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Brazil
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Brazil (Portuguese: Brasil) is the largest country in South America. Famous for its football (soccer) tradition and its annual Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Recife and Olinda. It is a country of great diversity, from the bustling urban mosaic of São Paulo to the infinite cultural energy of Pernambuco and Bahia, the untouched wilderness of the Amazon rainforest and world-class landmarks such as the Iguaçu Falls, there is plenty to see and to do in Brazil.
[edit] RegionsBrazil is the fifth largest country on earth. It is divided into five regions, mainly drawn around state lines, but they also more or less follow natural, economic and cultural borderlines.
See also: List of Brazilian states   Map of Brazil [edit] CitiesBrazil has many exciting cities, ranging from pretty colonial towns and coastal hideouts to hectic, lively metropolises; these are a few of the more prominent travel destinations:
[edit] Other destinations
[edit] Understand[edit] History and EconomyUntil 1500, Brazil was inhabited solely by indigenous people, mainly of the Tupi and Guarani ethnic groups. Actual settling by the Portuguese began later that century, with the extraction of valuable pau-brasil wood, from which the country draws its name. The following four centuries saw further exploitation of the country's natural riches (gold and rubber) besides the rise of an economy based on agriculture (sugar and coffee) and slave labor, millions of Africans taken to the new world in a forced diaspora. Meanwhile, extermination or Christianizing of natives kept its pace, and the 19th century saw a second wave of European (mainly Italian and German) immigration, adding to this unique and complex set of factors that generated today's equally complex and unique Brazilian culture and society. Following three centuries under the rule of Portugal, Brazil became an independent nation in 7 September, 1822. By far the largest and most populous country in South America, it has also overcome more than two decades (1964-1988) of military intervention in the governance of the country to pursue a democratic ruling, while facing the challenge of keeping its industrial and agricultural growth and developing its interior. Exploiting vast natural resources and a large labor pool, today Brazil is South America's leading economic power and a regional leader. Highly unequal income distribution remains a pressing problem. A consequence of this is a high crime rate, specifically in large cities. After 20 years of democracy, the country has grown strong, and despite the social problems of the unequal income distribution, the people have remained happy and festive. [edit] CultureOwing to Brazil’s continental dimensions, varied geography, history and people, the country’s culture is rich and diverse. It has several regional variations, and in spite of being mostly unified by a single language, some regions are so different from each other that they could have become different countries altogether. Music plays an important part in Brazilian identity. Styles like choro, samba and bossa nova are considered genuinely Brazilian. Caipira music is also in the roots of sertanejo (the national equivalent to country music). MPB stands for Brazilian Popular Music, which mixes several national styles under a single concept. Forró, a north-eastern happy dancing music style, has also become common nationwide. New urban styles include funk - name given to a dance music genre from Rio's favelas that mixes heavy electronic beats and often raunchy rapping - and techno-brega, a crowd-pleaser in northern states, that fuses romantic pop, dance music and caribbean rhythms. A mixture of martial arts, dance, music and game, capoeira was brought to Brazil by African slaves. Distinguished by vivacious complicated movements and accompanying music, it can be seen and practiced in many Brazilian cities. Candomble and Umbanda are religions with African roots that have survived prejudice and persecution and still have a significant following in Brazil. Their places of cult are called terreiros and many are open for visitation. African American slave roots Indigenous traits can be found everywhere in Brazilian culture, from cuisine to vocabulary. There are still many indigenous groups and tribes living in all Brazilian regions, although many have been deeply influenced by "western" culture, and several of the country's surviving indigenous languages are in danger of disappearing completely. The traditional lifestyle and graphic expressions of the Wajãpi indigenous group from the state of Amapá were proclaimed a Masterpiece of the World's Intangible Heritage [1] by UNESCO. Globo, the largest national television network, also plays an important role in shaping the national identity. Nine out of ten households have a TV set, which is the most important source of information and entertainment for most Brazilians followed by the radio broadcast. TVs broadcast sports, movies, local and national news and telenovelas (Soap Operas)– 6-month-long series that have become one of the country’s main cultural exports. [edit] PeopleThroughout its history, Brazil has welcomed several different peoples and practices. Brazil constitutes a melting pot of the most diverse ethnic groups thus mitigating ethnic prejudices and preventing racial conflicts (though long-lasting slavery and genocide among indigenous populations have taken their toll). Prejudice is often directed towards different social classes rather than between races. Nevertheless, race (or simply skin colour) is still a dividing factor in Brazilian society and you will notice the skin typically darkens as the social class gets lower: wealth and middle-class are mostly white; many middle-class are mixed; and the majority of poor people are black or indian. Nowadays, however, Afro-Brazilians and Amerindian populations are increasingly aware of their civil rights and of their rich cultural heritage, and social mobility is achievable through education. In general, Brazilians are a fun-loving people. While attitude in the South may be somewhat colder and more reserved, from Rio upwards people usually boast a captivating attitude towards life and truly enjoy having a good time. Some may even tell you that beer, football, samba and barbecue is all they could crave for. Friendship and hospitality are highly praised traits in the Brazilian society. Family values and social connections are also strongly valued and the distinction between known and unknown people may acquire a significant weight in day-to-day interaction. To people they have met, or at least they know the name, Brazilians are usually very open, friendly and sometimes quite generous. Once introduced, until getting a good reason not to, a typical Brazilian may treat you as trustfully as he would treat a best friend. This may have an agreeable impact, but it also means that outsiders not always get the same special treatment as locals. Nevertheless, Brazilians are reputedly one of the most hospitable people in the world and foreigners are usually treated with respect and often with true admiration. Attitudes towards foreigners may also be subject to regional differences:
Whereas the "Western" roots of Brazilian culture are largely European (evidenced by its colonial towns and even sporadic historic buildings between the skyscrapers...), there has been a strong tendency in the last decades to adopt a more "American way of life" which is found in urban culture and architecture, mass media, consumerism and a strongly positive feeling towards technical progress. In spite of that, Brazil is still a nation faced to the Atlantic, not to Hispanic America, and the intellectual elites are likely to look up to Europe (especially France), not the U.S., as source of inspiration. Many aspects in Brazilian society (such as the educational system) are borrowed from the French and may seem strange at first to Anglo-Saxon visitors. Brazilians are not Hispanic, and there are even some locals who question whether Brazil is part of Latin America. The contrasts in this huge country equally fascinates and shocks most visitors, as well as the indifference of many locals towards the social, economic and ecological problems. Whereas an emerging elite of young, well-educated professionals indulge in amenities of modern society, child labor, illiteracy and subhuman housing conditions still exist even in regions blessed by economic growth and huge foreign investments such as Sao Paulo or Rio. As much as Brazilians acknowledge their self-sustainability in raw materials, agriculture, and energy sources as an enormous benefit for the future, most of them agree that without huge efforts in education there will hardly be a way out of poverty and underdevelopment. Brazil has a growing Chinese population, made up significantly of immigrants from Macau, a former Portuguese colony. [edit] Social Etiquette
In some places when people first meet, they will kiss one (eg: São Paulo), two (eg: Rio de Janeiro) or three times, depending where you are, alternating right and left cheeks. Observe that while doing this you should not kiss on the cheeks (like in Russia) but actually beside it in the air, placing your lips on a strangers cheek will be perceived as odd.
