Brazil,
once a remote Portuguese colony, is a vast and beautiful
country, the largest in South America, with many tourist
options. Modern cities, sunny beaches, cruises along the
Amazon river, colonial towns, and breathtaking waterfalls
are among the many prime tourist destinations Brazil is
an urban country, with two out of every three residents
living in a city.
The Northeast, the least developed area, reflects what
remains of its Spanish and Dutch past. Its main towns
such as Recife are modernized, but most of the inhabitants
in outlying areas live in primitive conditions. The weather
ranges from very dry to extremely wet. The Southeast,
the most developed and populated area, has a more pleasant
climate from tropical to temperate and allows for cultivation
of wonderful produce for export. This area is home to
such exciting cities as Rio de Janeiro.
With a temperate climate, the South has over the years
attracted Europeans who live on small farms, much as they
once had in their homelands. The area includes the magnificent
Iguassu Falls on the border between Argentina and Brazil,
plunging 269 feet into Iguacu River.
The West, almost entirely uninhabited, is home to the
savanna and marshland with prime wild animal viewing,
known as the Pantanal. Finally, the immense Amazon Basin
is a wonderland of endless jungles and a gigantic system
of rivers hosting incredible wonders of the plant and
animal world, many found nowhere else in the world.
New Year's Day, Jan. 1
Epiphany, Jan. 6
Carnaval, week preceding Ash Wednesday in February or
March
Good Friday (date varies)
Easter (date varies)
Tiradentes Day, Apr. 21
Labor Day, May 1
Corpus Christi (May or June)
Independence Day, Sept. 7
Our Lady of Aparecida Day, Oct. 12
All Souls Day, Nov. 1
Declaration of the Republic Day, Nov. 15
Christmas, Dec. 25
Passport Requirements:
All U.S. citizens, including infants, must have passport
and tourist visa from the Brazilian embassy or a consulate.
Canadians, Australians, and New Zealanders also need a
visa.
You must also have a photocopy of your roundtrip ticket
with confirmed bookings.
Once in Brazil, carry a copy of your passport at all times
(required) and leave the original in a safe place.
Language: The language is Portuguese. Many Spanish words
are similar, but Brazilians will appreciate it if you
strive to separate these languages.
Currency: Brazil's uses the real, with reais as the plural.
One real has 100 centavos or cents.
Things to Avoid:
Sickness:
Drink only bottled water and avoid ice and uncooked food.
Wash fresh fruit and vegetables thoroughly.
Make sure you have current tetanus booster shots. Also,
a hepatitis A inoculation is advised.
Yellow fever shots are recommended if you're going to
tropical areas.
Lock cash and other valuables in hotel safes.
Avoid wearing jewelry of value, as it could be yanked
off.
Keep cameras fastened with chain or wire.
Ask locals about places to avoid for safety reasons.
