| FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT TRAVEL IN BRAZIL |
1)
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET TO Brazil?
| To Rio or Sao Paulo on a non-stop
flight: |
| From Miami |
From New York |
From Los Angeles |
| 8 hours |
9 hours |
12 hours |
2)
HOW DO I GET AROUND Brazil ONCE I'M THERE?
Brazil is as large as the
continental USA and is the largest country in South America, so getting around is
primarily by air.
|
| There is a Visit Brazil
Airpass available - it requires staying on the same carrier for all flights, does not
allow back-tracking, has a maximum length of 30 days and must be purchased outside of
Brazil. Rates vary depending on the version: all of Brazil, just the south or just the
northeastern coast, in addition to being dependent upon the number of flight coupons (one
per segment) and the time of the year. All flights must be confirmed - no open dates or
flights allowed. Once the Air Pass is issued, there are penalties for changes and-or
cancellations. |
3)
WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT PLACES TO VISIT ONCE THERE?
Rio has long been the main destination -
famous for its beaches, its nightlife and renowned Carnival. You'll visit Rio if you're
doing Brazil only or if you are combining Brazil with other countries. Allow 3 to 5 days
in Rio to sightsee, enjoy the nightlife, shop for precious gemstones or simply laze on the
beach with the "Cariocas", as the people of Rio are called.
|
| After Rio, the most important places to visit
and the average stay are: |
|
|
4) WHEN
IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT Brazil?
The seasons are reversed from the United
States, so when you are freezing up here during our winter, it is their summer. In general
Brazil is tropical but within that framework the weather changes from north to south and
from coast to interior. Only the southern states experience any major seasonal changes and
can experience cool weather.
|
Rio's summer season (December-March) is
extremely humid and can have daily downpours which are welcomed as they cool things down,
but the sun is never far away. Temperatures average in the 80's but the 90's are not
unusual. In Rio's winter (June-August) temperatures are generally in the 70's and rain can
be persistent.
|
The Amazon is hot and humid all year long so it boils down
to "the rainiest months". The heaviest rains are December through March, causing
the river to rise, the creeks and lakes to flood and the animals to seek dry land. In
their "dry season" (June through August) it still rains but not as much or as
heavy and the heat is less oppressive.
|
The Pantanal is best visited May through September because
it is the dry season as well as a major nesting and migratory season - the wildlife is
more likely to be clustered together around water or nesting areas, and thus easier to
see.
|
| For more specific weather information on
selected cities, click here. |
5) IS IT
SAFE TO TRAVEL IN Brazil?
| Rio has gotten a lot of press coverage on
crime, and often a bad rap. However the last few years have seen great efforts by Rio to
alleviate the problem, and there is a special multi-lingual, easily visible police
"tourist force" in tourist areas such as the major beaches. As in any big city
anywhere, you should use normal precautions - don't go out alone at night, don't venture
into less desirable neighborhoods, don't flash money, jewelry or camera equipment. Big
cities pose more potential for thieves than smaller cities and countryside towns. The
Brazilians created the "around the waist bag", often called the "fanny
pack" but definitely not worn in the back. This keeps your valuables in a compact
place, in front of you and snug to your body, all of which make it less desirable and more
difficult for would-be thieves. Best solution: leave your valuables at home or in your
in-room safe at your hotel or use one of the convenient leg pouches, belts or over the
shoulder pouches worn inside your clothing. |
6) WHAT
ENTRY DOCUMENTS DO I NEED?
| U.S. citizens need a U.S. passport in
addition to a visa. While you can obtain it from the Consulate
if you have one nearby, it is easier (though more costly) to use a visa service. You will
need not only your passport and a completed visa application but also proof of a roundtrip
air ticket (such as a letter from your Travel Agent or a photocopy of the air ticket) and
one photo. In addition, your passport must be valid for 6 months after your departure from
Brazil - if it is not you must first obtain a new visa. Allow a minimum of 3 weeks to
obtain the visa, which are now valid for multiple entries during four years from date of
issue. |
7) WHAT
OTHER COUNTRIES CAN I VISIT AT THE SAME TIME?
| Brazil is generally visited one of three
ways: |
| A) As a single destination - going only to
Brazil and visiting multiples places within the country |
| B) As a part of an east coast, multi-country
itinerary - Argentina is the most popular second country |
| C) As a stop-over on Around South America
multi-country program - Rio and Iguassu Falls become the two spots that are
"musts"; the Amazon (Manaus) is also often included. |
|
