Brazil is such a diverse country and because of that there are lots of fun and traditional items that you can buy here. The souvenirs you can find in the South you might not find in the North and vice versa. Some are very typical in terms of souvenirs but others will be different from what you expect from a traditional souvenir. These items will be great as a memory for yourself or a nice gift to family or friends. Get your awesome souvenirs from Brazil now.
Havaianas
Of course this is the number one in gift giving or what you can treat yourself with. These staple flip flops are high in quality, are available for guys, ladies and kids, you can find them in every color you can imagine and you can find them everywhere! You can buy them in the Havaianas store, on the market, in gas stations or even in the supermarket. They range between $R50 and $R160 so you can make the gift as expensive or cheap as you like. But don’t buy them at the airport because they will be very expensive. I have multiple pairs in different colors and I wear them all the time.
Swimwear
One of the things you can take from Brazil is swimwear. I know there are lots more countries that have a beach culture but when I tell you Brazil has a lot of options I mean they have an abundance of it. Especially if you go to the beach in Rio de Janeiro check out some of the big and small shops around. In most coastal cities there are lots of shops for swimwear. As you might already know or heard about, swimwear can be quite skimpy for both men and women so be aware of that. Having said that, there are plenty of options that are more modest if that is your taste.
Canga or sarong
This is a bit related to the previous item. The canga is in other countries better known as s sarong. When you are at the beach and you want to be a bit more covered up you can wrap the canga around your waist or tie it as a dress or vest. There are so many designs available and you can find them in different colors and fabrics. If you are near a beach you will find them in shops and stalls around but you can easily find them in bigger shops in shopping malls too. At Copacabana beach they lay them on the ground for you to see the different designs.
Chimarrão with cup and straw
A great gift for tea lovers. I have seen it more in the South of Brazil but you can buy it everywhere in the country. Especially when you are going to do hikes you will see people bringing their thermos and special cups. There is a long and extended tradition with chimmarrão, first you add the tea powder (erva mate) then the water and the special straw (it has a filter at the bottom) and then it starts. The cup is passed to the first person and he or she drinks it completely. The cup is being refilled and then passed to the next person. And this process continues until the hot water is gone. You can buy these bags of tea in the supermarket or in specialty shops. Even the cups and straws you can buy there but I definitely recommend checking out specialty shops for the cups because they will sell beautiful designed ones. On the local market they will have some stalls too.
Artisanal items
Everywhere I go I try to buy something handmade. Whether it’s a pair of earrings, other accessories, wall art, home decor or kitchenware. Of course I buy some classic souvenirs here and there but every time the handmade items will beat them by far. There are some really cool markets all over the country and in some shopping centers you can find shops with handmade items. If there is a Mercado Municipal, you can sometimes find artisan items there too. In Curitiba, the place I lived in for two years, there is a market on Sunday morning with handmade items. It’s at Largo da Ordem, between 9-13.30h. In Rio de Janeiro there is a cool artisan market on Sunday as well and here is their site. https://www.feirarteipanema.com The Mercado Municipal in Manaus I really enjoyed. You can have delicious (sea) food and buy some nice local items. There I bought a nativity scene made by a indigenous lady. Instead of sheep it had capybaras. So much fun.
Gemstones
This is also not very specific to Brazil but you can find local gemstones everywhere. It will be special because you bought it here but you can find most stones in other countries too. From markets to shops at the airport, you can find them all over the place. They are great as decorative pieces or you can wear them as jewelry. Great for yourself or as a gift for family and friends.
Coffee
Did you know that Brazil has around 300,00 coffee plantations? Although there is not a big coffee culture, coffee is planted all over Brazil because the weather conditions are great for their growth. Almost 86% of its coffee is exported to other countries. The rest stays in Brazil which is great news for you. There are two types of coffee that grow here and they are Arabica and Robusta. You can buy coffee in every supermercado but you can find the best varieties at local shops. Usually the Mercado Municipal (and/or shopping centers) has one or more shops for you to go to.
Musical instruments
If you have been in Brazil for just a little while you will have heard the heartbeat of the country; music! The Brazilians love to express their emotions with music. A great gift for you or your musician friends is one of the many unique instruments you can find in Brazil. You have lots of percussion instruments like berembau, pandeiro and alfaia. There are some cool string instruments as well. At some artisan markets and souvenirs shops you can find these instruments or of course in a music store.
Hammocks
Of course hammocks are not only available in Brazil but there are some awesome ones here that you can purchase. I love that the hammocks from Brazil are usually very colorful. And you find them at the strangest places. One time I was driving with a friend to São Paulo and on the way there, they were hanging between the trees that were beside the road. Just stop the car, buy and drive again. Of course you can find them in the city as well, there are lots of stores and market stalls that sell them.
Cachaça
Brazilian rum or locally known as cachaça is very popular and delicious. When you order a caipirinha it is made with Brazilian rum, sugar, lime and ice. Also easy to make at home. So if you and your friends like rum and/or cocktails this could be a good purchase for you. There are of course lots of different cachaças so go to a liquor store and let yourself be advised. If you don’t speak Portuguese it will be hard to communicate but thumbs up or down will already help you a lot. P.s. be careful because cachaça can be quite strong.
Golden grass accessories
Most of these items I haven’t seen in the south but more in the center and north of the country. These accessories are made with ‘golden grass’. This grass grows in Brazil and lots of small businesses make items with it. They weave baskets, handbags, sandals and make earrings and other jewelry with it. Pretty cool!
Brigadeiro which is a delicious chocolate snack
This little chocolate bom is a great souvenir (for a while, until you can’t find the strength to not eat them) or gift for your friends. You can find them in the sweet bakery or at the supermercado at the fresh bread section.Super delicious.
This is my list of great souvenirs and gifts that you can buy from Brazil. When you have gone to Brazil and have experienced this great country I think you will appreciate one or more items from this list both for yourself or for others.
Is Brazil accessible for wheelchair users?
Museums*
Good, most museums have ramps and elevators. Of course check before you go because it will be different museum to museum. Lots of nature parks are not easy to access.
Café’s and restaurants
There are so many places where you can enter but a lot of places don’t have ramps. Bathrooms in smaller places usually are upstairs.
Public transport
Bad in most cities, one of the exceptions is Curitiba, the bus stop usually has a ramp.
Toilets
If you go inside malls or other public places you will have a designated toilet for wheelchair users.
*And other attractions
Items I love while traveling
Collapsible sunglasses case
My sunglasses are a great way to accessorize my outfit and I want it to stay without scratches. This case is great for you in your purse or backpack. When you don’t use it, it folds flat which is great.
Sennheiser noise canceling headphones
The sound of traveling can be overwhelming. These Sennheiser noise canceling headphones I have used for more than 4 years and I still love them. 25h of battery, great noise canceling and the sound is wonderful. They pack small and they are not too heavy.
Sun hat for ponytail or bun
On days where I want to look a bit more put together I use this great sun hat, also with a whole for my bun or pony tail. Love it!!!