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Weather
The climate in the south is more temperate than in the north, the rainy season from November to March in the Rio/São Paulo area, from January to April in the north, and April to July in the northeast.
What to Wear
Wear lightweight cottons and linens in the north, and warm clothing for winter (June-July) in the south. Sunglasses are essential and raingear necessary as appropriate.
Visa, Immigration, Customs
Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of entry. Travellers under 18 years of age must have a birth certificate (an original or authenticated photocopy). This must be in Portuguese, English, Spanish or French, otherwise an official translation must be presented as well. When travelling alone or with one parent, a signed letter from the absent parent(s) must be presented authorizing the journey and giving the name and address of the person in Brazil who will be responsible for the minor. In the case of divorced or deceased parents, papers attesting to full custody must be presented.
Visa/Permit/Tourist Card:No visa is required by citizens of the UK for stays of up to 90 days. Others require a visa.
Vaccinations:Brazil is on the list of countries known to be affected by yellow fever. A vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age travelling into Brazil or travelling to other countries after having stayed in Brazil. Vaccination is strongly recommended before your trip. If you are not, some countries will let you enter only if you are vaccinated at customs by a border official. Check with your physician to see if other vaccinations are recommended or required.
Transportation
The national airlines are Varig (RG), VASP (VP) and TAM (KK); many others also serve Brazil from around the world and from all major cities in South America. One may also enter via São Paulo, Recife and Manaus, in the Amazon basin. Internal flights are costly but you won't see much of the country without taking a few.
Airports in Brazil:There are 4136 airports in Brazil.
Travel by Water:Travel by boat is more than road travel along the Amazon and the Rio São.
Travel by Road:Car rental is possible, though driving here is a mad-cap affair-drivers don't necessarily turn headlights on at night. Obtain car insurance if you mean to take them on.
Bus travel is practical, convenient and cheap between cities, except in the Amazon basin.
What Side of the Road?:Driving is on the right side of the road.
Speed Limits:Urban areas - 80 kph; highways - 110 kph.
Culture & Food
Languages Spoken: Portuguese (official), Spanish, English, French.
Religions:Roman Catholic (nominal) 80%
People and Culture:The native population has been much influenced by the settling Portuguese and immigrants of many other nations, with a large number coming from Africa. Their music, too, shows the influences of European (which gave it the samba), African and Caribbean (lambada) and North American (bossa nova) forms. Brazilians speak Portuguese and the state religion is Roman Catholic, although animism and various African cult religions are widely practiced. Exposure to Eastern mysticism has meant the increasing popularity of Kardecism, a spiritualist religion.
A resident or national of Brazil is called "Brazilian". The Term used to describe things from here is "Brazilian". For example, "Brazilian food".
Tipping and Bargaining: Tipping is practiced here. Most prices for merchandise are non-negotiable. Most prices for merchandise are non-negotiable.
| Restaurants: |
10 - 15% |
| *Porters: |
$1 per bag (local exchange rate not available) |
| Taxi: |
10% |
* Try to use local currency. Foreign coins cannot be exchanged and will be useless to the person receiving them. Foreign paper money requires a trip to the bank for exchange. However paper US dollars are accepted almost universally.
Food:No tea or tomato juice; you'll see no potato juice! Coffee is the beverage of choice and one of the country's major exports. Staple accompaniments are rice, beans and farinha (manioc flour), served with steak, chicken or fish in combinations such as feijoada, a bean and meat stew. You'll also enjoy moqueca, a seafood stew flavoured with dendê oil and coconut milk. The street food is also tasty; try acarajé, mashed and fried beans which are filled with seafood, manioc paste, dried shrimp, pepper and tomato sauce. Specialties vary from one region to the next. In Rio, you're likely to be offered feijoada, which is a meat stew containing black beans and served on white rice with boiled green vegetables. In the north of the country, the meat and fish are often hunted, the vegetables and fruits gathered.
Money ConversionBrazil's currency is called the Cruzeiro Real (BRR).
Currency Converter :use the following currency converter tool to help you with your vacation. Currency Convertor Tool
Currency Cheat Sheet:use the following currency cheat sheet as a quick conversion reference on your vacation. Currency Cheat Sheet
Attractions
Destination Cities: Rio at Carnival time should be one of the wonders of the modern world. Bahia's Carnival is held after Christmas. When the dancing has exhausted you, head for the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema. Parati is your destination for eighteenth-century Portuguese architecture. Belém is a city in the Amazon valley. Please be sure that your souvenirs are not plunder from the tropical jungle, and check with your own country concerning import regulations. Emeralds, crystal, leather and silver are tempting buys.
Points of Interest:Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo are great for nightlife. Go golfing in Rio. Take a river cruise to the junction of the Rio Negro and the Amazon, or an ecotour through the jungle (start from Manaus). Water sports of all sorts are popular and excellent in Brazil. Surf at hundred of beaches along the coastline, including Jericoacoara, a charming fishing village on the Ceará coast northwest of Fortaleza, at Joaquina Beach in Santa Catarina state, Saquarema in Rio state, and Búzios on the Cabio Frio Peninsula. Rio is a great place for hikers and rock climbers. One of the greatest waterfalls in the world is Iguaçu Falls on the Parana River near where Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay meet.
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