Capital: Brasilia

Population: 184,101,109  

Language: Portuguese. English is widely spoken in the larger hotels and tourist areas.

Border Countries: Largest country in South America Brazil shares common boundaries with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador.

Visas: A visa is not required by UK citizens for tourist stays of up to 3 months.

Time Difference: There are 4 time zones in Brazil.  The time in most of Brazil visited by foreign tourists is GMT-3. This is true of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Brasilia, Bahia. From September to February the clocks are put forward one hour in most Brazilian States.

International dialling code from the UK: +55

Voltage Requirements: Rio and Sao Paulo 220 or 110 volts, Bahia (Salvador) and Manaus, 127 volts. 50 to 60Hz; power surges are common.

Currency: Brazilian Real.

Money Exchange: There is a good ATM network throughout Brazil though in smaller towns it is possible that there is not a single ATM that accepts foreign cards so it’s a good idea to always have some cash (Brazilian Reais) to buy your everyday things.
Most major international credit cards are accepted in Brazil.
Banks open Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m

Tipping: Tipping in Brazil is discretionary for good service. In restaurants a standard 10% service charge is added at the end of the bill.

Petrol Costs: One litre of petrol 93p, moderate meal £3.50, four-mile taxi ride £5.60, a beer £1.17. All costs will vary.

Vaccinations: Standard immunizations for Brazil are yellow fever (required for entry) tetanus/diphtheria, typhoid, and hepatitis A. If travelling to more rural areas of Brazil like Amazonas, Pantanal, and parts of Minas Gerais, visitors should also get polio, MMR, hepatitis B, and take anti-malaria drugs.

Emergencies: All cities use the following emergency numbers: 190 - Police, 192 – Ambulance, 193 - Firefighters

British Embassy in Rio de Janeiro: British Consulate-General Praia do Flamengo, 284/2 22210-030 Rio de Janeiro RJ

Internet: The internet is well developed in Brazil, so most hotels will have access to the web and there are cyber-cafes all around Brazil, even in small villages it is possible to find Internet access.