Brazil is a wonderful location to go on a trip, and there are some things to keep in mind to prepare for the trip.

Humidity is a factor, so be sure to prepare and protect all your photo equipment. Disposable cameras are recommended. A good supply of plastic bags is also recommended.

Don’t forget any medications you may be taking. Declare all medications at the Customs Department.

If you have important documents, keep extra copies at different locations, such as back home, or with a friend or family member.

You will need mosquito repellent as well as a good sun block. A pair of sandals, bathing suit and a hat to protect yourself from the sun will come in handy. In a sweaty summer day, deodorant and perfume become very important items. So don’t forget to pack some.

Make sure that you have all your shots and immunizations such as the Hepatitis shot. Hepatitis A, B and C is prevalent, so make sure that you take any precautions needed and maintain sanitary habits.

Pack light as there are limits on luggage weight. Mix and match outfits for better use of luggage space. Casual clothes are in tune with most Brazilians way of dressing.

Since Brazilians speak Portuguese, brush up on it to communicate with the locals. Other languages spoken in tourist areas are English, French, Italian, Spanish, and German.

It is important to have some cash with you if you decide to go outside the city to more rural areas. Major credit cards are accepted, like in other countries.

You need a passport to visit Brazil. It is valid for 6 months from your entry date. Foreign tourists have 180 days a year as a maximum stay. If you need to stay longer than that you have to obtain a renewal for 90 more days. You can obtain the renewal from the Policia Federal.

And never forget to mind your belongings by not leaving them unattended. With a bit of preparation and knowledge of Brazilian customs, you will have a good time in this beautiful and fun country.

There is a beach for you, whatever it is that you are looking for on your vacation. Some cater to the more active visitor, with great surfing and sports opportunities. There are bustling beaches on which the young and the young-at-heart gather while they party. Others are perfect for a family getaway. Some are packed with people, while others offer a chance to get away from the crowd.

Copacabana is the most well known of all the beaches in Brazil, and it attracts the most visitors too. It is worth a look if you’re in Brazil for a mix of the nightlife and the beach-side recovery the morning after, or if you just want to see where the beautiful people spend their time.

For families, Rio offers a calmer space with good access from local hotels, at Ipanema. The beach is just as beautiful, but you’ll find it a much better place for children to play.

The more active traveler will find Jericoacoara, while taking a little more effort to get to, to be worth the trip. Here you can meet other backpackers and join in with all the activities. Windsurfing is particularly popular here, and if you’re around at dusk, chances are you’ll be rewarded with a spectacular sunset.

From the Costa Verde you can relax on a gorgeous beach within sight of the exotic rainforest. This is a much quieter part of the coast, although nearby King’s Cove has some excellent facilities geared to the family market.

If you’re interested in nature, or just looking to spread out over a larger section of the beach, you should head towards the beach at Santos. There is an interesting garden here, as well as a vast four mile long stretch of sand on which you’ll get a lot more privacy than one one of the busier beaches. Pipa is also a good choice, although it tends to become a lot busier later in the day, and noisier too thanks to the sand buggies. You’ve got a great chance of watching dolphins play just off the shore here though, so its well worth a visit.

There’s a real tropical paradise to be found at Genipabu, with its coconut palms and bright blue lagoons set against the pure white sands. Plenty of other beaches are waiting to be discovered nearby, too, so this is a great place to visit if you’re looking to get outside the main tourist cities in Brazil.