Planning Your Trip To Brazil

Medical Insurance

You are advised strongly to take out adequate medical insurance coverage before traveling to Brazil.

Voltage

The electrical voltage in Rio is 110 or 120 volts, 60 cycles, alternating current. Many hotels and large apartment blocks do have 220-volt outlets.

Departure Tax

When you leave Brazil, payment of a departure tax will be required. The airport departure tax in Brazil can be paid in US dollars or the ‘real,’ the currency of Brazil. Your departure tax may be covered in the price of your airline ticket, so you may want to verify verify it with the airline agent.

Bank Hours

Generally, weekday bank hours are from 10am (1000) to 4pm (1600). All banks are closed on public holidays. Many branches have 24-hour banking machines (ATMs) that offer several services. Overseas visitors should check with their local banks to verify whether they can access to their funds through these facilities. Banks generally charge an additional fee for overseas transactions.

Climate

• The climate in Rio is tropical, warm and humid, with local variations depending on altitude and other factors.
• The average annual temperature is approximately 22° C, with summer highs ranging from 30°C to 32°C.
• Rainfall can vary from an annual 1,200 mm to 2,800 mm.
• December to March marks “high summer” in Brazil, and the very hot days often lead to heavy, rapid tropical showers.

Money

Brazilian money is based on the “real,” which is represented by the symbol ‘R$’. One “real” is equivalent to one hundred “centavos.”

• Bills (notes) are issued in the following denominations: R$ 1; R$ 10; R$ 20; R$ 50; R$ 100.
• Coins are issued in the following denominations: of R$ 0,01; R$ 0,05; R$ 0,10; R$ 0,25; R$ 0,50; R$ 1,00.

Credit Cards

Any credit card that bears the Visa, MasterCard or American Express symbol will be widely accepted in Brazil. Visitors with other types of credit cards should verify whether their card is accepted in Brazil. Please note that retailers have the option to charge more for goods and services bought using a credit card. We advise that you ask a retailer beforehand whether an additional charge applies.

Language

Portuguese is the language spoken in Brazil and is one of the most widely used languages in the world. Brazil is the only Portuguese-speaking country in South America.

Shopping

Shops in Brazil are generally open Monday through Saturday, 9am–7pm (0900-1900). Shopping malls are open Monday through Saturday, 10am-10pm (1000-2200) and Sunday, 3pm- 9pm (1500-2100).

Tipping

The following is a guide to customary tipping practices for the following services:

• Hotels − Most hotel bills include a service charge of 10 percent. If a service charge is not included on a room bill or a hotel restaurant check, it is customary to tip 10 percent of the total amount.
• Restaurants − Some restaurant bills will include a service charge. If a service charge is not included, it is customary to tip 10 percent of the bill.
• Luggage − It is customary to tip one ‘real’ (R$ 1) per suitcase.
• Hairdressers − It is customary to leave a tip of 10 percent of the bill.

Security and Safety Tips

As in any large, busy city, crime can sometimes occur in Rio. When visiting any large city, you will need to take extra caution to ensure your personal safety and protect your belongings. Here are a few safety tips that are very helpful for travellers to Rio:

• Avoid leaving valuables in your room – keep them in the hotel safety box or safe.
• Make sure the door of your room is closed when you leave the hotel.
• Hotel lobbies and reception areas are open to the public, so do not leave your bags or any valuables unattended.

Out and About

• Do not carry your camera and other valuables in a camera bag or around your neck.
• Avoid wearing flashy jewelry or expensive items, such as designer glasses and valuable watches, in the streets.
• When in restaurants, bars, theatres or cinemas, never leave your bag on the floor or over the back of your chair. Always keep it where you can see it.
• If you’re out and about at night on foot, try to stay within busy, well-lit areas.
• Take extra care when crossing the road. Always remember to look both ways as traffic may be coming from an unexpected direction.

The District for Attending to Tourists (DEAT) – Police

If anything goes wrong and your possessions are lost or stolen, you should contact the police at your earliest opportunity. The District for Attending to Tourists (DEAT) is responsible for investigating and recording any incidents. The DEAT is located in Leblon, and the police officers are trained specifically to assist foreign visitors.
Delegacia de Atendimento ao Turista – DEAT

Address: Rua Afrânio de Mello Franco, s / nº – Leblon
22430-060 Rio de Janeiro – Brasil
Tel: (55 21) 2511-5112 / 3399-7170
Fax: (55 21) 3399-7172

Other Useful Numbers for Tourists

Police: 190
Ambulance: 192
Fire: 193
International direct dialing from Brazil: 00 + (carrier code: Embratel 21 or Intelig 23) + (country code) + (area code) + (number)