Airline and Airports
Fly into Sao
Paulo (GRU), which is the main hub, or Rio de Janeiro (GIG). Other hubs include
Porto Alegre (POA) and Curitiba (CWB) in the south; Braslia (BSB) in the
central west; and Salvador (SSA), Recife (REC) and Fortaleza (FOR) in the
northeast.
Current Weather
75°F/24°C
Salvador, Brazil (at 9:43 PM local time)
From the US:
American Airlines Varig, TAM Approximate flight times:
Flights from US must connect via either Rio or Sao Paolo to Salvador, which is approximately a 2-hour flight. From Salvador it is a 1-hour drive to Costa do Sauipe by coach.
From Europe:
Air France, Alitalia, British Airways, Iberia, KLM, Lufthansa, Swissair, Tam,
Tap and Varig Approximate flight times:
Most scheduled flights from Europe fly first to So Paulo and then on to Rio de Janeiro. Depending on the city, flight time from Europe to So Paulo or Rio de Janeiro is just over 12 hours and a little over nine hours to Natal, Recife or Salvador.
Entry Requirements
British passport holders do not need a visa to enter Brazil but passport holders from some countries, such as the US, Australia and New Zealand do. If you have any doubts about the need for a visa, consult the airline with which you will be flying or contact the Brazilian Consulate.
Tourists are normally allowed to stay in Brazil for three months and this - at the discretion of the Federal Police - can be extended for a further three months if necessary. A tourist does not have the right to work while in Brazil.
Customs officials normally inspect the baggage of around 30 per cent or more of incoming passengers. Besides clothing and personal effects, tourists entering Brazil may bring in one of each of the following items: radio, tape/CD player, typewriter, notebook computer, movie and still camera.
If there is any doubt about the need for vaccinations, please contact the Brazilian Consulate General at the above addressor check the latest information on the website.
Security
Being sensible and streetwise is the key to a trouble-free and enjoyable stay in Brazil. However, just like in London, Paris, New York or any other major metropolitan and tourist centre, petty crime in Brazil is an unfortunate fact of life. The crime tourists are most likely to fall victim to in Brazilian cities is robbery and the target of most petty pilfering is the bag. If a bag is left unattended, the chances are that somebody else will try to pick it up. The simple solution is that visitors can't get robbed if they've got nothing with them to be stolen. Always leave travelers cheques, passports, air tickets and the like in the hotel safe deposit box. Visitors should however carry some form of ID, such as a photocopy of their passports, with them at all times
What to Bring
Clothing
Brazilians, even in the major cities, dress casually outside the office. None of the country's top restaurants insist on collar and tie although the occasional private club does. Collar and tie still predominate in formal office and business surroundings.
Financial Matters
Currency
Brazil's currency since 1 July, 1994, is the Real (R$) which is roughly valued at R$3.00 = 1.00
Most Brazilians understand dollars and as a foreign currency it is by far the most widely accepted and throughout the country gives the best exchange rate. In the main cities there is little problem in changing other foreign currencies and there is an extensive network of ATMs. Most major credit cards are accepted in Brazil.
Bank Hours
Most of the major banks are Brazilian but many foreign banks will have an agreement with one or more of the major players. Banks operate Monday to Friday, 10am - 4pm.
Tipping
Nearly all hotels add a service charge to the bill, usually 10%. Most restaurants also add 10% or more to the total of the bill, but must make it clear that they have done so. Brazilians don't normally tip taxi drivers, although they may round the total up.
Utilities
Voltage
In Rio de Janeiro and So Paulo, the current is 127 volts (60 cycles) but many of the larger hotels also offer 220 volts. If there is any doubt, check with the front desk of the hotel or the owner of the house or apartment. Transformers to boost the current from 110 volts to 220 volts are available in most good electrical supply stores.
Not all of Brazil is 127 volts, however. Salvador and Manaus, for example, are, while Recife and Braslia are 220 volts.
For most electric appliances Brazil uses a two round-pinned socket.
Telephones
Brazil has a well-developed telephone network and it is relatively simple to direct dial to anywhere in Brazil or internationally. Although the country has one of the fastest growing mobile phone markets in the world, non-Brazilian mobile phones won't currently work in Brazil. Mobile phones can, however, be rented and picked up at the airport or delivered to the hotel.
Transportation
Buses Taxi's and Trains are ways of getting around Brazil. You can also rent a car and drive yourself. Most of the major international car rental companies operate in the main Brazilian cities. The companies accept the majority of international credit cards and restrict the minimum age of the driver to 25.Many of the companies can also supply drivers and have a van service.
Medical Help
Brazil has an excellent network of private hospitals in the major metropolitan centers. Private medical care is expensive, so it is advisable that all visitors take out medical insurance prior to their arrival.
