Brazil Travel Guide

Language

The spoken language in Brazil is Portuguese, however Spanish and English are also used in the cities.

Currency

The Brazilian monetary unit is the real (BRL), plural reais. There are 100 centavos to the real. The US dollar is also welcome in most tourist establishments. In the main cities foreign currencies and travelers checks can be exchanged at banks or cambios. There is an extensive network of ATMs in the country and most major international credit cards are accepted.

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Time

Brazil spans four time zones: Rio and Sao Paulo: GMT -2 (GMT -3 April to October); Brasilia and Belm: GMT -3 (GMT -2 October to March); GMT -4 in the West.

Electricity

Brazil has a variety of electrical voltages, sometimes within the same city, The better hotels offer 220 volts. If not, transformers are available in electrical stores. Outlets often accept a variety of plug types but the two-pin type is standard.

Communications

The international access code for Brazil is +55. The outgoing code depends on what network is used (e.g. 0014 for Brasil Telecom), which is followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 001444 for the United Kingdom). The area code for Brasilia is 61, but the access code to make a call within the country from another area also depends on what network is used (e.g. (014)61 for Brasil Telecom). GSM 900and 1800 mobile phone networks cover the main cities, and phones are available to rent. Internet cafes are widely available. Every town has a central telephone office called a Posto Telefonico, from where long distance calls can be made, and public phone booths are everywhere, operated by phone cards. For cheaper calls, visitors can connect to an operator at home and place a credit card or collect call. Sending mail overseas is expensive, but the postal system is generally reliable.

Duty-Free

Travelers to Brazil can enter the country with 400 cigarettes or 25 cigars; 2 liters of alcoholic beverages and goods to the value of US$500, without incurring customs duty. Restricted items include fresh produce, meat and dairy products. Strict regulations apply to temporary import or export of firearms, antiquities, tropical plants, medication and business equipment.

Tourist Office

EMBRATUR (Brazilian Tourist Board), Brasilia +55 (61) 3429 7774 or www.braziltour.com

Embassies in Brazil

• United States Embassy, Brasilia: +55 (61) 3312 7000.
• British Embassy, Brasilia: +55 (61) 3329 2300.
• Canadian Embassy, Brasilia: +55 (61) 3424 5400.
• Australian Embassy, Brasilia: +55 (61) 3226 3111.
• South African Embassy, Brasilia: +55 (61) 3312 9500.
• Irish Embassy, Brasilia: +55 (61) 3248 8800.
• New Zealand Embassy, Brasilia: +55 (61) 3248 9900.

Brazil Embassies Abroad

• Brazilian Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 238 2700
• Brazilian Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7399 9000
• Brazilian Embassy, Ontario, Canada: +1 613 237 1090.
• Brazilian Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6273 2372.
• Brazilian Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 366 5200.
• Brazilian Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 475 6000.
• Brazilian Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 473 3516.

Emergency

Emergencies: 190 (police), 192 (ambulance).

Language

The spoken language in Brazil is Portuguese, however Spanish and English are also used in the cities.

Currency

The Brazilian monetary unit is the real (BRL), plural reais. There are 100 centavos to the real. The US dollar is also welcome in most tourist establishments. In the main cities foreign currencies and travelers checks can be exchanged at banks or cambios. There is an extensive network of ATMs in the country and most major international credit cards are accepted.

1.5585

Time

Brazil spans four time zones: Rio and Sao Paulo: GMT -2 (GMT -3 April to October); Brasilia and Belm: GMT -3 (GMT -2 October to March); GMT -4 in the West.

Electricity

Brazil has a variety of electrical voltages, sometimes within the same city, The better hotels offer 220 volts. If not, transformers are available in electrical stores. Outlets often accept a variety of plug types but the two-pin type is standard.

