Black travelers shouldn't encounter much in the way of discrimination. However, mixed couples (particularly where the woman is black and the man is not) may encounter discrimination in hotels or bars because people may assume that the woman is a Brazilian prostitute who has hooked up with a gringo guy. Particularly in Rio and the Northeast such "temporary couples" are a common sight, and people will make assumptions based on appearances.
Brazil is experiencing an increase in the number of African-North American visitors interested in learning about the African roots of Brazilian culture. Most of these travelers visit Salvador, the Brazilian city with the highest percentage of residents of African descent, as well as Rio, which is more of a melting pot but where Afro-Brazilian culture is also strong. Brazil Nuts (www.brazilnuts.com) offers several packages that focus on African religions, festivals, and culture. They can also customize a trip according to your requirements.
