Brazilian Culture: 18 Inside Tips for Visitors

It doesn’t matter if you’re an immersive traveler or just a tourist on vacation. Cultural difference will hit you like a train the more frequently you venture out in a foreign country.

I’m sure we can all agree that the initial shock is hard. Sure, we can all learn to use local transportation and get used to eating local dishes, but how do we avoid unknowingly offending someone, right?

That is the question I will attempt to help you clear up about Brazilian culture. Everything I wrote here has been greenlit by my Brazilian friends, including the burning questions like, “Are they Latinos?” or “Do they understand Spanish?”

Get ready to learn the top cultural dos and don’ts of Brazil, from making small talk to eating out. This guide covers key etiquette and unspoken rules so you can avoid those “oops” moments!

The Nuances of Brazilian Culture

The culture of Samba, Carnaval, and Globo snacks on beaches, but also of warmth, friendship, and diversity, Brazilian culture is packed with intricacy and nuances.

As a foreign person, I wrote this guide out of respect for the Brazilian friends I made.

I don’t pretend to know everything as if I were one of them, which is why I asked thorough questions and talked to them extensively about their culture before putting this together.

18 Brazilian Culture Tips to Know Before You Go

A few of these are well-known enough that you may have read about them. However, some of these I either never knew until weeks after arriving, or I thought I knew but needed confirmation. So they might come in handy.

You can also rest easy knowing that everything below has been cross-checked and confirmed by Brazilians. No fake news here, so bookmark this page for when you come!

1. Don’t Slam Car Doors

I believe this is one of the most well-known things about Brazilian culture from the eyes of foreigners. I’ve seen reels about it on Instagram multiple times myself.

Close car doors gently, friends. If you don’t, your Brazilian friend might ask, “Don’t you have a fridge in your house?” It means car doors are supposed to be closed gently, like how you’d close a fridge!

2. Don’t Criticize Brazil to Brazilians

As we all know, no matter how wonderful a place seems, there are flaws. So, you will hear Brazilians complain about Brazil once in a while. Sometimes it’s about the government, or racism, and whatnot.

Your job as a foreigner is to smile and just listen. They’re not asking for you to agree or chime in.

Just like how YOU can complain to no end about the bad points of your country, but it will sting a little bit if a foreigner keeps complaining. This is the “then why the hell are you here” type of scenario.

In fact, whatever it is that made you love Brazil, this might be a good time to lighten the mood and tell them it’s not so bad because [insert reason].

3. Avoid Saying “No” Too Directly

Despite how open people are about their feelings in Brazil, one thing they’ll avoid is confrontation. This means the normal form of communication is less direct than what you’ll see in the US or Europe.

If you invite someone to a party and they don’t want to go, instead of a no, you will hear reasons why they can’t make it.

When you have to turn someone down, it’s time to do the same! Instead of directly saying “no” or “maybe next time,” which can come off cold, state your reasons and how you would have loved to.

4. Don’t Correct People’s English (Unless Asked)

The grammar police are common in English-speaking cultures (…and maybe yours, too?), but oh, please don’t do this in Brazil.

If it is a part of your unfortunate habit, be extra aware and try to contain it because correcting someone’s English will come off as super condescending.

However, IF a Brazilian is trying to learn English and wants to be corrected when they make mistakes, they will openly ask you for help. In that case, feel free!

5. Don’t Assume They Speak Spanish

I know, I know. The languages look alike, but that does NOT mean they’re always transferable. Trust me, I spent the past 2 months struggling to learn Portuguese while knowing Spanish.

It is okay not knowing a word in Portuguese and swinging a shot at the word you know in Spanish to see if they’d be the same. But going up to the locals and speaking just Spanish without even trying is a no-no.

6. Brazilians Are Not Hispanic (So Don’t Ask!)

The term Hispanic refers to people and cultures related to Spain and the Spanish language. As Brazil is a Portuguese-speaking country, Brazilians are not Hispanic.

7. Many Don’t Identify as Latinos

This is more interesting than the point above.

Yes, Brazil is in Latin America, and Brazilians accept that fact, too. However, not all of them identify as Latinos. To some, Latinos are Spanish-speaking people from any country in Latin America.

So the safest route is this: Brazil IS a part of Latin America. But call Brazilians Brazilians.

8. Use First Names, Not Titles

As I’ve mentioned earlier, Brazilian culture is very friendly and warm. This means that it’s common to call people by their first names.

The only times you’ll refer to someone by their title (Senhor, Senhora, Professor, etc) is either when that person is much older or in very formal settings.

9. Show Sympathy and Emotion

If you pay attention to Brazilians talking, you might hear them saying “Sinto muito por você,” which translates to “I feel for you.” This is used as the equivalent of the English “I’m so sorry for what you’re going through.”

On the other hand, if you tell your Brazilian friends some good news for you, they’re super quick to say “Parabéns!” which means “Congratulations!”

And they’re not saying all this ceremonially. They really mean it. This is the heart of Brazilian culture, and you’ll blend in like an adopted Brazilian if you start sympathizing hard and expressing it sincerely.

10. Respond with Full Phrases in Portuguese

You guys… I know it makes sense to respond with just “Yes” or “Yeah!” in English.

