Currency
The Brazilian monetary unit is the Brazilian 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 can be exchanged at banks or ‘cambios’. Banks may offer a more convenient exchange rate but the procedure could take longer. You will see two exchange rates being quoted for cash: ‘the oficial’, which is the one a bank will pay you, and the ‘turismo’, which is what you will get in a hotel or travel agency. The ‘turismo’ is usually only two or three points less than the official and, unless you are changing large amounts of money, it’s often worth living with this lower rate to avoid the inconvenience of changing your money in a bank.

ATMs, travelers’ checks and credit cards
You will find ATM machines everywhere in Brazil, even in the smallest towns. We recommend using the ones located inside some hotels, stores, restaurants or banks. The only trick is finding one that works with your card. Only Visa cards can be used to withdraw cash advances at the ATMs of Banco do Brasil and Banco Bradesco; only Mastercard at HSBC, Itaú and Banco Mercantil. Increasing numbers of Brazilian banks are linking their cash dispensers to the Cirrus and Maestro networks; the most reliable and widespread is the Banco 24 Horas network. Also, plan ahead to ensure that you have enough cash; for safety reasons many ATMs do not operate 24 hours. Often they will close after 10pm or only allow a small amount of cash to be withdrawn during the off-hours. Your best bets for late-night withdrawals are airports, malls, or gas stations.

The most widely accepted credit cards are Visa and MasterCard. However, some establishments, especially smaller businesses, will give you a better price if you pay cash. Credit cards are accepted at most hotels and restaurants, except for the very cheapest ones. American Express and Diners Club are also often accepted.

Travelers’ checks are not recommendable. The Banco do Brasil is the only bank that will cash them with a minimum of hassle but will charge a USD 20 transaction fee.

Tipping
A tip in Brazil like in most of the countries in South America is given to reward good service. Tipping is expected by tour guides, porters and other tourist industry workers, though not by taxi drivers. Porters in hotels and airports expect approx. 1 US dollar for 2 pieces of luggage. Nearly all hotels add a service charge to the bill, usually 10%. Most restaurants also add 10% or more to the total of the bill, but must make it clear that they have done so; waiters appreciate another 5% if their service has been good. Brazilians don’t normally tip taxi drivers, except if they handle bags, although they may round up the total to facilitate change. Hairdressers and beauticians usually receive a 10% tip.

Taxis
There are enormous numbers of taxis in Brazilian cities. Taxi drivers ‘must’ use taxi meter. There are two rates; 1 is cheaper, 2 more expensive. Which rate the taxi is using is indicated on the taxi meter, after the fare. Rate 2 is automatic on trips to and from airports and bus stations in large cities, after 8 at night, and all day Sunday and public holidays. Taxis in small towns and rural areas do not often have meters. Consequently you should negotiate the price in advance.

Bargaining
At most shops you can ask for a discount if you are paying cash. With street vendors you can negotiate more, especially if buying more than one thing. You can always get a lower price when you go to the local markets or some small shops for souvenirs. However, be careful of getting the haggling fever and trying to bargain beyond reason. Consider how important the one or two extra dollars are to you compared to how important they might be to the vendor.

Phone calls and internet access
The international access code for Brazil is +55. International GSM 900and 1800 mobile phones usually work in Brazil. But charges are relative high. Alternatively you can buy a SIM card in Brazil. The only mobile service provider though offering a nationwide network is TIM (www.tim.com.br). There are TIM kiosks in all major malls and airports and department stores. A local SIM card gives you a local Brazilian number and allows you to pay local Brazilian rates.
Every town has a central telephone office called a ‘Posto Telefonico’, from where long distance calls can be made. You are billed when you finish your phone calls – around USD 1.50 a minute to the US or Europe.
Public phones in Brazil can be found everywhere and are called ‘orelhões’. To use these phones you need a phone card, for sale at all newsstands. Ask for a ‘cartão telefonico’. For local calls a 5 reais card will last for several conversations; for long-distance or international calls, higher value phone cards come in 10, 20, 50 or 100 reais denominations. Calls to the US or Europe cost about USD 1.50 per minute.

Internet cafes are widely available. Even in the smallest of towns we found at least one Internet cafe. Prices range from USD 2 to USD 4 per hour.

