Think of Brazil and think of the hedonistic festivals, samba bands marching in the street and the world’s best footballers playing keep-up on the beach. Brazil is carnival country, full of exotic flair. Certainly, it lives up to its reputation in many ways; but there are many other sides to this enchanting country.
Business travellers are more likely to land in Sao Paulo than Rio but the Brazilian business centre is not without its charms; with a host of excellent museums, concerts, plays, shows, experimental theatre, live music and dance, it remains the cultural capital of the nation. Excursions up the coast reveal beautiful sandy beaches with basking palm trees and glittering blue oceans; for some of the best, head to Salvador or Ilha de Santa Catarina.
Inland, the mighty Iguacu Falls is the second largest waterfall in the world, surrounded by the languid western Brazilian rainforest. Further north the Amazonian city of Manaus is teeming with jungle culture and is the gateway for trips up the great river and into an interior teeming with biodiversity.
If after all that its still carnivals you’re after, then forget Rio and head to Recife & Olinda. The festivities themselves start the week before Ash Wednesday but preparations get the twin cities in mood as early as mid-December.
Getting there
Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo receive the majority of international flights, though a few connections are available between Europe and Salvador or Recife. The long border provides overland access from all nine of the country’s neighbours.
Getting around
Brazil is a vast country, making internal flights a great option for many trips with fares often no more than the equivalent bus journey. The train network is almost non-existent. The Amazon acts as a highway for a legion of passenger boats.
Local information
Language: Portuguese
Time: UTC -2 to UTC -4
Climate: Tropical. Hot, wet summers, warm, drier winters – though rainfall varies greatly with geographical location. Temperature (Rio): Max 29°C (February), Min 17°C (July). Rainfall: Max 155mm (January), Min 40mm (August).
Currency: Real (BRL)
Business etiquette: Suits should be worn; appearance is important. Brazilians prefer face-to-face meetings and like to spend time building relationships before doing business. The individual they deal with is more important than the company. Avoid open criticism in meetings.
Tipping: Not expected in restaurants. Round up taxi fares to nearest Real. In hotels, tip the chamber maid about R$5 a day.
Duty free: 400 cigarettes or 25 cigars; Maximum 2l of alcohol; Articles not exceeding US$500.
Safety: Gang related violence is common in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, though not usually targeted at tourists. Incidence of muggings, armed robbery and sexual assault are high. Tourists at beaches have been targeted by organised crime gangs. A number of assaults have also been reported in unregistered taxis.
Laws: Carry your passport at all times. Driving limit for drink-driving is zero. Drug offences are severely punished.
Healthcare: Vaccinations required for diphtheria, hepatitis A, tetanus, malaria and typhoid. Tap water should be boiled or sterilised first. Full health insurance is vital as medical costs are high.
Socket type: Type A, Type C
