Their economy is bigger than the UK's, they've got the world cup and the Olympics on the way, but why are Brazilians so annoyed about the cost of a bus ticket?
The upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup, and 2016 Olympic Games has stimulated development in Brazil.
The Brazil government is building huge sporting stadiums in out of the way places, saying it's about stimulating the economy. But some locals smell corruption.
Ticket prices for the World Cup are high, making it only accessible to the elite or foreign tourists. And instead of boosting the local economy many feel the cash tourists bring will end up in the pockets of FIFA or corrupt officials.
So when a 6 per cent bus ticket rise in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo came into effect earlier this month, Brazilians rallied to fight the hike.
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The protests resulted in an overzealous police response, that saw journalists, dogs, and even unarmed women targeted.
Authorities now say they plan to scrap the fare increases.
The Feed's Andy Park looks at the growing economical tensions in Brazil.
