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| Brazil travel essentials |
Regions and Climate
Summer–from December to March–is hot, humid and somewhat rainy. From April to November (winter), the general climate is more pleasant–and drier. Regional conditions can vary greatly, however.
Amazon Basin:
The Amazon region is always warm, and the rainy season peaks during the summer months of December to February. The rivers rise and wildlife migrates to higher ground.
Southeast:
This region of Brazil, which includes Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, has a pleasant tropical climate, with hot and sticky days in the summer, usually in the 80s. Winter brings cool nights and warm days in the 70s.
Northeast:
Brazil's northeastern coast (and the cities of Salvador, Recife and Fortaleza) is almost always warm, but less humid than the southeast. Summer is a time of frequent celebrations, like Carnaval, which usually takes place in February. The area is tropical and dry, with occasional rains from April to June. Inland, in the arid region known as the sertão, droughts are common. In southern Piaui, reddish cliffs and huge mesas provide a scenic backdrop to dry scrubland.
Pantanal:
In the rainy season, from December to March, the Pantanal can be hard to navigate–in fact, some lodges do not even operate due to difficulty in getting around. The driest period is from July to September, when there are fewer mosquitoes and the roads are dry; birds and other wildlife congregate around watering holes, making it easy to spot the region's abundant species.
Health
For the latest health information and vaccine recommendations for Brazil, visit the Center for Disease Control website.
Currency
Brazilian currency is known as the REAL (plural reais), noted as R$ and adopted in 1994 after the cruzeiro was abandoned. Bills come in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 50 and 100 reais. One real equals 100 centavos, and coins are in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 centavos and one real. The latest exchange rates can be found at http://www.xe.com/. You may exchange money at the airport, at your hotel, at local banks or at a casa de câmbio (exchange house), which are located in most large cities. Hotels generally give favorable exchange rates.
Major credit cards are widely accepted at better hotels, stores and restaurants, but you should carry cast for establishments that don't accept them. ATMs are generally available at airports and banks for cash withdrawal.
Electricity
Brazil does not have a standard voltage. The southeastern region (in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, for example) tends to use a U.S.-compatible system closer to 110V whereas European-style 220V outlets are more common in the south of Brazil. Bring an adaptor wherever you are going, however.
Entry and Exit Regulations
US visitors to Brazil require a tourist visa before leaving for Brazil, available from your nearest Brazilian Consulate or through a travel document service. Further information can be obtained from http://www.braziltourism.org/visas.html. Non-US citizens should contact the Brazilian Consulate in their country of residence to check visa requirements
The cost of the visa is currently $100.00. You will need to submit a valid passport good for at least six months from the date of application, two passport-sized photos (2" x 2"), photocopies of your round-trip tickets or a letter from Tropical Nature Travel confirming your booking.
International exit fees are normally included in the cost of your plane ticket.
Language
The official language of Brazil is Portuguese. During your travels in Brazil you will find that most people working in the travel industry (airlines, hotels, et cetera) speak English as a second language. You should find little trouble getting around most of the common tourist locations; however knowing a little Portuguese goes a long way. Make it a point to bring a Portuguese phrasebook or pocket dictionary and to learn the rules of pronunciation as well as a few key phrases to help you get around.
Official Time
Brazil's time is Eastern Standard Time (EST) +3 hours in the east, northeast, south and southeast; EST +2 hours in the central-western regions; and EST +1 hour in the western Amazon. Daylight savings time is observed.
USA Travelers Info
The US Consulate in Rio de Janeiro is located at:
Avenida Presidente Wilson, 147
Rio de Janeiro, RJ
Tel: (55) 21 2292-7117
Emergencies: (55) 21 2292-7117
Home page: http://www.embaixada-americana.org.br
The Consulate is open from 8:00 am – 4: 45 pm from Monday through Friday except during US and some Brazilian holidays.
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