Brazil

Portuguese is the official language of Brazil, the only Portuguese-speaking country in South America.

In Brazil the standard voltage is 110V or 220V and standard frequency is 60Hz. Power sockets are of types A, B and C but outlets are often a combination of types A and C, and can accept either plug. Please visit the below link for more information: http://electricaloutlet.org/

Brazil’s predominant religion is Roman Catholic with Brazil boasting more Roman Catholics than any other country in the world.

What you need to pack will depend on when and where you plan on travelling and on the activities that you plan to include whilst on your Brazil tour. The following should act as a useful checklist of essential items: • Passport, photocopy of passport & spare passport photos • Travel Insurance documents • Air tickets and itinerary • Foreign Currency (US$) and/or debit/credit cards, traveller’s cheques • Money belt • Small daypack • Basic first aid kit • High UVA sun block • Sunglasses & sunhat • Mosquito spray & insect repellent • Comfortable walking shoes/boots • Sandals • Long sleeve tops and trousers • Light-weight clothing • Warm clothing (depending on itinerary and time of year) • Camera with spare battery and memory cards • Security code padlock • Adaptor • Small torch If your Brazil travel is to include the Amazon, the climate is hot and humid year round but it can be surprisingly cool at night. Most of the time light clothes such as shorts, T-shirts and sandals are suitable, but for hikes in the forest we recommend long sleeved shirts, long trousers, light rain jacket, good supportive footwear such as trainers or hiking boots and items such as small torch or flash light, binoculars, water and personal effects. Additional Amazon items: • Light rain jacket or rain poncho • Swim suit • Binoculars • Lightweight towel • Dry sack for camera • Water bottle

The level of fitness needed will depend on the Brazil tour that you choose to take in terms of places to be visited and the types of activities to be included on your itinerary. Hiking and trekking are not activities that are generally associated with Brazil although most Brazil tours that include the Amazon and/or Pantanal do include guided walks, when conditions may be hot and humid. Altitude is not a problem in Brazil as only a fraction of the country lies above 1,200 metres.

Most South American countries have now recognized that tourism plays an important part in their economies and governments have taken great steps in the last few years to change South America’s poor security image. Security has been an issue in Brazil for many years, but there is a strong police presence in the major tourist areas of Rio de Janeiro, Iguazu Falls and in coastal areas most frequently visited by tourists. To minimise security risks we recommend the following: - do not show any outward signs of wealth or wear expensive jewellery - keep your valuables in your hotel in safety deposit boxes (you may be charged a small fee for the use of in-room safety deposit boxes in some Brazilian hotels) - keep any valuables that you must carry with you hidden, as pickpockets can be present in crowded areas and around tourist areas - use only taxis with official identification - avoid going on your own to remote areas where tourists would not be expected to go - always keep your day pack and camera close to you and never leave them unattended There has been a huge effort in recent years to clean up many of the favela areas (shanty towns) and as a result of social programs, gang activity in these areas has been drastically reduced. Some of the favelas are now open to tourists and becoming popular inclusions on a Brazil tour. Drugs are an issue in parts of Brazil. Acute poverty, access to drugs and a party reputation all lead to Rio de Janeiro being a hotspot for drug activity. Activity is at its highest around party events such as Carnival and New Year’s Eve. In the Amazon region, mosquito-borne illnesses can be prevalent. In areas such as Manaus, most tourist areas are considered “safe” but we do advise that you take precautions such as using mosquito repellent and wearing long sleeves and trousers. In the Rio Negro section of the Amazon River, the black waters of the river are highly acidic and mosquitos are rare.

A pre-arranged visa is not required to enter Brazil for citizens of the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, European Union and South Africa. However, for citizens of Australia, the United States and Canada a pre-arranged visa is required and can be applied for within 90 days of entering the country. The first arrival in Brazil must take place within 90 days from the date the visa was issued. Please contact your local Brazilian embassy for details on how to apply for a visa and allow a minimum of 6 weeks for the visa to be processed by the Brazilian consulate. For other nationalities please visit the website of the relevant consulate.

You could spend anything from a few days to several weeks or even months on your Brazil travels, depending on whether you plan to explore the entire country or just focus on one experience such as the Pantanal or an Amazon adventure or maybe join in the Carnival festivities in Rio de Janeiro or Salvador. Chimu Adventures offers itineraries to suit every time frame.

Our Brazil tours include breakfast daily and many other meals may also be included in your itinerary. As a rough guide for additional spending money based on having moderately-priced lunches and dinners and buying a few souvenirs at local markets, we suggest a budget of 35-45 USD per day per person.

The unit of currency in Brazil is the Brazilian Real (BRL). Please check websites such as www.oanda.com or www.xe.com for up to date exchange rates prior to your departure.

For some states of Brazil (generally in or around the Amazon Rainforest), it is compulsory for all travellers to have been vaccinated against Yellow Fever. It is also compulsory for all travellers to have had a vaccination against Yellow Fever if entering Brazil through the following South American countries: - Bolivia - Colombia - Ecuador - French Guiana - Guyana - Peru - Suriname - Venezuela We recommend that you visit your doctor or a traveller’s medical centre for current information specific to those places that you will be travelling through. As a general guide we recommend the following: - Yellow Fever - Especially for jungle areas - Hepatitis - Both A and B (twinrix) - Typhoid - Diphtheria - Cholera - Rabies - Tetanus The risk of malaria is present throughout the year in parts of Brazil, in particular in the Amazon. Malaria precautions are essential. Avoid mosquito bites by covering up with long sleeves and long trousers especially after sunset, using insect repellents on exposed skin and, when necessary, sleeping under a mosquito net.