Is Brazil safe for first-timers?

It requires street smarts. Stay in tourist-heavy areas, use Ubers instead of walking at night, and keep your phone and jewelry out of sight while on the street.

Do I need to speak Portuguese?

In major tourist hubs, you can get by with English, but learning basic phrases like 'Por favor' (please) and 'Obrigado/a' (thank you) goes a long way with locals.

How to plan a two-week first-time trip to Brazil

Focus on the 'Golden Triangle' of Rio de Janeiro, Iguaçu Falls, and Salvador to minimize transit time and maximize exposure to diverse Brazilian culture. Use domestic flights for long distances to avoid spending your entire vacation on a bus.

Book an internal flight pass. Do not attempt to drive between regions. Look into the LATAM Brazil Airpass or book internal legs (Rio to Iguaçu, Iguaçu to Salvador, Salvador to Rio) at least 60 days in advance to keep costs under $150 per flight.
Prioritize your transit hubs. Spend 5 days in Rio de Janeiro for iconic sights, 3 days at Iguaçu Falls to see both the Argentinian and Brazilian sides, and 6 days in Salvador and the nearby beaches of Morro de São Paulo.
Get your logistics sorted. Download Uber, which is widely available and safer/cheaper than street taxis in major cities. Ensure your credit card has no foreign transaction fees, as Brazil is increasingly cashless.

Is Brazil safe for first-timers?: It requires street smarts. Stay in tourist-heavy areas, use Ubers instead of walking at night, and keep your phone and jewelry out of sight while on the street.
Do I need to speak Portuguese?: In major tourist hubs, you can get by with English, but learning basic phrases like 'Por favor' (please) and 'Obrigado/a' (thank you) goes a long way with locals.