People were asking for the name of the tour guide who ripped me off while visiting Brazil.

Please do not tour with OLAFEMI Tours. I toured with Josuel. https://olafemitours.com.br/

For one 4-hour show+dinner and a supposed 6-hour "historical" tour, he charges $380 USD + $30 in fees if you pay fully online ... or $2220 reais, the equivalent of over a month's worth of salary in Brazil.

Unfortunately, looking at his website, many Americans have fell for his services, unaware of how much $410 USD truly is in Brazil, but the reality is an underwhelming tour that does not deserve the price.

--He showed up likely hungover. He mentioned staying up drinking late into the night the night before our second tour (which was supposed to begin at 9:30am).

--Just kidding! He didn't show up at 9:30! He was late and never explained why, and didn't go longer to make up for the time.

--Whatsapp chat mentioned that the price included additional transportation to drive us (a hired driver or Uber...and if Uber, I would also have to pay for the rides additionally!), but Josuel ended up being the driver.

--Aside from a few side conversations about Brazilian politics -- a lot of them I had to initiate myself, anyway -- most of the tour was in silence, following behind him in touristy spots that easily could have been visited alone, especially as the second tour was during the day and most of it spent in the historical center in Pelourinho, stocked full of tourists!

--I calculated the included costs of the tour, such as the Balé Floclórico show and dinner for Tour 1. At the most generous estimation, the costs wouldn't have been more than $50? The costs of Tour 2? Well, he didn't even have to pay for the advertised lunch because we ended up getting free lunch bowls from a nearby Candomblé service. But he paid for my $5 ice cream, so surely that's worth the remaining $360 USD/$1,953 reais? Ridiculous.

--A lot of time spent running errands. Stopping by two stores for a drink, picking up gas (why isn't the car filled the day before?), looking for parking.

--Not to mention his constant leering at my body when he first picked me up in the car...really uncomfortable and nerve-wracking as a young, woman traveler alone now suddenly in the car + dependent on a foreign stranger.

Please skip!

My girlfriend is Brazilian, and when I noted that it was Brazil's independence day on Sunday and was surprised that none of the Brazilian's I follow on social media (admittedly all her family and friends) didn't post a single thing about it.

Is this just something Brazilians don't care about? I am British, so people are usually celebrating independence from us so it's definitely something we don't have here.

I have a CPF, and I just received my temporary RNM. I will have my permanent RNM ID card in two months according to the Federal Police where I got the temporary. My Apartment in Rio will not be ready for at least a year, so I live in the states, but visit Brazil often. My partner is from Brazil and has family there that I can use for an address. I would like to open a bank account there and start transferring money to it monthly.

Any suggestions on how and with whom to open a bank account?

Does an American person need an international driver's license to rent a car in Brazil?

I’m in New Zealand and typically we have three names (first, middle, last) but I’ve always been curious about naming customs of other countries, in particular Brazil.

I know middle names as such aren’t really a thing there, but is it common for a Brazilian to have more than one given name (not a compound name like Maria Teresa or Ana Luisa)?

Hi everyone! Im half Brazilian, and I used to have a YouTube channel that I would use to practice my Portuguese and upload silly videos for Brazilians and other learners alike to enjoy. It was the only real way I had contact with Brazil, and I miss the small community I built with it.

I’m trying to get back into that sort of stuff, so my question is: How do I know what’s “trending” in Brazil right now? Topics, games, etc etc I have no idea how to track that sort of stuff. No matter what I do it seems like my search feed is targeted towards my location (America)! Should I just play games I like to play instead? Thanks guys!

How do you feel about the healthcare you receive in the U.S.? Set aside the cost and insurance nightmare. I am talking about the actual care and interaction with doctors. My wife is thinking about going back to Brasil for a minor surgery simply because she just hates the bedside manner and lack of interest by most doctors she has encountered here compared to how healthcare is practiced in Brasil. FWIW she always had private healthcare in Brasil.

Do you share the same view of care here? Just curious. Thanks!

I know it is a common issue but... how do people get around it? I came to Sao Paolo for a short visit and would like to travel, well, somewhere. I visited two airline websites, booking.com and some other airline aggregator: all demand this CPF. Presumably, most tourist never get it: how do they even travel? Am I not supposed to travel here at all? What is the catch?

Fogo de chao is probably the most well known Brazilian bbq restaurant in the US. The others that I’ve been to all roughly follow the same model/format as Fogo.

Hi everyone!