[edit] ClimateBrasil is a huge country with different climate zones. In the north, near the equator there is a wet and a dry season; from about Sao Paulo down to the south there is spring/summer/fall/winter. [edit] Holidays and working hoursBrazil observes the following national holidays:
Working hours are usually from 8am or 9am to 6pm. Banks open Monday to Friday, from 10am to 4pm. Street shops tend to close at noon on Saturday and only re-open on Monday. Shopping malls normally open from 10am to 10pm, Monday to Saturday. Some malls also open on Sunday afternoons. There is no siesta (that's Hispanic usage, not Portuguese). [edit] Get in[edit] Visa requirements
When you are travelling from certain tropical regions to Brazil you need a yellow fever vaccination and the certificate showing you had this. [2] It is illegal to bring in animals, meat, dairy, seeds, plants, eggs, honey, fruit, or any kind of non-processed food without a permit. Contact vigiagro@agricultura.gov.br for more information. [edit] By planeMost travelers from other continents will land in São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro. There are also regular flights from Europe (Lisbon), and Miami, Florida, USA to Recife, Fortaleza, Natal, and Salvador. (Natal and Recife may be seasonal.) Some regional airports such as Belem and Manaus are also served by flights from Miami, French Guiana, Suriname and Guadeloupe. Besides, weekly 4-hour flights connect Fortaleza to Cape Verde, and onwards to Lisbon (with further connections available to Senegal). Charter tourism flights from Europe often land directly in Salvador, Recife, Fortaleza, and Natal. Direct flights from Sāo Paulo and/or Rio de Janeiro to Lisbon, Madrid, Paris, London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Milan and Zurich are also available. North American cities served by non-stop flights to Sāo Paulo include Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Mexico City, Miami (RJ also), Newark, New York, Panama City (RJ also), Toronto and Washington DC (RJ also). From the west coast, Korean Air flies non-stop to Sāo Paulo from Los Angeles three times a week. Other options include LAN Chile to Rio, LAN Peru to Sāo Paulo (note unscheduled change of aircraft in Lima), COPA via Panama City (exactly half way), AeroMexico via Mexico City (SP only), or connect in Texas on American or Continental Airlines. TAM is now the largest international Brazilian carrier, with flights from Paris, London, Miami, New York, Lima and Mercosur capitals. Former leader Varig Airlines was purchased by GOL in 2007 and is but a shadow of its former self. Varig is no longer a member of the Star Alliance code-sharing consortium (which includes United Airlines, Lufthansa, Air Canada, USAirways, and other major carriers), but still manages international routes. GOL also flies from several South American cities. Direct flights are available to most South American capitals (Buenos Aires, Santiago, Montevideo, Asunción, La Paz, Lima, Bogotá, Caracas), as well as to other regional hubs (Córdoba, Rosario, Santa Cruz de la Sierra). Other Latin American cities with direct connection to Sāo Paulo or Rio de Janeiro include Mexico City and Panama City. South African Airways offers direct flights from Sāo Paulo to Johannesburg or Cape Town, with onward connections to Australia, New Zealand and the Far East. TAAG Angola Airlines also has two weekly direct flights from Rio de Janeiro to the Angolan capital of Luanda. Asian cities with connections to Brazil include Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka (Japan), and Seoul (Korea). On October 1st new flights were launched from Dubai, United Arab Emirates to Sao Paulo. Direct flights between the two cities operate 6 days a week . [edit] By carThe main border crossings are at:
The connection from Colombia to Brazil has no continuity inside both countries, and traffic is restricted to the twin-cities area (Leticia and Tabatinga). [edit] By busLong-distance bus service connects Brazil to its neighboring countries. The main capitals linked directly by bus are Buenos Aires, Asunción, Montevideo, Santiago de Chile, and Lima. Direct connections from the first three can also be found easily, but from Lima it might be tricky, though easily accomplished by changing at one of the others. Those typically go to São Paulo, though Pelotas has good connections too. It should be kept in mind that distances between Sāo Paulo and any foreign capitals are significant, and journeys on the road may take up to 3 days, depending on the distance and accessibility of the destination. The national land transport authority has listings[3] on all operating international bus lines. [edit] By boatAmazon river boats connect northern Brazil with Peru, Venezuela and Colombia. The ride is a gruelling 12 days upriver though. From French Guiana, you can cross the river Oyapoque, which takes about 15 minutes. [edit] By trainTrain service within Brazil, let