Brazil’s Northeast has everything to make it one of the most sought after vacation centres in the world, especially among travellers looking for perfect weather and even more perfect beaches. This is probably why for the residents of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, the Northeast is their number one vacation destination.
From São Luís, in the North, to the Bahia Basin, in the South, the Northeast has over 3,200 kilometres (2,000 miles) of virtually uninterrupted soft white beaches, while for the historically minded there is Salvador, the former Capital of Brazil with its 154 churches, most of which are treasured architectural masterpieces. Along the coast sit the towns of São Luís, Fortaleza, Natal, João Pessoa, Recife, Maceió, Salvador, and Porto Seguro. All of which have their own charm and a diverse selection of attractions which range from camel rides over the dunes to state of the art water parks.
When to Go: Before you plan to visit Brazil decide what it is you want to see. Do you want to see Carnival or do you want to see the real Brazil?
Carnival in all the major cities is mainly about nightlife, exotic parades and wonderful parties. Carnival is for the young or young-at-heart who have money to spend. If this is what you want from your holiday then Carnival is the time to choose. If, on the other hand, you want to see the Brazil that has fascinated travellers and explorers for centuries for its warmth, diversity and outstanding beauty, you should think of coming to Brazil at any other time of the year but Carnival. That is when you learn about the true Brazil.
Weather: Most of Brazil from Rio de Janeiro to the north is blessed with a tropical climate where it is difficult to tell when spring becomes summer and summer, autumn.
Rio’s average temperature, for example, is around 27ºC (80º F), which climbs to 40ºC, the low hundreds, during the summer months that stretch from December through to March. In the middle of winter, July, the temperatures in Rio can drop as low as 18ºC (65ºF) during the day!
North of Rio, the weather becomes noticeable more tropical while to the south it can get quite cool, even cold, during the winter months.
Language: The language in Brazil is Portuguese. Spanish, and to a much lesser extent English, will help you get around.
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| Climate |
Brazil is a huge country mostly lying within the tropics which means it is generally hot & humid. The Amazon Basin in the north & centre of Brazil has no real dry season, although there is a wetter period between Dec-Apr, temperatures are tropical throughout the year making this a high humidity region. The Brazilian plateau, to the south & east of the Basin, including Brasilia, has a more distinct wet & dry season where temperatures vary accordingly. Rainfall occurs mainly between Oct-Apr & the rest of the year is almost dry. The narrow Atlantic coastal plain & southern states have a more temperate climate with a distinct cooler season (May-Sep), when frost can occur. Rainfall in the north of the coastal plain, including Recife has its wettest period between Apr-Aug, however Rio de Janeiro in the south is wet throughout the year but with a slightly wetter period between Nov-Apr. Southern states have some rain throughout |
| Local Time |
Acre & Tabatinga: GMT -5
Amazonas, Rondonia, Roraima & Western Para: GMT -4
Espirito Santo, Federal District, Goias, Minas Gerais, Parana, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina & Sao Paulo:
From 2 Nov 04 to 19 Feb 05 GMT -2
From 20 Feb 05 to 15 Oct 05 GMT -3
Fernando de Noronha: GMT -2
Mato Grosso & Mato Grosso do Sul:
From 2 Nov 04 to 19 Feb 05 GMT -3
From 20 Feb 05 to 15 Oct 05 GMT -4
Rest of Brazil: GMT -3 |
| Customs |
Import
Allowances
a) 400 cigarettes and 250gr of tobacco and 25 cigars
b) Bought before arriving in Brazil; 2 lit of alcoholic beverages
c) Articles bought for passenger's personal use at duty-free shop on arrival, with a total value not exceeding USD 500
Currency
a) 400 cigarettes and 250gr of tobacco and 25 cigars
b) Bought before arriving in Brazil; 2 lit of alcoholic beverages
c) Articles bought for passenger's personal use at duty-free shop on arrival, with a total value not exceeding USD 500 |
| Passport & Visa |
The following details relate to holders of adult normal passports (requirements for children may be different), if any other type of passport or travel document is held, entry requirements should be checked with the relevant embassy or consulate
Required, but NOT by the following:
1) Holders of a `Carteira de Identidade' issued to nationals of Brazil when travelling to or from Argentina, Paraguay or Uruguay
2) Holders of National Identity Cards issued to nationals of Argentina, Chile, Paraguay & Uruguay when entering from their home country
Passports must be valid 6 months from date of entry
The following DO NOT require a visa:
1) Nationals of Brazil holding either a green, red or blue passport
2) For tourist visits up to 90 days (extendable) by nationals of:
a) United Kingdom
b) Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland Rep, Israel, Italy, Korea (South), Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, Uruguay, Vatican City & Venezuela
3) Holders of a re-entry permit (`visto de retorno') |
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