Accommodation varies according to region. First-class accommodation is, by and large, restricted to the cities of the south and is generally expensive. There are also a number of pousadas, small, privately run hotels that are less expensive than the major hotels. 

Rio de Janeiro/São Paulo: Many modern hotels, ranging from the very expensive deluxe hotels to moderately priced hotels. It is vital to book well in advance for the carnival (which takes place annually in February).

Brasília: Small number of good hotels. Most tourists visit Brasília by air from Rio or São Paulo for a day trip, or make a single-night stopover.

Bahia (Salvador): Small number of good hotels, some moderately priced hotels, several demi-pensions. The Bahia carnival takes place after Christmas (from December to March).

Amazon Basin: This region is being developed in part as a tourist attraction and has numerous lodges. Visitors are reminded that hotel tariffs are subject to alteration at any time, and are liable to fluctuate according to changes in the exchange rate.

Note: The best guide to hotels in Brazil is the Guia do Brasil Quatro Rodas, which includes maps, available from the Brazilian Tourist Board (EMBRATUR) and from any news stand in Brazil. 

Grading: The Brazilian Tourist Board has a star-rating system (from 1- to 5-star), but the classification is not widely used.

Camping vans may be hired, and camping arranged on safari tours or group ‘exploration’ trips in the Amazon region. The road network in Brazil is good and is being expanded, but since many parts are wild, or semi-explored, it is wise to drive on main roads, to camp with organised groups under supervision and with official permits, or otherwise to stay in recognised hotels. The country is peaceful, but because it is so large there is a real danger of getting lost, or being injured or killed by natural accident or lack of local survival skills.

The Camping Clube do Brasil has over 50 sites in 14 states. Those with an ‘international camper’s card’ pay only half the rate of a non-member. For those on a low budget, service stations can be used as campsites. These are equipped with shower facilities and can supply food.

There are over 80 youth hostels (albergues de juventude).

Dormitórios, which have several beds to a room, cost from as little as US$5 per night, though standards are correspondingly basic (with shared bathroom facilities); a pousada (small guest house) costs from approximately US$10 per night. Rooms with bathrooms are called apartamentos, those without a bathroom are called quartos.

There are a growing number of eco-hotels, located mostly in or near the Amazonian rainforest. Some provide visitors with luxury accommodation built on treetops and also arrange informative tours to the surrounding area; prices tend to be very high.

Associacão Brasileira da Industria de Hoteis (Brazilian Hotel Industry Association)
Avenida Nilo Peçanha, 12 - grupo 1005, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Tel: (21) 2533 5768.
Website: www.abih.com.br 

Camping Clube do Brasil (Camping Club of Brazil)
Divisao de Campings, Rua Senador Dantas 75, 29 andar, 20037 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Tel: (21) 3479 4200.
Website: www.campingclube.com.br

Federação Brasileira dos Albergues da Juventude (Brazilian Youth Hostel Federation)
Rua General Dionisio 63, Botafogo, 22271-050 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Tel: (21) 2286 0303.
Website: www.hostel.org.br