Information

General information about Brazil

Brazil is a land which, according to a popular saying: “was blessed by God and is naturally beautiful” Brazil is continental in size, the fourth largest national territory in the world. In fact, its land explanse is greater than Europe and larger than the continent of United States (excluding Alaska and Hawaii). A visit to Brazil means the unexpected discovery of a place of warm tropical sun and 5000 miles of white-sand beaches, of coconut groves and mango trees, of music and dance, of baroque colonial towns and villages, plus impressive cities of 21st century opulence and sophistication. Brazil´s allure is not only in the climate, the landscapes and the architecture, it lies in the people themselves, whose sense of cordial hospitality and friendship create the perfect environment for your special interest travel. As a whole the climate is excellent all year round. From north to south, unique attractions are ready to amaze and excite participants on any kind of Special Interest Program who are eager to see and learn about new, different things. Brazil offers a wide range of hotel accommodations ranging from deluxe resorts to lodges deep in the rain forest with something sure to match the budget and characteristics of any travelers. Whatever choice you make , personal attention and warm hospitality will be yours everyday of your stay.

Health

There are no compulsory health requirements for entry into Brazil. Precautions are advised for Yellow Fever, Typhoid, Polio and Malaria. We suggest you contact your local G.P. for current advice and recommendations or telephone one of the organizations listed below. You are advised to have full medical insurance coverage. Please note that if you are entering Brazil via Peru, Ecuador or Colombia, you will be required to provide an up to date yellow fever vaccination certificate for immigration purposes. Avoid eating and drinking local products from street vendors and restaurants with suspect hygiene or refrigeration practices. It is advisable to drink only bottled water at all times.

Money

The Brazilian currency is the REAL; 100 centavos = 1 real. Bank bills are in denominations of 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2; coins are 1.00 real; 50 centavos, 25 centavos, 10 centavos, 5 centavos and 1 centavo. All banks and exchange offices accept travelers checks and foreign currency. It is advisable to take US Dollar travelers checks or currency as this is more readily exchanged than other currency. There is a currency exchange black market, but you are strongly advised to ignore anyone who approaches you asking if you want to change money. Credit Cards - Access, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club and Visa are accepted in the majority of hotels, shops and restaurants. Banking Hours - 10:00-16:00 Monday to Friday (may vary in some banks) ATM machines are also available in the main cities. There is a limited amount to be withdrawn daily. After 10:00PM it is only possible to withdraw up to 100,00 reais. Depending on the bank no withdrawals are allowed after 10:00 PM.

Time

Brazil spans several time zones, however the Brazilian Standard Time is 3 hours earlier than G.M.T. and 2 hours earlier in the summer (Oct to Feb).

Electricity

Brazil spans several time zones, however the Brazilian Standard Time is 3 hours earlier than G.M.T. and 2 hours earlier in the summer (Oct to Feb).

Language

The official language is Portuguese. Some English is spoken, particularly in the main cities, but the nearest thing to a second language is Spanish with which you will generally be able to make yourself understood.

Climate

The climate varies from arid scrubland inland to impassable tropical rainforest of the northerly Amazon jungle and the tropical eastern coastal beaches. The south is more temperate. Rainy seasons occur from January to April in the north (average number of days when there is some rain is 22); April to July in the northeast (average number of days when there is some rain 14); December to March in the Rio/Sao Paulo area (average number of days when there is some rain is 10).

Taxes

Airport taxes are usually included on the ticket price. To promote tourism and conventions, most of the hotels charge a non mandatory fee that runs from U$ 1,00 to U$ 7,00 per room per night depending on the hotel category as a contribution to the Convention Bureau. If guests want to deny the payment they must inform to the reception clerk upon check out.

Tipping

In most restaurants and bars a 10% service fee is added to the bill. More sophisticated places may add on 15%. If service is not included it will be stated at the bottom of the bill : Serviço não incluído. Cab drivers do not expect a tip, but it is normal to round up the final price. You should be aware that the amount shown on the taximeter may not always correspond to the amount you are due to pay - look out for a separate sheet taped to the window which will tell you how much the amount on the meter equates to.

Brazilian food and drink

The most common dishes feature various meats, rice and the ubiquitous Brazilian black beans (feijão), whilst restaurants often offer all-you-can-eat barbecues and buffets. Brazil also has many regional varieties of cookery. An example is the Bahian cookery, which includes dishes such as : Vatapa (shrimps, fish oil, coconut milk, bread and rice), Sarapatel (liver, heart, tomatoes, peppers, onions and gravy). From Rio Grande do Sul a typical dish is Churrasco (a kind of barbecue). From the Amazon comes Tacaca (thick soup with shrimps and garlic). All alcoholic drinks are available, including excellent large style beers: Skol, Brahma, Antarctica and Cerpa. The most popular local alcoholic beverage is Cachaca, most commonly served as 'Caipirinha' with slices of lime. Soft drinks include Guarana (a carbonated cola-like drink) and many varieties of excellent fruit-juices (sucos) including several vitamin-rich fruits you will never have heard of. Coffee tends to be served as a very strong. If you want to avoid sugar in sucos or coffee you should specifically ask for this.

Clothing

Brazil's climate ranges from tropical in the north to temperate in the south. Throughout the country, however, dress is informal. Generally, light cotton shirts, shorts, dresses and trousers are ideal for day wear, whilst in the evenings long-sleeved shirts and leather shoes are normal. You will not normally need a jacket and tie in Brazil. In their winter (June/September) it is worth bringing something warm, as the temperature can be quite cool in the south of the country.

Shopping

As with the food, in a country the size of Brazil there are many local specialties for the shopper. In most major cities shopping centers stay open until late (up to 10.00 pm), while street shops close at 6pm. Good-quality arts and crafts are available at regular outdoor markets, which are colourful and entertaining places for tourists to visit.

