TRAVEL, CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT
Before travelling to Brazil, you may ask some questions to yourself - Do I need a Visa to go to Brazil? Where can I stay in Brazil? Which are the places of interest? etc., etc., etc..
This page will provide you with the necessary information and relevant links to other web site to prepare you for your trip to Brazil.
Boa Viagem!
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PLACES TO VISIT
Have a look at the Wonders of Brazil - a virtual trip to Brazilian regions, history and way of life.
WEATHER IN BRAZIL
BRAZILIAN CURRENCY
 | The Brazilian currency, the REAL (R$) is converted to US$
at an approximate rate of 1 US$ = R$ 3.40. Exchange rate on 07/01/2003 Click here if you want to check the most recent exchange rate. |
TRAVEL TIPS
Besides clothing and personal effects, persons entering Brazil may bring one of each of the following items: radio, tape player, typewriter, video, movie and still cameras up to a total value of US$ 500. Visitors are allowed to buy a further US$ 500 of merchandise in local duty free shops on arrival.
The electrical current in Brazil varies from city to city. In Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Porto Alegre and Belo Horizonte, the current is 110/120 volts, 60 cycles, AC. In Salvador and Manaus, it is 127 volts. In Recife, Brasília and a number of other cities, 220 volts. Most hotels provide 110-volt and 220-volt outlets.
Government and private companies' offices usually work Mondays to Fridays from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm (or later), with an hour's break for lunch.
Most shops in Brazil are open from 9 am to 6:30 or 7:00 pm on weekdays, and from 9 am to 1 pm on Saturdays. Some shops may close earlier, and many shopping centres open as late as 10 pm. Banks open from 10 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday, in most part of the country, with regional variations. In some regions, shops may also close for lunch.
Most restaurants and bars include a 10% service charge on the bill. It is customary to leave a bit extra for good service. When service charge is not included in bill, 10-15% is the general rule. Tips are not expected by taxi drivers, although most people tell the driver to keep the change. Airport and hotel porters should receive the equivalent of US$ 0.75 per bag.
Buses are the most popular means of transportation and the most used for urban and interurban trips. Some of the large cities like Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo have rapid, comfortable and efficient subway systems.
Taxis are plentiful in most cities throughout Brazil. Regular, metered taxis can be hailed on the street. Radio-despatched taxis are larger and air conditioned but more expensive. These taxis are usually found at airports and major hotels or can be summoned by phone. Some special airport taxi services are prepaid.
Brazil's principal airlines are Varig, Vasp and Transbrasil. They provide the major part of the domestic flights and are the only Brazilian airlines flying abroad.
In most of the country, the time is three hours earlier than Greenwich (London) Mean Time. Daylight saving times goes into effect during the summer (clocks move forward one houre), from about the second week of October until late February.
This site is continuously updated. Please give us your feedback on what kind of information about travelling to Brazil that you would like to find here.
Embassy of Brazil in Singapore
101 Thomson Road, #09-05 United Square
Singapore 307591
Tel. (65) 6256-6001 Fax (65) 6256-4565Working Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM Consular Section: Monday-Friday
Submission & Collection of documents: 9 AM to 1 PM
Normal time of processing: 3 working days
UPDATED ON 20 MAY 2003