Communications

The international access code for Brazil is +55. The outgoing code depends on what network is used (e.g. 0014 for Brasil Telecom), which is followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 001444 for the United Kingdom). The area code for Brasilia is 61, but the access code to make a call within the country from another area also depends on what network is used (e.g. (014)61 for Brasil Telecom). GSM 900and 1800 mobile phone networks cover the main cities, and phones are available to rent. Internet cafes are widely available. Every town has a central telephone office called a Posto Telefonico, from where long distance calls can be made, and public phone booths are everywhere, operated by phone cards. For cheaper calls, visitors can connect to an operator at home and place a credit card or collect call. Sending mail overseas is expensive, but the postal system is generally reliable.

Duty-Free

Travelers to Brazil can enter the country with 400 cigarettes or 25 cigars; 2 liters of alcoholic beverages and goods to the value of US$500, without incurring customs duty. Restricted items include fresh produce, meat and dairy products. Strict regulations apply to temporary import or export of firearms, antiquities, tropical plants, medication and business equipment.

Tourist Office

EMBRATUR (Brazilian Tourist Board), Brasilia +55 (61) 3429 7774 or www.braziltour.com

Embassies in Brazil

• United States Embassy, Brasilia: +55 (61) 3312 7000.
• British Embassy, Brasilia: +55 (61) 3329 2300.
• Canadian Embassy, Brasilia: +55 (61) 3424 5400.
• Australian Embassy, Brasilia: +55 (61) 3226 3111.
• South African Embassy, Brasilia: +55 (61) 3312 9500.
• Irish Embassy, Brasilia: +55 (61) 3248 8800.
• New Zealand Embassy, Brasilia: +55 (61) 3248 9900.

Brazil Embassies Abroad

• Brazilian Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 238 2700
• Brazilian Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7399 9000
• Brazilian Embassy, Ontario, Canada: +1 613 237 1090.
• Brazilian Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6273 2372.
• Brazilian Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 366 5200.
• Brazilian Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 475 6000.
• Brazilian Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 473 3516.

Emergency

Emergencies: 190 (police), 192 (ambulance).

Language

The spoken language in Brazil is Portuguese, however Spanish and English are also used in the cities.

Currency

The Brazilian monetary unit is the real (BRL), plural reais. There are 100 centavos to the real. The US dollar is also welcome in most tourist establishments. In the main cities foreign currencies and travelers checks can be exchanged at banks or cambios. There is an extensive network of ATMs in the country and most major international credit cards are accepted.

1.5585

Time

Brazil spans four time zones: Rio and Sao Paulo: GMT -2 (GMT -3 April to October); Brasilia and Belm: GMT -3 (GMT -2 October to March); GMT -4 in the West.

Electricity

Brazil has a variety of electrical voltages, sometimes within the same city, The better hotels offer 220 volts. If not, transformers are available in electrical stores. Outlets often accept a variety of plug types but the two-pin type is standard.

Communications

The international access code for Brazil is +55. The outgoing code depends on what network is used (e.g. 0014 for Brasil Telecom), which is followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 001444 for the United Kingdom). The area code for Brasilia is 61, but the access code to make a call within the country from another area also depends on what network is used (e.g. (014)61 for Brasil Telecom). GSM 900and 1800 mobile phone networks cover the main cities, and phones are available to rent. Internet cafes are widely available. Every town has a central telephone office called a Posto Telefonico, from where long distance calls can be made, and public phone booths are everywhere, operated by phone cards. For cheaper calls, visitors can connect to an operator at home and place a credit card or collect call. Sending mail overseas is expensive, but the postal system is generally reliable.

Duty-Free

Travelers to Brazil can enter the country with 400 cigarettes or 25 cigars; 2 liters of alcoholic beverages and goods to the value of US$500, without incurring customs duty. Restricted items include fresh produce, meat and dairy products. Strict regulations apply to temporary import or export of firearms, antiquities, tropical plants, medication and business equipment.

