A pleasant trip to Brazil

Brazil is a of 8.5 million square kilometers country, with a population of 207 million, 84% of whom live in its major cities.

The country’s name comes from the name of a tree that contains a red dye, the extraction of which used to provide the country’s main economic activity in the first years of Portuguese colonization.

The Brazilian flag

The flag of Brazil symbolizes the wealth of the country. Therefore, green is the color of the forests, and also the color of the House of Braganza, where Pedro I lived, the country’s first emperor. Golden yellow represents the royal house of Habsburg, the first empress in Brazil, the wife of Pedro I and the princess of Austria. Blue stands for the sky, with 27 stars representing 26 federal states and the city of Brasilia, which were added on 15 November 1889.

The caption on the flag reads “Ordem e Progresso”, which translates to “order and progress”, a quote by Auguste Comte, inspired by his positivity motto: “Love as a principle and order as the basis; progress as the goal.”

Brazil airports

There are plenty of airports in Brazil, two of which being the most important access points to Rio:

Galeão International Airport, 20 km from the center, receiving flights from major cities in Brazil and the world. Taxis provide transportation at about US $ 30.

The Santos Dumont Airport, located in Guanabara Bay and near the center of the country, usually used for domestic flights.

Main spoken language

The official language in Brazil is Portuguese. However, the inhabitants of the big cities typically speak English, and most of them also understand Spanish.

To make sure you won’t have any language barriers on your trip, it is recommended (as with any other journey) to have a dictionary with you, or to use a smartphone application that can translate for you.

Currency

The main currency is the Brazilian Real (BRL). You can exchange other currencies for it in banks, which are generally open from Monday to Friday, 10 am to 16 pm. Otherwise, you will find plenty of ATMs at airports and in the middle of large cities.

Many hotels, restaurants and shops accept payment by credit cards. American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are the most frequently used cards here by tourists.

Health considerations when travelling to Brazil

Special vaccination is not required. However, it is recommended to get a vaccine against the yellow fever of the North. If you plan to go and visit the Amazon, you should also consider having anti-malarial medication with you, avoid drinking tap water, eating uncooked foods, or walking barefoot, because of parasites.

Electricity and sockets

Brazil is equipped with 60Hz / 110V and US sockets and cutouts are flat-sided that does not suit the electronic equipment of some countries.

Most international hotels will, however, have 220V sockets, but in order to make sure you won’t have any problems, we suggest that you bring an adaptor.

Climate and the best time to visit

As for Brazil’s climate, you should know that the seasons of the northern hemisphere are reversed. Therefore, July and August are the coolest months, tropical climate in the north with the dry season and rainy season, the climate is milder in the south and on the coast, generally warm weather throughout the year in Brazil.

The average temperature is 28° C in January and 25° C in August in Rio. We think that the best time to go on a trip to Brazil is in the summer. The hottest months are December, January and February.

Transportation in Brazil

Due to the large size of the country, the aircraft is the most recommended means of transport if you are travelling larger distances. There are daily flights linking the capitals of states and major cities.

The bus is another commonly used means of transportation, fast and economical, suitable for short distances. However, if you have the chance to, it’s best to rent a car. This will allow you to discover the less accessible areas, making for an unforgettable journey.

In the main cities of Brazil, there are many national and international car rental services. If you choose this route, however, you should be very careful with the Brazilian traffic. It is not uncommon to see people not stopping at red lights in Brazil.

In Rio’s center, however, instead of taking the car, you should use the taxis that roam the city. You will find plenty of these, and the prices are fairly cheap. If you’re feeling fancy, you can also choose to take a helicopter tour over Rio, or you can rent one to travel to another location in Brazil.

Most important landmarks in Brazil

Travel to Brazil is a real pleasure, and you can enjoy the most important archaeological areas and beautiful sceneries. Most of the attractions are located in the giant Rio. If you get there, do not think of leaving the country without seeing at least one of these masterpieces on Earth: The Statue of Christ the Redeemer, the Teatro Amazonas (Amazon Theatre), Morro da Urca, Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil, Catedral Metropolitana, Pont Pontao do Lago Sul, Sant Santuario Dom Bosco.

We consider that this is a very brief overview of what you should consider before travelling to Brazil. It is a beautiful country, and if you plan your journey correctly, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Brazil becomes one of favorite destinations that you will never forget. Many of our friends (including us!) started to plan their re-visits the moment they returned home.