Brazil
Capital:
Brasilia
Official Language: Portuguese
Religions:
90% Roman Catholic, 10% Other
Currency:
Real = 100 centavos
Placements:
Farm Lodge, Amazon Jungle Lodge
Map
Background
For hundreds of years, Brazil has symbolised 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, it is a country of mythic proportions.
Perhaps it's not quite the Eden of
popular imagination, but it's still a land of staggering beauty. There are
stretches of unexplored rainforest, islands with pristine tropical beaches, and
endless rivers. And there are the people themselves, who delight the visitor
with their energy and joy.
Special Events
Although there are festivals taking place all year round
in Brazil, the country's most famous event is Carnaval, which lasts for five
days from the Friday to the Tuesday immediately preceding Ash Wednesday. It is
celebrated all over Brazil and there are more authentic versions than the glitzy
tourist drawcard held in Rio; but Rio's is a fantastic spectacle nonetheless. In
its sambódromo, a tiered street designed for samba parades, there is a frenzy of
sweat, sequins, noise and mayhem as the 16 top samba schools each have their
hour of glory.
Climate
Most of the country has noticeable seasonal variations
in rain, temperature and humidity, but only the south of Brazil has large
seasonal changes. The Brazilian winter is from June to August, with the coldest
southern states receiving average winter temperatures of between 13°C and 18°C
(55°F and 64°F). In summer (December to February), Rio is hot and humid, with
temperatures in the high 30°sC (80°sF) common; the rest of the year,
temperatures usually hover around 25°C (77°F). The northeast coast gets as hot
as Rio in the summer but tropical breezes make it less humid and stifling. In
general, the Planalto Brasiliero is less hot and humid, and is prone to summer
rainfalls. The Amazon Basin is the rainiest part of Brazil (the term
'rainforest' is a bit of a giveaway), and while it is humid, temperatures
average a reasonable 27°C (80°F).
Travel Info
There are frequent flights to Rio from all major cities
in South America and from a number of major airports in the USA and Europe.
Other gateway airports in Brazil include São Paulo, Recife - popular with German
package tourists - and Manaus, in the middle of the Amazon basin. Varig,
Brazil's national airline, flies to many major cities in the world. For
international flights, the departure tax is a whopping 36.00, but this is often
included in the ticket cost.
Brazil has land borders with every other country in South
America, with the exception of Ecuador and Chile, so while some travellers may
bus in from Uruguay or Argentina in the south, others arrive via the trem da
morte (death train) - named after the fate that befalls many who hitch a ride on
the train's roof - from Bolivia. By river, many travellers take a slow boat
along the Amazon from Iquitos in Peru or into the Pantanal via the Rio Paraguay
from Asunción, Paraguay.
Visas
Passports must be valid for at least six months from
date of entry. Visas are required for tourists of many nationalities, including
Australia, Canada and the USA; visas are generally granted for a period of 90
days, with one extension of up to 90 days possible.
Safety
Terrorism
You should be aware of the
global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian
targets, including places frequented by foreigners.
Crime
Levels of crime, including muggings, and often
involving firearms, are high. You should be very vigilant, particularly in major
cities. Street robberies can occur anywhere. You should carry only small sums of
money on your person in relatively accessible places so some cash can be handed
over without delay if you are threatened. You should avoid wearing jewellery,
rings and expensive watches. Dress down, and keep cameras concealed if you must
carry them. Under no account attempt to resist muggers or other attackers as
they often carry firearms or other weapons. It is wisest to deposit all
valuables and documents in hotel safes.
Slums exist in all major Brazilian cities; they are
characterised by poverty and extremely high violent crime levels. There are some
respected guided tours of certain slums in Rio de Janeiro, and these are
considered safe. Your hotel should be able to give you further advice. However,
under no other circumstances should you attempt to venture into a slum at any
other time. After dark, you should avoid entering very quiet streets except
under reliable local advice.
Thefts from cars are common. There is an increasing problem
of cars being temporarily hijacked, and the driver or passengers being forced to
use their bank cards to extract money from ATMs, often around midnight (because
the card’s daily limit can be withdrawn twice, just before and just after
midnight). When in a car you should keep the doors locked and the windows
closed, and take particular care at traffic lights.
The threat of personal attack is lower outside the main
population centres. However, incidents do occur, even in holiday destinations
that appear relatively secure. A number of sexual assaults have been reported in
coastal tourist areas. Unaccompanied women, in particular, should avoid walking
alone and should never accept lifts from strangers or passing acquaintances.
Credit card fraud is common. You
should always ensure you retain your copy of the transaction slip, along with
the carbon paper. UK cash cards are not always accepted by Brazilian cash
machines. It is wise to take sufficient funds in cash/travellers' cheques
(preferably US dollars) to exchange. Travellers' cheques are not widely accepted
so some cash should also be taken.
