BRAZIL MINI GUIDE

Brazil: General information

Location: South America

Local time: Acre & Tabatinga: GMT -5
Amazonas, Rondonia, Roraima & Western Para: GMT -4
Espirito Santo, Federal District, Goias, Minas Gerais, Parana, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina & Sao Paulo:
From 16 Oct 05 to 18 Feb 06 GMT -2, From 19 Feb 06 to 15 Oct 06 GMT -3
Fernando de Noronha: GMT -2
Mato Grosso & Mato Grosso do Sul: From 16 Oct 05 to 18 Feb 06 GMT -3, From 19 Feb 06 to 15 Oct 06 GMT -4
Rest of Brazil: GMT -3

Capital: Brasilia

Language: Portuguese

Electricity: 220V AC 60Hz (Brasilia), 110V AC the rest of the country

International direct dialling code: 55

Driving: Driving is on the right. International Driving Permit required

Currency: Brazilian Real (BRL 1 = 100 Centavos)
Notes: BRL: 1, 5, 10, 50, 100
Coins: BRL: 1. Centavos: 1, 5, 10, 25, 50

Traditions/Mores: Business is conducted in Portuguese or English. On social occasions, eg invitation to restaurants or clubs, be punctual and dress as for business meetings unless otherwise indicated

Climate

Brazil is a huge country mostly lying within the tropics which means it is generally hot & humid. The Amazon Basin in the north & centre of Brazil has no real dry season, although there is a wetter period between Dec-Apr, temperatures are tropical throughout the year making this a high humidity region. The Brazilian plateau, to the south & east of the Basin, including Brasilia, has a more distinct wet & dry season where temperatures vary accordingly. Rainfall occurs mainly between Oct-Apr & the rest of the year is almost dry. The narrow Atlantic coastal plain & southern states have a more temperate climate with a distinct cooler season (May-Sep), when frost can occur. Rainfall in the north of the coastal plain, including Recife has its wettest period between Apr-Aug, however Rio de Janeiro in the south is wet throughout the year but with a slightly wetter period between Nov-Apr. Southern states have some rain throughout

Air Travel

Brazil’s national airlines are TAM (KK), Varig (RG) and VASP (VP). Other airlines serving Brazil include: Aerolineas Argentinas, Air France, Alitalia, American Airlines, British Airways, Continental Airlines, Iberia, Japan Airlines, KLM, LAN-Chile, Lufthansa, Pluna, South African Airways, SAS, SWISS, TAP Air Portugal and United Airlines.

Approximate flight times:

From London to Sao Paulo and to Rio de Janeiro is approximately 11 hours. From Los Angeles to Rio de Janeiro is 14 hours. From New York to Rio de Janeiro is 10 hours. From Sydney to Rio de Janeiro is 20 hours.

International airports:

Brasilia International (BSB) is 11km (7 miles) south of the city. Buses run regularly to the city centre (travel time – 30 minutes). Taxis are also available (travel time – 15 minutes). Airport facilities include left luggage, first aid, snack bar, post office, banks/bureaux de change, bar, restaurant, shops and car hire (Disbrave, Hertz, Interlocadora, Localiza, Locarauto and Unidas).
Rio de Janeiro (Galeao) (GIG) is 20km (13 miles) north of the city. Public buses operate 0530-2330 to the city (travel time – 40 minutes). There is an airport shuttle bus which stops at all major resorts and hotels, running every hour. Taxis are also available. Airport facilities include left luggage and lockers, bank, bureau de change, duty-free shops, a pharmacy and a small 24-hour hospital, restaurant, snack bar, car parking, tourist information, post office and car hire companies (Avis, Hertz, Interlocadora, Localiza, Mega-Rent-Car and Unidas).
Sao Paulo (Guarulhos) (GRU) is 25km (16 miles) northeast of the city. An airport bus runs every 30 minutes (travel time – 30 minutes). Taxis are also available. The airport provides the following 24-hour facilities: left luggage and lockers, duty-free shops, banks, bureau de change, pharmacies, restaurants, snack bar, post office and car hire (Budget, Localiza and Unidas).

BRAZIL FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where to find cheap, possibly non-stop tickets to Brazil? Can I get the best lowest airfare at the last moment? Which airlines fly to Brazil? Which travel documents, passport, visa required, what are health immunization requirements in Brazil.

Compulsory vaccinations:

Recommended immunisations:

Health risks in Brazil:

Malaria risk in most forested areas below 900 metres within the Legal Amazonia regions of: Acre, Amapa, Amazonas, Maranhao (western part), Mato Grosso (northern part), Para (except Belem City), Rondonia, Roraima & Tocantins). Risk is very high in jungle mining areas & agricultural areas, however the risk is reduced in urban areas, including large cities such as Porto Velho, Boa Vista, Macapa, Manaus, Santarem & Maraba, where transmission occurs on the outskirts of these cities. Outside the Legal Amazonia region risk is negligible or non-existant. Rabies

Brazil Passports

Required, but NOT by the following:
1) Holders of a `Carteira de Identidade` issued to nationals of Brazil when travelling to or from Argentina, Paraguay or Uruguay
2) Holders of National Identity Cards issued to nationals of Argentina, Chile, Paraguay & Uruguay when entering from their home country

Notes:

Persons born in Brazil are considered nationals of Brazil, whether or not they are nationals of another country. Consequently, they must hold a Brazilian passport when entering Brazil

Passport validity: Passports must be valid 6 months from date of entry

Brazil Visas

The following DO NOT require a visa:
1) Nationals of Brazil holding either a green, red or blue passport
2) For tourist visits up to 90 days (extendable) by nationals of:
a) United Kingdom
b) Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland Rep, Israel, Italy, Korea (South), Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, Uruguay, Vatican City & Venezuela
3) Holders of a re-entry permit (`visto de retorno`)

Notes:

Transit

Required by all except those as noted above and:
1) Persons continuing their journey to a third country by the same or first connecting flight without leaving the airport transit area, provided such flight is indicated on their ticket

Notes:

This exemption is not applicable to persons transferring in:
1) Rio de Janeiro between Galeao International Airport & Santos Dumont Airport
2) Sao Paulo between Guarulhos International Airport, Congonhas Airport & Viracopos Airport
3) Although transit without visa facilities are available, it is still advisable to obtain a visa to avoid any inconvenience

Special notes: All visitors must hold onward/return tickets & sufficient funds

International Cheap Airfares to...