Brazil had been on my travel list for a while, and after visiting the country three times, I can confidently say it is a destination I would return to over and over again. I have visited Brazil in May, August and September, travelling both solo and with friends, and I have also had the opportunity to host different groups of Kenyans there.
On one of my trips, I spent 25 days exploring Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and São Paulo, experiencing everything from beaches and hiking to adrenaline-filled activities, city tours and one very unexpected highlight; Rock in Rio. If you are a Kenyan traveller considering Brazil, you may have a lot of questions before you go.
Do you need a visa? How do you get there from Nairobi? What is Brazil like for a Black traveller? Is it safe? Where should you stay? And what is it actually like arriving in Brazil with a Kenyan passport? This guide shares my experience, along with the practical information I think you should know before planning your own trip.
Before we get into my personal experience, here are some of the basics you need to know when planning a trip to Brazil.
Language
The official language is Portuguese.
Brazil at a Glance
I don’t speak Portuguese, so the language barrier was definitely something I experienced while travelling around Brazil. However, it did not stop me from having a wonderful time. If you don’t speak Portuguese either, I recommend having a translation app readily available and doing a little preparation before your trip.
Currency
Brazil uses the Brazilian Real (BRL). Make sure you familiarise yourself with the currency before your trip and plan how you will access money while travelling.
Places I Visited
During my travels in Brazil, I visited:
- Rio de Janeiro
- Salvador
- São Paulo
Each city gave me a very different experience, which is one of the things I loved about Brazil.
Time Difference
Brazil is approximately 6 hours behind Kenya. This is something to keep in mind when communicating with people back home or adjusting to your new schedule after arriving.
When I Visited Brazil
I have visited Brazil three times in May, August and September. The weather varies across these months, so when you visit really depends on what kind of weather you prefer. Personally, I prefer cooler weather, so August worked best for me. If you have specific activities in mind, especially beach days and outdoor adventures, I recommend checking the weather conditions for the particular cities you plan to visit.
Flights from Nairobi to Brazil
Getting from Nairobi to Brazil is a long journey, but there are several routes you can consider. I have personally flown to Rio de Janeiro with Ethiopian Airlines, Emirates and Qatar Airways. With Ethiopian Airlines, I flew from Nairobi to Addis Ababa. The Nairobi-to-Addis flight is approximately one hour, followed by a short layover before the long-haul flight to Rio, which takes around 18 hours.
I have also flown Emirates, connecting through Dubai. The Nairobi-to-Dubai flight takes approximately five hours, followed by a roughly three-hour layover and then the longer flight to Rio. Qatar Airways is another option, with a connection through Doha. The Nairobi-to-Doha flight is approximately five hours, followed by a layover before continuing to Brazil.
You can also look at LATAM, which offers a route from Nairobi through Johannesburg. You can spend the night in Johannesburg before taking the approximately 10-hour flight to Rio de Janeiro. The best route for you will depend on your travel dates, budget and how you prefer to break up the journey.
Where to Stay in Brazil
Where to Stay in Rio de Janeiro
For Rio de Janeiro, I recommend staying in Ipanema or Copacabana. These areas are great if you want easy access to the beach and to many of the experiences visitors come to Rio for. Personally, I recommend choosing a beachfront property or accommodation with easy access to the beach. Being close to the beach makes it much easier to enjoy Rio without spending too much time travelling back and forth.
Where to Stay in Salvador
In Salvador, I stayed in Barra, and this is an area I would recommend considering. Again, I would look for a beachfront property or somewhere with easy access to the beach. Salvador has a very different feel from Rio. For me, it has more of those baecation and honeymoon vibes, so it is a great destination if you want a more relaxed experience.
Where to Stay in São Paulo
São Paulo is a huge city, so where you stay will depend on what you want to see and do. For a first visit, I would prioritise staying somewhere that makes it easy to get around the areas on your itinerary.
Is Brazil Safe?
Brazil has a reputation for insecurity, and it is something I was conscious of when travelling there. My approach was very similar to how I travel around Nairobi: Be aware of my surroundings and keep an eye on my valuables. I rarely went out at night. When I did go out, I generally used Uber to get around rather than walking.
I don’t think you need to spend your entire trip worrying about safety, but you should use common sense. Be aware of your surroundings, take care of your valuables and avoid unnecessary risks, especially at night. The precautions you take can make a big difference in how comfortable you feel while travelling.
