Get all the covid-19 entry requirements and travel Brazil during covid-19 to visit Rio de Janeiro and more almost tourist free!
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Hello Latin America lovers and covid travelers!
Today I will inform you about the pandemic situation in Rio de Janeiro, specific entry requirements for Brazil, my cost of living and more tips and tricks!
Let’s jump right into it!
Covid-19 pandemic situation in Brazil and Rio de Janeiro
While mainstream media in Europa and other Western countries stating that Brazil is the hotspot for covid and therefore a more “dangerous” place than normal, the reality is much different. Rio de Janeiro opened up recently (since 9th of April) and counts as the most open city in Brazil regarding covid-19 restrictions. That means shops and beaches are open. Bars and restaurants are open till 9-10pm in this very moment (Stand 16 April 2021). And regarding the danger factor it’s like always! That means Rio de Janeiro it’s a big city and you have to watch out!
Unlike in Mexico and there especially the Caribbean coast, which is considered the most open place in the world regarding covid-19 restrictions, most people in Rio de Janeiro are wearing masks on the streets, even though it’s not obligatory. I would describe the attitude more “to live and let live” instead of forced mask wearing and crazy curfews starting at evening times like in Europa.
People are more cautious though, as most folks really wear masks whatever they do. In shops masks are obligatory anyway, even in Mexico and any other country in the moment.
In summary Rio de Janeiro is not more dangerous than before. It’s more like any other big city in Latin America, that means you have to watch out generally! Just don’t wear fancy stuff and any accessories like watches, chains, bags etc. and you should be alright!
Covid-19 entry requirements for Brazil
Check out my updated version for how to travel during covid-19 for full and updated covid-19 restrictions and requirements for any country if you still haven’t! It’s a must read BEFORE YOU BOOK any flight as travel restrictions are changing rapidly!
Officially to enter Brazil you need any covid-19 travel insurance. I highly recommend SavetyWing and Heymondo travel insurances as these are the most flexible (cancel any time), suitable for almost every citizen in the world and vey low cost!
For full details and BONUSES and DISCOUNTS check out my summary and tips for covid-19 travel insurances by clicking the button below!
Next you will need an Onward/Return ticket, although not everybody gets asked necessarily! But I highly recommend you to get one JUST IN CASE! You have the options to get one for FREE or a paid one with real rented “reservation” for around $10 (US). You can find the links in my covid-19 travel resources by clicking the button below!!
Next you will need a negative PCR covid-19 test 72h before your flight to Brazil. Don’t forget that the day you made the test already counts and not when you get the results! So make sure to choose a service provider, where you can get the results in 24h (as best case scenario) in your home country.
Cost of living in Brazil for one month – Rio de Janeiro as case study!
Another reason to travel to Brazil! Due to inflation and economic crises in Brazil the Brazilian Real is as cheap as never before since a long time so make sure to take advantage of that!
Here a case study of my personal monthly expenses in Rio de Janeiro (already one of the more expensive places to stay in Brazil). Remember that I don’t travel much in the moment and therefore don’t have travel expenses. All costs are measured in US dollar for your convenience ($1 ~ 5.58 Reais)
- Rent costs me $325 and takes the second place in the overall monthly costs right after food. I live in Selina Copacabana Hotel/Hostel already directly at the beach at Copacabana! (couldn’t be closer to the beach!). You can stay there as well, or look out for an Airbnb apartment or hostels.
- Similar to my cost of living for Mexico I used to make my own breakfast before (healthier but not cheaper) and eat outside for dinner (I have max. 2 meals a day). In Brazil I changed and have now 2 meals per day outside in restaurants due to convenience and spend between 30- 40 Reais per buffet (all you can eat style)!! Let’s put 35 Reais twice a day that means 70 Reais per day. It’s 2100 Reais per month ~ $378 and simultaneously the most expensive part of my monthly expenses by far!
- For laundry and other services I will count $10 for month as I always wear the same stuff everyday and just need to wash my gym clothes (I go to an outside gym at the beach, which is free). In emergency I just wash it quickly myself in the shower!
- Most of the activities in Rio de Janeiro are either for free (hiking) or small entriy fees for example to visit Christus the redeemer it’s 17 Reais ($3) in the low season. If you use the train and/or tram to get there instead of hiking, of course it will be much more expensive around 54 Reais ~ $10.
- Taxis are very cheap in Rio and I recommend you to always use UBER if you want to save time, money and be on the save site. For just $1 you can reach several miles/kilometers. Everybody is using UBER! So download the app if you still haven’t! I need maybe 15 rides per month. Let’s do on average 8 Reais per ride and I usually share it with at least one more person. So in total it’s 4×15= 60 Reais or less which is ~ $11.
- I almost don’t go out to party here. Let’s say once a week anyway to make it more realistic. Similar to Mexico I rarely by drinks outside and always pre-drink at the beach or hostel/hotel, which costs me around 25 Reais per week, if you share a big bottle of booze with one more person. Generally alcohol is very cheap in Brazil and you have many offers in the supermarkets. In total it’s 100 Reais per month which is just around $18. Technically you can go out everyday in the favelas! There are parties there every single day. You can spend tons of money there for booze…
Tips and tricks during you stay in Rio de Janeiro – Brazil! List will be continued being updated!
- Have an onward/return ticket, negative covid-19 PCR test 72h before you flight and a covid-19 travel insurance! You will find the links to the onward ticket and the covid-19 travel insurance in my travel resources!
- In Brazil and especially in Rio de Janeiro you can pay with your credit card almost everywhere and for everything! No need to change money in the airport! Every taxi accepts credit card payments!
- From the airport (GIG) you just pay around 42 Reais with UBER and maximum 50 Reais with an ordinary taxi service to get to Copacabana beach.
- Good news! Unlike in Mexico, Thailand, Turkey, US and other countries, you don’t pay any fees when withdrawing money from the ATM! I made a withdrawal in a local bank called Banco Bradesco!
- Medical Services are for FREE in Brazil as long as you go to public hospitals! Yes for Free! It doesn’t mean that you don’t need an covid-19 travel insurances though!
- Similar to Playa del Carmen in Mexico you can rent bikes here for little money and move around all over Rio de Janeiro!
- Always move around with UBER, it’s by far the cheapest and safest way especially at night!
- You can stay up to 3 months with your visa on arrival in Brazil, if you are from the Schengen area. US citizens can stay to to 180 days with extension!