My girlfriend and I (32M from Argentina) are heading to Morro de São Paulo on September 21st for 10 days and I'm trying to figure out the best accommodation strategy.

Current plan:

• 5 days at Segunda/Terceira Beach (still deciding between hotel vs. apartment rental)
• 5 days at Quarta Beach in a beach house for a more relaxed vibe

My main question: Is this split worth it? Several people who've been there told us they ended up going to Quarta Beach every day anyway, which is making me second-guess our plan.

What we're looking for:

• Primarily beach relaxation (that's our main priority)
• Some nightlife - we'd like to go out for dinner/drinks a few nights
• Good balance between convenience and tranquility

Specific questions:

1. Does it make sense to split our stay, or should we just base ourselves in one area?
2. If we stay at Segunda/Terceira, how easy/convenient is it to get to Quarta daily?
3. Hotel vs. apartment rental for the first part - any recommendations?
4. Any other tips for first-timers?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Hey everyone,

I’ll be traveling around Brazil in January and spending a couple of days in São Thomé das Letras. We’re looking for retreat-style places (eco-lodges, pousadas, small guesthouses with a community vibe - yoga, wellness, group dinners, etc.), but haven’t found much on Airbnb or Booking.

Does anyone have recommendations or leads on places to stay there? Or even other subreddits / websites where I could find this kind of info?

Thanks a lot 🙏

Just got back from an amazing week or so spent in Rio and SP. it has been too long since last time and it was so good to feel the amazing energy and vibe that is Brazil! Everyone so nice and friendly, food on another level, etc. had a week of amazing experiences overall.

I did want to put out the warning that the reports of cell phone snatchers are real. Had a couple people mention and/or warn me about it. But yep it happened to me. Was walking in Moema (SP) on the sidewalk texting and then stepped out into the bike lane (faixa vermelha) for moment to go around some people that were walking their dogs - and within a few seconds some malandro just happened to be coming by on his bicycle ( I didn’t hear him) and the next second my phone was snatched right from my hand and he was gone. Fucker. I was in flip flops so no chance to even chase after.

Anyway just wanted to give a heads up to be careful with your phone and believe the people that say they are snagging them.

Seems like such a stupid thing as obviously I quickly marked it as stolen then erased it. It’s a brick that can be sold for parts I guess.

I do have a link to file a police report. I also can see where it is. Not sure that it will make any difference but everyone said that I should file the report so will do.

All that said I’m already planning another trip. Can’t wait to get back!

I’m traveling to Brazil on 9/12/25 for work and am worried about the potential for violence due to the Bolsonaro verdict. The people I am working with in São Paulo tell me not to worry-the protests were only yesterday and everything is back to normal. The photos on Avenida Paulista (where I am staying) showed huge crowds during the protest. Could things get out of hand that I could be putting myself in danger?

Does anyone have any contact details (whatsapp, email) for local wildlife guides in Emas National Park? I'm interested in doing day trips into the park and/or morning/afternoon safari type trips as I understand its pretty hard to access most of the park in your own car. Cheers.

Edit: I would prefer to be group/shared trips as well, it doesn't have to be a private tour.

Hi everyone!
I’m from Georgia (the country, not the US state). I’ve been learning Portuguese for a while now, and besides the language, I’m also really interested in getting to know Brazilian culture better.

I’d love to hear your opinion:
What do you think are the most distinctive aspects of Brazilian culture?
In other words, what makes Brazil unique compared to other countries?

It could be anything — the way people greet each other, food, music, family traditions, humor, daily habits, slang, or even the Brazilian way of seeing life.

I want to compare with my culture in Georgia, because in some ways we are surprisingly similar, and in others very different.

Thanks a lot for sharing your thoughts!

Have people who says its in Salvador and others Olinda

If you are not brazilian both are good

I want to know more about brazil is there is anyone can help me and i want a brazilian friend too

Hey everyone,

If you ever want a quick look at what Copacabana feels like right now, there’s a 24/7 live cam on Avenida Princesa Isabel, right by the Hilton, with a slice of the beach in frame.

Perfect for checking traffic flow, real weather on the seafront, or just seeing the neighborhood move throughout the day.

I set it up mostly for neighbors who like knowing what’s happening on the avenue at any moment.

🔗 Live stream link: https://www.youtube.com/live/c0AZN6rz8Jk

Hey everyone,

I’m a gay guy and about to hit the 30-year-old club soon. I’ll be moving to São Paulo and I’m curious about the culture of gyms in Brazil, especially regarding the gay community.

