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Travel Assistance
For entering Brazil
Visas are required for foreign citizens who wish to visit Brazil. Passports must be valid for at least six months from the programmed date of arrival in Brazil. In general, tourist and transit visas are processed in two business days. They can be obtained from the nearest Brazilian Consulate. To ask for a visa, valid for 90 days (tourist), or 10 days (transit), a 5 cm x 7 cm passport photograph (5X7), together with an airline ticket and the filled-out form are required. Airports
Time Zone
There are four time zones in Brazil. Brasília Time, which is three hours behind Greenwich Mean Time, is the official Brazilian Time. This changes during Summer Time (clocks go forward an hour). The time in São Paulo is two hours ahead of the time in New York, except during Summer Time (three hours ahead, when Brazilian Summer Time is in force, and one hour ahead when American Summer Time is in force).
Fuel
There are two types of fuel for passenger cars in Brazil: Alcohol and Gasoline. Take care when hiring a vehicle not to fill up with the wrong fuel.
Climate
The climate varies according to latitude and altitude. The seasons are exactly the opposite to those in Europe and North America (except in the North of the country). The average annual temperature is approximately 28 C in the North, and 20 C in the South.
Accommodation
Brazil has some of the best hotels and most important hotel chains in the world. Look at the Hospital Sírio-Libanês Hospitality area and find out more.
Language
The national language is Portuguese, but Brazilian Portuguese is very different, in terms of accent and pronunciation, than the language spoken in Portugal.
Vehicle Hire
Tourists can hire cars, with or without a chauffeur, at all of the main airports and in the large cities. Foreigners are required to have an international driver's license. The Hospital Sírio-Libanês Hospitality area can help you choose a company.
Taxis
There are a large number of taxis in most of the cities in Brazil. Ordinary taxis, with taximeters can be flagged down in the street. The taximeter shows the cost of the fare. Radio taxis can be ordered by telephone.
Communications
Any part of the world can be rapidly reached by telephone or fax. A modern microwave communications system connects the main Brazilian cities, which are equipped with Long Distance Dialing Systems for domestic and international calls.
Transport
The bus is the most popular means of transport for urban and interstate trips. Some of the large cities, such as Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, have fast, comfortable, efficient metro systems.
Electricity Supply
In Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, the electricity supply is almost always 110 volts or 220 volts, 60 cycles. In Salvador and Manaus, it is 127 volts. In Recife, Brasília and many other cities, it is 220 volts. The majority of hotels have 110 and 220 volt sockets.
Currency and Tips
The Brazilian monetary unit is the Real (R$). Most restaurants and bars include a 10% service charge in the bill. It is usual to leave a little bit more, if the service has been good. If service is not included in the bill, the general rule is 10%. Taxi drivers do not expect tips, although most people tell them to "keep the change", when this is no more than R$ 5.00. Porters at the airport and the hotel should be given the equivalent of US$ 1.00 per case.