Electricity
Brazil’s electric current varies from 100 to 240 volts, and from 50 to 60Hz; even within one city there can be variations. Outlets often accept a variety of plug types but the two-pin type is standard.

Airport Taxes
Departure tax for domestic flights costs around R$19 (approx. USD 10) and R$ 85(approx. USD 43) for international flights. Payment can only be made in cash with US dollars or Brazilian currency.

Time difference
Brazil has four time zones:
The 1st time zone is 30ºW: GMT -2 hours.
The 2nd time zone is 45°W: GMT -3 hours. This is the zone where the majority of the Brazilian population lives in (Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Brasília, Fortaleza, Natal and Recife). This is considered Brazil’s official time.
The 3rd time zone is 60ºW: GMT -4 hours. States covered are Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Rondônia, Roraima, the western part of the state of Pará and the major share of the Amazon region.
The 4th time zone is 75°W: GMT -5 hours including the state of Acre and the most western part of the Amazon basin

Immunizations
An international certificate of vaccination for yellow fever is required upon arrival if traveling from an INFECTED AREA and the traveler is more than 9 months of age. Also required for travelers arriving from: Angola, Bolivia, Cameroon, Ecuador, French Guyana, Gambia, Colombia, Guinea, Peru, Kenya, Panama, Mali Venezuela, Nigeria, Sudan and Zaire. The vaccination is recommended if your itinerary will include the Amazon, the Pantanal, Brasilia, or even Minas Gerais. Keep in mind that the vaccine takes 10 days to take effect. Most travelers take Hepatitis A, Typhoid Fever and Tetanus. If traveling to the Amazon or Pantanal regions consider Malaria prophylaxis in addition to Yellow fever. Please refer to your doctor for the most up to date information about anti-malarial medication.

Brazil boasts some of the most advanced medical care available globally. But medical costs are high and medical insurance is strongly recommended.

Protection against insects
Mosquito-borne diseases like dengue fever and malaria are prevalent and insect protection is strongly advised. Try to avoid perfumes and after-shave. If practical and possible, wear light-colored clothing; wear long trousers and long-sleeved shirts; use mosquito repellents containing the compound DEET on exposed areas. In case you have a very sensitive skin you could use an anti-allergic cream, for example ‘After bite’ or ‘Bite away’ that reduces the itchiness. Double-check that your lodge in the Amazon provides a mosquito net in your room. Use a mosquito net impregnated with mosquito repellent (permethrin).

Food & Drink
The standards for health and hygiene in the larger cities and touristy regions are relatively high. Tap water in Brazil is becoming increasingly safe to drink. However it may leave your stomach upset. To be on the safe side, drink bottled or filtered water (most Brazilians do). However, you can certainly shower, brush your teeth, or rinse an apple with the water.

You are safer eating fruits that you can peel or salads and fruits washed with purified water, as well as foods that have been thoroughly cooked. Your best bet is to eat at clean restaurants and to avoid food vendors.

As Brazil lies in the Southern Hemisphere, its seasons are the exact opposite of what Northern Hemisphere residents are used to: summer is December through March and winter June through September. There are five climatic regions in Brazil: equatorial, tropical, semi-arid, highland tropical and subtropical. Cities such as Sao Paulo and Brasilia, on the plateau, have a mild climate with temperatures averaging 19°C (66°F). Rio de Janeiro, Recife, Natal and Salvador on the coast have warmer climates and high humidity. Rio, for example, has an average temperature of around 26°C (80°F), which will climb to over 38°C (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 to August) when temperatures can fall below freezing. Summers are hot, however.

The Amazon is hot and humid year-round. Nevertheless temperatures rarely rise above 32°C (90°F). The region has two seasons: a rainy season (December to May) and dry season (June to November) often called ‘summer’ by the locals. The humidity is higher in the rainy season, building up over the course of the day to produce a heavy downfall most every afternoon. Even then, however, mornings and early afternoons can be clear and sunny.

Staying safe
Overall Brazil is a safe country to travel in. However, there is a rather large disparity between rich and poor and poverty is a big social problem. Consequently in metropolitan areas petty crime is a fact of life. Rio in particular is regarded as one of the most crime-ridden cities in the world and, although violent crime is generally limited to poor neighborhoods or ‘favelas’, we advice our travelers to take precautions.
The possibility of having a bad experience can be greatly reduced by taking a few simple precautions: