Brazil

The tropics in all its states. A land of interbreeding, a unique art of living, national parks where exceptional nature reigns supreme.

Les Essentials

Brazil in detail

Click on regions to see related articles.

Capital :

Brasilia

Area :

8,5 millions km²

Population :

212 millions

Currency :

Real | 6.2 Reais = 1 €

Language :

Portuguese

Time difference :

From -3h in winter to -5h in summer (Paris)

Best seasons :

Northeast: September-December Rio & Amazon: June-October

Bresil

Practical info

Gastronomy

Several regional cuisines. The dishes are generously served to the point that in restaurants it is possible to share them between 2. In the Northeast, fish and seafood cooked in palm oil and coconut milk; delicious fish from the Amazon basin grilled or in sauce in Manaus and Belém; quantity of corn cakes and different pork stews with sausages in the Minas region. And especially the "churrascarias" where several types of meat are served at will... The "caipirinha", the cocktail of cachaça - sugar cane alcohol - mixed with lime juice, is de rigueur. Beer is also a Brazilian tradition served in bottles or in the form of "chopp". And delicious fruit juices including the famous "açai".

Embassy

In France: 5 Avenue Franklin Delano Roosevelt – 75008 Paris / Tel: +33 (0)1 45 61 85 50 In the world: https://embassies.net/brazil-embassy

Crafts

The most beautiful souvenirs will undoubtedly be the objects and jewels made of precious and semi-precious stones, especially in Rio, Salvador de Bahia and Ouro Preto in Minas Gerais. In the North East, hammocks and ceramic statuettes. Everywhere it is possible to acquire quality naive art paintings, leather, glass and fabric objects.

Credit cards

All purchases can be paid for with credit cards but some stores add taxes. There are ATMs but it is necessary to know the type of card accepted. Visa and Mastercard are accepted in Banco do Brasil ATMs.

Route selection

It's time for more balanced travel in Brazil! Given these gigantic dimensions, the distances between the must-see sites are immense, and air travel is still the best way to get there. However, flights are long: for example, from Rio: Iguaçu, 2h30; Manaus, between 4 and 5h; Salvador de Bahia, 2h, and if you count the hours of transfers and waiting in airports, you're better off adding another two or three hours... The best thing to do is to offer itineraries that focus on specific regions. Brazil is a country for two, three or even more trips. Here are a few examples of itineraries: The great classic - Rio, Iguaçu Falls, Salvador de Bahia in 10 days Brazil without domestic flights - Rio, Ilha Grande and Parati or Salvador and the Bahia coast - in 10 days Northeast Brazil - Salvador de Bahia, Recife/Olinda, Fortaleza, Sao Luiz, Lençois - 12/13 days Natural Brazil - Rio and/or Salvador, Brasilia, Manaus, Belém - 12 days Historical Brazil - Rio and/or Salvador, Belo Horizonte, Ouro Preto, Congonhas do Campo and Tiradentes - 12/13 days An infinite number of itineraries are possible, depending on your customers' motivations. Please read our chapters on each region on this site.

Climate

Seasons are reversed compared to Europe; the dry period in the North, Northeast and Center-West (Pantanal) extends from May to October. For Rio, the colonial cities of Minas and the Iguaçu Falls, the rains are more abundant during the austral summer, from December to January. Temperatures are generally tropical although it is possible to have some cold days and nights during the month of July.

Electricity

Electric current varies between 127 and 220 volts depending on the region, with type N sockets (round pins). A universal adapter is recommended to avoid incompatibilities.

Public holidays

Opening hours

Brazil is spread across several time zones, usually GMT-3 for the Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo regions. Some regions observe daylight saving time, which can change the time difference with Europe.

Internet

Internet coverage is excellent in major cities and tourist areas, with free Wi-Fi in most hotels, cafes and restaurants. However, connectivity can be limited in remote areas such as the Amazon.

Language

The official language of Brazil is Portuguese. English is widely spoken in tourist areas.

Money & Change

The official currency is the Brazilian Real (BRL). ATMs are widely available, but it is advisable to exchange your currency at banks or official exchange offices to avoid high fees.

Clothes

Clothing suitable for the tropics and comfortable. Some woolens for the evening during the southern winter. Comfortable shoes. The Brazilian dresses in a very informal way even for night outings. Be careful of the air conditioning which is always very strong in public places.

Taxis

Use official taxis or book through apps like Uber, which is widely used in Brazil. Avoid taking taxis on the street, especially at night, and make sure the meter is activated.

Health

Tap water is not drinkable in Brazil. Use bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth. A yellow fever vaccine is recommended if you are visiting the Amazon or tropical areas. Travel insurance is strongly recommended. Bring a first aid kit containing commonly used medications (bandages, disinfectant, aspirin, intestinal disorders, fevers, mosquito repellent for skin and clothing, antibacterial gel, etc.).

Security

Brazil has security disparities. In big cities like Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo, be vigilant, avoid showing valuables and avoid sensitive neighborhoods. Prefer to travel by taxi or with secure applications at night.

Learn more