Brazil

Useful information

Currency

US$1 = 1.75R$; £1 = 2.89R$, €1 = 2.63R$ (Oct 2009)
The unit of currency is the real, R$ (plural reais). Any amount of foreign currency and ‘a reasonable sum’ of reais can be taken in, but sums over US$10,000 must be declared. Residents may only take out the equivalent of US$4000. Notes in circulation are: 100, 50, 10, 5 and 1 real; coins: 1 real, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 centavo. Note: The exchange rate has been fairly volatile recently so check in advance.

ATM's, or cash machines, are common in Brazil. As well as being the most convenient way to withdrawing money, they frequently offer the best available rates of exchange. Banks in major cities will change cash (USD is easiest to change) and traveller's cheques (not recommended due to time to process).

Visas

Visas are not required for stays of up to 90 days by tourists from UK. For them, only the following documents are required at the port of disembarkation: a passport valid for at least 6 months and a return or onward ticket, or adequate proof that you can purchase your return fare.

You may stay a maximum of 180 days in any 1 year. 90 day renewals are easily obtainable, but only at least 15 days before the expiry of your 90 day permit, from the Policia Federal. If you want to stay more than 180 days, you must get a visa before arrival. Visas fees vary, so apply to your Brazilian consulate.

Note: do not lose the entry/exit permit they give you when you enter Brazil. Leaving the country without it, you may have to pay up to US$100 per person.

Yellow fever inoculation certificate is recommended if you intend to travel on to other Latin American countries. For other health matters please consult your doctor.

How to get there

International flights to Brazil generally land in Sao Paulo. Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Belem, Manaus and Recife also have connections to Europe and other Brazilian cities, but mostly through Lisbon. For most of the visitors the point of arrival will be Cumbica International Airport in Sao Paulo or Tom Jobim International Airport on the Ilha do Governador, 16km from the centre of Rio de Janeiro.

International Airlines serving Brazil: Air Europe (from Europe via Madrid to Salvador), Air France (from Europe via Paris to Sao Paulo and Rio), Alitalia (from Europe via Milan to Sao Paulo), British Airways (from Europe via London to Sao Paulo and Rio Cabo), Iberia (from Madrid to Sao Paulo and Rio), KLM (from Europe via Amsterdam to Sao Paulo), LAN (from Europe via Madrid, Frankfurt and Munich to Sao Paulo), TAM (from Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Milan, Paris to Sao Paulo and Rio), TAP (from Europe via Lisbon to Aracaju, Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Cuiaba, Curitiba, Fortaleza, Foz de Iguazu, Goiania, Joao Pessoa, Londrina, Natal, Porto Alegre, Porto Seguro, Porto Velho, Recife, Rio Blanco, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Luis, Sao Paulo, Teresina and Vitoria).