alone from other countries, is almost nonexistent. However, there are exceptions to the rule, and the most famous way to enter Brazil by train is on the Trem da Morte, or Death Train, which goes from Santa Cruz, Bolivia, to a small town just over the border from Corumbá in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul. There is still a train line from there all the way to São Paulo which at the moment is not in use, but bus connections to São Paulo via the state capital, Campo Grande, are plentiful. The journey itself is reputedly replete with robbers who might steal your backpack or its contents but security has been increased recently and the journey can be made without much difficulty. It goes through the Bolivian agricultural belt and along the journey one may see a technologically-averse religious community which resembles the American Amish in many ways. [edit] Get around[edit] By planeAir service connects all major areas of Brazil. Note that not all air routes are as direct as they would seem on a map, and are often required to go through hubs such as Brasilia or Sāo Paulo. Most all airports with regular passenger traffic are operated by the federal Infraero.[4]. They have a very convenient website, with an English version. It lists all the airlines operating at each airport, and also has updated flight schedules. The Brazilian airline scene completely changed at least twice over the last 10 years or so. The largest carriers are now TAM[5] and Gol[6]. The traditional Varig[7] is but a shadow of its former self. Others include BRA[8] (Grounded in November 2007, on the verge of collapse), WebJet [9], TAF [10] and Oceanair[11]. Price differences, at least if a ticket is purchased on the internet well in advance, are so small that it´s rather meaningless to call any of these "low cost". For international travelers, air passes for several in-country flights may be available while buying your flight to Brazil in your home country. These are offered by TAM and Varig, and your international flight must be provided by either of these companies or their international partners. Booking online for domestic flights can be frustrating for non-Brazilian citizens. Often, you will be asked for your CPF national identity number while paying by credit card. Of course, as a foreigner, you don't have one. Some airlines such as GOL will accept American Express cards (but not VISA or Master Card) without a CPF. One trick that often will work is to visit one of the airlines' foreign websites (such as Gol´s in Argentina) If all else fails, try calling or e-mailing the airline and ask how to proceed. Beware of flight listings at the airport which only show the final city in route (which you're probably not aware of). Always know and check your flight NUMBER, not just the city you're flying to (it might not be listed). Expect that a more distant city might be the only one listed for your flight, but the plane will still stop at the airport for which you have a ticket. Strangely, international flights are just the opposite, with only the first destination in Brazil shown -- even though the same flight may go directly to other cities. Some domestic flights in Brazil are considered "international," giving flyers a chance to purchase items at a "duty free" store in the airport. (There may be passengers on board from other South American countries who have not yet cleared customs.) Also, you must go through immigrations and customs again upon arrival, even though you never left Brazil. Foreign travelers on flights within Brazil do NOT fill out a new immigration form, but show the carbon copy of the one completed upon arriving internationally (with their passport and visa stamp). [edit] By carRoad maps of the brand Guia 4 Rodas can be bought from most newstands. They provide not only maps and distances but also information about current conditions of the roads (which can be indeed very bad). There are the usual car rental companies at the airports. A car is a good idea if you want to explore scenic areas, e.g. the historic cities of Minas Gerais, the Rio-Santos highway, or the beaches in North-East Brazil. Driving in Brazil can be quite scary if you are used to European (even Mediterranean) or North American road culture. Distances kept to other vehicles are kept at a bare minimum, overtaking whenever close to possible, and changing lanes without much of a prior signal. Many large cities also suffer from hold-ups when you wait at a red light in the night. In rural areas, many domestic animals are left at the roadside, and they sometimes wanders into the traffic. Pedestrians take chances that would qualify them for medals if they were in a uniform. The quality of the paving is very varying, and the presence of enourmous potholes is something that strongly discorages night-driving. Also consider the risk of highway hold-ups after dark, not to mention truck drivers on amfetamine (to keep awake for days in a row).