In some countries, gyms are known to be very gay – not only a place to work out, but also a place to socialize, check people out, or even meet a potential boyfriend, sometimes even casual hookups. How is it in Brazil, and in São Paulo specifically?

• Do people go to the gym mainly just to train and don’t want to be bothered?
• Or is it also a social space where gays connect, flirt, or possibly find a partner?
• Have you (or people you know) actually met boyfriends or dates through the gym?

For context: I’m career-oriented and fairly successful, and I would really like to find a serious partner — not a movie star, just someone with a good mind, good heart, and the will to work.

I was also wondering if investing in an expensive membership (like Bodytech Iguatemi in São Paulo, the membership is like 2000 - 4000 BRL per month) could increase my chances of meeting the “right type” of guy. Is it true that higher-end gyms attract a more professional, stable crowd, maybe even more likely to lead to a serious relationship?

Any insights or personal experiences would be super appreciated 🙏

Update:

Just to clarify a few points from my original post:

1. I’m not asking for a place just for “exotic hookups” or to change the scenery for casual sex. What I’m really looking for is a place with a higher density of gay men, where I might have a better chance of meeting a boyfriend in Brazil. I’ve met two Brazilians abroad before, and they were wonderful, that’s why I’m hopeful.
2. I understand that the gym is mainly for working out, not socializing. Of course, gay bars and clubs exist for meeting people, but for me:
   • I don’t really drink alcohol or do “bad stuff,” so ordering just water or orange juice feels strange.
   • I also don’t like going out very late, I usually sleep around 10–11 pm, and nightlife would completely break my routine.
   • On top of that, many people say that going out at night in Brazil can be dangerous, so that’s another factor for me.
3. When I wrote “in many countries, gyms are known to be very gay”, I was pointing out that in some cultures this is true , otherwise those memes on Facebook and Instagram about the “muscular handsome crush turning out to be gay” wouldn’t even exist.

I honestly don’t know why some people have been so mean in their replies. From my post, you can see that there are real cultural differences, and that’s exactly why I asked this question here in the first place.

UPDATE: Name and info of the tour guide. https://www.reddit.com/r/Brazil/comments/1ncgwa4/do_not_tour_with_olafemi_tours_update_on_my/

I booked a tour guide for my time in Salvador, based on the recommendation of my online samba teacher who lives in Brazil.

It was shit.

Both tours were private 1:1 tours. The first tour was a "Bahia at Night" tour. Discover Bahia at night, receive a lovely dinner, see Balé Floclórico. The dinner was good, the show amazing, but it was such an awkward experience overall. Mostly because I'm a solo female traveler, and when my tour guide picked me up, he kept leering and scanning my body during the drive. Now that I know that the dinner and the show was $60 USD max, I'm really upset about what I paid. But more on that later.

The really shit part was the Historical African Tour the next day. His website advertised it as a 6-hour historical dive into Pelourinho's history, Brazil's black history overall, and a lunch included.

The tour was us just walking around the touristy Pelourinho area mostly in silence! I could have done that myself! We also visited the Orishas in the water, and we did chat a bit about Brazilian politics, a bit about race relations, but a lot of the tour was silence and not the deep dive like I expected. And he didn't even have to pay for the lunch, because we ended up eating passed-out bowls from a Candomblé service nearby.

I paid $380 USD + $30 ($410 total) PayPal fees because I didn't feel comfortable carrying around $2220 reais, so I just paid him entirely online.

I could have paid way less just doing those things on my own 🤦‍♀️

I have a trip coming up and my passport haven't arrived yet(I selected to receive my documents by mail), I booked my tickets after they confirmed they were going to arrive no later than the 5th and gave me a date but still nothing. I've tried to reach out by email, the only contact they list they would respond to, but they've ignored all of my messages. Now I have the flight coming up and might be screwed. Is there anything anyone knows I could do, is there some other form of contact I am not aware of like a phone number or a separate government body I can reach out to? Really any information someone can give would be great I'm willing to try anything.

Seriously? Just found this while helping family download the United Airlines app. How can a company of this size get this so wrong?

Brazil: How do you respond when someone assumes you speak Spanish?

I’m literally trying to buy VIP tickets for something and I’ve been saving up all year and now the website says decline when I report my credit card information in…….i used Mastercard, VISA, AMEX. MY freaking debit card. NOTHING