🌦️ Climate reality check – While often portrayed as a year-round tropical paradise, Brazil’s climate is far from perfect. Inland regions suffer from intense sun and harsh UV exposure, requiring daily sunscreen. Meanwhile, cities like Belém face constant rainfall, limiting outdoor activities. Only certain areas like Florianópolis offer a balanced climate with moderate sun and rain.
🏛️ Cultural and structural shock – Expats often struggle with bureaucracy, hidden costs, and unstable laws. Prices aren’t always transparent, fees emerge after deals, and sudden legal changes create uncertainty. The tax system is complex, and public offices often function with inefficiency and urgency.
🔒 Security concerns – Brazil’s crime rates vary greatly by region. Florianópolis and São Paulo are relatively safe, while Fortaleza and Salvador are notorious for crime. Feira de Santana, ranked 9th most dangerous city worldwide, recorded 418 homicides in 2020. Still, many unsafe cities remain popular tourist hubs, complicating the safety narrative.
🏙️ Inconsistent infrastructure – With 27 states and over 5,500 municipalities, infrastructure quality is uneven. São Paulo boasts world-class roads and a high Human Development Index (0.806), while Maranhão lags with 0.676. Roads in poorer states can be chaotic compared to São Paulo’s efficient toll highways.
✈️ Distance and travel costs – Brazil’s location makes it far from Europe and North America. Direct flights are limited to major hubs like São Paulo and Rio, and additional domestic travel is often necessary. Americans benefit from cheaper flights compared to Europeans.
🏥 Healthcare gaps – The universal system (SUS) provides free care but lacks consistency. Rural and underdeveloped areas face risks, while São Paulo has two hospitals in the world’s top 100. Private healthcare is excellent yet costly for locals, though still cheaper than U.S. standards (childbirth at Albert Einstein Hospital costs under $4,000 vs. $32,000 in the U.S.).
📉 Economic instability & opportunity – Brazil’s economy swings wildly (“chicken flights”), making stability difficult for locals. Yet, foreigners with dollar or euro incomes benefit from a 70% currency devaluation over the past decade, creating opportunities for cheap property, such as beachfront apartments under $500/month.
🌍 Digital nomad visa – Since 2022, Brazil has offered a one-year visa for remote workers, making it more appealing for those who earn abroad. Coastal states like Santa Catarina have become hotspots for digital nomads seeking affordable beach living.
🏖️ Attractive real estate for foreigners – Property in beach towns like Ubatuba’s Praia do Cedro is comparatively cheap, often costing less than renting in London. Foreign retirees and digital nomads increasingly see Brazil as a seasonal or part-time home rather than a permanent move.
Insights
418 homicides in Feira de Santana (2020) – highlights extreme regional insecurity.
70% currency devaluation in 10 years – makes Brazil cheaper for foreigners but devastating for locals.
$4,000 vs. $32,000 childbirth cost – shows affordability of high-end healthcare relative to the U.S.
5,570 municipalities – explains why infrastructure and living standards vary so widely.