[edit] By bicycleIn rural areas in Brazil the bicycle is a common means of transport. This does not mean that cyclists are respected by car, truck, or bus drivers. But you may find good roads with little traffic outside the cities. It is also easy to get a lift by a pickup or to have the bike transported by a bus. Cycling is not very stimulated in big cities. Two exceptions are Rio de Janeiro and Recife where there are cycle tracks along the beaches. [edit] By trainBrazil's railway system was mostly wrecked during the military regimes. Today there are few passenger lines left:
[edit] By busLong-distance buses are a convenient, economical, and sometimes (usually if you buy the most expensive ticket), rather comfortable way to travel between regions. Bus terminals in cities play a role akin to train stations in many countries. You should check travel distance and time while traveling within Brazil, going from Rio de Janeiro to the south region could take more than 24 hours, so it may worth going by plane if you can afford it. Brazil has a very good long distance bus network. Basically, any city of more than 100.000 people will have direct lines to the nearest few state capitals, and also to other large cities within the same range. Pretty much every and any little settlement has public transport of some kind (a lorry, perhaps) to the nearest real bus station. Mostly you have to go to the bus station to buy a ticket, although some of the large companies now have internet sales. In a few cities you can also buy a ticket on the phone and have it delivered to your hotel for an extra charge of some 3-5 reais. Some companies have also adopted the airlines´ genius policy of pricing: In a few cases buying early can save you more than 50%. The facility of flagging a bus and hopping on (if there are no available seats you will have to stand, still paying full price) is widespread in the country. This is less likely to work along a few routes where armed robberies have happened frequently, such as those leading to the border with Paraguay and to Foz do Iguaçu. Most major bus companies make reservations and sell tickets by Internet but you must pick-up your ticket your ticket with some time in advance. There is no one bus company that serves the whole country. Therefore you need to identify the company that connect two cities in particular bu calling the bus station of one city. ANTT, the national authority for land transportation, has a search engine[13] (in Portuguese) for all available domestic bus lines. Bus services are often sold in three classes: Regular, Executive and First-Class (Leito, in Portuguese). Regular may or may not have air conditioning. For long distances or overnight travels, Executive offers more space and a folding board to support your legs. First-Class has even more space and only three seats per row, making enough space to sleep comfotably. All travels with more than 4 hours are covered by buses with bathrooms and the buses stop for food/bathrooms at least once every 4 hours of travel. Be aware that some big cities like São Paulo and Rio have more than one bus station, each one covering certain cities around. It is good to check in advance to which bus station you are going. [edit] By boatIn the Amazon region as well as on the coast west of Sao Luis, boat travel is often the only way to get around. [edit] TalkThe official language of Brazil is Portuguese (NOT Spanish), spoken by the entire population (except for a few, very remotely located Indian tribes, and some recent immigrants). Indeed, Brazil has had immigrants from all parts of the world for centuries, whose descendants now speak Portuguese as their first language. There's no such thing as a non-Brazilian face -- no matter what part of the world you're from. Brazilian Portuguese has a number of pronunciation differences with that spoken in Portugal (and within, between the regions there are big accent and slangs difference, they understand each other, but someone learning could sound as a different language), but speakers of either can understand each other. However, European Portuguese (Luso) is more difficult for Brazilians to understand than the reverse, as many Brazilian television programs are shown in Portugal. Note that a few words can have a totally different meaning in Brazil and Portugal, usually slang words. An example of this is "Rapariga" which in Portugal means young girl, and in Brazil mean prostitute. "Legal" (leh-GAL) is semi-slang in both Brazil and Portugal usually meaning that something is "great" or "cool" -- not that it's lawful to do. It could be very illegal! Also, "no" doesn't mean "no" as in English and Spanish, but rather "in the" as a contraction of em + o (en el in Spanish). Não falo Inglês no Brasil. I don't speak English in Brazil. English is not widely spoken except in some touristy areas. One can always find a way to get around, especially among students and in financial zones. Don't expect bus or taxi drivers to understand English, though, so it may be a good idea to write down the address you are heading to before getting on the cab. In most big and luxurious hotels, it is very likely that the taxi fleet will speak some English. Spanish speakers are usually able to get by in Brazil, especially towards the south. While written Portuguese can be quite similar to Spanish, spoken Portuguese may be much harder to understand. Compare the number 20 which is veinte (BAYN-teh) in Spanish to vinte (VEEN-chee) in Brazilian Portuguese. Even more different is gente (people), pronounced "HEN-teh" in Spanish and "ZHEN-chee" in Brazilian Portuguese. Letters CH, D, G, J, R, RR, and T are particularly difficult for those who know some Spanish, and that's without even considering the vowels. Spanish speakers (European or Latin American) usually find European Portuguese slighty easier to pronounce than the Brazilian one. [edit] Body languageBrazilians use a lot of body gestures in informal communication, and the meaning of certain words or expressions may be influenced by them.
[edit] BuyBrazil's unit of currency is the Real (pronounced 'hay-AHL'), plural Reais ('hay-EYES'), abbreviated BRL, or just R$. One real is divided into 100 centavos. Prices are written as R$1,50 (means one and fifty cents) for example. Foreign currency such as US Dollars or Euros can be exchanged at airports or main hotels but it is not allowed to be use foreign currency as a means of payment. Instead, use an international credit card, exchange for Reais or withdraw money on an ATM. Cash machines often will take VISA, Amex, MasterCard and other credit cards. Check for the Cirrus or Visa Plus logo on the machine. Petrol/Gas stations with a shop usually have an ATM. Banco do Brasil may have many ATMs but usually only one per branch that will accept foreign credit/debit cards. There is often a long line of people waiting, as the machines are also used by locals to pay bills. BankBoston, HSBC, Bradesco, and Citibank accept Visa Plus and Cirrus ATM cards and usually have shorter queues. Credit card cash withdrawals is only made through the ATMs (with the four digit PIN) -- no manual transactions are accepted. While it is no longer impossible to wire money to Brazil from outside the country (unless the recipient was a resident with a bank account), it has happened before and could happen again. Therefore, you should not absolutely count on someone to able to send you funds via Western Union, Moneygram, etc. should you run short. XOOM also has money transfer to Brazil, but only to Brazilian bank accounts, so it's mainly useful for paying travel-related deposits (renting a house, apartment, etc.) Cash in