Visas and passports

An entry visa is not required for holders of passports from European or South American countries. As a matter of reciprocity, a visa is required for those from North America. For further information about the necessary documentation and where visas can be obtained, consult a travel agent. Tourist visas can be renewed for a period of 180 days per year. Passports must be valid for at least six months after the planned date of arrival in Brazil.

Voltage

In the majority of Brazilian cities the electric current is either 110 or 220 volts, although it is advisable to confirm the voltage before plugging in any appliance.

Car rental

Rental cars, with or without a driver, are available for tourists at the main airports and in city centers.

Taxis

There are a large number of taxis in most cities. Regular taxis, with a meter, can be hailed in the street. Radiotaxis can be called by phone. They have air-conditioning, and are more expensive.

Tipping

Most restaurants and bars include a 10% service charge on the bill. It is usual to leave a little more if the service was good. When it is not included on the bill, the general rule is a tip of between 10 and 15%. Taxi drivers do not expect to be tipped.

Currency

The currency in Brazil is the Real (abbreviated to R$). Dollars and travelers checks can easily be changed in hotels, authorized banks and travel agencies. International credit cards are accepted in most hotels, shops and restaurants.

Transport

The bus is the most popular form of transport for traveling between states. For air travel, the main Brazilian airlines cover most domestic flights. There are also regional airlines, offering high levels of comfort and security.

Language

Portuguese is the national language, but the Portuguese spoken in Brazil is quite different, in accent and intonation, from the language spoken in Portugal.

Time Zones

Brazil covers three time zones. The time in Brasilia is the official time in Brazil (see map), usually 3 hours behind GMT (London). This changes with the start of Summer Time (the clocks go forward an hour). The time in Rio de Janeiro is 2 hours ahead of New York, except during Summer Time, (3 hours ahead of Brazilian Summer Time and an hour ahead of North American Summer Time).

Climate

The climate varies according to latitude and altitude. The seasons are exactly the opposite of those in Europe and the United States (except in the north of the country). The average annual temperature is approximately 28ºC in the north and 20ºC in the south.

• Spring: 22 September to 21 December
• Summer: 22 December to 21 March
• Autumn: 22 March to 21 June
• Winter: 22 June to 21 September

Domestic Animal

To enter Brazil with domestic animals it is necessary an International Sanitary Certificate issued by a veterinarian. The certificate must contain: Attention: The certificate must be valid for at least 30 days.

• Indication of the animal’s health state.
• Indication of what the animal has done 40 days prior to the trip.
• Statement of rabies vaccine taken in the last 12 months, or at least 30 days prior to departure.
• The quarantine system does not apply for the entry of animals in Brazil