In Brazilian Portuguese, responding to a question with just “yes” and nothing else is cold. It can give your conversation partner the subtext of “I don’t want to talk to you.”

If you know some Portuguese, when someone asks you a yes or no question, take the key verb and respond with that. “Você quer ir comigo ao cinema?” Say, “Sim, quero!” or simply “Quero!”

At restaurants, respond to your waiter’s questions with “Sim, por favor” or “Não, obrigada.”

11. Don’t Visit Homes Unannounced

Home visits are less common here than in the US. It only happens between closer friends, unless it’s a party setting.

But even between friends, surprise visits don’t sit well with Brazilians. They’re very hygienic people and they care deeply about how ready their home is to receive visitors.

If you’re visiting your Brazilian friend’s city and would like to stop by, give them a heads-up the day before. Or at least a few hours in advance to see if they can be ready. If not, you both can go grab a coffee somewhere!

12. It’s Normal to Be Late to Parties

“Do you wanna tag along to my friend’s birthday party? It’s at 8 tonight.”

That line above means you two will show up at 8:45 or 9. At the earliest, 8:30. Showing up on the dot to parties feels more like you’re early to the party than on time. Arriving fashionably late is the trend!

However, this rule does not apply to professional settings. If you had set up a meeting to interview a Brazilian for the job, they would definitely show up on time. 😉

13. Avoid Deadpan Humor

You know the kind of jokes in “The Office” where they keep cracking sarcastic jokes, but none of the folks are smiling?

It’s better to avoid that here in Brazil. Facial expressions, gestures, and body language are a massive part of communication in Brazilian culture. A lack of those might lead to misunderstandings or awkward situations.

Sarcasm works here, but only if your expressions and body language signify a joke. Smile, wink, or laugh.

14. Always Greet People

People expect you to greet them when you meet or when you’re leaving.

This may sound like common sense… But you know how we can “quietly slip away” from a party, and then apologize to your friend for having “quietly slipped away” last night? That’s semi-taboo in Brazilian culture.

It’s very important to acknowledge people with a greeting always. Apart from your friends, giving the staff a little “Bom dia!” or “Tchau!” when you enter or leave an establishment never hurts!

15. “Gringo” Isn’t an Insult

Especially for those who speak Spanish, “Gringo” or “Gringa” can sometimes sound a little off-putting as it has a connotation of “white people” or “English-speaking tourists.”

It simply means you’re a tourist in Brazilian Portuguese! I’ve even heard it used on Brazilians from another city visiting Rio de Janeiro. It’s not derogatory, so breathe. It’s all good!

16. Tipping Is Usually Included

Unlike in the US, tips are already included on restaurant bills. You’ll see them below the subtotal as “Serviço,” which is usually about 10% of the meal cost.

When you see “serviço” on the bill, there is no need to tip. If you don’t see it, 10-15% is the normal range.

17. Don’t Flush Paper in Toilets

Most plumbing systems cannot handle anything other than… the basics. Always play it safe at establishments by throwing the toilet paper in the trash can instead of the toilet bowl.

Chances are, you will see signs instructing you not to throw anything in the toilet, but if you don’t, just remember this tip!

18. Learn Basic Portuguese Phrases

This one will win you brownie points, and I fully support it for any country you visit. Learning even the most basic phrases to greet the locals with shows the respect you have for the place and its people.

I know it’s scary when you say one basic thing, and they start talking to you in the language. It’s okay! Just give them a confused smile, and they’ll know you intentionally learned the phrases. That’s sweet!

The must-haves: Hello, Goodbye (this may be different things depending on cultures), Thank you, Please

Bonus: The Most Important Cultural Tip of All

Travel can get very stressful, and we can say things we don’t mean when we’re stressed. So, please take this as a friendly reminder 🥹

Regardless of where you’re from, treat the locals with the same respect you would the people back home. If you don’t want someone to treat you according to stereotypes or your ability to speak a language, then don’t do it to someone else!

Experiences I Love and Recommend in Brazil

I spent most of my time in Brazil in Rio de Janeiro on an intensive Portuguese course. So I have to admit that my preferences are a bit biased towards Rio. But here are some of my favorite activities.

The all-time number one in my heart is hiking up to Morro Dois Irmãos for sunrise. From Morro Dois Irmãos, you get the most famous view of Rio from above, too.

Another hike that was a bit scary but I’m glad I did was of Pedra da Gávea. Instead of the famous Rio view, you get a different view along the coast, PLUS Morro Dois Irmãos itself!

Can’t ever say no to a food tour when in a new city, can we? This one does it particularly well.

I also spent a weekend in São Paulo, another weekend in Paraty, and my last weekend in Brazil exploring the Iguazu Falls. Read my guide and itineraries if you’re going too!

Other Helpful Travel Tips

I hate how “famously dangerous” Brazil is when I never felt that terrible throughout three months of my stay there. Was the danger real? Yes. But you just have to know how things work.

Learn what to do to navigate the risks and stay safe before you go, so you can steer clear of sketchy encounters wherever you are.

• Make sure you protect your trip with a travel insurance.
• Get this eSIM for local data without giving up your number.
• Must-have Apps: Google Maps, Uber, WhatsApp

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