Brazil Facts & Info

Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements: For U.S. citizens, the Brazil tourist visa costs $130 plus handling when submitted by mail; this policy is in reciprocity to the U.S. visa requirement for Brazilians. No visa is required by passport holders from most other countries. To see if your country is exempt from the visa requirement, please visit.

Visa acquisition can take anywhere from next day to 12 days. Once granted the 90-day tourist visa, you must enter the country within 90 days. To extend your stay past the 90-day limit, you can request a onetime 90-day extension at the nearest Brazilian Federal Police Department 30 days before your original visa expires. Travelers who have recently visited countries where yellow fever is a risk may be required to present an inoculation card indicating that they have been vaccinated against the yellow fever. For all minors (anyone under 18), a copy of the minor’s birth certificate is required in all cases. Minors traveling unaccompanied, with one parent or with a third party, must have written consent by the absent parent(s) or legal guardian explicitly granting authorization to travel alone, with only one parent, or with a third party.

Health & Safety

Health risks: Traveler’s diarrhea is the most widespread travel-related illness; food and water precautions are essential. Malaria is another health risk in Brazil, especially in the states of Acre, Amapa, Amazonas, Maranhao (western part), Mato Grosso (northern part), Para (except Belem City), Rondonia, Roraima, and Tocantins, and urban areas within these states, including the cities of Porto Velho, Boa Vista, Macapa, Manaus, Santarem, and Maraba. Transmission is greatest in remote jungle areas that have been settled for less than five years and contain activities such as: mining, lumbering, and agriculture. The yellow fever vaccine is also recommended for all national and international tourists who intend to visit the following Brazilian areas: North (Acre, Amazonas, Rondônia, Roraima, Amapá, Pará, Tocantins States) and Mid-west (Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Goiás e Distrito Federal States) regions of Brazil, to all cities of Maranhão and Minas Gerais, to the municipalities located in the South of Piauí, West and South of Bahia, North of Espírito Santo, Northwest of São Paulo and West of the states of Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul.

Safety: Brazil is a politically stable country without inherent enemies or terrorist activities. Although big cities in Brazil suffer from high rates of crime, this is mostly confined to the favelas (slums). Tourists should not enter favelas without the guidance of NGO workers, tour groups, or someone who knows the local residents and is accepted by the local community. Petty crime in urban areas is a fact of life; being conscientious and streetwise is the key to a carefree and pleasant trip. Foreigners are advised to take care when visiting remote parts of the Amazon basin and respect local laws and customs.

General Brazil Information

Time: UTC/GMT minus 3 hours.
Electricity: 127V/220V, 60Hz.
In Brazil there is no standard voltage. Most states use 127 V (Acre, Amapá, Amazonas, Espírito Santo, Mato Grosso do Sul, Maranhão, Pará, Paraná, Rondônia, Roraima, Sergipe and Minas Gerais). Other – mainly northeastern – states use 220 V (Alagoas, Brasília, Ceará, Mato Grosso, Goiás, Paraíba, Rio Grande do Norte, Santa Catarina and Tocantins). Although in most parts of the states of Bahia, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Rio Grande do Sul 127 V is used, the cities of Santos, Jequié, Jundiaí, São Bernardo do Campo, Novo Friburgo, Bagé, Caxias do Sul and Pelotas run on 220 V. The states of Pernambuco and Piauí use 220 V, except for the cities of Paulista and Teresina (127 V).
Weights & measures: Metric.

When to Go

The summer months (December-February) are the busiest travel months for Brazilians and foreign tourists alike. Booking accommodations as early as possible is highly recommended. Easter and winter break (July) for schools are also busy periods that require advanced planning. In the winter (June-August), Rio temperatures hover around 23°C (73°F), with a mix of both rainy and clear days. Other than July, winter is the least-crowded time for traveling.

Travel in the Amazon region is difficult between January and May because of heavy rains. Similarly, if going to the Pantanal, it is best to visit during the dry season. However, if you decide to travel during the rainy season, you may get opportunities to see wildlife that is not visible during the dry season.

Events Calendar

Brazil is a cheerful country that relishes in staging elaborate festivities with dance and music. The wildly famous Carnival celebrations bring thousands of visitors from all over the world. It is worth noting that hotel prices generally go up significantly during festival times and bus and air transport should be booked well in advance.

