are renting.
Basic vehicles will be the first pick, but if you need a specialized vehicle like one to go offroad in or something with four wheel drive instead of front or rear, you may find yourself reaching in your savings to fork up more money.
If you own a vehicle and are just renting it for the trip, make sure to tell the company that you have insurance on that. Then, when you have full coverage, your insurance company will cover any rentals that you purchase, so you won’t have to pay extra to cover the rental.
Type Of Vehicle
If you need something to drive the route you have set forth, you may want to stick with the basic vehicle. These often get decent gas mileage, and you will be saving a lot more each day. The more things you ask for, like air conditioning, specific transmission, and so on, the more you will be paying.
It is good to understand where you are going and what the drive will be like so you can get the best vehicle for that trip. For example, you don’t want to rent a basic car when traveling through National Park Da Bocaina. You may find yourself getting stuck in the mud.
Where Are You Going
You always want to consider where you are going and what route you will be taking. For example, if you will be in cities more often than in the wilderness, you may want to focus on more compact vehicles. This will allow you to move around more easily in those busy streets and still have a decent drive down the highways.
Where To Rent
If you have a company that you normally go with, then go with whomever you are comfortable with. Thankfully, rates don’t change much between companies, but there are sometimes better deals in different areas.
Figure out where you need to pick up your rental to plan transportation to the place. You will find clusters of car rental companies near airports and larger cities. Some smaller towns and cities may have one, but you won’t have a variety of options like you would in more populated areas.
Requirements For Renting A Vehicle
When you decide to rent a vehicle, there will always be terms and conditions you have to agree to, but more importantly, there are requirements for you to even rent it. Here are some requirements that each company will have:
- 21 years of age and older
- Valid driver’s licence
- Passport (if from out of the country)
- Insurance
Some companies may be a little more lenient than others, like Avis, who will rent out to anyone that is 21 years of older. The age may change depending on the company. Some companies may not rent to you if you are younger than 24 while others will give you a rental if you are 21.
It is important to do your research on these requirements before reserving a car and putting down a deposit. You might find yourself in a bind, and some companies aren’t as giving when you request your deposit back.
You can find all the information about renting a car, foreign licenses, and traffic laws in Brazil in this post, so make sure you check it out to pick up on everything you need to know.
Is It Safe To Road Trip Brazil?
Like any road trip you take, whether you’ve taken it before or it’s your first time, you need to be aware of your surroundings at all times. Just like anywhere you go, there will be the good and the bad things that happen.
Don’t think that just because you only see the beautiful attractions doesn’t mean crime and bad luck just took a break. Have a safety plan in place just in case because things do happen. There are many tips you can follow to better your safety:
- Be aware of the weather.
- Keep safety resources in your trunk.
- Get familiar with the area.
- Know when shops and stores close.
- Be alert when travelling at night.
- Watch people not just to be alert but see how the community interacts.
- Don’t be afraid to talk to the locals.
- Trust your instincts.
- Discover the local spots.
- Pack light.
- Always bring a backpack around with you.
- Sync your card to your phone.
- Make sure there is a lock or passcode on your phone.
You can never be too sure about anywhere you go. If in the end you just feel like something is off or your instincts are telling you to be alert, follow those instincts. A new place can cause some anxiety but deep down, you know what makes you comfortable and you don’t want to experience a novel city while your anxiety is running high.
If you decide to travel through the forests of Brazil, prepare yourself for anything that will happen while out in the wild. It is best to familiarize yourself with any dangerous or venomous animals so you know how to react if you cross paths with them.
Conclusion
Driving across Brazil can be an exciting and fun experience. You will be exposed to so much wonder, beauty, and diversity that you won’t have enough memory in your phone to document it all!
The planning can be exciting yet exhausting and anxiety ridden but remember, while you’re on your trip, you will experience the present like never before. You will see things that many hope and dream about. So don’t let the scenery and culture dissipate with your worries.
While you’re here, I think we may interest you with these:
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Cover Photo: Car and truck driving on a Brazilian road – Credit: ID 19138579 © Danielnicolastudor | Dreamstime.com