How I Got Around Brazil
For getting around within the cities, I mainly used Uber and walked. Rio de Janeiro does have a metro system and buses, but I don’t have first-hand experience using them, so I wouldn’t want to give advice based on something I haven’t personally done. For travelling between cities, I used both flights and buses.
I flew from Rio de Janeiro to Salvador with LATAM Airlines. From Rio to São Paulo, I took a bus with Águia Branca. The journey took approximately eight hours, and I booked a sleeper-bed option, which made the journey very comfortable. For me, the bus was a great way to travel between the two cities.
Brazil Visa Requirements for Kenyan Passport Holders
If you are travelling on a Kenyan passport, you need to check the current Brazilian visa requirements before making your travel arrangements. When I applied, the tourist visa cost approximately KES 16,000, and my experience was that the visa was issued with a one-year validity period, with stays of up to 90 days.
However, I would not use that figure as the current visa fee. Visa fees and procedures can change, and the Brazilian government directs applicants to the relevant Brazilian consular post for the applicable requirements and fees. The Brazilian Embassy in Nairobi currently uses an e-consular system for consular services. Applicants upload their documents for review first, and once the documentation has been checked and validated, they receive appointment options by email. You should also take the original documents you uploaded to your appointment.
Important visa disclaimer
Visa fees, requirements, processing times and application procedures can change without notice. The fee and requirements mentioned in this guide are based on the traveller’s experience at the time of application and are provided for guidance only. Always verify the latest requirements, fees and application instructions directly with the Brazilian government or the Embassy of Brazil in Nairobi before applying.
My Experience Applying for the Brazil Visa
The visa application process was fairly straightforward, although it did take some time. It took me approximately four hours to complete the online application. One thing I would warn you about is that the Brazilian government website was in Portuguese when I applied. I recommend doing the application on a laptop or desktop computer so that you can use your browser’s translation function if needed.
Once you complete the online application, you create a consular account where you upload the required documents. You then wait for communication from the embassy before proceeding with the next stage of the consular process. In my experience, the entire visa application process took approximately two weeks. The current Nairobi e-consular process may differ from the process I followed, so check the latest instructions before applying.
Documents I Submitted
The documents I submitted included:
- Passport biodata page
- Passport photographs
- Six months of certified bank statements
- Flight reservations
- Hotel reservations
- Travel itinerary
- Personal introduction letter
- Proof of business, including CR 12, business permits and business registration
If you are employed, you would provide the relevant employment documentation, including a cover letter on your employer’s letterhead. One thing I recommend is making flight and hotel reservations rather than paying for everything upfront, where the booking terms allow it. For my application, I had reservations that had been booked but not paid for, with payment to be made after the visa was approved. Always check the current visa instructions before doing this, as requirements and booking policies can change.
What to Carry to Your Visa Appointment
When going for your appointment, make sure you carry:
- Your passport
- Application receipt
- Passport photographs
- Printed copies of your supporting documents
I would recommend keeping everything organised in one folder so that you can easily access whatever is requested. For current applications through Nairobi’s e-consular system, remember that the original documents uploaded during the pre-check should be taken to the appointment.
Questions I Was Asked
During my appointment, I was asked basic questions about my trip. These included:
- What is the purpose of your visit?
- What do you do?
- How long will you be staying?
- Which destinations are you visiting in Brazil?
- Who is funding your trip?
My biggest piece of advice is to make sure that your answers match the information you submitted in your online application. If you say you are travelling for tourism, your documents and itinerary should support that.
My Experience Travelling to Brazil as a Kenyan Passport Holder
I have travelled to Brazil three times, and all three of my experiences entering the country were smooth. At immigration, I presented my passport, got stamped and proceeded into Brazil. I did not experience any significant problems at the airport or immigration. The process was straightforward for me, and I did not feel like being a Kenyan passport holder created any unusual difficulties when entering the country. Of course, immigration requirements and individual experiences can vary, so always make sure you have the necessary documents and information available when travelling.
What Is Brazil Like for a Black Traveller?
This was one of the things I was particularly interested in experiencing for myself. Brazil is a very diverse country and has a huge Black population, so I never really felt out of place. That was especially noticeable for me in Salvador, where Afro-Brazilian culture is such an important part of the city’s identity. Throughout my trips, the local service providers I interacted with for activities were professional, and I had a wonderful experience overall.