Calendar of major public holidays & festivals:

JANUARY
New Year's – Two million people congregate in Rio de Janeiro for one of the most exhilarating New Year's bashes in the world.
Lavagem do Bomfim (Washing of the Steps of Bonfim Church) – Hundreds of women in customary Bahian garb wash the church steps with perfumed water in a spectacular procession and one of the most important religious ceremonies in Salvador. Third Thursday of January.

FEBRUARY
Celebration of Lemanjá, the Goddess of the Sea – Offerings are made to the sea while festivals with food and music take place on the beach; celebrated on different dates around the country.
Carnival – The most famed of all Brazilian events, Carnival takes place anywhere from early February to mid-March, with the biggest celebrations in Rio and Salvador. Begins the Friday before Ash Wednesday and lasts until the following Tuesday.

MARCH
Holy Week (Semana Santa) – Religious processions and rituals take place at the end of the week, on Easter Sunday. Ouro Prêto, in the state of Minas Gerais, known for its gold and silver mines, features 13 baroque churches and one of the most spectacular Holy Week celebrations in the country.
Passion Play – Just outside of Recife, Nova Jerusalem hosts South America's largest dramatization of the Passion of Christ: the trial, suffering, and death of Jesus Christ. Ten days prior to Easter.

APRIL
Tiradentes Day – April 21st commemorates the execution of Joaquim José da Silva Xavier (or Tiradentes (“Tooth-Puller”) because da Silva was a dentist by trade), who led the unsuccessful Brazilian independence uprising of 1789.

JUNE
Festas Juninas – The popular folklore event is a harvest festival honoring saints Anthony, John, and Peter. Offering feasts, live music, bonfires, and other activities take place from June 13 to June 29.
Bauernfest – The German-settled city of Petrópolis celebrates its heritage with a week of German food, folklore, and music. Last weekend of June through first week of July.

JULY
Sailing Festival – Brazil's biggest sailing event is held on Ilhabela, off the coast of São Paulo. Third week of July.

SEPTEMBER
Independence Day – A national holiday, Independence Day is celebrated on September 7 in all cities with parades and flag ceremonies. Rio de Janeiro hosts the largest event. Read our newsletter article about Brazilian Independence Day.
Festival do Rio – Rio's film festival features both Brazilian and international films (with Portuguese subtitles). Late September to the first week of October.

OCTOBER
Rio Jazz Festival – This national and international jazz festival is a 3-day event taking place in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Mid- to late-October.
Cirio of Nararé – Belém hosts a parade of tens of thousands to honor the Virgin of Nararé. Second Sunday of October.
São Paulo International Film Festival – The festival showcases top films from all over the world. Last 2 weeks of October.
São Paulo Bienal – Taking place every even year in the Ibirapuera Park, this is the largest arts event in Latin America featuring theater, music, visual art, and architecture.

NOVEMBER
Aleijadinho Week – Taking place in Ouro Prêto, this week features special exhibits and presentations in honor of the famous sculptor. November 14 to 21.
Grand Prix – São Paulo. Brazilians are avid car-racing enthusiasts; this major racing event takes place in the São Paulo suburb of Interlagos. First weekend in November.

DECEMBER
Carnatal – This highly-acclaimed out of season celebration takes place throughout the country with festive block parties. First week of December.

Christmas Eve – Christmas is celebrated throughout Brazil with a midnight mass followed by a late family dinner. December 24.

Money

Brazil’s currency is the Brazilian Real (R$). Banknotes are easily distinguished by their color: green R$1, blue R$2, purple R$5, pink R$10, yellow R$20, brown R$50 and blue R$100. Currently, there are two coin sets in circulation, one simple and the other elaborate, with denominations of one, five, 10, 25, and 50 centavos, and one real.

Despite the long-anticipated devaluation of the real in 1999, exchange rates and prices have remained stable. Credit cards are accepted and Visa is favored for cash advances. In bigger cities, ATMs that accept international cards are easily found while this is not true for smaller towns. It is always a good idea to take some cash and a few travelers checks as well. Travelers Checks can be changed in cambios (usually closed on the weekends), found just about anywhere except remote towns. Although banks give better exchange rates, the process is bureaucratic and lengthy. While Travelers Checks receive a rate of 1% to 2% less than cash, they have the advantage of being replaceable if lost or stolen; Amex is the most recognized check. When purchasing reales, it is recommended that you ask for smaller denominations of banknotes as many businesses do not hold large amounts of change.

Bargaining is common in markets and with unmetered taxis. A 10% gratuity is often included in the bill for most services. Other services that are customarily tipped include: gas station attendants, shoe shiners, and hairdressers. For taxi drivers, tips are not expected but most people will round up the fare price.

