Brazil is a mass of land simply too large to be discovered with a brushstroke. However, it does not matter which part of the country you are in, as you continue to learn the essential fundamentals that can be used at any time during your trip.

Rio de Janeiro is not the capital
It was supposed to be around 1960. After 1960, the capital was transferred to Brasilia, the center of the country where the government is currently based. The city of Rio de Janeiro is the capital of the state of Rio de Janeiro, but not the entire country.

Spanish is not a second native or widely spoken language
A large number of tourists come to Brazil thinking that they can survive in Spanish, but it is important to learn that Portuguese is the official language of the country and that most people learn English rather than Spanish due to their needs in the world of business. While Spanish and Portuguese are quite similar and students will certainly perceive the ease of learning or mastering other things, this does not mean that speaking Spanish will make traveling in Brazil an easy task. English is also not falado, embora in São Paulo and in the tourist spots of Rio de Janeiro some people have some knowledge of English. Impressione os locais learning some Portuguese expressions. They will appreciate your efforts.

Cerveja is served in small flakes
Throughout the country, most places serve beer in small flakes – smaller than the average beer flake. The logic is simple – most of Brazil experiences extreme heat and the beer in a larger glass was quick and not pleasant. In bars, beer is generally served in a large 600ml carafe with a small flake to drink, or as a chopp which is a small flake of chope. The exceptions are in the country, where German-influenced cities sometimes serve larger-sized beers.

The green homem not crossing does not necessarily mean that it is safe to cross
Always check and wait for the cars to stop completely before crossing the road, even as the green light is clearly illuminated and says to cross. It is not unusual for a car to accelerate too long when the light is turning orange and turn the lights red, making it uncomfortable for two motorists in other situations. This is general road safety, but passing through a green light happens enough in Brazil to be something to be observed.

O Brasil faz vinho – e é bom
Wines from Italy, France and South Africa may not need to worry too much about new competition, but Brazilian wine – especially sparkling wine such as Brut Champenoise, produced in the country – is particularly good. There are also some wonderful rosés and reds that come from local wineries in Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais. Try going to Canastra or WineHouse in Rio de Janeiro to try some of the best Brazilian wines. French-owned Canastra sells only Brazilian wines, and WineHouse also sells a solid selection of national wines.

O Brasil nem always quente and in some parts neva
Isso mesmo – o Brasil também ganha neve. In the extreme south of Brazil, temperatures are below zero in winter and sometimes we receive snow. Rarely is it more than a thin layer of pine, more than enough to dampen any hope of cool, tropical days. The north of the country receives tropical weather all year round, but it is very cold in winter and can be an unpleasant surprise for those who packed only shorts, t-shirts and slippers.

Brazil has Oktoberfest
The south of Brazil has a great German influence that can be seen in the architecture, food, traditions and physical attributes of the local inhabitants. In Blumenau, city of Santa Catarina, the traditional German Oktoberfest is celebrated every weekend. Held over several days, it pays tribute to the German heritage of the region with lots of beer, traditional food, singing and dancing. It is recognized as the second largest beer festival in the world, after the original Oktoberfest in Munich.