BRAZIL PRACTICALITIES

Facts and Figures

Occupying almost half of South America and bordering on every country in the continent apart from Chile and Ecuador, this is a country with a personality to match its incredible size.

Area: 8,547,403 sq. km

Population: (2002) 172 million

Capital: Brasilia

Passport/Visa requirements

Passport valid for six months beyond intended stay. No visa required for British citizens, a 90-day tourist card is issued free on arrival. You get given a copy of the tourist card keep it safe as you will be charged for reissue if you loose it and may have problems when leaving the country. If crossing into any other country make sure you get given a new tourist card each time you come back into Brazil. All other nationalities should contact the relevant Embassy or Consulate for information.

Geography

There are four distinctive regions in Brazil, the long coastal area stretching from Rio Grande to Bahia, the central plateau which contains several small mountain ranges and rivers as well as the densely forested Amazon basin in the north and the Parana Paragui basin which is more open.

When to go

The south and south east become very hot and humid during the summer months, December - March which is also the rainy season. It is worth bearing in mind that December through to February are the summer holidays for the Brazilians and hotels and flights become booked up very quickly. The dry season in the Amazon is from June through to November. The Pantanal should be avoided from December to March when it is waterlogged but can be visited at any other time of the year.

Language

Portuguese is the official language but Spanish is generally understood and English well spoken in the larger cities and tourist destinations.

Money

The currency of Brazil is the real (plural reais) introduced in 1994. In February 2006 the exchange rate was R$2.13 = 1US$. Try to break down large notes when you can, as it is often hard to do so and change is often scarce. US$ is the only currency that can be exchanged everywhere, dollars cash should be in new notes or ones in very good condition as they are often not accepted by banks if they are torn or marked. Both cash and travellers cheques can be changed at most banks and Casas de Cambio. Visa credit cards are the most widely accepted and you can get cash from most banks over the counter but be careful if you try by cash machine. To use these you have to use the special credit card dispensers inside the bank so they can only be used during banking hours, furthermore not all banks have them, the Banco de Brasil, however, is sure to.

Religion

The official religion is Catholicism but the country has African, European and Eastern influence which contributes to a very diverse religious culture.

Time

3 hours behind GMT in east, northeast, south and southeast.

4 hours behind GMT in west

5 hours behind GMT in far west

2 hours behind GMT in Fernando de Noronha

Electricity

Unstandardised; mostly 110 or 120V, though some hotels have 220V; 60 Hz in Rio and São Paulo

Brief History

The majority of the indigenous people who inhabited eastern South America before the Europeans arrived were the of the Tupi Guarani culture. They lived by hunting and gathering and tended to occupy an area until they had exhausted the land before moving on. Exact numbers are almost impossible to pinpoint but they are believed to have exceeded 5 million, before being wiped out mainly by European epidemics following colonisation.

The Portuguese first landed in Brazil in 1500 after arriving, debatably, by mistake while en route to India. They soon discovered, however, that the country had a great deal to offer and occupied the country until 1822. During this time there were two unsuccessful invasions by the Dutch and numerous uprisings. When France invaded Portugal in 1807, King João VI was sent to Brazil for safety, this led to a change from being governed by a Viceroyalty to being ruled by a monarch. This, however, was short-lived as independence led to a diminished role for the king and the eventual transferal to a Republic in 1889. There were several monarchist rebellions in the first period of the Republic but these were pretty brief and Brazil enjoyed economic growth and prosperity. In 1930 Getulio Vargas headed a rebellion which led to over half a century of dictatorship, however during this time Brazil did develop tremendously and benefit economically. Currently, the country is governed by the charismatic Lula, who is popular on the global stage but has failed to produce the social advances promised.

Special Events

There are several festivals throughout the year in Brazil but the most renowned is obviously Carnaval, celebrated throughout the country. It begins at midnight the evening before Ash Wednesday and lasts for 5 days. The most well known celebrations take place in Rio de Janeiro but other parts of the country have their different styles and influences which can make the experience a unique one wherever you are. Recommended places for the adventurous partier are Olinda and Salvador.

Music

Within South America, Brazil has the most diverse and exciting music scene. There is influence from three continents which make it bursting with variety. Samba, Bossa Nova and the Lambada are all important styles whose origins lie in Europe, Africa and South America. The Brazilians are fond of their music and express themselves through their rhythm. Expect to feel suitably inadequate on a dance floor in Rio!

Getting Around

Due to the size of the country, air travel in unavoidable and unfortunately expensive too. However, if several internal flights are being booked it is often worthwhile to purchase a Varig or TAM airpass. These are cheaper if used in conjunction with certain international carriers so a trip needs to be planned carefully.

Taxi: Taxis in the cities and towns will normally have meters so the price is not really negotiable. If you are not sure how much a journey should be ask at the hotel and they will give you a rough idea. Larger hotels will call taxis for you but they can normally be stopped on the streets. For longer journeys, if there are a few people travelling and you are not travelling too far, taxis can be a viable alternative to buses.

Essentials

Shopping: There are few handicrafts or artisan products in Brazil, and consequently it is not really a destination where you can buy typical Brazilian souvenirs. You can, however, find good quality clothes in Rio and if you’re in need of a small and daring bikini then Brazil is just be the place to get it! Gold and gemstones are also widely available. We strongly advise that you do not buy anything that might have done irreparable harm to the environment or come from an endangered species, for example turtle shells, coral or feathered products. Buying these products only encourages their production which has a very negative impact on the country you are visiting. Furthermore you could be breaking the law and have your souvenirs confiscated by customs.