small bills is the most common form of payment in Brazil. If you have too many large bills, you will find clerks often don't have enough small bills to make change, especially in the small towns and touristy destinations. All commercial establishments are required by law to provide change for any cash purchase, but in practical terms this may not be so easy to enforce, especially in small informal shops. Further, traveller's checks are not easily or cheaply cashed in Brazil, except at international airports. Brazilian banks may charge a large fee to cash in traveler checks and the process can take a while, so don't try it if you are in a hurry. It's good to be informed before you use this kind of service. There are two families of coins, the first one with all silver coins, and the second one as follows: R$0.01 coins (copper), R$0.05 (copper), R$0.10 (bronze), R$0.25 (bronze), R$0.50 (silver) and R$1 (silver with a golden border). Bills come in the following denominations: R$1 (green), R$2 (blue), R$5 (purple), R$10 (red), R$20 (yellow) R$ 50 (orange) and $100 (blue). The R$0.01 coins are no longer being struck, as Brazilians tend to round transactions to 5-centavo increments. The R$1 paper bill is also out of print, the R$1 coin remaining the only option for that denomination. There are two different R$10 bills: one is red and made of flax paper as the other bills, the other one is blue and made of polymer, printed in 2000 in celebration of the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Portuguese explorer Pedro Álvares Cabral. Although the polymer ones are still valid and fully accepted everywhere, they are no longer being printed and are slowly disappearing as banks replace them for the red paper ones. [edit] Exchange ratesThe Real is a free-floating currency and has recently become stronger. Especially for Americans, prices (based on exchange rates) have increased quite a bit in the past few years. As of March 2008, R$ 1,00 is worth about:
An exchange office is called a casa de câmbio. Some banks also exchange foreign currency, and you may be asked show your passport. Note that lesser used currencies won't in practice receive as good an exchange rate as the interbank (e.g. newspaper) rates suggest. For example, Canadians would be better off carrying US dollars, rather than their own. The Real can be difficult to sell after you leave South America, so convert any cash to US dollars if leaving the country for another continent. [edit] ShoppingIt's not a bad idea to pack light and acquire a Brazilian wardrobe within a couple of days of arrival. It will make you less obvious as a tourist, and give you months of satisfied gloating back home about the great bargains you got whenever you are complimented on your clothing. Brazilians have their own sense of style and that make tourists - especially those in Hawaiian shirts or sandals + socks - stand out in the crowd. Have some fun shopping, and blend in. Another good reason for buying clothes and shoes in Brazil is that the quality is usually good and the prices often cheap. However, this does not apply to any foreign brand as imports are burdened by high import taxes - therefore, do not expect to find any good prices on brands like Diesel, Levi's, Tommy Hilfiger, etc. To figure your Brazilian trousers size, measure your waist in centimeters, divide by 2, and round up to the next even number. Store windows will often display a price followed by "X 5" or "X 10", etc. This is an installment-sale price. The price displayed is the per-installment price, so that, "R$50 X 10", for example, means 10 payments (typically monthly) of R$50 each. The actual price is almost always lower if you pay in cash. Make sure any appliances you buy are either dual voltage or the same as in your home country. Brazil is 60Hz, so don't buy electric clocks or non-battery operated motorized items if you live in Europe or Australia. The voltage, however, varies by state (see Electricity below). Brazilian-made appliances and electronics are usually expensive or of poor quality. All Electronics are extremely expensive compared to European or US prices. Brazil uses a hybrid video system called "PAL-M." It is NOT at all compatible with the PAL system of Europe and Australia. Television began in black and white using the NTSC system of the USA and Canada, then years later, using PAL for its analogue colour -- making a totally unique system. Nowadays, most new TV sets are NTSC compatible. Digital video appliances such as DVD players are also compatible with NTSC (all digital colour is the same worldwide), but make sure the DVD region code(s), if any, match your home country (Brazil is part of Region 4). Prices for imported electronic goods can be quite expensive due to high import tax, and the range of domestic electronic gadgets is not very wide. Also, be aware that the term "DVD" in Brazil is both an abbreviation for the disc itself and for its player, so be specific to avoid confusion. [edit] Food[edit] CuisineBrazil's cuisine is as varied as its geography and culture. On the other hand, some may find it an unrefined melange, and everyday fare can be bland and monotonous. While there are some quite unique dishes of regional origin, many dishes were brought by overseas immigrants and have been adapted to local tastes through the generations. In Brazil, Italian and Chinese food can often be as baffling as Amazonian fare. Brazil's national dish is feijoada, a hearty stew made of black beans and pork cuts (ears, knuckles, chops, sausage and pieces of beef (usually dried). It's served with rice, garnished with collard greens and sliced oranges. It's usually not served in restaurants, but the ones that do typically offer it twice a week (usually on Wednesdays and Saturdays). A typical mistake made by tourists is to eat too much feijoada shortly after arriving. This is a heavy dish, and you need to get used to it before you eat it. Even Brazilians usually eat it parsimoniously. While you are at it, try the caipirinha, Brazil´s signature drink made of wedged limes, sugar and cachaça. Excellent seafood can be found in coastal towns, especially in the North East. Brazilian snacks, called lanches, include a wide variety of pastries. Look for coxinha (deep-fried, batter-coated,ground- chicken stuffed balls), empadinha (a stuffed pastry pie, unrelated to Latin American empanadas: try out the palmito - heart of palm variety), and pastel (fried turnovers). Another common snack is a misto quente, a pressed,toasted ham-and-cheese sandwich. Pão-de-queijo, a roll made of manioc flour and cheese, is very popular - pão-de-queijo and a cup of fresh Brazilian coffee is a classic combination. [edit] Regional cuisines
Brazilian cuisine also has a lot of imports:
[edit] RestaurantsEating out is a great bargain and a pleasure in Brazil. Service varies in quality but is usually inexpensive. Even in expensive Rio and in touristy areas where prices are marked-up, you can have an excellent meal at a good restaurant with drinks for US$10.
Many inexpensive restaurants are weighted self-service buffets, or por quilo. You pile up your plate with whatever you want, then place it on a scale at the counter, and pay by weight. These restaurants, being inexpensive, are those where many Brazilians prefer to eat daily. Service may be hard to get if you can't speak Portuguese, but this is the place to go if you want to eat good and cheap. Even in the smallest towns it is easy to find self-service restaurants with good food. Brazilian restaurants can have varying degrees of cleanliness. Customers are allowed by law to visit the kitchen and see how the food is being handled.
