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Brazil travel guide - Brazil
holidays, flights & hotels.
Top destination guides for Brazil holidays;
Rio De Janeiro
| Sao Paulo
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Brazil Holidays, Brazil Holiday Packages Overview
A large proportion of Brazil's huge
population should have good reason to be unhappy about their lot in
life. Yet, the long-lasting impression one has of this magical
country is of carefree, colourful people dancing and celebrating in
the street parades at Carnaval. It is this passion for life and
exuberance of spirit that charms visitors from around the world.
Tourists descending on the country's fabulous cities, such as
hedonistic Rio de Janiero, can enjoy the five-star hotels, shopping
malls, beautiful beaches, sunny skies and inspirational restaurants
without really having to confront the hundreds of shanty towns
(favelas) where the poorest of the poor eke out a living in the
shadows of the skyscrapers. Brazil could have
been an incredibly wealthy country, but institutionalised
corruption and mismanagement of agricultural and natural resources
are two of the main reasons why prosperity has been denied to the
mass of the people. Despite this, life for most Brazilians is a
sensuous adventure and visitors inevitably will get caught up in
the rhythm of its samba. Being so vast, larger
than continental United States, Brazil offers a variety of cultures
and topographies. The range is evident in the contrast of the
Amazon rain forest to the mountain towns of Minas Gerais, the urban
jungle of Sao Paulo and the vast central plateau around Brasilia
and the world-famous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema. It all adds
up to an exotic and exciting Latin American mix where the common
denominators are samba, sunshine, sultry smiles and
soccer.
Tourist Offices - EMBRATUR (Brazilian Tourist Board),
Brasilia +55 (61) 429 7809 or www.turismo.gov.br
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Entry Requirements
All visitors require passports that are
valid for at least the period of intended stay in Brazil.
Sufficient funds to cover their stay in Brazil, as well as a return
or onward ticket and documentation required for further travel is
necessary for all travellers.
- For Australians -
A valid passport and a visa are required by Australian
nationals, which is valid for single and multiple entries. Visas
must be used within 90 days of issuance.
- New Zealanders need a valid passport, but no visa is
required for a stay of up to 90 days, for touristic or business
purposes.
- A valid passport and a visa are required by US
nationals, which is valid for single and multiple entries. Visas
must be used within 90 days of issuance.
- A valid passport and a visa are required by US
nationals, which is valid for single and multiple entries. Visas
must be used within 90 days of issuance.
- UK passport holders do not require a visa for either
business or holiday or business travel for stays of up to 90 days.
A valid passport is required.
Brazil Holidays - Currency of Brazil
The Brazilian monetary unit is the real (BRL),
plural reais. There are 100 centavos to the real and notes come in
denominations of 1, 5, 10, 50 and BRL100. The US dollar is also
welcome in most tourist establishments. In the main cities foreign
currencies and travellers cheques can be exchanged at banks or
cambios. There is an extensive network of ATMs
in the country and most major international credit cards are
accepted.
Brazil
Telephone Access Codes and Communications
The international access code for Brazil
is +55. The outgoing code depends on what network is used (e.g.
0014 for Brasil Telecom), which is followed by the relevant country
code (e.g. 001444 for the United Kingdom). The area code for
Brasilia is 61, but the access code to make a call within the
country from another area also depends on what network is used
(e.g. (014)61 for Brasil Telecom). GSM 900and 1800 mobile phone
networks cover the main cities, and phones are available to rent.
Internet cafes are widely available. Every town has a central
telephone office called a Posto Telefonico, from where long
distance calls can be made, and public phone booths are everywhere,
operated by phone cards. For cheaper calls, visitors can connect to
an operator at home and place a credit card or collect call.
Sending mail overseas is expensive, but the postal system is
generally reliable and airmail usually takes up to a
week.
Brazil
Duty Free Allowances & Restrictions
Travellers to Brazil can enter the country with
goods to the value of US$500 without incurring customs duty. These
include 400 cigarettes or 25 cigars, and 2 litres of alcoholic
beverages. Restricted items include fresh produce and plant and
animal products. Strict regulations apply to temporary import or
export of firearms, antiquities, tropical plants, medication and
business equipment.
Brazil
Holidays & Packages- Tipping Information
Nearly all hotels add a service charge to the
bill, usually 10%. Most restaurants also add 10% or more to the
total of the bill, but must make it clear that they have done so;
waiters appreciate another 5% if their service has been good.
Brazilians don't normally tip taxi drivers, except if they handle
bags, although they may round up the total. Hotel staff expect
small tips and most services expect 10-15%.
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