General Security

Brazil, especially Rio, has had a bad reputation for personal security and many potential visitors have been put off travelling there. Much of this reputation can be put down to wild exaggeration, but it has had the beneficial effect of spurring the various city authorities into doing something about it. There are now far more tourist police, who are a great deal more helpful to visitors, and there is much better patrolling of problem areas. Although there is far more being done to improve security, an awareness of the following will lessen the risk to you and your belongings:

Valuables:

Be aware that most crime is opportunistic and the best way to avoid theft is to blend in and stay in safe areas (if in any doubt please ask your tour guide or hotel receptionist / concierge whether where you want to go is safe). Take the absolute minimum when going out. A camera is a necessity for most travelers but if it is possible to keep it in a jacket pocket, then do so. It is not advisable to take valuable jewelry or a visible wristwatch. Money should be taken in travelers checks, with the receipt numbers retained separately in case they are lost or stolen. Cash kept on your person should be kept to a minimum. Where possible, leave any valuables, documents and passports in your hotel safety deposit box (most good hotel rooms in Brazil have safes, but you will normally have to pay a daily fee for this service). If you have to take a bag while you are out, hold it in front of you where you can see it. Beaches: A great deal of Brazilian culture and Brazilians' spare time revolves around the beach. As a result the beaches can be great fun and very relaxing places. However, please bear the following in mind if going to the beach: beaches in and around the major cities tend to be quite crowded so the advice given above is especially applicable; never visit the beach after dark; always take a mat to lie on as sand flies are quite widely prevalent; please bear in mind that the sun in Brazil can be more direct and stronger than you will experience in Europe, so extra precautions are necessary; some areas, particularly in Rio, have dangerous undertows so you should stay near other bathers and observe the warning flags: red: dangerous / White - Water is safe.

1. Direct flight to Rio – Galeão airport :

Air France
From Paris : two flights per day, one at 10h30 from Friday do Monday and Wednesday and the other at 23h20 each day of the week.

American Airlines
From NYC: One flight at 22h30 each day.
From Dallas: One flight at 19h45 each day.

British Airways
From London: One flight at 13h15, Saturday, Monday and Thursday.

Continental Airlines
From Houston: One flight at 20h00 each day

Delta Airlines
From Atlanta: One flight at 21h37 each day

Iberia
From Madrid: One flight at 12h25 each day

TAAG Angola Airlines
From Luanda: One flight on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday at 11h30

TAM
From Paris: Three flights, one at 20h00 on Sunday, another at 20h50 Saturday and from Monday to Wednesday and another at 21h50 from Wednesday to Friday.
From Lisbon: One flight at 11h each day
From Porto: Two flights, one on Friday at 09h55 and another on Sunday at 10h50
From London: Two flights, one on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 21h15 and another at 22h35each day
From Frankfurt: Two flights, one on Sunday to Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 22h40 and another at 22h05 each day
From Miami: Two flights per day at 11h00 and 22h05 each day
From NYC: Three flights, one at 19h40 each day, another at 18h15 Monday, Wednesday, Friday and another at 10h00 on Sunday.

TAP
From Lisbon: Two flights per day, one at 9h35 each day and the other at 15h10 every other day start from Monday


* All the schedules are an indication, in the local time of the departure cities and can be change at any time by the companies.

2. Direct flight to São Paulo - Guarulhos airport:

Air Canada
From Toronto: One flight per day at 23h30 each day

Air China
From Beijing: One flight on Sunday and Thursday at 00h05

Air France
From Paris: Two flights per day at 10h35 and 23h30 each day

Alitalia
From Roma: One flight per day at 21h50 each day

American Airlines
From Dallas: Two flights, one at 18h00 Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and another at 19h45 each day From Miami: Three flights, at 20h35, 21h20 and 23h35 each day From NYC (JFK): One flight at 21h35 each day

British Airways
From London: One flight at 21h50 each day

Continental Airlines
From Houston: One flight at 21h00 each day From NYC (Newark): One flight at 22h00 each day

Delta Airlines
From Atlanta: One flight at 21h35 each day From NYC (JFK): One flight at 22h00 each day

El Ai
From Tel Aviv: One flight on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 22h35

Emirate
From Dubai: One flight at 10h35 each day

Lufthansa
From Munich: One flight on Tuesday and from Thursday to Sunday at 21h35 From Frankfurt: Two flights per day at 22h05 and 22h35 each day

Iberia
From Madrid: Two flights, one at 00h10 from Wednesday to Monday and the other at 12h20 each day

KLM
From Amsterdam: One flight at 10h10 each day

South Africa Airways
From Johannesburg: Two flights, one at 10h30 each day and another at 18h every other day star by Monday

Swiss
From Zurich: One flight at 22h40 each day

TAM
From Frankfurt: Two flights, at 22h05 and at 22h35 each day
From Madrid: One flight at 23hoo each day
From Miami: Two flights, at 11h00 and at 20h15 each day
From Milan: One flight at 22hoo each day
From NYC (JFK): Two flights, one at 09h25 and another at 19h40 each day
From Orlando: One flight at 21h10 each day
From Paris: Three flights, one at 22h20 each day, another at 23h00 each day without Sunday and another on Sunday at 21h00

TAP
From Lisbon: Two flights, one at 11h Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and the other at 23h50 each day From Porto: One flight on Saturday and Tuesday at 10h15

Turkish Airlines
From Istanbul: One flight at 10h45 Wednesday, Friday and Sunday

United Airlines
From Chicago (O’Hare): One flight at 21h32 each day
From Washington (Dulles): One flight at 22h15 each day


* All the schedules are an indication, in the local time of the departure cities and can be change at any time by the companies.