Enlarge

Destination:

Brazil


Basics

topWhen to Go

Brazil’s seasons are the reverse of North America. Brazil’s summer (Dec-Feb) is the most popular time for tourists escaping the winter cold – Feb-March is also the season of Carnaval. Many Brazilians take their holidays at this time, too, making accommodations hard to come by. Mar-Apr and Oct-Nov offer generally pleasant weather and fewer crowds.

The approximate size of Western Europe, Brazil has several distinct climate zones. Some areas of the south can get frost and even snow in winter, while the Northeast doesn’t really have winter at all. Overall, the climate is relatively mild and temperate, though summers can be uncomfortably hot in the Amazon rainforest and the Northeast interior. The coastal climate is particularly good, with warm, tropical weather more or less year round. From Rio south, the rainy season lasts from Oct-Jan (but visitors should be prepared for some rain at any time of year); in the Northeast, the rains come Apr/May-Jul. The Amazon is rainy for much of the year, but some areas do have distinct dry seasons – Jul-Oct is the dry season in the area around Manaus. The Pantanal is best visited during the dry season (Jun-Sep) or shoulder seasons (Apr-May and Oct-Nov); during the wet season, transport is possible only by boat.

topWeather & Temperature

Rio de Janeiro
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Average High Temperature °F 85 86 85 82 80 77 78 78 77 79 81 84
°C 29 30 29 28 27 25 26 26 25 26 27 29
Average Low Temperature °F 74 74 74 71 69 66 65 66 67 68 71 72
°C 23 23 23 22 21 19 18 19 19 20 22 22
Average Precipitation in 4.5 4.1 4.1 5.4 3.4 3.2 2.2 2.0 3.4 3.5 3.8 6.7
cm 11 10 10 14 8.6 8.1 5.6 5.1 8.6 8.9 9.7 17
Sao Paulo
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Average High Temperature °F 81 82 81 77 73 71 71 73 75 76 78 79
°C 27 28 27 25 23 22 22 23 24 24 26 26
Average Low Temperature °F 65 65 64 61 56 54 53 55 57 59 61 63
°C 18 18 18 16 13 12 12 13 14 15 16 17
Average Precipitation in 9.4 8.6 6.3 3.0 2.9 2.2 1.7 1.5 3.2 4.9 5.7 7.9
cm 24 22 16 7.6 7.3 5.6 4.3 3.8 8.1 12 14 20
Manaus
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Average High Temperature °F 86 86 87 87 87 87 88 90 91 91 89 88
°C 30 30 31 31 31 31 31 32 33 33 32 31
Average Low Temperature °F 73 73 73 73 73 73 72 73 74 74 74 74
°C 23 23 23 23 23 23 22 23 23 23 23 23
Average Precipitation in 9.8 9.1 10.2 8.7 6.7 4.5 3.4 2.3 3.3 5.0 7.2 8.5
cm 25 23 26 22 17 11 8.6 5.8 8.4 13 18 22
Salvador da Bahia
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Average High Temperature °F 85 86 86 83 81 79 79 79 81 82 84 84
°C 29 30 30 28 27 26 26 26 27 28 29 29
Average Low Temperature °F 74 75 75 73 73 71 70 70 71 72 73 73
°C 23 24 24 23 23 22 21 21 22 22 23 23
Average Precipitation in 4.4 4.8 5.7 8.7 9.9 9.9 8.0 5.4 4.4 4.8 4.7 5.2
cm 12 12 14 22 25 25 20 14 11 12 11 13
Pantanal
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Average High Temperature °F 83 86 86 84 80 79 80 84 81 87 86 85
°C 28 30 30 29 27 26 27 29 27 31 30 29
Average Low Temperature °F 67 68 64 65 60 59 57 60 63 66 67 68
°C 19 20 18 18 16 15 14 16 17 19 19 20
Average Precipitation in 9.6 7.4 5.7 4.0 4.0 1.8 1.8 1.6 3.2 5.1 4.3 9.0
cm 24 19 14 10 11 4.6 4.6 4.0 8.1 13 11 23
Iguaçu Falls
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Average High Temperature °F 89 88 87 81 74 71 71 76 77 82 85 88
°C 32 31 30 27 23 21 22 24 25 28 30 31
Average Low Temperature °F 69 69 67 63 56 54 52 54 57 62 64 68
°C 21 20 19 17 14 12 11 12 14 17 18 20
Average Precipitation in 3.2 2.8 3.6 2.8 2.3 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.4 2.5 2.6 2.7
cm 8.2 7.2 9.1 7.1 5.7 3.4 3.6 3.9 3.5 6.3 6.6 6.9

topTime Difference

Brazil is divided into three time zones. Rio, São Paulo, Iguaçu Falls and Angra dos Reis are three hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (-3GMT) and 2 hours ahead of Eastern Standard time. Manaus and the Pantanal are -4GMT, the Fernando de Noronha Islands are -2GMT. Most of the Brazilian southeast, including the major cities, follows Daylight Saving Time. Other areas do not follow Daylight Saving Time.