I did not experience racism or discrimination that negatively affected my travels. One thing I did experience was the language barrier. Because I don’t speak Portuguese, communication could sometimes be challenging. However, I was still able to navigate the country and enjoy my experiences. If you are a Black or African traveller wondering whether you will feel comfortable in Brazil, my personal experience has been very positive.
Did I Feel Comfortable Travelling Alone?
Yes. I have travelled to Brazil solo, with friends and while hosting different groups of Kenyans. I felt comfortable travelling in all of these situations. My advice would be the same regardless of how you travel: be aware of your surroundings, take care of your belongings and plan your transportation, particularly at night.
My 25-Day Brazil Trip
One of my trips to Brazil lasted 25 days, and I divided my time between three cities.
Rio de Janeiro -14 Days
I spent 14 days in Rio de Janeiro. This gave me plenty of time to explore the city, visit the major attractions, spend time at the beach and get involved in adrenaline-filled activities.
Salvador – 7 Days
From Rio, I flew to Salvador with LATAM Airlines and spent seven days there. After Salvador, I travelled onwards to Peru, which I will cover in another blog post.
São Paulo – 4 Days
After my time in Peru, I returned to Rio before travelling by bus to São Paulo. The journey with Águia Branca took approximately eight hours, and the sleeper-bed option made it a very comfortable journey. I then spent four days in São Paulo before flying back to Nairobi.
Affiliate disclosure: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means The JustRioba Way may earn a small commission if you make a booking through one of our links, at no additional cost to you. We only share experiences and services that we believe may be useful to our readers.
Visiting Rio de Janeiro
Rio was one of my favourite places in Brazil. The city reminds me so much of Cape Town because of the similarities in the landscape; you have mountains, beaches and a vibrant city all in one destination. There is also so much to do, whether you’re interested in sightseeing, adventure, hiking, beaches, football, culture or nightlife.
Here are some of the experiences I recommend. Ready to book? I’ve included booking links for the experiences I recommend. Simply click the link for the activity you’re interested in to view the available options, prices and dates, and make your booking directly.
- Explore a Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf tour – Two of the most iconic experiences in Rio are Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain. You can visit them separately or combine them into one tour. You can also experience Sugarloaf using the famous cable car: Book a Sugarloaf cable car experience.
- Explore the City Highlights of Rio – If you want a broader introduction to the city, consider a Rio city highlights tour. You can also Explore a Rio sunset tour combining some of the city’s major sights.
- Book a Maracanã Stadium tour – If you’re a football fan, put Maracanã Stadium on your list. Football is such an important part of Brazilian culture, so visiting the stadium gives you a chance to experience a different side of Rio.
- Explore a favela walking tour – Take a guided favela walking tour can give you a different perspective of Rio and allow you to learn more about communities that aren’t always represented in traditional tourist itineraries.
- Book a Rio helicopter tour – If you want to see Rio from above, a helicopter tour is another option. For an even more adventurous experience, you can explore a doors-off helicopter option: Explore a doors-off helicopter experience. If you prefer a standard helicopter experience, this is another option: Explore a standard helicopter tour
- Explore the Rio sightseeing bus – If you want to cover several areas of Rio without organising every journey yourself, the hop-on hop-off bus is another option.
- Explore Santa Teresa and Lapa – Santa Teresa and Lapa are two areas worth exploring if you want to experience another side of Rio. You can combine the experience with a tram ride.
- Explore a Two Brothers hike – If you enjoy hiking, Rio has plenty of options. The Two Brothers hike is one experience to consider, and you can plan it around sunrise or sunset. Another option is the Pedra do Telégrafo hike. Explore Pedra do Telégrafo
- Try Paragliding or Hang Gliding – If you’re an adrenaline junkie like me, Rio gives you plenty of opportunities to get your heart racing. You can try paragliding: Book a paragliding experience Or take it up another level with hang gliding: Explore a hang-gliding experience
- Explore Arpoador, Copacabana and the Fort– Arpoador is particularly beautiful around sunset. You can combine the experience with exploring Copacabana and the fort.
