Capital
Brasilia
Time
Brazil is located simultaneously in four time zones. In different regions, local time differs from Moscow by 5-8 hours. The official time of the country is determined by the time zone of the capital: GMT -3 (-7 hours to Moscow).
Language
The main language is Portuguese. The local population also communicates in Spanish, German, French and Italian.
Currency
The official currency is the real (consists of 100 centavos). Banknotes of 100, 50, 10, 5 and 1 real, or coins of 1 real are used in circulation.
Seasons
Seasonal calculation in Brazil differs significantly from the European one. So, spring here lasts from September 22 to December 21, summer begins on December 22 and is replaced by autumn only on March 22. The winter months are June, July, August and September (from 22.06 to 21.09).
Population
The population of Brazil is multinational. Several ethnic groups live on its territory. Whites (Germans, Italians, Portuguese, Poles, Spaniards) make up 55% of the total population of the country, mestizos and mulattoes account for 38%, blacks – 6% and 1% are Arabs, Indians, Japanese.
Phones
You can call an ambulance by calling 192, fire brigade – 193, police – 199. Tourist police work by phone – 511-51-12 or 511-57-42. The Federal Police (visa bureau) will answer at the number – 203-20-20.
Basic codes:
- Brasilia – 61
- Manaus – 92
- Rio de Janeiro – 21
- Manaus – 92
- Recife – 81
- Sao Paulo – 11
- Salvador – 71
- Brazil code – 55
You can make an international call from the red street machine. Tokens or cards for it can be purchased at tobacconists or newsstands, or at some post offices. Also at the disposal of tourists are call centers located at airports, railway stations and post offices.
Transport
Brazil has an extensive transport network. The leito intercity buses are considered the most comfortable; instead of seats, beds are installed inside. But you need to book a place in them at least a day in advance. Local airlines will help save time on the road. For example, a bus from Salvador to Rio takes 36 hours, a similar flight will reduce this period by dozens of times.
Within the city, it is convenient to get by taxi, metro (Rio, Sao Paulo), or use the bus. Sea communication between coastal cities is provided by boats, ferries, motor boats – this is the main transport of the Amazon.
You can rent a car with an international driving license and a credit card. You also need to pay insurance (10-13 dollars per day). As a rule, in local companies the cost of such a service is 10% lower, but their cars are not so new, and often they cannot be left at the company’s representative office in another city.
Accommodation
To accommodate tourists, Brazil offers about 20 thousand hotels of various comfort (from 1 to 5 stars). Most of them are owned by private companies. The quality of service is high. Payment for rooms takes place at 14.00
Banks and exchange offices
The most favorable exchange rate in banks, they work from 10.00 to 15.00 – 16.30 on weekdays. You can also use the services of exchange offices in travel agencies, airports, shopping centers and hotels. You can pay for purchases with credit cards, they are accepted in large shopping centers. Traveler’s checks are not trusted, so it is better to cash them immediately after crossing the border.
At the time of the exchange, ask to give you money in small denominations, since it is very difficult to get change from large banknotes. If, when cashing a card or checks, in addition to a passport, you present a TIN, then the exchange rate will be more profitable.
Prices
The price level in Brazil is quite high. A significant jump in prices is observed between December and February in Rio de Janeiro. Therefore, a hotel room should be booked in advance.
The shops
Most shops are open from 09.00 to 18.30 on weekdays (some are open until 22.00). You can shop on Saturday from 09.00 to 13.00.
Shopping
Good souvenirs from Brazil will be lace, hammocks, amulets, mahogany crafts, Indian vessels. In the Ipadema area, you can buy quality knitwear, shoes and men’s suits. And expensive purchases should pay attention to local diamonds, topazes and emeralds, their quality here is much higher than in Russia, and they are cheaper. See liuxers for Brazil customs and traditions.
Tips
The size of the tip in expensive restaurants is up to 10% of the order value, in small eateries, 1-2 reais will be enough for a waiter. Tipping is not customary in the beach cafe. Porters, as a rule, are paid 1 real, hairdressers, shoe shiners and gas station attendants – 10-20% of the cost of work.
If you use a taxi, then remember that you will be asked to pay an additional fee for turning on the air conditioning. If the driver helps carry your luggage to the car, then get ready to part with another 25 centavos.
Tips are not accepted in 2-3 star hotels, the work of a maid and a porter in a 4-5 star hotel is paid at a rate of 50 centavos per day.
Security
The level of street crime is quite wide, but at the same time, a whole army of policemen monitors the safety of tourists. It is quite safe on the outskirts of large cities, but you should not use public buses and walk around the city alone after a working day.
A separate problem are beach prostitutes. From them you can not only become infected with a venereal disease, but also get into the center of the dismantling of gangs. Termash type establishments provide a full range of services, from baths to intimate services.
Electricity
The voltage in the network in different cities is 220V and 127V.
Healthcare
Before traveling to Brazil, be sure to get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B, yellow fever and malaria. You can get infected from local insects, or untreated and raw water.
