General:
Population: 179,712,500
Capital: Brasilia
Cities: Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Porto Alegre,
Recife, Salvador, Belo Horizonte
Time Zone: Brasilia = London/GMT -3
Language: Portuguese
Currency: Real (convert
here)
Religion: Predominantly Catholic
Electricity: There is no unified system, generally
110/120V ~ 60 Hz and most hotels offer 220v.
Ethnics: Afro, Indian, Caucasian and a mixture
of all three
Geography:
The REPÚBLICA FEDERATIVA DO BRASIL is the
biggest country of S-America. Divided in 26 states, spread over
5 regions: North, Northeast, Center West, Southeast and South (map)
Although, any of these regions have locations worth visiting, the
most important tourist attractions are in the North: Amazon;
Northeast: Salvador, Recife, Natal and Fortaleza: mostly beaches; Center West with
the Pantanal for adventure and ecology and last
but not least: Rio de Janeiro with its diversity
in attractions and landmarks; and Sao Paulo as
the countries financial and industrial heart in the Southeast.
The South region, with its important immigrant colonies (mostly
Germans, Italians and Polish descendents), although less sought
for, because less exotic and closer to our own culture, also offer
a variety in remarkable beaches and landmarks. One of its most important
are without any doubt the marvelous Foz do Iguaçu waterfalls.
Climate:
Although
the climate varies from region to region, the average temperature
is between 20ºC and 28ºC all year round. It is wise, though,
to bring some warmer clothing if you plan on visiting mountainous
areas or the South, where temperatures can plummet to 0ºC during
the Brazilian winter.
Seasons are the opposite form the Northern hemisphere.
When to visit:
Because of its mild climate and absence of clearly defined seasons,
any time is ´visit Brazil´ time. The Pant anal and Amazons
can be partly inaccessible due to water levels, between november
and march, but other regions are accessible all year round.
Brazilian school holidays are from december through january and
15 days in july. During these periods, Brazilians themselves travel
a lot, and many places might be full. On the other hand, it’s
a perfect time to make contact with the Brazilian population.
For those who want to see the biggest show on earth: Carnival and New year; bookings are usually made 6 months
in advance and beware that prices for these festivities can be sensibly
higher.
Travel documents:
For residents of the EEC, no visa is required. Upon arrival a 3
month stay is conceded, which can be prolonged with 3 more months
at the Policia Federal. After this period the country has to be
left, since non-residents cannot stay more than 180 days in a 1
year period.
For other nations, it a good idea to check on formalities with your
local Brazilian embassy or consulate.
Your passport has to be valid for at least 6 months upon departure
at country of origin.
It is advisable to carry your vaccination carnet with you at all
times, especially if you plan on visiting Amazons or Pantanal. Check
with your local health authority for required vaccinations.
Tip:
Visa = visto
Passport = passaporte (passaportch)
Health:
Today, Brazil is a country that invests in its health care. In the
greater cities and populated areas there aren't any known risk areas.
It is advisable though, to get a yellow fever vaccine and some malaria
medication, especially when visiting Pantanal or Amazons. Check
with your local health authority for required vaccinations.
Do not drink tab water, but brush your teeth with it without fear!
Bottled water is cheap and readily available.
Tip:
Doctor = Médico (maidjico)
Hospital = Hospital
Medicine = Remédio (remaidjio)
Drug store/Pharmacy = Farmácia (farmacia)
I am sick = Estou doente (estow do-entche)
Communication:
Phone and cyber shops are widely spread throughout the great cities
and tourist centers. Be careful, cause international charges can
be very high, especially at your hotel, where they might even charge
a tax for collect calls. The cheapest way to phone abroad is from
a the public booth, which are also widely spread. Coins are not
accepted, but you can buy a phone card at almost any street corner.
Brazil uses both GSM and TDMA technologies. If u want to use your
own mobile phone in Brazil, its a good idea to check if restrictions
exist with your local retailer. Mobile phones can easily be rented
locally for a good price.
Tip:
Public phone = Orelhão (Orelyaw)
Phone card = Cartão de telefone (cartaw the telefoné)
Mobile Phone = celular
Useful tips:
Always carry useful phone numbers and/or addresses with you:
• Hotel
• Brazilian friends phone
• Local embassy or consulate
If you want to go some place, ask for someone to write down the
address and show it to the taxi or bus driver.
Carry a copy of your passport with you, leave the original, together
with your excess money, in your safe deposit box at the hotel.
You will find the Brazilians amongst the friendliest and most hospitable
people on this planet. Treat them with respect, you will get more
than your change in return and make an unforgettable trip.
Language:
The official language is Portuguese, and apart from its grammar
it doesn't have a lot in common with the language spoken in Portugal.
Centuries of mixture with indigenous and African dialects have created
an elegant and expressive language.
Certainly not a language you might learn in a couple of weeks (unless
you were very dedicated) and the general lack of Brazilians speaking
anything else than Portuguese certainly doesn’t help. Furthermore,
every region and city has its own ´giria´ or slang.
Tip:
How are you = Tudo bom (to de bom)
I am fine = Tudo bem (to de bang)
Thank you = men: obrigado
=
women: obrigada
Please = por favor
Safety:
Brazil is still a country of contrasts, where great poverty and
great wealth live side by side. Especially in the big cities these
contrasts are very easy to notice. And, as in any densely populated
area around the world, this can create certain tensions.
Favelas (shanty towns) or communities as they are
called today:
Although some ´favelas´ are still not much more than
shanty towns, most of them have evolved to sort of a city within
the city. The biggest ones have banks, supermarkets, cybercafés
and every infrastructure available in modern city centers. Thousand
of people live there and contrary to the popular believe, 99% of
them aren't criminals, but hard working people with little means.
Doesn't that sound like your local neighborhood? Therefore they
should be considered just that: neighborhoods and not zoo's, so…
, if you don't have any business going there: DON´T! I'm sure
you wouldn't appreciate tourists passing through your street shooting
pictures.
There are some guided tours through some favelas, in accord with
the local population, which you can contract and which bring funds
to the communities
Here
are a few tips for a safe journey:
• Don't go where you have no business
• Use your head and you'll be fine
• Don’t show off expensive jewelry or equipment
• Try to blend in; due to the diversity in races it's easy
to look like a Brazilian
• Don't show money or credit cards unnecessarily in public
DRUGS: If you plan on visiting brazil to use drugs:
STAY HOME.
Where to stay:
Brazil offers a wide variety of lodgings:
Hotels:
In all big cities and tourist destinations, you'll find the usual
hotels, ranging from cheap to very expensive.
Apart Hotel:
A typically Brazilian formula. These hotels over apartment style
rooms, with complete equipped kitchens. Generally they don't over
any, or very little service. Not always cheap.
Pousada:
Best compared to a guest house, with basic accommodation and very
basic or non-existing services. Usually readily available in big
tourist centers and less accessible regions. Ranging from cheap
to very expensive.
Bed and Breakfast:
Starting to gain importance, especially in bigger cities. Generally
lodgings with locals. Not necessarily cheap.