Mobile telephone cloning can occur. If your telephone is
cloned your bill will show calls, often expensive, made using your telephone
number.
There have been reports
of “date rape” and robberies after the victim has been drugged. Do not accept
drinks from strangers or drink from your glass if it has been out of your
sight.
Local Travel
Travel by bus or tram within the cities of Rio de
Janeiro, Recife and Salvador is not safe. Avoid these methods of transport in
those places. In Sao Paulo buses are considered less dangerous in the daytime
but should be avoided at night. Taxis or the metro are a safer option. However,
bus travel between and within other cities is relatively safe, although there
have been incidents of hijacking of tour buses, including in major urban
areas.
On arrival you should
use registered airport taxis. The various taxi offices in airport arrival halls
sell pre-paid tickets for these. You can pick up taxis from the many recognised
taxi ranks around Brazilian cities.
In major cities there have been reports of incidents
involving taxis with blacked-out windows and there are also reports that they
are being used for criminal activities. We therefore recommend against
travelling in taxis with blacked-out windows.
If using a roving taxi check before getting in that it
displays an obligatory photographic licence. Beware of unlicensed taxis quoting
low prices, but who later overcharge, threatening those who protest.
Road
Safety
The Brazilian style
of driving and standards are very different from the United Kingdom. Be prepared
to stop unexpectedly, and beware of potholes, slow moving vehicles, vehicles
changing lane without indicating and going through red lights, and
people/animals on the road. Avoid driving outside of towns at night as vehicles
without lights and other hazards can make it dangerous.
Sea
Safety
Strong currents and
sharks can be a problem off some beaches. You should take local advice before
swimming.
There have been cases
of both armed and unarmed attacks on merchant vessels, including British flag
vessels off the Brazilian coast and in some Brazilian ports, including Amapá,
Rio Grande, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and Santos.
Air Safety
Air travel in Brazil is
well-regulated and generally reliable and safe.
LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
Paedophilia and child prostitution, often associated
with organised "sex tourism" is an increasing problem. Do not become
involved.
Drugs
Drug trafficking and use is a growing problem, with
severe penalties in Brazil. Do not become involved. Pack your own luggage and do
not carry items that do not belong to you. < /div > < div >
< /div > < div > < b > Driving Licence Requirements
Foreigners are allowed to drive in Brazil provided
they have their original driving licence, their original identification document
(passport) and an authorised Portuguese translation of their driving
licence.
Health
We strongly recommend that
you obtain comprehensive medical and travel insurance before travelling. You
should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities
you want to undertake. Contact your GP for advice on recommended
inoculations; requirements may vary according to which areas of Brazil you
intend to visit.
Malaria is a
risk in some northern parts of Brazil. You may need to take medication,
depending on the areas to be visited: take medical advice before travelling.
Outbreaks of dengue fever are on the increase, particularly after rain in
densely populated areas anywhere in the country. There is no effective treatment
for dengue, which has severe flu-like symptoms and can be fatal to the elderly
or very young. You are advised to minimise exposure to mosquito bites by
covering up and using repellents. There have been some cases of cholera in the
north east. Yellow Fever occurs in large areas of north and west Brazil.
There have been recent cases of people contracting
Brazilian Spotted Fever, caused by being bitten by ticks. If you suspect that
this has happened to you, you should seek medical advice.
Chagas disease (or American
trypanosomiasis), caused by a parasite, is widespread in rural and poor areas of
Brazil. The vector insects are usually found in the walls of poorly constructed
dwellings that may be made of mud and thatch. Most infections are mild or
asymptomatic but may be more severe in children. Treatment can be difficult in
all stages of disease, and after many years intestinal or cardiac problems may
develop which can be fatal. Early symptoms include fever, nausea, muscle aches
and pains and there may be swelling at the site of the insect bite. Until
recently, infection was thought to be via insect bites only, but some cases have
been traced to the ingestion of sugar cane juice and the tropical açai fruit
contaminated with the faeces of vector insects. Check hygiene precautions with
the supplier before purchasing such products.
The incidence of some other diseases, previously confined
mainly to rural areas, has increased substantially in poorer urban areas in
recent years. They include leishmania infection, amoebiasis, shigella infection
and leptospirosis icterohaemorrhagica. Symptoms may include persistent fever
and/or diarrhoea. However, these diseases are unlikely to be encountered in
modern hotels in the main tourist areas.
If you have reason to suspect you may have contracted any
of the above diseases, seek medical advice urgently.
Tap water is heavily treated giving it an unpleasant
chemical taste but is safe to drink in most urban areas providing it has been
passed through a charcoal filter system; you should check with your
hotel/restaurant management before drinking tap water. Tap water in remote areas
can be unsafe even if filtered; stick to bottled mineral water, which is
available virtually everywhere.
Injections required
Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Yellow fever
Immunisations that maybe required
Yellow fever, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis B, Rabies,
Meningococcal
Malaria Yes
Reciprocal Health Care None
