Frequently asked questions

At a glance

Booking and proposals

How does booking work?

You write to us on WhatsApp, Telegram or by email; the channels are on the contact page. A person from our team replies the same working day and asks questions if something is unclear. Within 24 hours we send a proposal with the program, the price and the terms. You confirm, pay the deposit set out in the proposal, and we book the providers and send you their details. The full process is on how we work.

What should I put in my first message?

Dates, the number of people (with children’s ages, if any), the cities, what you want to see and do, and the language you want the guide to speak. A few lines are enough to start. Please do not send passport copies or payment details in the first message.

What does a proposal include?

The program, day by day or step by step; what each service includes and what it does not; vehicles and their capacity; the guide’s language; the price, our deposit and how the rest is paid; and the cancellation and change terms.

Do you run the tours yourselves?

No. A local provider we have vetted delivers each service, and you deal only with us. You get the provider’s name and contacts after the booking is confirmed. How we choose them is on how we vet providers.

Payment and cancellation

How do I pay?

There is no online payment on this site. When you book, you pay Vela Brasil a deposit that equals our fee; the proposal states the amount and the payment method. You pay the rest to the provider, as the proposal describes.

Is your fee added on top?

No. The price in the proposal already includes our fee.

Can I cancel or change the date?

What if the provider fails or the weather turns?

If the provider or we fail to deliver, we find a replacement; if there is none, we refund our deposit in full. For weather or force majeure, we move the service to another date or refund our deposit in full.

Languages, private trips and groups

Which languages do you work in?

Our team answers in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German and Italian. For tours we find a guide who speaks your language and confirm it in the proposal.

Do you plan trips for two people?

Yes. Couples, families, friends and solo travellers get a plan where every tour, transfer and activity is private to their party. Start with private trips in Rio and Brazil.

Do you work with groups and travel agencies?

Yes, with groups from about 10 people. For 50 people and more we work together with a large local receptive partner, and you keep one contact on our team. See groups and travel agencies.

During the trip

Who do I contact while I am in Brazil?

The same person on our team, from arrival to departure. Write to them about anything that concerns the services: a late flight, a change of plan, a car that has not arrived.

Are you available 24 hours?

No. A person answers from 8:00 to 20:00 Rio time, and messages sent at night are read in the morning. In an emergency, call 190 (police), 192 (SAMU ambulance) or 193 (fire brigade) first, then tell us. What we do when something goes wrong is on on-trip assistance.

Before you travel

Do I need a visa for Brazil?

That depends on your nationality. We do not issue visas. Start with our page on Brazil visa requirements and check the rules for your passport on official websites.

Do you book flights?

No, we do not sell flight tickets. Routes to Rio are covered in flights to Brazil; send us your flight times and we plan the transfers around them.

When is the best time to go?

It depends on the region: Rio and the south-east are wettest from November to March, and June to August is dry and mild in Rio. Details by region and month: best time to visit Brazil.

Which vaccines do I need?

None is required for entry, but the CDC recommends yellow fever vaccination for many states, the city of Rio de Janeiro included. See Brazil health tips.

Can I pay by card?

Usually yes: the Government of Canada notes that cards are widely accepted in cities, restaurants and stores. Pix needs an account at a participating institution, so most visitors use cards and cash. More in money in Brazil.

What do governments advise about safety in Rio?

The U.S. Department of State rates Brazil Level 2, “Exercise increased caution” (31.08.2026), and the Government of Canada asks for a high degree of caution (14.10.2026). Their practical advice is on Rio safety tips.

Which airport do I fly into?

International flights land at Galeão (GIG); Santos Dumont (SDU) handles domestic flights next to the centre. See the Rio airports guide.

Will my phone work?

A Brazilian prepaid SIM or eSIM must be registered before it works, and the online route asks for a CPF tax number, so visitors usually register in a carrier store with an ID or keep their home line on roaming. See SIM cards and eSIM in Brazil.

What time is it in Rio?

Rio is on UTC-3 all year; Brazil has had no daylight saving time since 2019. The full picture is in Brazil time zone.

When is Carnival 2027?

The Special Group parades at the Sambadrome are on 7, 8 and 9 February 2027 (LIESA). Nights, seats and planning: Rio Carnival.

Working with us

Guides, drivers, photographers and boat or activity operators in Brazil can find out how we work with providers on work with us.