topPassport & Visa Requirements

US, American and Canadian citizens need a valid passport as well as a visa to enter Brazil. EU citizens need only a valid passport and a return or onward ticket.

topPersonal Security & Health

Security

Brazil has a reputation for danger that is for the most part exaggerated, but standard precautions should be taken. In cities, stick to well-lit and well-traveled areas. It is always advisable to avoid displaying valuables or carrying large amounts of money. Use special care when carrying a laptop, as they are especially tempting targets for thieves – if possible, use a bag that doesn’t look like a standard laptop bag.

In the unlikely event that you are involved in an assalto (hold-up), do not struggle or resist – hand over your wallet immediately.

Health

No vaccinations are required for entry to Brazil; however, yellow fever vaccinations are recommended if visiting the Amazon, the Pantanal and Iguaçu Falls. Malaria drugs are suggested for visiting the Pantanal and the Amazon (including Manaus, though mosquitoes are less frequent on the Rio Negro than other areas). Hepatitis A vaccinations are a good idea wherever you go. For the latest information from the CDC, click here.

Bednets, wearing long sleeves and pants, and regularly applying insect repellent can also help avoid malaria and other mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue fever.

In rural areas and forests, snakes and insects can pose dangers. Always watch where you are stepping and putting your hands, and shake out shoes and clothing before putting them on. Avoid handling insects unless you know exactly what they are – even small ants and caterpillars can deliver a painful bite or sting.

Piranhas and stingrays are common in Amazon rivers. Piranhas pose little real danger, despite their fierce reputation, but to be on the safe side, ask the locals or your guide which areas to steer clear of. Stingrays dislike waves, crowds and noise, but are hard to spot in calm, remote waters – wear boots or tennis shoes to help prevent a sting.

topMoney Matters

Local Currency

Brazil’s currency is the real (plural reís), written R$. Notes are issued in denominations of 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 2 reís. Coins are in denominations of 1 real, and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 centavos.

Credit Cards & Travelers Checks

Major credit cards are widely accepted throughout Brazil. Shopping or buying services by credit card lets you cancel payment or get reimbursed if there’s a problem. Visa is the most widely accepted credit card. American Express, Diners Club and MasterCard are also commonly accepted.

Only major banks and upscale hotels will be able to cash travelers checks – we don’t recommend them unless you want a small emergency stash. Be sure to carry a valid ID for traveler’s check purchases or exchange.

Changing Money

ATMs are ubiquitous and by far the easiest way to get Brazilian currency. The best exchange rate will be at ATMs or exchange counters; hotels tend to offer slightly less favorable rates.

Tipping

Restaurant bills usually include a 10% taxa de seriviço which will cover your tip – if the service tax is not included, leave 10% (or up to 15% for excellent service).

General Guide:
Bartenders: 10% is customary for good service (and will usually result in even better service)
Hotel Porters: $1 per bag
Housekeeping: $2/day
Taxis: Not required, but appreciated (in Rio, 10% is standard)
Guides/Drivers: $20-50/day depending on level of service
Barbers/Hairdressers: 10-15%

topPhone

Dialing Codes

The country code for Brazil is 55. To call Argentina from the US, dial 011 + 55 + city code + local number. Within Brazil, the telephone system is privatized; when making long-distance or international calls from Brazil, you must insert the two-digit telephone carrier selection code before the area code or country code. You can find out the local carrier code from phone booth displays or your hotel receptionist.

Some common carrier selection codes:
Embratel  21
Inteleg  23
Brasil Telecom  14

City Codes:
São Paulo  11
Rio de Janeiro  21
Salvador da Bahia 71
Manaus  92

Information & Emergency Numbers

Ambulance  
192
Fire Department  193
Municipal Police
  147

Local and International Calls

Public phones use phone cards, which are available for purchase at newsstands and cafes, in denominations ranging from 5 to 100 reís. International calls can also be made at a posto telefônico – they will give you a numbered key to use at one of the booths, and bill when you return the key.

topElectricity

Electrical current can be either 220V or 110V. Outlets usually take European-style plugs with 2 round prongs. Be sure to bring a converter and an adapter if you are bringing electrical appliances.