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 Columbia, you will be required to provide an up to date yellow fever vaccination certificate for immigration purposes.
Local diet : it is advisable to take precautions against stomach upsets while adjusting to a change in diet. Avoid eating and drinking local products from street vendors and restaurants with suspect hygiene or refrigeration practices. Tap water is likely to be contaminated (particularly in the more rural areas), therefore drink only bottled water. Even in the main cities, although the water is treated, the chemicals used are different, and you are still advised to use bottled water. Uncooked fish/seafood or vegetables, salads, unpeeled fruits, diluted fruit juice, ice-cubes, ice-cream, fresh cheese or yogurt and any foods prepared and sold by street vendors are best avoided.
Money - The Brazilian currency is the REAL; 100 centavos = 1 real. Bank notes are in denominations of 100, 50, 10, 5, 1; Coins are 1.00 real; 50 centavos, 25 centavos, 10 centavos, 5 centavos and 1 centavo. All banks and cambios exchange recognized travellers cheques and foreign currency. It is advisable to take US Dollar travellers cheques or currency as this is more readily exchanged than other currency. You may benefit from a 15% discount when paying hotel or restaurant bills in foreign currency or travellers cheques.
There remains a currency exchange black market, but you are strongly advised to ignore anyone who approaches you asking if you want to change money - it is a fairly sure way to get robbed.
- 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.
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.
Electricity - The electric current in Brazil is 220 volts, except in the states of Sao Paulo; Rio de Janeiro; Pernambuco where it is 110 volts (except the Rio Intercontinental Hotel which, exceptionally, has 220 volts).
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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 in interior to impassable tropical rainforest in 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).
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 : Servicio nao incluido. Taxis do not expect a tip, but it is normal to round up the final price. You should be aware that the amount given on the taximeter will not always be 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.
Taxes - Airport tax for international flights is approximately R$ 89,00. Internal flights are taxed at about R$ 7,20 and R$ 9,20. In addition, all hotels require a city tax at US $1 per day per room. All the above taxes may be paid in Dollars or Reals and must be paid locally.
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