[edit] Drink[edit] Liquor and beer
The strong flavor of cachaça - also known as aguardente ("burning water"), pinga, and many other regional variants - can be mixed (hidden?) in cocktails like the famous caipirinha, a combination of cachaça with sugar and lime juice. The same mix using vodka instead of cachaça is nicknamed caipiroska or caipivodka; with white rum, it's a caipiríssima. Another interesting concoction is called capeta ("devil"), made with cachaça, condensed milk, cinnamon, guarana powder (a mild stimulant), and other ingredients, varying by region. Drinking cachaça straight, or stirring in only a dollop of honey or a bit of lime juice, is a common habit on the Northeast region of the country. If you enjoy fine brandy or grappa, try an aged cachaça. Deep and complex, this golden-coloured spirit is nothing like the ubiquitous clear liquor more commonly seen.
The Sao Francisco Valley, along the border of the states of Pernambuco and Bahia, is the country's newest wine-producing region. Brazilian wines are usually fresher, fruitier and less alcoholic than, for instance, French wines. Popular brands like Sangue de Boi, Canção and Santa Felicidade and others with prices below R$ 6.00 are usually seen as rubbish.
[edit] Coffee and teaBrazil is known world-wide for its high-quality strong coffee. Café is so popular that it can name meals (just like rice does in China, Japan and Korea): breakfast in Brazil is called café da manhã (morning coffee), while café com pão (coffee with bread) or café da tarde (afternoon coffee) means a light afternoon meal. Cafezinho (small coffee) is a small cup of strong, sweetened coffee usually served after meals in restaurants (sometimes for free, just ask politely). Bottled filtered coffee is being replaced by stronger espresso cups in more upscale restaurants. Chá, or tea in Portuguese, is most commonly found in its Assam version (orange, light coloured). Some more specialised tea shops and cafés will have Earl Gray and green tea available as well. Mate is an infusion similar to tea that is very high in caffeine content. A toasted version, often served chilled, is consumed all around the country, while Chimarrão, the hot, bitter equivalent of mate, can be found in the south, and is highly appreciated by the gaúchos (Rio Grande do Sul dwellers). Tererê is a cold version of Chimarrão, common in Mato Grosso state. [edit] Soft drinksIf you're on the beach on a hot day, nothing beats coconut water, or agua de coco - but be careful how you pronounce the word coco (hint: stress the first o as you would in the word oboe, otherwise it will sound to them like you are ordering poo! (cocô) ). If you want a Coke in Brazil, ask for coca, as "cola" means "glue", in Portuguese (but if you say "Coca-cola", everybody will understand). Guarana; is a carbonated soft drink made from a berry (the guarana;) native to the Amazon area. The major brands are Antarctica, Kuat and Brahma. [edit] Fruit juicesFruit juices are very popular in Brazil. There are fruit juice bars at nearly every corner. Açai (made of a fruit from the Amazon) is absolutely delicious and very nutritious(extremely rich in antioxydents) on top of that.Traditionally used blended in combination with guarana (a stimulant)powder,and a raw codorna(quail egg)& sometimes a banana to recouperate and re-energize from late-nite partying It is normally served cold and has a consistency of soft ice. Don't let the crazy purple color stop you from eating it! Maracuja (passion fruit)(careful during an active day- this has a relaxant effect) Caju (cashew fruit,not nut) and Manga (mango) are also great juice experiences. Don't be afraid to try what you see on the menu. Brazilians have great taste when it comes to mixing juices. Be aware that orange juice in Brazil is called suco de laranja, which can confuse Spanish speakers who aren't careful. [edit] SleepHigh season in Brazil follows the school holidays calendar, December and January (summer) being the busiest months. New Year, Carnival (moveable between February and March, see Understand above) and Holy week are the peak periods, and prices can skyrocket, especially in coastal cities like Rio and Salvador. Also, during those holidays, many hotels restrict bookings to a 3 or 4-day minimum and charge in advance. Hotels are plentiful in just about all areas of Brazil and can range from luxury beach resorts to very modest and inexpensive choices. The Brazilian tourism regulation board imposes specific minimum attributes for each type of facility, but as the 1-5 star rating is no longer enforced, check in advance if your hotel provides the kind of services you expect. Pousada means guesthouse (the local equivalent of a French auberge or a British boarding house). They are common in smaller tourist towns and can be quite comfortable (or downright awful...). The term implies that things like 24-hour room service, hot meals throughout the day, etc, are not available. However, most pousadas offer common meals (comprised exclusively of what the owner likes). Pousadas also tend to impose restrictions like a curfew or forbidding taking people in with you. In wilderness areas like the Pantanal, travelers usually stay in fazendas, which are ranches with guest facilities. In small towns of Minas Gerais people are fond of hotéis-fazenda (farm hotels) where you can swim, ride, walk, play football, and camp as well as sleep in picturesque barracks. Also there is great fun in going on a boat hotel which will take you to inaccessible places on the rivers and lakes for great fishing trips or for simply relaxing and watching and photographing the wildlife which is very abundant in the Pantanal. The boats are large, safe, and comfortable with air-conditioned rooms (very necessary). Several small aluminum boats with outboard motor, carried by the boat hotel, driven by experienced fisher/guide will take 2 or 3 tourists to the best "points". Motel is the local term for a "sex hotel", so be aware of the implications. There's no social stigma per se in staying in one, but the room service and rates are geared to consenting adults staying for 4 to 6 hour periods (alta rotatividade) with utmost discretion and privacy. Youth hostels (albergues da juventude) are becoming increasingly common too. [edit] Do[edit] Adventure Travel
[edit] LearnBecause Portuguese is not as visible worldwide as English or Spanish, it is not easy to find Portuguese courses for foreigners in Brazil -- especially in medium to small cities. A good alternative is to befriend language students and exchange lessons. Brazilians are usually interested in learning foreign languages and are very patient to teach their difficult, but very cherished language. If you come to Brazil with some initial notions of Portuguese, you will see that people will treat you much better and you will get by much easier. Spanish and standard Italian are easily understood, especially in São Paulo or the South, but English is of no use unless the person specifically knows how to speak it. You can find language schools that teach Portuguese for as short as 2 weeks, or even longer: [edit] São Paulo
[edit] Rio de Janeiro
[edit] WorkWorking in Brazil is easy, mostly because there is much informality. In theory, you must have a work permit (Autorização de Trabalho) from the Ministery of Labour before you can get a job. However, in order to obtain it, you must be sponsored by an employer before entering the country. This can be a pretty bureaucratic task. Add to this the country's high rate of unemployment and low average wages and you may find it fairly difficult to find a job. If you are a native English speaker, you may be able to find an English-teaching part-time job; but don't expect that to save your holidays. The pay will be under-the-table without contract, so there are risks as well. Moreover, although working in the informal market can seem hassle-free at first, it will be difficult for you to claim your labour rights later. There is also a growing demand for Spanish language classes, so native Spanish speakers should have no trouble finding work, especially in the major cities. In both cases, its always much more lucrative to find work privately rather than through schools. This can be done easily, for example by putting an ad in the classifieds section of the Veja weekly news magazine (you have to pay for it)or by putting up signs on the notice boards at universities like USP (free of charge).
