Brazil Packing List (Learn What to Pack for Brazil)

Daniel James • June 11, 2018

If you’re currenty planning a trip to Brazil and not quite sure what to pack or looking for some inspiration on what to carry; look no further.

Packing light is one of my golden rules of travel! However, my priorities may change, depending on what type of travel I am doing.

Knowing what to bring to Brazil, whether you’re chilling on the beach , trekking the Amazon or dwelling in the city, all require different gear.

When deciding what to pack for Rio de Janeiro, for example, just know your Rio clothes may not serve you in other parts of the country.


This post contains affiliate links. Layer Culture is supported by you and I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase by clicking a link. Learn more.

Brazil Packing List

Below I’ll share my list of essentials for traveling to Brazil. After visiting Brazil on more than one occasion, I can say I’ve refined what I travel with.

If you have read other guides on this blog you’ll know my goal is almost always to pack as light as possible , especially when visiting Latin America.

I talk about how overpacking is the most common mistakes with new travelers. See my checklist for more tips on what I like to pack these days.

Brazil Packing Advice

Your travel plans could include street parties in Rio, sunning yourself on Copacabana or hiking the mountains of Chapada Diamantina.

No matter which of Brazil’s tourist attractions you visit, knowing what things to pack for Brazil will save you a lot of time and energy.

I recommend you try to pack for three extremes , and you’ll be good.

The last thing I’d want you to be doing is walking the tabletop mountains in flip-flops or paddling in the sea in your underwear.

Will you be traveling to Brazil soon?

World Nomads provides Travel Insurance

Designed by travelers, for travelers, World Nomads covers more than 150 adventure sports and activities so you can explore your boundaries.


Traveling to Brazil what do I need?

This is the question you should be asking ahead of time. Brazil’s weather in July can get pretty darn chilly if you’re in the south of the country.

If you’re asking what to pack for Brazil in March, the answer may be different depending on where you go.

Use the three extremes below to help you decide on what to carry to Brazil.

⛱ Extreme 1 Holiday/Beach/Coast/Carnival

‍♂️ Extreme 2 Hiking/Jungle/Amazon

Extreme 3 City/Rain/Formal

Carrying a decent pair of travel pants or trousers will definitely help you to look more presentable and protect you at the same time.

Other items to pack for Brazil

Now you’ve got an idea of what your Brazil packing list will look like.

Let’s also look at some items you may or may not pack as part of your personal preference.

Here are some other ideas on what to pack for brazil:

Depending on where in Brazil you are, it can rain at any moment. Checking the seasons will give you an idea but I wouldn’t solely rely on the forecast.

If you’ll be camping out, carry some waterproof style clothing or a poncho like this one for keeping you dry. Then, if you are doing an overland trip through South America consider the Shiftpod as a solid basecamp option.

what to pack for brazil
Will you visit Salvador de Bahia?

The main idea with these lists is to travel as light as possible–everything from your gadgets down to your shoes.

You can always buy things on the road . You may be better off buying something like a medicine kit beforehand.

I recommend that you carry a high-quality toiletry case or even a travel waist bag to help you carry your bathroom essentials around with you.

I’d like to show you five things I absolutely can’t travel without , whether I’m in Brazil or other countries in Latin America.

However, I’ve created the rest of this Brazil packing list to give you an idea of what I packed on my most recent trip.

Moleskine Travel Journal

moleskine journal

Why This Product?

  • Contains calendars + checklists
  • Budget and trip planners
  • Memorable moments section

Check Price on Amazon


Canon G7X VLOG Camera

best vlogging camera

Why This Product?

  • Powerful and pocket-sized
  • Full HD movies
  • Perfect for VLOGGING

Check Price on Amazon


Gorilla Pod

tripod for camera

Why This Product?

  • Capture superior perspectives
  • Easy to carry
  • Take perfect selfies

Check Price on Amazon


Aeropress Coffee Maker

things to carry to brazil

Why This Product?

  • Makes perfect cup of coffee
  • Simple and quick to clean
  • Easy to carry

Check Price on Amazon


Sky Roam Solis

brazil travel checklist

Why This Product?

  • Super fast global 4G hotspot
  • Instant internet coverage
  • Secure & Shareable

Check Price on Amazon


Brazil can be expensive

Just be aware that some things are expensive in Brazil .

In fact, most things are expensive in Brazil when you compare prices to the cost in other South American countries such as Colombia or Peru.

If you really like the idea of wearing Brazilian clothes, there are some great shopping outlets in most cities. I found the inner city of Rio de Janeiro to be even more expensive than Buenos Aires for everyday items, which tops the charts. So beware of this if your Brazil backpacking budget is tight.

Items to buy once in Brazil

Here’s a shortlist of items that you’ll need if you’re backpacking Brazil, but I recommend you buy them once you arrive for two reasons.

  • To save space when traveling.
  • You may find them cheaper in Brazil if you shop in the right places.
  • flip-flops – Buy Havainnas for around 30 reales.
  • A Sarong – Buy one on the beach for around 25 reales .

Make sure you add these two items to your list of things to buy in Brazil, you’ll be making a good choice by buying them during your trip.

Smart Travel Tip
If you’re traveling to urban cities such as Brasília to see the best of Brazil’s architecture ; it’s worth buying a local map to navigate with.

What do people wear in Brazil?

If you are looking for new ideas on what to wear in Brazil, knowing what the locals wear might help you make a decision.

However, because of such a diverse climate and social class , I suggest you wait until you arrive to see what people are wearing.

It depends on many factors. For example, in Salvador, it’s normal to see Brazilans wearing shorts, a vest, and flip-flops .

The Ultimate Brazil Packing List

That sums up my Brazil packing list. As you’ll probably know, I’m always updating my travel checklist for South America.

My aim is to feel like I’m improving and traveling lighter all the time.

Traveling light is an art and can take years of backpacking to master it, for my latest trip, I thought a lot about what things to bring to Brazil.

I hope my experience can save you time and help you travel lighter and more agile wherever you may be traveling in Latin America.

See this list of cities to visit in Brazil for ideas on where to go while here.

Like this guide? Click to Pin it…

packing list for brazil
what to bring to brazil
Did I miss something? Got tips, tricks & advice we can learn from?

By Daniel James October 25, 2024
If you are still in the planning stage of your trip – welcome! On this page, I will share my South America packing list with you. This is a list that I have developed over the years and is my ultimate go-to checklist. Maybe you’re looking for ways to enhance your travel gear? Or, undecided […] The post South America Packing List: My 101 Checklist appeared first on Layer Culture.
By Daniel James August 12, 2019
In this special guide, I will show you exactly how to get from Buenos Aires to Montevideo so you can plan your trip with nothing but confidence. You may have heard that Uruguay is so close to Buenos Aires that you can literary hop on and off the ferry and be in Montevideo next to […] The post How to get from Buenos Aires to Montevideo appeared first on Layer Culture.
More Posts