Brazil

Know before you go

• safety

  Phone snatching is the crime to plan around in Rio and São Paulo; keep it pocketed on the street, pull it out against a wall, and carry a decoy amount of cash.

• money

  Pix instant payment and cards dominate — many places barely handle cash anymore. Restaurants add a 10% serviço to the bill, which covers the tip.

• transport

  Uber and 99 are cheap, ubiquitous, and the default way around Brazilian cities; for intercity hops, flying is usually cheaper than the distance suggests.

• etiquette

  Greet and say goodbye to each person individually, with a cheek kiss or handshake; slipping out of a gathering without the rounds reads as cold.