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Travellers Essentials
Getting There
By Air:
Brazil's national airline is Varig(RG).
By Sea:
Passenger cruises from Europe are run by Lamport and Holt
lines. Other cruise lines, some of which also organise cruises
down the Amazon, are Lindblad Travel, Delta, Costa and Society
Expeditions.
By Rail:br> The main international routes include Rio de
Janeiro-Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro-Santiago, Rio de Janeiro-Sao
Paulo-Montevideo, Sao Paulo-Bauru-Corumba- Santa Cruz-La Paz,
Sao Paulo-Antofagasta.
By Road:
It is possible to drive or take a bus to Brazil from the USA,
but it is wise to check any changes in political status or
requirements in Central America before traveling.
Getting Around
By Air:
There is a shuttle service between Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro,
a regular service between cities. By Sea:
River transport is the most efficient method of travel in
the Amazon Delta.
By Rail:
Limited rail connections exist to most major cities and towns,
but there has been a substantial decline in the provision
of long-distance services from the 18 major regional networks.
By Road:
Brazil has 1,940,400km (1,202,800 miles) of roads. Traffic
drives on the right.
Social Conventions
Handshaking is customary on meeting and taking one's leave,
and normal European courtesies are observed. Frequent offers
of coffee and tea are customary. Flowers are acceptable as
a gift on arrival or following a visit for a meal. A souvenir
from the visitor's home country will be well-received as a
gift of appreciation. Casual wear is normal, particularly
during hot weather. The Catholic Church is highly respected
in the community, something which should be kept in mind by
the visitor.
Tipping
10-15% is usual for most services not included on the bill.
Currency
Real (R$) = 100 Centavos. Notes are in denominations of R$100,
50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of R$1, and 50,
25, 10, 5 and 1 centavos.
Credit cards
MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club and Visa are accepted.
Currency Restrictions
The import and export of local currency is unlimited. The
import of foreign currency is unlimited, provided amounts
over US$1000 are declared on arrival; the export of foreign
currency is limited to US$4000 per person (amounts in excess
need special approval from the Brazilian Central Bank).
Passports
Passports valid for at least 6 months from date of entry required
by all except nationals of Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and
Uruguay arriving in Brazil directly from their own countries
and holding a national identity card.
Visa
A valid visa is required by all except the following:
a)Nationals of EU countries for touristic stays of up to 90
days.
b)Nationals of Andorra, Bahamas, Barbados, Colombia, Costa
Rica, Ecuador, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Morocco, Norway,
Peru, Philippines, San Marino, Slovenia, South Africa, Surinam,
Switzerland, Trinidad & Tobago, Vatican City and Venezuela
for touristic stays of up to 90 days.
c)Transit passengers continuing their journey to a third country
by the same or first connecting flight, provided holding onward
documentation and not leaving the airport.
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