Read more currency tips in our newsletter article.

History

Unlike ancient Mexico or Peru, Brazil never developed a centralized civilization. The indigenous tribes of Brazil were comprised of the Arawak and Carib groups in the north, the Tupí-Guaraní of the east coast and the Amazon River Valley, the Ge of eastern and southern Brazil, and the Pano in the west. These tribes were semi-nomadic and subsisted by hunting, fishing, gathering and migrant agriculture. At the time the Portuguese arrived in what is modern day Brazil, there were about two to six million indigenous inhabitants living in the territory, while today less than 200,000 remain, most living in the interior jungle of Brazil.

Previously discovered by sailors, Brazil received its first settlers in 1531 upon the orders of King João III of Portugal. To secure territory, the Portuguese Crown devised the Hereditary Captaincies system to consolidate control over the land and divided the coast into 15 captaincies, bestowing them upon friends of the Crown. Initially, temporary trading posts were established to collect Brazil wood and gradually, permanent settlements followed with the establishment of the sugarcane industry and intensive labor. The colonists discovered that the climate and land in Brazil were ideal for growing sugarcane and captured and enslaved the native Indians for arduous plantation work. The capture and sale of slaves became one of Brazil’s most lucrative trades. As slave traders hunted the Indians into the interior, the heart of South America became secured for Portuguese Brazil.

Beginning in the mid-1500s and especially during the 1600s, African slave labor replaced Indian labor on the plantations. Although Africans had greater immunity from European diseases, their lives were nevertheless cut short by a brutal labor regime. Communities of runaway slaves, called Quilombos were common, ranging from small groups hidden in the forests to great republics that lasted through the 17th century.

In the 1690s, when the Brazilian sugar industry began to wane, the discovery of gold and diamonds in the state of Minas Gerais by Bandeirantes (expedition explorers) stirred the country. Brazilians and Portuguese flocked to these gold and diamond rich territories and brought with them numerous slaves to dig and die in the mines. Most of the gold was sent to Portugal to finance the crown’s expenditures in both the preservation of its expanding empire and the luxurious lifestyle on the mainland.

Two days before Napoleon’s army invaded Lisbon in 1807, the Portuguese Court fled to Brazil and established Rio de Janeiro as the capital of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil, and the Algarve. The Prince Regent, Dom João VI, returned to Portugal in 1821, leaving his son Pedro to rule the colony. The following year, Brazil gained independence without bloodshed through a series of political events. With Portugal too weak to fight its favorite son, Brazil was declared an independent empire with Dom Pedro’s cry for ‘Independência ou morte!’

Following the gold rush was the cotton boom and, ultimately the most long-lasting boom, the coffee boom. In the late 18th century and through the 19th century, coffee drinking became an international trend and Brazil became a major coffee exporter. When slavery was abolished in 1888, thousands of European immigrants, especially Italians, replaced slave labor in the coffee estates known as fazendas. In 1889, the government was toppled in a military coup supported by the powerful coffee aristocracy. Until 1930, Brazil would be ruled by a series of presidents subordinate to the military. Coffee prices fell drastically in 1930, as did the government. The opposition party, the Liberal Alliance, lost the election and the presidency was seized by the Liberal leader, Getúlio Vargas, who championed organized labor and won hearts with a populist agenda. For 24 years, Vargas governed the country following the example of Mussolini’s fascism. After the fall of Mussolini and other fascist states, Vargas was forced out of power in 1945. Eighteen years of constitutional rule and steady economic growth followed.

Growing unrest for long-overdue land reform, combined with inflation and fears of communism, shook the country and again a fragile democracy was overtaken by a military coup in 1964. Generous fiscal initiatives and heavy military crackdowns on leftists brought investments flooding in from abroad. As the economy tumbled in 1980, the public became disenchanted with military rule and power was transferred to a civilian government. In 1989, Brazil held its first election by popular vote in nearly 30 years and chose Fernando Collor de Mello over socialist Luíz Inácio 'Lula' da Silva by a narrow majority. Although promising to root out corruption and control inflation, Collor was removed from office in 1992 on charges of extortion and bribery. With the election of Fernando Cardoso in 1994, Brazil saw a decade of a growing economy, stabilizing currency, and record foreign investment. Although 12-15 billion Brazilians joined the consumer society for the first time, between 1989 and 1996 two million jobs were lost and the growing gulf between the rich and poor made Brazil the country with the highest inequality of wealth in the world.