Tourist Office

EMBRATUR (Brazilian Tourist Board), Brasilia +55 (61) 3429 7774 or www.braziltour.com

Embassies in Brazil

• United States Embassy, Brasilia: +55 (61) 3312 7000.
• British Embassy, Brasilia: +55 (61) 3329 2300.
• Canadian Embassy, Brasilia: +55 (61) 3424 5400.
• Australian Embassy, Brasilia: +55 (61) 3226 3111.
• South African Embassy, Brasilia: +55 (61) 3312 9500.
• Irish Embassy, Brasilia: +55 (61) 3248 8800.
• New Zealand Embassy, Brasilia: +55 (61) 3248 9900.

Brazil Embassies Abroad

• Brazilian Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 238 2700
• Brazilian Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7399 9000
• Brazilian Embassy, Ontario, Canada: +1 613 237 1090.
• Brazilian Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6273 2372.
• Brazilian Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 366 5200.
• Brazilian Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 475 6000.
• Brazilian Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 473 3516.

Emergency

Emergencies: 190 (police), 192 (ambulance).

Language

The spoken language in Brazil is Portuguese, however Spanish and English are also used in the cities.

Currency

The Brazilian monetary unit is the real (BRL), plural reais. There are 100 centavos to the real. The US dollar is also welcome in most tourist establishments. In the main cities foreign currencies and travelers checks can be exchanged at banks or cambios. There is an extensive network of ATMs in the country and most major international credit cards are accepted.

1.5585

Time

Brazil spans four time zones: Rio and Sao Paulo: GMT -2 (GMT -3 April to October); Brasilia and Belm: GMT -3 (GMT -2 October to March); GMT -4 in the West.

Electricity

Brazil has a variety of electrical voltages, sometimes within the same city, The better hotels offer 220 volts. If not, transformers are available in electrical stores. Outlets often accept a variety of plug types but the two-pin type is standard.

Communications

The international access code for Brazil is +55. The outgoing code depends on what network is used (e.g. 0014 for Brasil Telecom), which is followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 001444 for the United Kingdom). The area code for Brasilia is 61, but the access code to make a call within the country from another area also depends on what network is used (e.g. (014)61 for Brasil Telecom). GSM 900and 1800 mobile phone networks cover the main cities, and phones are available to rent. Internet cafes are widely available. Every town has a central telephone office called a Posto Telefonico, from where long distance calls can be made, and public phone booths are everywhere, operated by phone cards. For cheaper calls, visitors can connect to an operator at home and place a credit card or collect call. Sending mail overseas is expensive, but the postal system is generally reliable.

Duty-Free

Travelers to Brazil can enter the country with 400 cigarettes or 25 cigars; 2 liters of alcoholic beverages and goods to the value of US$500, without incurring customs duty. Restricted items include fresh produce, meat and dairy products. Strict regulations apply to temporary import or export of firearms, antiquities, tropical plants, medication and business equipment.

Tourist Office

EMBRATUR (Brazilian Tourist Board), Brasilia +55 (61) 3429 7774 or www.braziltour.com

Embassies in Brazil

• United States Embassy, Brasilia: +55 (61) 3312 7000.
• British Embassy, Brasilia: +55 (61) 3329 2300.
• Canadian Embassy, Brasilia: +55 (61) 3424 5400.
• Australian Embassy, Brasilia: +55 (61) 3226 3111.
• South African Embassy, Brasilia: +55 (61) 3312 9500.
• Irish Embassy, Brasilia: +55 (61) 3248 8800.
• New Zealand Embassy, Brasilia: +55 (61) 3248 9900.

Brazil Embassies Abroad

• Brazilian Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 238 2700
• Brazilian Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7399 9000
• Brazilian Embassy, Ontario, Canada: +1 613 237 1090.
• Brazilian Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6273 2372.
• Brazilian Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 366 5200.
• Brazilian Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 475 6000.
• Brazilian Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 473 3516.

Emergency

Emergencies: 190 (police), 192 (ambulance).