[edit] Stay safeAlthough not in every large city, but one of the unfortunate sides of travel in Brazil is the endemic violent street crime. Brazil's large cities, especially of the north, northeast and southeast states, are notorious for attacks (against foreigners and locals alike). However, taking extra precautions and using common sense to keep yourself safe while travelling in Brazil will allow you to enjoy your stay without any incidents, like millions of visitors do every year. Do not walk around big cities late at night -- take taxis instead. On no account ever try to enter a slum ("favela") without a guide and do not walk down shadowy streets at night. If you cannot depend on a Brazilian friend or relative to be your guide, consult a travel book to learn which areas of the city to avoid, as well as other safety tips. Use your hotel's safe for any valuables. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash, wearing expensive or expensive-looking jewelry, and carrying any unnecessary electronic gadgets, loose purses or bags. Try to stash some extra money in a hidden spot, such as a shoe or money belt -- to make sure you can get back to your hotel. Pay attention to the way the locals dress and try to blend in the crowds: looking like a foreigner (e.g. dark socks with sandals) is not wise as thieves will be after you for your money if they instantly see you are a gringo. Always carry a small amount of cash that you can hand over quickly in a case of a mugging. However, don't keep it somewhere easily seen such as in a men's shirt pocket, as that will increase your risk. Under no circustances try to run away or resist. Do not carry "deterrence" weapons. Stay calm and comply with their demands, and you're unlikely to be hurt. Muggers will almost certainly outnumber and outsmart you, and "trying to be a hero" will achieve nothing apart from injury or death. You don't need to carry your passport to walk in the city but if you like this, use a little pocket inside your clothes (you can buy in airport mall). But be sure to have a photocopy of your passport with you at all times as required by law (Brazilian police have the right to request identification, i.e. documents, from anyone behaving suspiciously). [edit] Stay healthyIt's probably best to avoid the food peddled by vendors on the beach (before you buy any food from them, take a look at their hygiene and cleanliness). A sanduíche natural (natural sandwich) may or may not be organic as represented, but if you buy one late in the day a tummy-ache or worse is a likely result. Food and drink in formal restaurants is safe, excellent, and inexpensive. If you are going to rent a flat and live on your own, store perishable foodstuffs with extra care, as the hot climate can make them rot quite soon. Only buy closed drinks sold from street vendors (like cans and bottles). Always use a straw or rinse the drink container with fresh water, because the water used to cool the drinks is sometimes not fit for consumption. Unless you have been in the country for a few weeks or more, avoid all ice in drinks. Mineral water is normally safe. The quality of tap water, on the other hand, may vary from place to place (from contaminated, saline or soaked with chlorine to plain drinkable) and Brazilians themselves usually prefer to have it filtered. Vaccination against yellow fever and taking anti-malaria medication may be necessary if you are traveling to central-western (Mato Grosso) or northern (Amazon) regions. If you're arriving from Peru, Colombia or Bolivia, proof of yellow fever vaccination is required before you enter Brazil. Some countries, such as Australia and South Africa, will require evidence of yellow fever vaccination before allowing you enter the country if you have been in any part of Brazil within the previous week. Check the requirements of any country you will travel to from Brazil. If you get ill, don't look for help in public hospitals, which tend to be crowded and not too good. In most cities of at least 60,000 inhabitants good healthcare is available at a fair price. Dentists abound and are very cheap (so cheap indeed that people come from other countries to treat their teeth there). However, the quality of their work is not always consistent, so ask a local for advice. The emergency number is 190, but you must speak Portuguese. [edit] ElectricityBrazil is one of a few countries that uses both 120 and 240 volts for everyday appliances. Expect the voltage to change back and forth as you travel from one place to the next -- even within the same Brazilian state, sometimes even within the same building. There is no physical difference in the electric outlets (power mains) for the two voltages. Outlets with 240 volts are supposed to have a red and white label indicating the higher voltage -- but don't bet any expensive equipment on it. Travelers from the USA, Canada, and other countries with 120V should always ask first before plugging in appliances. Electric outlets usually accept both (i) the equal sized twin flat blades used in the USA and Canada, and (ii) the parallel twin round pins used in Brazil and most other countries in Europe ("europlug"). Some older fittings may not accept flat blades, but adaptors from flat blades to round pins are easy to find in any supermarket or construction materials shop. Outlets intended for thin rounds pins aren't big enough for the German "Schuko" plugs (be sure you know the difference between the euro and Schuko plugs). Either bring an adapter intended for the USA and Canada with both prongs the same size and no third round grounding pin, or one with THIN round pins (slightly thinner than the Schuko). Even if you live in the USA/Canada you may need one of these adapters, as many appliances from those countries now use a polarized plug with one blade slightly larger than the other. These will not fit in all outlets in Brazil, and outlets with a third grounding pin are uncommon. Near the border with Argentina, you might occasionally find outlets for the Australia/New Zealand-type plug. If crossing the