In 2002, the former metal worker, Luíz Inácio 'Lula' da Silva of the Workers Party (PT), became Brazil’s first left-wing president in 40 years. Promising to curb hunger and create jobs, Lula’s first term was nevertheless tinged with corruption. Lula’s popularity and commitment to the poor brought him a second term in 2006. The first significant legislation after Lula’s reelection was the raising of the minimum wage by 8.5%. Steady economic growth and considerable improvements for the poor have been realized under Lula’s presidency. Brazil’s wealth in natural resources has played a major role in its economic success while the discovery of offshore oil fields has ended its dependence on foreign oil. Currently, Brazil has the 10th largest economy in the world and the largest in Latin America. Economic progress has enriched many but millions remain in poverty while land disputes and deforestation remain contentious issues, exacerbated by the wealth disparity.

Culture

A country with a large immigrant population, Brazil is a melting pot of ethnicity and culture. From the indigenous population to those of European, African, and Asian descent, the people of Brazil have created a mélange of cuisine, language, music, dance, and customs. The nearly one million Portuguese settlers established Roman Catholicism as the dominant religion and Portuguese as the most widely spoken language. However, syncretism is abundant: Catholic faith has intermingled with various Afro-Brazilian religious groups to form religions such as umbanda and candomblé. Protestants, Kardecian Spiritists, Latter-day Saints, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jews, Muslims, and Buddhists are also found in Brazil. In addition to Portuguese, indigenous, European, and Asian languages are spoken throughout the country.

Brazilian music and dance reflect the remarkable cultural exchange that occurred over the centuries. Beginning with the reed wind and percussion instruments of the natives, followed by Portuguese singers and viola players, Brazilian music is a unique blend of sounds fused with exhilarating African beats. Brazil has become synonymous with bossa nova and samba as well as classical compositions while folk dances utilize rhythm, costume, and choreography to reenact anything from wars of conquest to the traditional circle dances of Angola and the Congo. Capoeira, the time honored combat dance with its unique style of music, began as a charade performed by African slaves to conceal actual fighting from their masters. Recently, Capoeria has been gaining international popularity as a martial arts form.

The richness and variety of Brazilian culture is reflected in its pottery, architecture, painting, and literature. Much of the pottery made today resembles early American Aboriginal vases and funeral urns depicting Amazonian flora and fauna, mystical tales, religious figures, and scenes from everyday life. Brazilian architecture, however, retains a more European flair with early Baroque and Rococo style churches and convents. Painting emerged in the 18th century and employed international techniques, and infused with Brazilian moods and themes, ranging from the daily life of ordinary people to the sensuality of mulatto women.

Brazil also enjoys significant contributions to the international literary world, producing almost half the literature (fiction, poetry, and drama) in Latin America. Brazil’s literary trajectory parallels the country’s major historical periods. From early national folklore to contemporary expressions of modern-day life, Brazilian literature is characterized by a fascination with solitude and the pursuit of identity. The internationally best-selling Brazilian writer, Paulo Coelho, is a novelist, song-writer, and newspaper columnist that has received worldwide recognition for his ability to tackle themes that resonate with a global audience.

Brazil’s remarkable diversity is also reflected in its gastronomy. Alligator and turtle meat dishes are found in the North, African slave culture-inspired dishes in the Southeast, and gaucho-inspired flame-grilled meats in the South. All combine to create Brazil’s unique flavor while maintaining regional diversity.

Environment

As the world's fifth-largest country (in both population and land mass) and home to 60% of the Amazon rainforest, Brazil is said to contain the greatest biodiversity of any country on the planet. Bordering every South American country except Chile and Ecuador, Brazil covers four principal geographic zones: the Coastal Band, the Brazilian Plateau (Planalto Brasileiro), the Amazon Basin, and the Parana-Paraguai Basin. With several large rivers and various mountain ranges, the highlands cover most of Brazil’s interior south of the Amazon Basin. Producing 20% of the world’s freshwater with over 1,000 tributaries, the Amazon Basin is supplied by waters from the Planalto Brasileiro, the Andes, and the Guyana Shield.

Located in Brazil’s southern region, the Parana-Paraguai Basin is home to the world’s largest wetland, the Pantanal that stretches into Paraguay and Argentina. Brazil has more known species of flora and fauna than any other country; many species are dispersed throughout the country, such as the jaguar that inhabits the Amazon and Atlantic rainforests as well as the Pantanal and the Cerrado. Other animals include: the puma, giant anteater, capuchin monkey, capybara, pink dolphins, and the Amazon manatee, just to name a few. Brazil’s environment also supports a wide array of birdlife such as the massive flight­less rhea, colorful parrots, macaws, toucans, and trogons.

