Brazil is the largest country in South America and the size of the continental United States. By bus, travel in Brazil can be overwhelmingly time-consuming. A better plan is to investigate cheap flights to your selected travel destinations. StudentUniverse has frequent specials for discount tickets and cheap package deals for multiple flights within Brazil.
In northern Brazil, the Amazon jungle has few roads and even fewer buses. Hiring a private airplane can be costly and is not necessarily safe. The best and cheapest mode of budget travel in this remote region is by boat. Some boats are used as public transportation and are about the same price as a bus ride. Private boats are available for hire and can be an economical choice for group travel.
Learning a few phrases of the local lingo is helpful when visiting any country, but is particularly appreciated in Brazil, the only South American country to use Portuguese. Many tourists visiting Brazil are from Argentina and other South American countries. Spanish is most Brazilian's second language. English is frequently not understood, but fortunately the locals are friendly and patient with lost travelers.
Budget accommodations and discount hotels abound in Brazil. In some regions there are youth hostels, but they are not always the best deal available. In very touristy areas like Iguazu Falls, inexpensive accommodations can fills up very quickly so it is best to book ahead. Remote regions such as the Amazon have budget accommodations in smaller towns, but the prices increase dramatically if you wish to stay in the jungle. It is also advisable to book ahead because rooms fill up quickly.
Food in Brazil is very beef oriented, but there is also a focus on bananas in every conceivable recipe. Vegetables frequently come pickled, fried or lightly breaded. Brazilian barbeque is readily available and is frequently a good value, especially if you combine lunch and dinner into one big meal. Most budget hotels offer a set breakfast, so a student or budget traveler can easily survive only paying for one meal a day.
The main challenge for a student or discount traveler wanting to visit Brazil, but stuck with a minimal budget is to focus on transportation. Finding a cheap flight to Brazil and then cheap tickets within the country is key. Affordable food and discount hotels are easy to track down. With a bit of determination and forethought, Brazil can be yours. Here some other cheap travel tips for other countries:
Want to learn more travel tips? Check out our travel forums for Europe, Latin America, Asia, North America and Africa to hear first-hand experiences from other travelers.
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