Brazil is an excellent choice all year around. You can check the weather
according to your preferences. Summertime in Brazil starts in December
and runs through to February. Many Brazilians are on vacation at this
time, so make your reservations early enough in advance to avoid any hassles.
Remember, Carnival, which occurs the week leading up to Ash Wednesday
each year (either February or March), is the festival no one should miss! Travel Visas
When coming to Brazil, you must be sure that your passport is valid for
at least six months after the date of entry. Check with your local Brazilian
embassy or consulate whether or not you require a visa to enter the country.
Visa Not Required
Consular visas are not required for stays of up to 90 days by tourists
from Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bolivia,
Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany,
Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Morocco,
Netherlands, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, San Marino,
Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad
and Tobago, United Kingdom, Uruguay, The Vatican and Venezuela.
Visas Required
US and Canadian citizens, Australians and New Zealanders and people of
other nationalities not mentioned above require consular visas to enter
Brazil.
Foreign tourists may stay a maximum of 180 days in any one year. 90-day
renewals are easily obtainable from the local Polícia Federal.
All visa related problems are under the jurisdiction of the Federal
Police, which has an office in every major airport.
Getting there and getting around
Most of the American and European airlines fly into and out of São
Paulo and Rio de Janeiro daily. There are various domestic airlines within
Brazil, the principal ones being Varig, Tam, Vasp and Gol; Varig also
has the most extensive network of domestic flights. Booking the best flights
to suit your schedule is a service that Discover Brazil provides. Transfer
services in air-conditioned vehicles, taxis, bus services and car rentals
are also services we provide.
Tips before traveling
Check with the nearest Brazilian consulate in your area for visa and vaccination
requirements before traveling. If you are a US citizen, you will need
a visa to get in, so please be well informed of the requirements well
in advance of your travel.
Brazil does not require you to have any vaccinations to enter the country;
however, if you are planning to travel to the Amazon region, a Yellow
Fever inoculation is advisable. Make sure you plan this in advance because
the vaccine only becomes effective after 10 days. Consult with your local
doctor whether or not you should take anti-malaria medicine.
All banks and money exchange houses will change traveler’s checks
and foreign currency. It is wise to carry some cash in case you want to
go out of the major cities and towns. Generally, Master Card, Amex, Diners
and Visa are accepted. Traveler’s checks are accepted at hotels,
banks and tourist agencies. (A number of banks including Banco do Brasil
accept foreign cards in their ATM machines).
It is advisable
to always carry smaller bills, as restaurants and shops rarely have
change for large bills
If you are sending your little ones alone or accompanied only by your
spouse, please make sure you have a written authorization from the non-accompanying
parent or legal guardian granting permission to travel. This document
must be translated into Portuguese, notarized and authenticated by a
Brazilian consulate, and you will need to show it to the airport authorities
when you leave Brazil and go back home with your kids.
Take out medical and travel insurance (offered by Discover Brazil). Make
sure it covers all eventualities especially evacuation to your home country
by a medically equipped plane, if necessary.
Take clothes suitable for the climates you are planning to visit.
Take sunscreen and mosquito repellent.
Don’t wear expensive items such as jewelry, and be discreet with
cameras, like in any major city around the world, don’t tempt
thieves.
Drink plenty of water when you’re in Brazil (tap water is unsafe
to drink).
Electricity can vary within cities. Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo use
110 volts AC, Bahia (Salvador) and Manaus 127 volts AC, in Brasilia
and Recife 220 volts AC. Most hotels do provide 110-volt & 220-volt
outlets or adaptors. Check with your hotel which voltage is used in
your room to avoid damaging your electronic equipment.
If you want to dial internationally, it is necessary to dial 00 –
21 – country code – city code – phone number. For
local calls within the city, just dial the telephone number. Between
Brazilian states you need to dial a carrier code (021, 031, etc) then
the state code and the phone number.
Brazil uses the metric system, Celsius temperature, and military or
British time.
Visitors will find that Brazilians are very friendly people - easy to
approach, respectful of visitors and always willing to help if possible.