Travel Insurance It is highly advisable to purchase travel insurance when traveling abroad to cover such things as medical expenses, emergency evacuations, personal liability, theft, lost baggage, and of course - cancellation of the trip. Class Adventure Travel does not offer travel insurance within the price of our packages, but we do recommend www.travelguard.com. Travel Guard International is a leading provider of travel insurance plans throughout the world, covers over 6 million travelers a year and has great records.
Vaccinations Tourists who are coming from the following countries, or who have been in transit in these countries during the past three months, require an International Certificate of Vaccination against yellow fever - Angola, Benin, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Colombia, Ecuador, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, French Guiana, Liberia, Nigeria, Peru, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leon, Sudan, Venezuela and Zaire.
The yellow fever vaccine is also recommended for all national and international tourists who intend to visit the following Brazilian states: Acre, Amazonas, Amapa, Federal District, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso do Sul, Para, Rondonia, Roraima and Tocantins.
Health It is important to stay healthy while traveling in order to make sure you get the most out of your vacation. Drinking bottled water is strongly recommended. Brazilian tap water, even in such populated areas as Rio, can contain amoebae and parasites. Drinking tap water can lead to a bad infection, but more likely to a couple of days spent in the bathroom. We advise you to drink only bottled or treated (boiled) water. Ice should also be avoided.
Eat well-cooked meat, chicken and fish. Pork, raw salads and homemade mayonnaise may be risky. Vegetables should be cooked, and fruit peeled. Avoid eating food from street vendors.
Visas Most EU citizens receive a 90-day tourist visa on entry into Brazil. Nationals of Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the US require visas. They, and citizens of other countries, are advised to contact the Brazilian embassy or consulate in their country for information. Fees vary as Brazil has a reciprocal visa system. Tourist visas may be extended for an extra 90 days at any big police station once in Brazil.
Money / Currency - ATM, Credit Cards The official currency of Brazil is the real. The exchange rate is around 2.0 reais to US$1.
It may be safer to use ATM's than to carry large amounts of cash around Brazil, and it is probably better to pay for goods with cards rather than cash. ATMs are widely available, but foreigners can only use their cards in machines marked '24 Horas' that have signs for Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus etc. Banco do Brasil, Bradesco and HSBC are the banks most likely to work for you, but none are guaranteed! To discourage robberies, ATMs will not allow large withdrawals late at night.
Travelers Cheques don't give great rates in Brazil, even if used in the company's own offices, and it can be time consuming and expensive to change them in banks. It is risky to change money anywhere else but in official exchanges, but taking a small amount of foreign currency in cash or Travelers Cheques is always a good idea while traveling.
Tipping Tipping has become far more common in Brazil in recent years, and most bars and restaurants will add 10% to your bill. Kiosks and deckchair assistants always appreciate a tip, and car-parking attendants on the street should always be given a real or two for their help.
Airport Taxes Departure tax for international flights leaving Brazil is US$36, which may be included in your ticket price. If not, you will have to pay at the airport in reais or US dollars. The same information applies to domestic flights, which have a tax of between 5 and 12 reais.
Customs Duty of 50% must be paid on all goods, apart from personal belongings, with a value of over US$500. Duty free goods with a value of up to US$500 may be brought into the country without duty. Amounts of over R$10,000 in cash must be declared.
Safety People traveling to Brazil must take their common sense with them. Crime and safety issues can affect anybody, not just tourists, and it is wise, especially in the big cities, to avoid making yourself a target. Displays of jewelry and equipment such as cameras may attract unwanted attention. Keep valuables out of sight where possible. Only carry the amount of money that you think will be necessary for your day. Stick to well-policed and well-lit areas, especially at night. Ask at your hotel for local advice on particular areas to avoid. Remember though, that even with all these precautions, some people in Brazil will still see you as a rich tourist, compared to their own standard of living. Muggings and robberies can still occasionally occur. Don't resist or try to fight robbers, who may well be armed, for the sake of a few dollars or for goods that should be covered by your insurance.