BRAZIL
EMBASSIES
CRAFTS
The best souvenirs are, without a doubt, pieces and jewels with precious or semiprecious stones mainly sold in Rio, Salvador do Bahia as well as Ouro Preto located in the region of Minas Gerais. In the Northwest, hammocks and ceramic statuettes can be found. Naive art paintings of quality can be purchased everywhere. Many leather, crystal and fabrics pieces can be found in all those locations.
BEVERAGES
“Caipirinha” cachaça cocktail – made with sugar cane alcohol – mixed with green lemon juice, is a must. Beer is also a Brazilian tradition served in bottles or as “chopp”. And some tasty fruit juices including the famous “acai”.
CREDITS CARDS
All purchases can be paid by credit cards but some boutiques add taxes. There are secured ATMs but it is necessary to check which credit cards are accepted. Visa and MasterCard are accepted by Banco do Brasil ATMs.
ITINERARY CHOICES
It’s time to offer more balanced trips to Brazil! With such a vast country size, distances between the must-seeing sites are huge and flying is still the best way to travel around and access the sites. However flights are long: just as an example, from Rio, Iguazu is 2h30 hours away, Manaus is between 4 to 5 hours away, Salvador do Bahia, 2 hours away, and added to this the hours of transfer and waiting hours at the airports, 2 to 3 hours can be added to each trip…..
The best option is to suggest itineraries more condensed by areas. Brazil is a country to discover in two, three or more trips. Some suggestions here below:
The great classic in 10 days – Rio, Iguazu Falls, and Salvador do Bahia.
Brazil without domestic flights in 10 days – Rio, Ilha Grande and Parati or Salvador and the Bahianese coast.
Northeast Brazil in 12 to 13 days – Salvador do Bahia, Recife/Olinda, Fortaleza, Sao Luiz, and Lençois.
Nature Brazil in 12 days – Rio and/or Salvador, Brasilia, Manaus, Belém.
Historical Brazil in 12 to 13 days – Rio and/or Salvador, Belo Horizonte, Ouro Preto, Congonhas do Campo and Tiradentes.
Many other itineraries are possible according to the clients’ motivation. Please refer to our different region chapters on our site.
CURRENCY & EXCHANGE
Euros and US Dollars are accepted throughout the country and must be exchanged for payments in Real, the local currency.
It is advisable to bring small denominations.
ELECTRICITY
110 to 220 volts outlets, depending on the cities. Recommended a flat blade plugs adaptor if traveling outside of the most popular tourist destinations (USA plugs).
WEATHER
Compared to Europe, the seasons are reversed. The dry season is North, Northeast and Western-center (Pantanal) throughout the May to October season. For Rio, Minas colonial cities and Iguazu Falls, rainfall is heavy during the southern summer from December to January. With mainly tropical temperatures sometimes in July days and nights can be cold.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
- 1 January: New Year’s Day
- 20 January: Saint Sebastian (Rio de Janeiro only)
- 25 January: Foundation of the city of São Paulo (São Paulo only)
- 21 April: Commemoration of Tiradentes
- 23 April: Saint George’s Day (Rio de Janeiro only)
- 1 May: Labour Day
- 9 July: Constitutional Revolution (São Paulo only)
- 7 September: Independence Day
- 12 October: Apparition of the Virgin Mary
- 15 November: Proclamation of the Republic
- 20 November: Dia da Consciência Negra
- 25 December: Christmas
GASTRONOMY
Several regional cuisines. In restaurants dishes are very generously served, they can be shared. Northeast, fish and seafood cooked with palm oil and coconut milk; tasteful fish from the Amazon basin grilled or with sauce at Manaus and Belém; many pastries made with corn and different pork stews with sausages in the Minas region. And mainly the churrascarias where all types of meat are served as much as you want….
TIPS
In restaurants and bars tips are generally included in the bills. Otherwise the tip should be about 10% of the total service.
CURRENT TIME
– 3 h on European winter time and – 5 on summer time. It is needed to add one more hour in the North and Western center.
TELECOMS
To call from Europe to Brazil, please dial 00+55+city code+number.
Internet access is well spread in Brazil. WIFI connection is free in most of the hotels, bars and restaurants. Cyber shops are easy to find.
SAFETY
Be careful when walking around the city with your personal belongings. The easiest is to leave in your suitcases locked (or in your room safety box or at the reception desk against receipt) your valuable belongings (money, credit cards, passport, etc.…) and leave the hotel with the amount of money that you need for the free time given (and if you wish a passport.
LANGUAGE
Portuguese
HEALTH
For travelers coming from Europe, no vaccination is required to enter the country. For stays in the Amazon region, the yellow fever vaccine is still recommended as well as an antimalaria treatment.
Bring with you a first aid kit with the usual medical care medication (Band-Aids, antibacterial, aspirin, diarrhea treatment, fever, mosquito repellent for skin and clothes, antibacterial gel…) Regarding malaria, Brazil is classified zone 3 only in the Amazon area, the treatment should be with Malarone, Lariam or Doxycycline.
TRANSPORT
Today, they are all equipped with taximeters, except in rural or remote zones, however it is best to negotiate the ride at the departure in order to avoid surprises. Overall in the country, taxis are pretty safe.
HOW TO DRESS?
Comfortable clothing and easy to wear in tropical weather. Some wool sweaters are recommended for southern winter nights. Comfortable shoes. Brazilians dress up very casual even when going out at night. Be careful with the air conditioning as it is often strong and cold in public places.
CUSTOMS
For European citizens, a valid passport for 6 months after return date is required.