border, you'll probably need this adapter as well. Like most countries in North America, frequency is 60Hz (regardless of voltage). Don't bring electric clocks from Europe and Australia as they will gain 12 minutes per hour. Blackouts do rarely occur -- especially in the smaller cities and towns during the wet season. See also: Travel topics -- Electrical systems [edit] RespectBrazilians tend to be very open and talk freely about their problems, especially about political corruption and other problems. But don't imitate them, as they are likely to feel offended if you criticize their country or customs. In some small towns, local politics can be a sensitive issue and you should be careful when talking about it. Be polite, as always. As of their revision of the 1988 Constitution, Brazil has a strong law against racism, according to which racism is a crime for which bail is not available, and must be met with imprisonment. This is taken very seriously. Though racial tolerance is not as widespread as would be desired in Brazil, racism is also very frowned upon, so it's better not to take your chances, as it can result in serious problems. Any person who feels discriminated for their skin color (or for being Jewish or any other ethnic, the law is comprehensive) can and sometimes will prosecute the offender. On that note, refrain from making any racist remarks anywhere in the country. Remember that Portuguese is not Spanish. Both languages can be similar in their written form, but they differ considerably in phonetics, vocabulary and grammar . It is not a good idea to mix Portuguese with Spanish, don't expect people to understand what you're saying if you insert Spanish words into Portuguese sentences. [edit] Contact[edit] By phoneBrazil has international country telephone code 55 and two-digit area codes, and phone numbers are eight digits long. The number of digits has been increased from seven to eight recently in some areas, meaning you might still find some old seven-digit phone numbers which won't work unless you prepend another digit (which depends on the area code and the first digit of the original number. Mostly, try adding 2 or 3). Eight-digit numbers beginning with digits 2 to 6 are land lines, while eight-digit numbers beginning with digits 7 to 9 are mobile phones. All cities use the following emergency numbers:
To dial to another area code or to another country, you must chose a carrier using a two-digit carrier code. Which carriers are available depends on the area you are dialing from and on the area you are dialing to. Carriers 21 (Embratel) and 23 (Intelig) are available in all areas. The international phone number format for calls from other countries to Brazil is +55-(area code)-(phone number) In Brazil:
Public payphones use disposeable prepaid cards, which come with 20, 40, 60 or 75 credits. The discount for buying cards with larger denominations is marginal. Phone booths are nearly everywhere, and all cards can be used in all booths, regardless of the owner phone company. Cards can be bought from many small shops, and almost all news agents sell them. The Farmácia Pague Menos sells them at official (phone company) price, somewhat cheaper. Calls to cell phones (even local) will use up your credits very quickly (nearly as expensive as international calls). Calling the USA costs about one real per minute. [edit] Mobile phonesBrazil has 4 main mobile operators (this may change depending on the region you go, some operators don't have presence in whole country, but they may have deals with the others so you can go on roaming), VIVO operates CDMA and GSM (VIVO is replacing its entire network to GSM and it's likely in some time VIVO will only use GSM as the other major mobile operators in Brazil), the others are OI, TIM and CLARO, which operates GSM. Mobiles use mainly the CDMA or GSM system. It is possible to buy a pay-as-you-go SIM card for GSM phones (this is called pré-pago (pre-paid)), but make sure your phone is unlocked and uses the same frequency of Brazilian mobiles (900 MHz or 1,8 GHz). Same thing applies to buying a phone in Brazil - make sure it is unlocked (usually not, but can be done for R$ 5-10 in almost any cell phone shop). So far, only mobiles by TIM are able to send text messages to cell phones abroad. [edit] By netInternet cafes and Lan houses are increasingly common, and even smaller tourist cities often have at least one spot with more or less decent connections. If you attempt to send mail directly from a LAN house with your laptop, it may be bounced. Anyone, including a spammer, can do this. Use POP-before-SMTP or a securely authenticated connection to your home mail server. A good idea is to use a webmail service instead, since it avoids the hassle of having to configure a client e-mail connection in a LAN house (which is not always possible), besides being a safer choice, since many webmails nowadays use secured connections. Many hotels, areas in airports and good stores in shopping malls also offer hotspots so you can connect wirelessly with your laptop to the Internet. This service may be paid or not, so it's good to check first with the person responsible for the service about it, and even if it offers some kind of security, like criptography. But use the common sense, it's not good to use a home banking service or transferring some important or secure information via an unreliable connection. If you're not sure about the security for the connection or don't feel safe at all to do something, don't do it.
The Brazilian Correio is fairly reliable and post offices are literally everywhere. Be sure to use PRIORITÁRIO (priority mail) or foreign letters and postcards will take a VERY long time to arrive. Rates are similar to first-class overseas airmail elsewhere. If mailing postcards, beware of the HUGE postage stamps which could cover your writing. Make it clear you want small stamps (selos pequenos) for postcards, not souvenirs for a stamp collection.
[edit] Tours[edit] Headline text[edit] Island[edit] Salvador Bahia |
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