Think samba on the streets, Amazon rainforest tours, iconic beaches, the biggest carnivals in the world and cities that know how to show off. As the largest country in South America, Brazil is packed with bucket-list sights like the Christ the Redeemer statue, Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro, the Amazon rainforest and the historic charm of Salvador.
Our cheap flights to Brazil make the dream easier than ever. Fly into Guarulhos International Airport (GRU), about 40 minutes from São Paulo. Flights depart from Johannesburg and Cape Town, with an average flight time from Johannesburg to São Paulo of around 10 hours and 35 minutes. Worth every minute!
Popular flights to Brazil
Flight Route
Airline
Trip Type
Travel Dates
Searched
Price From
* The table above is based off a live system and reflects recent searches. Prices update in real-time and final pricing is not guaranteed until check out. Fares are subject to seat and class availability at the time of search and booking. T&Cs apply.
Why visit Brazil
The biggest carnivals in the world!
Brazilian carnivals are loud, colourful and completely unapologetic. Streets turn into dance floors, samba takes over and sleep becomes optional. It’s feathers, drums and pure joy from start to finish. Once you’ve seen it live, every other party feels a bit underdressed.
Explore the lungs of the earth!
How many people can say they’ve visited the largest rainforest in the world? The Amazon is waiting to dazzle you! Cruise the Amazon River, trek through a jungle that feels straight out of a movie and sight wildlife that you find nowhere else on earth.
Old charm. New Energy. All the vibe!
Wander cobbled streets, stumble into neighbourhood bars, eat your way through smoky street food and long, loud dinners, and watch everyday life unfold around you. From colourful markets to late-night music and coffee breaks that turn into conversations, this is Brazil up close. No filter. No rush. Just vibes.
General information
Essential details you need to know before your trip
Currency
Brazilian Real
Exchange Rate
1 ZAR = 0.30–0.35 BRL
Language
Portuguese
Hub Airport
Guarulhos International Airport (GRU)
Airline
LATAM Brasil
Time Zone
GMT-3
Travel Adaptor
Type N
Best time to visit Brazil
December to February:
Hot, humid and busy (25°C–35°C). This is Brazil’s summer, with packed beaches, higher prices and heavy crowds. Carnival usually happens in February or early March, especially in Rio. Expect heat, rain showers and peak vibes.
March to May:
Still warm (23°C–32°C) but calmer. Fewer tourists, better prices and improving weather in most regions. One of the easiest times to travel around Brazil without the chaos.
June to September:
Cooler and drier in many areas (18°C–28°C). Fewer crowds and better flight deals. Great for sightseeing and outdoor exploring, although the south can feel chilly.
October to November:
Warm again, not too crowded, and generally good weather. A great balance before summer prices and crowds return.
Best time for cheaper trips to Brazil:
March to November, excluding July school holidays. Flights and accommodation are usually more affordable at this time.
Best time to visit the Amazon Rainforest:
Best time: June–September (drier, better wildlife spotting)
March–May is wetter with higher rivers, still travelable but rainier
Weather & Climate in Brazil (Brasilia)
Average temperature (°C) & rainfall (mm) per month
Month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Low °C
17°C
17°C
17°C
15°C
14°C
13°C
13°C
15°C
17°C
17°C
17°C
16°C
High °C
27°C
27°C
27°C
26°C
26°C
25°C
27°C
28°C
28°C
27°C
26°C
27°C
Rainfall (mm)
284
211
224
136
34
7
10
14
49
163
260
276
Why travel to Brazil?
If Brazil is on your radar, here’s why it deserves a hard yes:
Top places to visit in Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro – Home to Sugarloaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer and Copacabana Beach. Sun, sights and serious energy.
- São Paulo – Brazil’s culture capital with museums, galleries, food markets and nightlife that does not clock out.
- Salvador – Colourful streets, Afro-Brazilian culture and historic architecture with personality.
- Iguaçu Falls – One of the world’s largest waterfall systems, sitting right on the Brazil-Argentina border.
- The Amazon Rainforest – River cruises, jungle trails and wildlife you have only seen on screens.
What Brazil is famous for?
Carnival (obviously), beaches for days, football as a lifestyle, big flavours, bigger street food scenes, music that follows you everywhere.
Things to do in Brazil
Hit Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, visit Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain, cruise the Amazon River, explore Iguaçu National Park, dance through Carnival season
Ready to go? Compare airlines and book cheap flights to Brazil online with Travelstart.
Visa:
South African passport holders do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days.Passport:
Must be valid for at least six months and have two blank pages.Yellow fever requirements:
Brazil does not require a yellow fever certificate for entry, but South African authorities may request proof when you return, especially if you travelled through a risk area. Check with the South African Department of Home Affairs for the latest guidance.
South African Embassy in Brasilia
Lote 06, Quadra 801, SHCS, Plano Piloto, Brasília DF, 70406-900, Brazil
South African Consulate General in São Paulo
Avenida Paulista, 1754, 12th Floor, Bela Vista, São Paulo, SP, 01310-920, Brazil
Brazilian Embassy in Pretoria
152 Dallas Ave, Waterkloof Glen, Pretoria, 0181, South Africa
Health & safety tips for travelling to Brazil
Brazil is generally safe for travellers who stay aware of their surroundings. Like many popular destinations, petty crime such as pickpocketing can occur in busy areas.
Smart travel tips:
- Keep valuables hidden or locked in your hotel safe
- Avoid flashing phones, cash or jewellery
- Stick to trusted transport and busy, well-lit areas
- Drink bottled water, especially outside major cities
- Be cautious with raw seafood and uncooked street food
What vaccinations are needed for Brazil?
- No mandatory vaccinations to enter Brazil
- Recommended vaccines: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid
Diseases to know about
- Dengue: Common in warm regions. Use insect repellent
- Malaria: Mainly limited to the Amazon region
- Chagas disease: Very rare for travellers, mostly in rural areas
- Yellow fever: Not required, but recommended for the Amazon and some inland regions
- Zika & HIV: Present. Take normal precautions
Medical care & travel insurance for Brazil
- Public hospitals can be busy
- Private healthcare is preferred and usually paid upfront
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