- Visit the Selarón Steps – The colourful Selarón Steps are another popular Rio attraction. You can combine them with Christ the Redeemer: Explore Christ the Redeemer and Selarón Steps Or combine Christ the Redeemer, Selarón Steps and Sugarloaf: Explore the combined Rio tour
- Explore Tijuca – For a different experience, explore the Tijuca area on a Jeep safari. Book a Tijuca Jeep safari. You can also consider this alternative Tijuca experience: Explore another Tijuca Jeep safari option
- Explore a Little Africa tour – One experience that I think is particularly interesting for African travellers is the Little Africa tour. It offers an opportunity to explore Rio’s African history and heritage.
- Rock in Rio: My Unexpected Highlight – One of the highlights of my trip happened completely by chance. I visited Rio during the Rock in Rio festival, and it happened to align perfectly with my trip. I got to see some of my favourite artists perform live, which made the experience even more memorable. If you are a festival person, you may want to check the Rock in Rio schedule and consider planning your trip around the festival. It was definitely an unexpected bonus for me.
Visiting Salvador
Salvador was another one of my favourite places in Brazil. The city has a completely different atmosphere from Rio, and I loved the combination of its beaches, culture and Afro-Brazilian heritage. For me, Salvador gives baecation and honeymoon vibes.
It is the kind of place where you can slow down, spend time at the beach and enjoy the culture without feeling like you have to constantly be on the move. Ready to book? I’ve included booking links for the experiences I recommend. Simply click the link for the activity you’re interested in to view the available options, prices and dates, and make your booking directly.
- Explore a Salvador prehistoric tour – If you want to learn more about the city beyond its beaches, consider a cultural or historical tour.
- Explore a Praia do Forte and Guarajuba beach day trip– If you want to spend a day exploring beautiful beaches outside Salvador, consider a trip to Praia do Forte and Guarajuba.
- Experience Salvador’s African Heritage and Food – If you’re interested in Salvador’s African heritage and food culture, an African heritage and acarajé tasting tour is worth considering. Explore an African Heritage & Acarajé tour
Visiting São Paulo
São Paulo was the final Brazilian destination on my 25-day itinerary. I spent four days there before flying back to Nairobi. São Paulo has a completely different energy from Rio and Salvador. It is a huge city, and four days gave me enough time to experience some of what it has to offer before heading home.
Ready to book? I’ve included booking links for the experiences I recommend. Simply click the link for the activity you’re interested in to view the available options, prices and dates, and make your booking directly.
- Explore São Paulo on a city tour – If you’re visiting for the first time, a city tour can be a good way to get an introduction to São Paulo.
- Explore São Paulo’s historic side – You can also spend time exploring the city’s history on a walking tour.
- Explore a São Paulo food tour – São Paulo is a great destination for food lovers, and a food tour is one way to experience the city’s culinary scene.
- Explore a São Paulo Museum of Art tour – Art lovers can explore the São Paulo Museum of Art.
- Explore a São Paulo wine-tasting experience – You can also add a wine-tasting experience to your São Paulo itinerary.
How Long Do You Need in Brazil?
Based on my experience, I would say anywhere from one to two weeks is enough to experience Brazil, depending on how much you want to see. If you only have a week, I would recommend focusing on one destination rather than trying to squeeze too many cities into your itinerary.
If you have two weeks or more, you can comfortably start combining destinations. My 25-day trip gave me the opportunity to spend:
14 days in Rio + 7 days in Salvador + 4 days in São Paulo. That gave me enough time to experience each destination without feeling like I was constantly rushing from one place to another.
My Final Take on Brazil
My favourite spots were Rio de Janeiro and Salvador, but for completely different reasons. Rio is fast-paced, energetic and full of adventure. There is always something to do, whether you want to hike, visit famous landmarks, relax at the beach or try an adrenaline-filled activity. Salvador is slower and more relaxed. For me, it has those baecation and honeymoon vibes that make you want to stay a little longer. São Paulo brings another side of Brazil altogether, with its huge-city energy, food, art and culture.
After three trips, I can honestly say that I would return to Brazil over and over again. There is something fun for every kind of traveller. Whether you’re travelling solo, with friends, as a couple or as part of a group, Brazil is a destination that can be shaped around the kind of experience you want. And as a Kenyan traveller, I can say that my experiences entering and travelling around Brazil have been overwhelmingly positive. If Brazil has been sitting on your travel bucket list, maybe it’s time to move it a little higher.
Need Help Planning Your Brazil Trip?
If you’d rather have someone help you plan your trip from start to finish, The JustRioba Way offers personalised travel planning and travel consultations to help you create an itinerary suited to your travel style, interests and budget.
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