The summer is SO HOT! Be prepared to SWEAT! The winters get cold and with the humidity, it feels a lot colder. It also rains A LOT!
You walk a ton in this mission, often on uneven roads. You can walk 10-15 miles a day and it’s hard on shoes, so bring super comfortable shoes that are waterproof and can take a beating. You will also want more of a boot for winter. You can also bring black tennis shoes with black soles.
Sisters wear Tevas or Chacos sandals and pretty much live in them in the summer. They will need a nicer shoe for church and for winter(Dr. Marten Mary Jane’s), rain boots (Hunter) or a waterproof boot (lined Blundstone, Muckboots, or Docs).
Elders: a hiking shoe like ECCO is nice. Also a waterproof boot. You will go through several pair. Rotate shoes everyday. You can also bring black tennis shoes for everyday, but those are often not waterproof.
Clothing should be quick-drying. Some apartments don’t have dryers, so you will have to hang dry your clothing. You need clothing for super hot and super cold with lots of humidity. Coats, hats, and gloves, sweaters, and warm sweats for night. An electric blanket is awesome in the winters.
Elders: bring a mix of short and long sleeved shirts, but more of the short. You will also want sweaters for layering in the winter. Bring light, quick drying golf pants.
Sisters: Bring a variety of dresses, skirts, and pants (loose). Flowy, light dresses are needed in the summer. It can get a little windy in places, so longer dresses are better. You will also want sweaters, leggings, and fleece lined tights for the colder months.
You will need a poncho or longer rain jacket. Rain jackets with a removable liner is best for the different seasons.
You will want a backpack for transfers and exchanges. An everyday carry bag has mixed reviews. Some missionaries say they make you a target for theft, so if you do bring one, get a cheap (preferably waterproof) one.
Every day carry bags need to be messenger or sling bags. Timbuk2 (medium sized) is the perfect bag that has room to carry a water bottle.
Wait to buy a wide-brimmed hat there. Many missionaries like to purchase a Gaucho hat.
Each kitchen sink has a water filter that gets changed 2 times a year, but water filtration bottles with extra filters are nice to have as well.
Most apartments also have a space heater, but warm clothes to sleep in is nice.
Bring:
A keyboard
Sheets
Sweets
Medications (especially cold medicine)
Diaper cream or gold bond for chafing
Tampons (they have ones without an applicator, but only in some areas) Consider transitioning to a menstrual cup or disc before a mission.
BRING A RECHARGEABLE FAN! You won’t regret it.
Consider bringing:
Face wash (expensive there)
Shampoo & Conditioner (also expensive) Consider using a shampoo bar to help with weight.
You do not need to bring:
Hangers
Jeans
Temple clothes
Blanket or pillow (provided by mission)
An umbrella can be brought or purchased there.
They have Amazon Brazil. They also have Mercado Libre where missionaries need their CPF # to order from.
Have a suggestion or correction for the Brazil Porto Alegre South Mission? Submit it here.
Most parents send their Elders with at least 1 suit (most countries in South America only wear suits to church and meetings) and around 8–10 golf pants. Families are sending more shirts because of heat and humidity — 12–14 is the average. Note for Sisters serving in Brazil: feminine hygiene products are expensive there and tampons are often considered taboo. Be prepared to send a good supply with your Sister Missionary.
This is a very comfortable, durable shoe that missionaries serving all over have loved!
7 inch Rechargeable Fan. These have been recommended for missionaries serving in Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Africa. They help keep you cooler at night, but also help keep bugs like mosquitos off at night too.
The power goes out frequently, so it is nice to have a solar power fan.
This is a good rain jacket to have if you need the zip-out liner functionality.
Serve shirts have a ventilation panel in the side of the shirt making them noticeably more breathable. Missionaries serving in hot or humid places absolutely RAVE about this feature. The most popular shirt for hot-climate missions, for sure.