FAQs

Question

Do I need to get vaccinations for my trip to Brazil?

Answer

Recommendations vary depending on where in Brazil you plan to spend time (e.g. a trip to the Amazon region requires more vaccinations than a trip to the state of Rio de Janeiro). It's best to have a look at your home country's travel vaccionation recommendations and discuss your individual situation and travel plans with a doctor/GP. It's good to start thinking about this early on, because some vaccines may require several shots. For reference, we list information regarding travel to Brazil from the UK, Germany, and the USA below: - NHS (UK): https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/country/34/brazil#Vaccine_Recommendations - RKI (Germany): https://www.rki.de/DE/Aktuelles/Publikationen/Epidemiologisches-Bulletin/2025/14_25.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=8 - CDC (USA): https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/brazil?s_cid=ncezid-dgmq-travel-single-001

Question

Can I drink the tap water, or what's the best drinking water?

Answer

We would not recommend drinking the tap water in Brazil. Brazilians usually drink from a water filter in their kitchens. If you are staying at an AirBnB or similar type of rental home, you will likely have one in the kitchen. Otherwise bottled water works.

Question

Is English widely spoken in Brazil?

Answer

No. Most Brazilians do not speak any English, and fluency is rare (even in the tourist sector.) If you speak no Portuguese, make sure to have the Google Translate app downloaded on your phone (so that you can use it offline) to ensure that you will be able to communicate with people. Carrying an old-school mini phrasebook or dictionary also works!

Question

Can I use my credit card for payments in Brazil? Do I need to take out cash?

Answer

Card payments are used widely in Rio and in the Petrópolis area. It might be a good idea to take out some cash if you're planning on going to fairs or markets, or for paying vendors at the beach in Rio, though these transactions can also often be done with a credit card. Brazilians often use a payment app called PIX for fiscal transactions (so don't be surprised if you hear this term), but this is not available to foreigners.

Question

Should I bring a wedding gift?

Answer

No. We do not expect wedding gifts. Your presence matters most to us, and we look forward to bringing family and friends from various countries together!

Question

What are some child-friendly activities in Rio?

Answer

Please refer to the section on child-friendly activities in section on travel recommendations. Feel free to contact us directly if you'd like more information.

Question

Is Rio/Brazil safe?

Answer

Yes and no. While there are certain additional risks, travel in Brazil is less dangerous than many foreigners believe. It is important to learn about the risks of your particular destination and activities, and to take reasonable precautions. Please have a look at our travel recommendations where we include safety tips for specific locations and activities. Do not travel to unfamiliar, non-touristic destinations without informing yourself about safety recommendations. Please be very aware of your cell phone and belongings. Cell phone theft is quite common, so if you are waiting for an Uber on the side of the street, we would advise that you step into a store to wait instead of standing by the side of the road (thieves often drive by on bikes or motorcycles.) We recommend using taxi applications (eg Uber) to avoid ending up in the wrong place or being overcharged. For more details, see the question on transportation in Rio. For safety recommendations on the beach, have a look at our travel recommendation for the city of Rio.

Question

I have another question. What's the best way to contact you?

Answer

Feel free to contact us at our wedding email address: jonas.mariana.2026@gmail.com.

Question

How should I get around Rio?

Answer

Uber is widely available, affordable, and safe to use in Rio and in Petrópolis. We would advise that you use Uber for cab rides, as opposed to the yellow taxis you will see everywhere, especially if you do not speak Portuguese and do not know the city. The metered yellow cabs are safe (albeit slightly more expensive than Uber), but if you are unfamiliar with the city, you are at a higher risk of being ripped off (e.g. a driver taking a longer route in order to charge you more.) The Rio Metro is also a safe and wonderful way to get around. It covers much of the city and is a good alternative to cabs during rush hour (Rio traffic can be brutal.) If you're coming from the beach, just make sure to wear something over your bathing suit (you are not permitted to wear only a swimsuit on the subway, and the air conditioner is usually strong anyway!)

Question

I would like to get involved in the wedding celebration. What should I do?

Answer

If you would like to contribute to the wedding ceremony, please email us at jonas.mariana.2026@gmail.com.

Question

What should I wear to the wedding?

Answer

It's a country wedding in a rustic environment, and we are not particularly fancy people. Feel free to dress comfortably. August is winter in Brazil, so bringing a second layer is a good idea. Especially in the evening, temparatures can drop significantly. Make sure to check the forecast for Petrópolis in advance, but be aware that the venue may differ somewhat from city of Petrópolis. We will keep our guests posted about any weather concerns and alternative plans in the case of extreme weather!

Question

Do I need a visa to travel to Brazil?

Answer

Visa regulations vary depending on your home country. Due to Brazil's reciprocal visa-free policies with Germany, the UK, and Russia, citizens of these countries are not required to get a visa to come to Brazil. However, citizens of the US need to apply for an e-visa. This can be done about 5-10 business days in advance of your departure, but we would recommend applying about a month in advance to avoid any last-minute stress. Please use the following link to obtain an e-visa: https://brazil.vfsevisa.com/

Question

Can I get a SIM card in Brazil?

Answer

We recommend going with an eSIM because it can be difficult to buy a local SIM card as a foreigner.