Spring: 22 September to 21 December Summer: 22 December to 21 March
Autumn: 22 March to 21 June Winter: 22 June to 21 September
If you want to exchange your currency for Brazilian (BRL-Reais) currency you must do so at international currency offices at all international airports in Brazil. Banks in Brazil do NOT exchange international currency. You can also exchange money at currency exchanges agencies at local shopping malls. Most of the major banks in Brazil are members of the Cirrus, Plus, and Star ATM Networks, so for a small transaction fee you can get Brazilian currency when you withdraw money from Brazilian banks using your ATM Card, or Credit Card. Banks operate Monday to Friday between 10am & 4pm.
The Brazilian monetary unit is the real (R$) (plural, reais). There are 100 centavos to the real. Most major international credit cards are accepted in Brazil. Credit card receipts from stores and restaurants will be priced in reais although you will be billed in the currency of your own country, the official exchange rate having been taken into consideration.
Given the size of the country, the fastest and most effective way of getting around Brazil is by air. Brazil’s main national carrier, TAM Airlines, has an extensive route network throughout Brazil. Of note, American Airlines has daily non-stop service from (MIA) Miami to (SSA) Salvador Bahia and Korean Airlines recently inaugurated non-stop service from (LAX) Los Angeles to (GRU) Sao Paulo. There are also a number of low-cost carriers such as Gol Airlines and Azul Airlines (Owned by Jet Blue’s Founder David Neeleman).
Like the US, the Brazilian carriers use certain airports as major hubs for serving regions of the country. Visitors are often surprised that in the south east, São Paulo (GRU), rather than Rio de Janeiro (GIG), is the main hub. Other hubs include Porto Alegre (POA) and Curitiba (CWB) in the south, Brasília (BSB) in the central west, and Salvador (SSA), Recife (REC) and Fortaleza (FOR) in the north east.
As many visitors plan their trip to Brazil around Rio de Janeiro, some of the most popular internal flight times are:
It is also worth remembering that most scheduled flights from Europe fly first to São Paulo and then on to Rio de Janeiro. The return flights are the reverse so visitors looking to fly on to other cities in Brazil or return from them, should look for connecting flights with São Paulo.
Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo also have airports closer to the city center which are used for the 55 minute air-shuttle between the two cities and a number of other short regional services. Rio's airports are Galeão (GIG) for international and Santos Dumont (SDU) for the shuttle; while São Paulo's are Guarulhos (GRU) for international and Congonhas (CGH) for the shuttle.
Like most airports, the airports in Brazil have different lines for national passport holders and foreign visitors. Foreign passport holders should make sure they get their passports stamped and that they retain half of the immigration form they fill in on arrival. Visitors who miss getting their passport stamped or who lose the form will have to get clearance from the Federal Police to leave the country and may have to pay a fine.
Customs
officials normally inspect the baggage of around 30 per cent or more of
incoming passengers. Besides clothing and personal effects, tourists
entering Brazil may bring in one of each of the following items: Ipods, Ipads, CD players, laptop computers, movie and still cameras.
Brazil employs strict import duties on foreign products, i.e, computers, electronics, and designer clothing and cologne. In most cases, if you are caught with more than the allotted number of these products you’ll be charged the applicable tariff/duty tax. The Brazilian government also has a very strict non-compliance policy related to illegal drugs entering the country.
Your Personal Safety
One of the urban myths that surrounds Brazil and can put people off a visit is the question of safety and security. In fact, Brazil, including the main cities of Rio, Salvador and São Paulo, is no more dangerous than anywhere in Europe or North America and violent crimes against tourists or foreign visitors are extremely rare, hence the headlines if they do happen. Brazil is also politically stable with no natural enemies and no terrorist activities.
Being sensible and streetwise is the key to a trouble-free and enjoyable stay in Brazil. However, just like in London, Paris, New York or any other major metropolitan and tourist centre, petty crime in Brazil is an unfortunate fact of life. The crime tourists are most likely to fall victim to in Brazilian cities is robbery and the target of most petty pilfering is the bag. If a bag is left unattended, the chances are that somebody else will try to pick it up.
We’re fortunate to employ the diversified services of a devoted, highly experienced, Brazil based, tour operations team of uniquely knowledgeable individuals who know what it takes to maintain the necessary secure environment for our tour guest to travel with a peace of mind. Our collective focus during all of our private and group excursions in Brazil is always committed to providing our tour guest with a high degree of personal safety.
The legal age to purchase alcoholic beverages in Brazil is 18. Brazil produces or imports most of the major international brands. Brazilian beer is a very good lager which is served in draught form (chopp) or bottled. The national drink is cachaça, made from crushed sugar cane, which is the basis of the popular caipirinha. Cachaça is also the basis for batidas, a mix of cachaça and fresh fruit juices. Soft drinks are no less spectacular and the most popular is Guaraná. Brazil is, of course, the world's largest coffee producer.
When dinning out in Brazil, be advised that most restaurants add 10% or more to the total of the bill, but must make it clear that they have done so, and nearly all hotels add a service charge to the bill, also usually 10%. Brazilians don't normally tip taxi drivers, although they may round the total up.
Fedex operates in Brazil and offers excellent expedited international letter/package service throughout the country.
Brazil Weather
Although 90 per cent of Brazil is within the tropics, more than 60 per cent of the population lives in areas where altitude, sea winds, or polar fronts moderate the temperature. Plateau cities such as São Paulo, Brasília and Belo Horizonte have mild climates averaging 19°C (66°F). Rio de Janeiro, Recife, Natal and Salvador on the coast have warmer climates balanced by the Trade Winds. Rio, for example, has an average temperature of around 26°C (80°F) which will climb into the high 30s-low 40s (over 100°F) during the summer months. In the southern Brazilian cities of Porto Alegre and Curitiba, the subtropical climate is similar to parts of the US and Europe, with frosts occurring in the winter months (July-August) when temperatures can fall below freezing. Summers are hot, however.
Duty Free
Brazil's international airports are unusual in that they offer duty free goods on arrival and visitors, on presentation of their passport and ticket, will be allowed to purchase up to US$500 worth of duty free products, including drink and tobacco.
It is worth noting, especially when visitors are leaving Brazil, that by law the duty free stores are not allowed to accept Brazil's own currency, the real, but will be happy to accept all other major international currencies and credit cards.
As in most other countries, travelers under 18 years of age are not allowed to buy any alcoholic drinks, tobacco products or similar restricted goods.