Tipping

Tipping is up to the individual but in restaurants a tip of 10-15% is customary if service charge has not been added to the bill, give the tip directly to the person who served you, do not leave it on the table. For guides it is usually said that for a half-day tour you should tip the price of a beer ($2-3) and for a full days tour the price of a cheap meal ($5-6). Taxi drivers are not normally tipped but porters or bell boys would normally receive about $0.50 per bag.

Laundry: Laundry facilities are widely available in the main tourist areas. Most hotels will offer a laundry service but check the prices first, as some places can be extortionate. However with hotels you have the advantage of being able to put your clothes in to wash and being able to collect them a few days later, if you are going away for a few days and returning to the hotel. There are also a large number of local launderettes, most will only offer service washes so any delicate clothing is best done by hand. Clothes are very hard to dry in the jungle due to the humidity so take plenty of light clothing that dries easily. In more remote places it is harder to find laundry services so go prepared.

British Embassy

British Embassy and Consulate, Praia do Flamengo 284 2nd floor, Rio de Janeiro. Tel: +55 (21) 2555 9600, fax: +555 (21) 2555 9672, out of hours emergency: +55 (21) 9646 6692 Email:britishconsulaterio@terra.com.br or consular.rio@fco.gov.uk for consular enquiries. Opening hours: Mon - Fri 08:30-12:30 and 13:30-17:00 and 8:30-12:30 on Fridays. There are also branches in Brazilia =55 (61) 329 2300 and Sao Paul +55 (11) 3094 2700.

Airport Departure

Return international flights should be reconfirmed 72 hours before departure. International departure tax is US$36 (payable in $ cash on departure) but does not apply to transit passengers and may be included in some tickets depending on the airline. You must check in at least 2 hrs before an international flight, especially during peak seasons.

Departure tax on domestic flights is $3-6 (payable in $ cash on departure).

Health

Medical Emergencies: Visitors to Brazil have to pay for any medical attention they receive this can be anything up to $50 for a consultation, not including medication. There are some good hospitals and clinics in the cities and main towns but they may be more difficult to find in remote parts. All large clinics in major towns have a 24hr emergency service and most have English speaking doctors. Hospital Miguel Couto, Mario Ribeiro 117, Gavea, Rio de Janeiro Tel: 274 6050 has a free casualty ward. Hospital Municipal

Rocha Maia, R Gen Severiano 91, Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro Tel: 295 2295/2121 is good for minor problems.

Stomach upsets: An upset stomach is the most common medical complaint when travelling abroad, there can be any number of reasons for it, including change of climate, new diet, change in altitude and local water. There are certain steps you can take that will reduce your risks of spending your whole holiday looking for the nearest toilet! Top of the list is DO NOT drink the local tap water in any country in South America. Also avoid ice (unless it has been bought from a manufacturer in which case the water will have been purified the risk is up to you) and keep your mouth shut while swimming or showering. Always buy bottled water and check that the seal on the lid has not been broken, alternatively take water treatment tablets or drops (iodine based ones are the best).

Food is a tricky one as there are no concrete rules and you have to eat! General rules are that you should avoid salads, locally made ice cream and juices from fruit that can not be peeled. Avoid eating from local food stalls unless the food is very well cooked and only eat ceviche (raw marinated fish) in good restaurants.

How to avoid being bitten: Wear long trousers and long sleeve shirts even though you may still find you get bitten through your clothes in areas where the mosquitoes are particularly ferocious. Apply a DEET-based repellent with as high a content as possible, Jungle Formula or even 50% DEET are advised. You should cover all exposed areas of skin, avoiding your mouth and eyes, and for extra protection you can apply it under your clothes as well. Environmentally friendly products like those based on citronella are ok but not as effective as DEET products. Sleep under a good mosquito net, most of the hotels used by Trips will provide them free and automatically in affected areas. If you prefer to take your own then they can be bought in most camping and outdoor shops. Its always helpful to take some sellotape to stick over any holes there might be in the net. You shouldalso spray the mosquito net with repellent for further protection. Mosquito coils are ok in small rooms but no use in large ones or outside. Electrical appliances are no good, as most lodges will not have plugs or even electricity. but they are much better for your skin

(Strong concentrations of DEET can be fairly corrosive and damage leather and some plastic goods, keep it in a non-glass container and wrap it in thick plastic bags.)

Communications

Telephone:

If you use a phone box then it is advisable to buy a phone card first as the phone boxes only accept small coins. A call to the UK will cost approximately $4 a min. Don’t do a reverse charged call back to the UK as these cost about £5 a minute!

Useful numbers:

From Brazil to the UK: 00 + 44 + area code minus the 0 + number.

To Brazil from abroad: 00 + 55

Food and Drink

The food in Brazil is wonderful. The most famous dish is fejoida which is the equivalent to our Sunday lunch apart from it is eaten on a Saturday. This is a black bean stew with every type of conceivable meat thrown in, it is extremely tasty and well worth trying. There is plenty of fish available especially in coastal parts and the breakfasts are just superb with an abundance of fruit, breads, meats, cakes and pastries. Each region has it’s own specialties.

Vegetarians are not well catered for in smaller towns and villages.

Warnings

Brazil has some dangerous areas, these are mainly in the shanty towns on the outskirts of the cities but care should also be taken in city centres. Central Rio and Salvador have a bad reputation for pickpockets and thieves, especially at night, so be aware of your surroundings and leave any valuables (including watches) in the hotel, preferably in the safe. A lot of crime in Brazil is opportunist theft so can be avoided by not leaving your luggage unattended and being vigilant when in crowded areas such as bus and train stations and markets. It is some solace that the people only steal out of desperation and need rather than evil intent.