The Ultimate Packing Guide for Brazil

Thinking about coming with us on our all new adventure packed trip to Brazil? HIGH FIVE!

Having to efficiently pack city wear AND outdoor gear can be a daunting task, but to fully enjoy your time in Brazil - you'll definitely need both.

Here are our top tips for making sure you’re stylin’ and comfortable at all times.

The Ultimate Brazil Packing List: Cliff Notes

“I have a short attention span….just give me the list so I can start packing!”

...I can relate. Here is the quick “don’t show up without this” version :

• Comfortable swimsuit
• Flip flops or other waterproof sandals
• Lightweight daypack
• Hiking boots with ankle support
• Hiking socks made of smartwool
• Sweat wick shirts
• Activewear shorts
• Activewear pants or leggings
• 2 or 3 outfits for dinners out or nightlife
• Water bottle
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses

The Full Ultimate Brazil Packing List: What, Where and Why

You might be wondering how to even start thinking about packing for your Brazilian Experience. Don’t worry - we got you! 

After reading this article you should be ready to pack for a Samba street party in Rio, beach time on Copacabana, hiking table top mountains and jumping off of waterfalls in Chapada Diamantina National Park.

The first thing you should know is that Brazil is a hot climate - all of your clothing should be as light and comfortable as possible.

You need to be prepared for sun, fun and parties as well as nature & hiking.

You should expect daily temperatures from 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit that drop into the 60’s at night. Pretty ideal right?!

The sun is strong, as we’ll be close to the equator, so you’ll want to make sure to bring sunscreen, sunglasses and shirts made of sweat wick material.

Rio/Salvador - City Life

While we’re in the cities of Rio de Janeiro and Salvador make sure you bring a bathing suit, as well as one or two outfits to go out in at night. Comfortable (but active) clothing for walking around the city and going up to the top of the Christ the Redeemer statue.

Chapada Diamantina National Park - Outdoors & Adventure

Sweat Wick Clothing

What is sweat wick technology?  

It’s a breathable synthetic fabric that wicks away moisture and keeps you as dry as possible. Whatever you do, just make sure you’re not wearing cotton for any physical activity.

Footwear

It's VERY important that you invest in good quality gear to keep you comfortable. The wrong type of fabric or footwear while hiking can make all the difference in your enjoyment of the trip.

Plateau mountains, steep rocky trails, crossing rivers, scrambling over boulders and through patches of sand along the river bank: this is the terrain you’ll be walking on, over and through. 

You should make sure your footwear is durable and waterproof and your socks and clothing are breathable. Hiking shoes are ok, but hiking boots will provide you with much more confidence while navigating uneven, wet, rocky and sandy terrain. To ensure stability and avoid ankle sprains on the trail make sure you get something that is has ankle support.

Socks - “Cotton is rotten”

The saying is true - if you wear cotton you’re just setting yourself up for a rotten time. Cotton holds moisture and doesn’t breathe well.  

Make sure your hiking socks are made of Smart Wool. They may seem a bit heavy for a warm climate but they will keep you from getting blisters and keep your feet as dry as possible.  

My favorite brand is Darn Tough from my home state, Vermont. They make great hiking socks for both Men and Women and have a no strings attached lifetime guarantee.

Swimsuit

Yes, you’ll absolutely need your swimsuit!

We’ll visit Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro and numerous swimming holes and waterfalls in Chapada Diamantina National Park.  

A bathing suit that you can wear while hiking as we’ll be stopping frequently along the trail for a quick dip to cool off and there are no changing rooms!

Travel Towel

Travel towels go by many different names…pack towel, trek towel, microlite, quick dry etc. Basically, just make sure you get a microfiber towel from a reputable brand like Sea to Summit.  

The towel should fit into a small stuff sack roughly the size of a shoe. It dries out quick, doesn’t get stinky too fast, and fits well into any daypack. This should cost $30 or less.

Water Bottle

In Rio (and at most restaurants) you’ll need to purchase bottled water.

However, the water along the trails of Chapada Diamantina National Park is naturally filtered by the rock and sediment and we’ll be able to fill up along the way.  

Daypack

Pack a small backpack or day bag you can throw all you gear into for day trips. You’ll probably need to carry a few things with you during the day like water bottles, camera, towel, snack, etc. and will need somewhere to put those things while you’re exploring.  

My favorite company for daypacks is Cotopaxi. Their Luzon daypack folds up into a compact ball that you can find a space for in any suitcase. Their “Gear for Good” focus is a mantra that has attracted attention to their high quality products.

Other Items to Pack for Brazil

- A Rain Jacket: Once we arrive in Lencois, we’ll be walking everywhere. That means if it starts sprinkling during dinner the only way back to the hotel is by foot! A lightweight rain jacket will come in handy in the national park.

- Pants: Hiking pants keep your legs protected from UV rays, and wind on cloudy or cooler days. One lightweight pair of outdoor pants should be enough. Avoid jeans and moisture absorbent fabrics.

- Hat: I’m not a hat person, so instead I bring a bandanna to protect my head from the sun. If you’re a hat person make sure you bring a hiking hat with a wide brim or at least a baseball hat. The more breathable/mesh material the better!

- Don't forget your camera gear!

- Bring a waterproof case for your phone.

- Bring a travel adapter with you to charge your phone, laptops...etc.

I don’t have all of that “outdoorsy” hiking stuff and this is going to cost me a fortune!

Don’t fret.  

If you don’t have ANY of this, you will need to spend a little bit of money - but don’t worry about having everything on this list.  

Just make sure you have good clothing and footwear, the rest can be improvised if you don’t have the funds to gear up right now.

To save money and still make sure you’re getting top quality gear, you should check out store brands like REI and EMS. Often time, their store brand gear is made at the exact same factories as the big names like Patagonia and NorthFace...meaning sometimes you’re really just paying for the popular brand name, not the quality.

It’s always good to do your research. If you’re purchasing through Amazon, pay attention to the customer reviews/stars. Outdoor Gearlabs is also one of the most trusted authorities for accurate reviews of the many options out there.

Alright, folks. That pretty well sums it up!

Hit me up with any questions you may have, and I look forward to seeing you all in Brazil!