Clothing. What you wear will depend upon the nature of your visit, the areas visited and the time of year. Casual clothing is the norm for travelers. Suits and ties and skirts and dresses are the norm for business relations (Note: wearing a tie with a short-sleeved shirt may cause you to be mistaken for a missionary!). Brazil usually follows Europe as far as fashion goes. In the north of Brazil ( Salvador , Recife , Fortaleza et cetera) clothing is rather casual. Shirts - Cotton shirts are the best; linen and rayon are also good fabric choices for the tropics. Bring along light long-sleeved shirts for protection against the sun and mosquitoes. Pants - Lightweight cotton work pants, safari pants or jeans are recommended. Shorts are fine for coastal areas, beaches and for traveling, but are frowned upon in churches and some museums. Shoes - Bring two good pairs of hiking or walking shoes. Expensive hiking boots are not necessary, but please take precautions in selecting your walking boots if you have weak ankles. Flip-flops or sandals are great for going to the beach and for wearing around the hotels. Jackets, coats, etc. - A lightweight jacket, windbreaker or pullover will be useful in the evenings and during the Brazilian winter. Also, bring a raincoat or light poncho. Hats - We recommend bringing a light hat with a wide brim. Sunscreen. Bring a sunscreen with an adequate SPF factor. Glasses. Sunglasses with UV protection are recommended for sunny days. Binoculars. Great for spotting wildlife and for scanning the horizon. Flashlight. A small pocket light makes for a handy aid. Bring an extra set of batteries. Water bottle. This is not a must, but some individuals like to bring their own water bottle or small canteen. For our adventure tours, this is a good idea. There are some sports bottles available with built-in purifiers, such as Penta Pure, PUR, Exstream Orinoco, Sweetwater Guardian and the On The Go bottle.