Practical Information
There are different schools of thought when it comes to traveling to Brazil.
There are those visitors who want to make the most of the country in one visit, and therefore see the main highlights such as Rio, Iguaçu, the Amazon and Salvador. Doing this entails many hours of flying over this vast country (the flight from São Paulo to Manaus alone takes four hours), but for the visitor who does not plan to return to Brazil then it is a worthwhile endeavor.
The other idea is to break Brazil up into different regions, and concentrate on a particular area, such as the south, or the northeast.
Our specialists, who are all well-traveled around the country, will be able to advise on the best trip for you and give honest opinions on the many sights that Brazil has to offer.
Language
The official language is Portuguese, English is spoken in the main tourist areas.
Food and Drink
Brazil has many different styles of regional cuisine, all of which feature a large variety of exotic spices, flavors and influences. The nearest Brazil gets to a national dish is feijoada, a meat stew cooked with black beans and garlic. Try to sample some of the exotic fruits (many of which only have Brazilian names such as cupuacu and jaboticaba). To drink, try cachaça, a sugar cane rum best enjoyed in a caipirinha, a cocktail with lime, sugar and ice.
Tipping
Tipping for good service is an accepted fact. Amounts are obviously discretionary.
Money
The Brazilian currency is the real. ATMs are widespread, especially in the major cities. Most machines take all credit cards, as well as Cirrus and Plus cards. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, as are bank debit cards. If you want to bring traveler's checks, they should be in US dollars.
Travel Advice
Our certified country specialists can advise on any safety concerns you may have. For current information, please refer to the Canadian Government Travel & Tourism website.
When to go to Brazil
You'll find temperature and rainfall information, together with a month-by-month guide on visiting, on our guide for when to go to Brazil.
More Information
-
Flight Time
10 hours upwards dependent on airline (Toronto to Rio de Janeiro) -
Time Zone
UTC -2