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Visas
A 90-day tourist visa (five years for US citizens) obtained
in advance is required by most visitors to Brazil. Click
here to find out more information about the
Brazilian embassy and its consulates.
Health
risks
Immunization Vaccinations are not required. If intending to
visit the the Amazon or Pantanal areas, a vaccination for yellow
fever is strongly recommended. The shots last for ten years
but it is only effective after 10 days, so plan ahead. It is
also a good idea to protect against malaria. Also, don't drink
tap water. The water in cities are treated and is heavily chlorinated.
For any other concerns, please consult our specialists before
departure.
Climate
Brazil is a mostly tropical country, although in the south it
is temperate and sometimes cool and wet. Most of Brazil's territory
lies below the Equator. Temperature varies from the north to
the south and from coast to inland. Click
here to find out more.
Time
Brazilian time is Eastern Standard Time (EST) plus 3 hours in
the east, northeast, south and southeast; EST plus 2 hours in
the west; and EST plus one hour in the far west. Daylight-saving
time starts on October (1 hour ahead) and finishes in March
(1 hour behind)
Electricity
Voltage is not standard in Brazil. Some cities are 100V or 127V
or 220V. The southeast (Rio and Sao Paulo) tends to use a U.S.-compatible
system whereas 220V is more common in the European-oriented
south of Brazil. Please, consult your hotel before using any
electrical equipment.
Telephones
International direct call: 00 + country
code + area code + phone number
International operator: 000111
Domestic direct call: 0 + area code + phone number
Domestic direct call: 9 + area code + phone number *
*(a recorded message asks you to identify yourself and the city
you calling from after the beep)
Local operator: 100
Correct time: 130
Wake-up service: 134
Emergency
Numbers
Ambulance
- 192
Fire
- 193
Police
-190
Weights
& measurements
The metric system is used throughout Brazil, except in some
rural areas where traditional units of measurement are used.
Temperature is measured in Celsius.
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° F
= ((C - 32) x 5) / 9
° C = ((F ·
9) / 5) + 32 |
1
US gallon = 3.79 l
1 liter = 0.26 gallons |
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1
mile = 1.61 km
1 kilometer = 0.62 miles |
1
imperial gallon = 4.55 l
1 liter = 0.22 gallons |
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1
yard = 0.92 m
1 meter = 1.09 yds |
1
pound = 0.45 kg
1 kilogram = 2.22 lb |
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1
foot = 0.3 m
1 meter = 3.28 ' |
1
ounce = 28.35 g
1 gram = 0.035 oz |
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1
inch = 2.54 cm
1 centimeter = 0.39 " |
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Currency
The currency of Brazil is the real (R$). The real
comes in coin denominations of R$1 and 50, 10, 5, and 1 centavos;
bank notes of R$1, R$5, R$10, R$50, R$100. Click
here for currency images and money exchange
Tipping
Tipping is not necessary, as most restaurants will include a
10% gratuity on the bill. Don’t tip taxi drivers, except in
Rio, where 10% is the norm. Airport and hotel porters should
get the equivalent of US $0.75 per bag (1 1/2 Reals).
Business
Hours
Offices
- Monday
to Friday 8:30 a.m. or 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Banks
-
Monday
to Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Government
- Monday
to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Retail
- Weekdays
9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m to 1 p.m;
Shopping
centers -
from
10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
>>
>Click here
for official holiday dates<<<
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