Welcome to Brazil

Brazil is anything you want it to be. White-sand beaches and tropical islands. An epic rain forest and world-renowned waterfalls. Captivating cities and thrilling festivals. It’s a destination that’s both soul stirring and fantastically fulfilling.

In Rio de Janeiro, ride the cable car to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain and take in the dramatic city views from Corcovado. Witness the spectacular, 15-day Carnival in Sao Paulo. Take a tango class or attend a caipirinha tasting. Sail the Amazon River, tracking pink river dolphins and howler monkeys in the treetops. Search for the elusive jaguar. Meet giant river otters and tapirs in the wild Pantanal.

Visit the Brazilian and Argentinian sides of mighty Iguazu Falls. Experience vibrant Bahian culture and savor local cuisine in Salvador. Visit colonial towns untouched by the 21st-century, like the local Tiririca community in the Amazon’s Anavilhanas Islands. Massive and mythical, Brazil is endlessly enchanting.

Unique Facts

• Beach bums will want to visit Baia do Sancho in the archipelago of Fernando dd Noronha, an hour by air from Natal. The beach has been ranked the best in the world. There’s a marine park among the 21 islands here, home to sea turtles, lemon and reef sharks, clownfish and more, that draws divers from all over the world.
• The highest mountain in Brazil was not discovered until the 1950s because it’s almost always covered in clouds. Aptly named, Mist Peak (Pico da Neblina) is at the Brazilian-Venezuelan border and rises 9,823 feet above sea level.
• When measured by volume of water discharged, the Amazon River is the world’s largest river. That means around 209,000 cubic meters per second flow into the Atlantic. That would fill the world’s deepest lake in less than four years. The river is up to 30 miles wide during the wet season.
• There are 21 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Brazil, including the best known, Iguacu National Park. The waterfalls are 1.7 miles with a total of 275 drops.
• More than 2.5 million people live in the middle of the Amazon rain forest – in the city of Manaus.

Language

Brazil’s official language is Portuguese.

When To Go

Brazil is warm and pleasant year-round. November to March are the warmest months throughout the country. The northeastern coast will generally experience some afternoon showers in June and July. April through October are the driest months in the Pantanal. Don’t shy away from the wetter months, thought, because like the Amazon, these humid periods offer more wildlife spotting opportunities.

Airports

Guarulhos International Airport, Sao Paulo
Congonhas Airport, Sao Paulo
Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek International Airport, Brasilia
Galeao International Airport, Rio de Janeiro

Passport Validity

Passport must be valid at time of entry.

Visa Required By US Citizen?

None

Vaccinations

The CDC recommends the following vaccines for most travelers when visiting Brazil: Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Yellow Fever. Depending on where you are traveling, you may also need Hepatitis B, Malaria and Rabies vaccines.

Electrical Outlets

Power plugs and sockets: types C and N. Standard voltage: 127/220V. Frequency: 60Hz.

Currency

Official local currency: Brazilian Real

Getting Around

Depending on the area of the country you are visiting, if you are self-driving, be aware of poor driving skills, bad roads and high-density traffic. Road maintenance is inadequate in many places. Some of the Amazon forest’s long-distance roads are impassable during the year due to flooding.

It is recommended that you avoid bus service, as it is unsafe and unpredictable.

Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo have clean, safe subway networks.

Taxi service is available in major cities. Flag one down on the street, order one by phone or walk to a taxi stand.

Driver’s License

Valid US driver’s license is required.

US Embassy Info

U.S. Embassy Brasilia
SES 801- Avenida das Nacoes, Lote 03
70403-900 – Brasilia, DF Brazil
Telephone: 011-55-61-3312-7000
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: 011-55-61-3312-7400
Fax: (61) 3312-7651
BrasiliaACS@state.gov

Local Visitor Info

Visitor Center
Estr. Redentor
7871 – Alto da Boa Vista
Rio de Janeiro – RJ
20531-540
Brazil
Tel: +55 21 2225-0401
http://paineirascorcovado.com.br/

Tourist Information Center
Praça da República
S / N – Historic Center of Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo – SP
01039-000, Brazil
Tel: +55 11 2226-0400

Local Emergency Phone Numbers

Police: 190
Ambulance: 192
Fire: 193

Safety and Security

The crime rate is high in most Brazilian cities. Be aware of your surroundings at all times, particularly on public transportation, in hotels and in tourist areas.

Do not travel to informal housing developments or favelas, even on a guided tour, due to crime.

Do not travel to Brasilia’s satellite cities (Ceilandia, Santa Maria, Sao Sebastio and Paranoa) after dark.

Do not travel within 95 miles of Brazil’s land borders with Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and Paraguay due to crime. This does not apply to Iguacu National Park or Pantanal National Park.

Avoid the use of public, municipal buses in Brazil at any time of day, and especially at night.

Limit the personal belongings you carry with you. Carry your money in your front pockets and limit the amount of credit cards you carry. Do not carry or wear valuable items that will attract the attention of thieves. Do not walk on beaches after dark. Assaults are common. Be cautious when hiking in isolated areas, particularly near tourist attractions in Rio de Janeiro.