Weather

Brazil has a broad range of climate zones and southern hemisphere seasons, where summer runs from December to March and winter runs from June to August. Proximity to the equator means less climatic fluctuations throughout the year. The four biggest areas are the Amazon Basin, the Brazilian Plateau (highlands), the Eastern Coast within the Tropics, and the Southern Coast outside of the Tropics.

The Amazon Basin
With an equatorial environment, the Amazon Basin experiences heavy rainfall and tropical temperatures ranging from 80° F to 90° F. Friagem, short, infrequent cold spells (below 50° F), occur in the southern region while exceptionally warm temperatures (100° F) are very uncommon. The wettest city, Belém, experiences intense rainfall throughout the year with the heaviest from January to May. Manaus experiences drier weather from June to September and southeastern Sena Madureira is very wet from December to March.

The Brazilian Plateau
South of the Amazon Basin and at a more temperate elevation, the Brazilian Plateau has a defined wet and dry season as well as distinct temperature ranges. The annual rainfall is about 50 - 60 inches (excluding the areas of Ceará and the valley of the river São Francisco), almost all of which falls between October and April. The northeastern region receives less rainfall (as low as 30 inches) and many cities like Iguatú suffer from extended droughts. Goiás and the Paraná are wetter cities with little variation in average temperatures.

The East Coast within the Tropics
The typically hot and tropical climate of this region varies in rainfall from North to South. Near the mouth of the Amazon, there is year-round rainfall; December to May are the wettest months. In Bahía most rainfall occurs from May to August and the rest of the year is somewhat dry. Near São Paulo, the wettest period is from November to April but rainfall takes place in all months.

The Southern States of Brazil outside the Tropics
Along the coast and inland of the plateau district, lie the cities of Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul. Here the climate is warm-temperate with a marked winter. In this region, winter is determined by temperature rather than rainfall, which takes place throughout the year. Frost is especially prevalent in the higher inland area and the driest months are in the winter. Weather throughout this region is pleasant with an average of 8 to 9 hours of sunshine a day in the summer months.

Getting Around

The enormous size of Brazil makes air travel indispensable. There are three major Brazilian airlines: Varig, TAM, and VASP. Tickets can be booked online. While there are time restrictions, the Brazil Airpass is a great option for saving money on pricey domestic flights. The pass can be purchased from each of the three major national carriers and gives passengers a 21-day period to complete five domestic flights and up to four extra flights at an additional charge. This pass must be bought before going to Brazil and is only offered to those holding an international return ticket and traveling by air into the participating country. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for domestic flights in Brazil to experience cancellations and delays. It is important to be prepared for such inconveniences and monitor flight information regularly.

Most Brazilians prefer the bus system which connects all major cities and is recognized for its great services and punctuality. Comun, Convencional, and Executivo are the three classes of buses offered. Executivo is recommended if you would like a more comfortable and uninterrupted ride. Bus stations (where tickets are purchased) are called rodoviárias and can be found in all large cities and many smaller ones. With a trivial number of passenger train services, Brazil has some great train routes that are still in operation, such as the Curitiba-Paranaguá track. Although boat travel has become increasingly rare due to the expansion of the road system, river travel between cities such as Rio São Francisco and others alongside the Amazon is quite common as road travel is not practical in these areas.

Driving in Brazil is not recommended, especially for those who are not used to the conditions; caution is always advised and especially at night. Even though driver's licenses from abroad are valid, it is still advisable to bring an International Driver's Permit (IDP) which can be obtained from your National Association of Motor Vehicles. The majority of rental car services require drivers to be at least 25 years of age and hold a valid home driver’s license, IDP, and credit card (choose an established agency in order to avoid fraud). An average small rental car with four seats and unlimited mileage costs approximately R$100.00 a day (R$130.00 with air-conditioning).

Getting There and Away

Rio de Janeiro is the main hub for flights from the U.S. and Europe as well as Latin America. Other major airports are in the cities of São Paulo, Recife, Natal, Fortaleza, Belém, and Manaus. There is an international departure tax of around $40 which is usually included in the price of the plane ticket. Brazil offers buses to and from Uruguay, Argentina, and Venezuela while the trem de morte runs from Bolivia. By river, travelers can take a boat along the Amazon from Iquitos in Peru or from Asunción, Paraguay.