Brazil Information

For hundreds of years, Brazil has symbolized the great escape into a primordial, tropical paradise, igniting the Western imagination like no other South American country. From the mad passion of Carnaval to the immensity of the dark Amazon, Brazil is a country of mythic proportions. All the while, the people of Brazil delight visitors with their energy, fantasy and joy.

FACTS AND FIGURES:

Full country name: República Federativa do Brazil.
Area: 8,547,403 sq km (3,300,155 sq mi).
Population: 172 million.
Capital city: Brasília.
People: 55% European descent, 38% mulatto, 6% African descent (according to the 1980 census).
Language: Portuguese.
Religion: 70% Roman Catholic; also a significant proportion who practice Indian animism.
Government: Federal republic.

VISAS:

UK passport holders do not require a visa to enter Brazil. However, passports must be valid for at least six months from date of entry. Visas are required for tourists of many nationalities, including the USA, Australia & Canada. Visas are generally for 90 days.

VACCINATIONS

An international certificate of vaccination against yellow fever is compulsory for travelers who, within the three months prior to their arrival in Brazil, have visited or been in transit through any of the following countries: Angola, Benin, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, French Guyana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Peru, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Venezuela and Zaire.

Additionally, vaccination against yellow fever is recommended for all travelers when visiting the State of Amazonas.

Please note that yellow fever vaccinations take approximately 10 days to become effective and sometimes include side effects 5-7 days after inoculation.

ANTI-MALARIAL TREATMENT

Anti-malarial treatment should be taken when visiting the Amazon.

Consult your local physician or pharmacist for the most suitable medication, keeping in mind that some include side effects.

MONEY & COSTS

Currency: Real (plural 'Reals')

CLICK HERE to see the current exchange rate.

Credit cards are now accepted all over Brazil. Visa is the best card to carry for cash advances, finding an ATM that accepts your particular card can be difficult, though.

Changing cash and travelers' checks is simple - there are 'cambios' (Change Booths) in all but the tiniest towns. However, on weekends, it's worth having enough cash to tide you over because finding an open change bureau, even in big cities, can be difficult.