27 Fascinating Facts About Brazil: Beyond Samba

When most people think of Brazil, they imagine Carnival dancers, rainforest canopies, or a blur of yellow jerseys on the soccer field. But Brazil is much more than its stereotypes—this massive, multicultural country is full of surprises, contradictions, and curiosities that make it one of the most unique places on Earth.

Whether you’re planning your dream trip or just love a good cultural deep-dive, these 27 facts will make you see Brazil in a whole new light.

27 Intriguing (and Sometimes Bizarre) Facts About Brazil

1. New Year’s Eve Is a Ritual Playground

In Brazil, New Year’s Eve is dead serious business. People dress in all-white to attract peace, then choose their underwear color based on what they want for the year ahead: red for love, yellow for money, and white for peace. And let’s not forget the tradition of eating 12 grapes at midnight—one for each month—and keeping the seeds in your wallet for good luck.

2. Yes, They Eat Ants—and They Love It

Out in the countryside, Brazilians enjoy a snack that might raise eyebrows elsewhere: pan-fried ants with cassava flour. This rustic delicacy is a crunchy, earthy variation of farofa, a staple side dish that locals claim is loved by “101% of Brazilians.”

If you’re up for exploring local cuisine (ant dishes optional), the san michel hotel taubate in São Paulo State is a cozy and authentic base for your culinary adventures.

3. Motels Aren’t for Sleeping (Well, Not Exactly)

In Brazil, “motels” aren’t roadside lodges for tired travelers—they’re love hotels where couples go for privacy. With hourly rates and themed rooms, they’re found on city outskirts and highways. Many use sneaky signage, disguising the “M” to look like an “H”. But locals know exactly what’s up.

4. Brazil Lives and Breathes Soccer

Brazil is the only country to compete in every FIFA World Cup, winning it five times. The sport is sacred—kids grow up playing barefoot in the street, and during major matches, entire cities pause. Despite a slump in recent years, Brazil remains #3 in FIFA’s global rankings.

5. But the Pain of 1950 and 2014 Still Lingers

In 1950, Brazil lost to Uruguay in the final at the brand-new Maracanã stadium. Fans fainted. Some reportedly died of heart attacks. Then came 2014, when Brazil was humiliated at home by Germany in a shocking 7–1 semifinal loss. Today, “7–1” is slang for personal disasters.

6. Marta: The Real Football G.O.A.T.

While Neymar and Pelé steal headlines, Marta quietly made history. She has scored more World Cup goals than any player ever—male or female—and won FIFA Player of the Year six times, including five in a row from 2006 to 2010.

7. Brazilian Cuisine Is a Global Fusion

Brazil’s food culture is a beautiful mashup of Indigenous, African, and European traditions. From Amazonian fish dishes to African-inspired stews and Portuguese pastries, you’ll find global flavor with a local twist in every bite.

8. Only One Region Loves It Spicy

Brazilian food is not spicy—unless you’re in Bahia. Thanks to a strong West African heritage, Bahian dishes like moqueca and acarajé are firey, flavorful, and full of chili peppers. Meanwhile, in the Southeast, Italian and Portuguese roots keep things milder.

9. Sweet Tooth? Welcome Home

Brazilian desserts are unapologetically sweet. Ingredients like condensed milk, egg yolks, and doce de leite (caramelized milk) are everywhere. If you’re into gooey, creamy, ultra-rich treats—this is your sugar heaven.

10. It Hosts the World’s Largest Diasporas

Brazil is home to the biggest Italian, Japanese, and Arab diaspora populations. Its melting pot identity is so convincing that the Brazilian passport is jokingly called the “fraudsters’ favorite.” It was even reportedly used by Kim Jong-un and Kim Jong-il to travel incognito in Europe.

11. Still Catholic—But Changing Fast

Brazil remains the largest Catholic country in the world, with 120+ million adherents in 2021. But evangelical churches are booming and are projected to outnumber Catholics by 2040.

12. 107 Tribes Have Never Made Contact

Deep in the Amazon, 107 uncontacted Indigenous tribes live in isolation. While some are vaguely aware of the outside world, most avoid it completely—preserving a way of life that’s thousands of years old.

13. It’s a Natural Wonderland

Brazil is one of 17 megadiverse nations on the planet. It boasts not one, but two New7Wonders of Nature: the Amazon Rainforest and Iguazu Falls. From canyons to mangroves, every ecosystem here has its own charm.

14. Everyone Crowds the Coast

Though Brazil is massive, 25% of the population lives along a narrow strip of coastline. Colonial ports, lush beaches, and mountains that block inland migration have made the coast the place to be for centuries.

15. King of Coffee (and Soybeans, and Sugar)

Brazil is the world’s leading exporter of coffee, soybeans, and sugar. It produces 35% of the planet’s coffee supply and has ruled the global coffee market for over 150 years.

16. The Dutch and French Gave It a Go

During the 1500s–1600s, Dutch and French settlers tried to stake a claim in Brazil. But the Portuguese, with help from local Indigenous allies, pushed them out before they could gain ground.

17. The Dark Legacy of Slavery

Brazil received nearly 5 million enslaved Africans—more than any other country. Slavery was abolished in 1888, the last in the Americas. Shockingly, compensation went to former slaveholders, not the freed individuals. The scars remain.

18. Once an Empire, Always a Drama

From 1822 to 1889, Brazil was an independent empire. Emperor Pedro I broke from Portugal, then gave the throne to his son. Pedro II ruled until a military coup sent him into Parisian exile.

19. Meet the Tiny, Tough Frog

One of the world’s smallest frogs, the so-called “Brazilian gold frog” (actually brown), lives in the coastal rainforest. Males fight over mates and then single-parent the eggs after the female dies. Jungle life isn’t for the faint-hearted.

20. A Bird Worth Waking Up For

Brazil’s national bird, the rufous-bellied thrush, sings at sunrise and sunset with a tune that’s inspired poets and songwriters alike. It’s as Brazilian as bossa nova.

21. A Capital City Shaped Like an Airplane

Built in just four years, Brasília was designed in the shape of a plane, symbolizing Brazil’s aspirations in the 1950s. It’s still home to the country’s political and financial heart.

22. Rio Once Ruled an Empire

In a bizarre twist of colonial history, Rio de Janeiro became the capital of Portugal in 1808 when the royal court fled Napoleon. The move turned Rio into a cultural powerhouse with libraries, gardens, and art academies.

23. One Man, 2,000 Tiles, 23 Years

The Selarón Steps in Rio are the work of artist Jorge Selarón, who spent 23 years tiling them with ceramics from 60 countries. Locals thought he was crazy—until it became a must-see attraction.

24. Clapping for the Sunset? Totally Normal

On Ipanema Beach, crowds climb Arpoador Rock at dusk and applaud the sunset. The tradition started in the hippie era and now feels like a daily spiritual send-off.

25. A Rhino Once Beat the Politicians

In 1959, a female rhinoceros named Cacareco got 100,000 votes in São Paulo’s city council election—a protest against corruption. She won more votes than all human candidates combined.

26. Pizza Obsession Is Real

São Paulo residents consume 700 pizzas per minute at over 6,000 pizzerias. The city has 13 million Italian descendants, so carbs are basically a religion here.

27. Sky-High Commutes Are a Thing

With over 400 helicopters, São Paulo has the largest helicopter fleet in the world. That’s more than New York’s 120, with over 1,000 helicopter flights per day. Flying to work? Totally normal.