Brazil - Country Information

Film Commissions

Permits/visas
Can be arranged by local agent.

General Information

Location: South America
Local Time: Eastern Para & NE Coast: GMT-3; Western Para, Amazonas & NW States: GMT-4; Fernando de Noronha: GMT-2; South & Central:GMT-3
Tabatinga: GMT -5
Amazonas, Rondonia, Roraima & Acre: GMT -4
Espirito Santo, Federal District, Goias, Minas Gerais, Parana, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina & Sao Paulo:
From 18 Oct 09 to 20 Feb 10 GMT -2
From 20 Feb 10 to 17 Oct 10 GMT -3
From 17 Oct 10 to 19 Feb 11 GMT -2
From 19 Feb 11 to 16 Oct 11 GMT -3
From 16 Oct 11 to 25 Feb 12 GMT -2
Fernando de Noronha: GMT -2
Mato Grosso & Mato Grosso do Sul:
From 18 Oct 09 to 20 Feb 10 GMT -3
From 20 Feb 10 to 17 Oct 10 GMT -4
From 17 Oct 10 to 19 Feb 11 GMT -3
From 19 Feb 11 to 16 Oct 11 GMT -4
From 16 Oct 11 to 25 Feb 12 GMT -3
Rest of Brazil: GMT -3
Capital City: Brasilia
Population: 186 million
Area: 8,514,876 square km, 3,287,597 square miles.
Language(s): Portuguese
Dialling Code: 55
Emergency:
Directory Enquiries:
TV Standard: PAL-M
Driving: Driving is on the right. International Driving Permit required
Electricity: 220V AC 60Hz (Brasilia), 110V AC the rest of the country

Business & Currency

Currency: Brazilian Real (BRL 1 = 100 Centavos)
Notes: BRL: 1, 5, 10, 50, 100
Coins: BRL: 1. Centavos: 1, 5, 10, 25, 50

Credit Cards/Travellers Cheques: Most international credit cards and travellers cheques are accepted

Opening Hours
Bank: 1000-1600 Mon-Fri
Office: 0900-1800 Mon-Fri
Shops: 0900-1900 Mon-Fri, 0900-1300 Sat, shopping centres 1000-2200 Mon-Sat, 1500-2200 Sun

Public Holidays
2010
1 Jan New Year's Day, 20 Jan *Founding of Rio de Janeiro, 25 Jan *Founding of So Paulo, 12 Feb -17 Feb Carnival, 2 Apr Good Friday, 21 Apr Tiradentes, 1 May Labour Day, 3 Jun Corpus Christi, 7 Sep Independence Day, 12 Oct Our Lady Aparecida, Patron St of Brazil, 2 Nov All Souls' Day, 15 Nov Republic Day, 24 Dec Christmas Eve, 25 Dec Christmas Day, 31 Dec New Year's Eve.

Note: *Regional observances only

Business/Social Hints: Business is conducted in Portuguese or English. On social occasions, eg invitation to restaurants or clubs, be punctual and dress as for business meetings unless otherwise indicated

Tipping: If there is no service charge, tips are around 10%

Health

Reciprocal health:

Compulsory vaccinations: 1) Proof of polio immunisation is required for children between the ages of 3 months & 6 years.
2) Yellow fever certificate if arriving, within 3 months, from or in transit through the following countries:
Angola, Benin, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Rep, Colombia, Congo Dem Rep, Ecuador, French Guiana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Peru, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Venezuela & Zaire.

Recommended immunisations: Diphtheria, hepatitis A, hepatitis B*, malaria*, TB*, tetanus, typhoid*, rabies*, yellow fever for travellers to western and Amazonian areas (including Iguacu Falls).
* recommended in some circumstances, travellers making 3 or more visits per year, stays of more than 3 months in a rural area, high-risk occupational groups & backpackers staying more than 1 month.

Risks: Malaria exists all year in forested areas below 900m in the Amazon Region. Minimal risk in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. Rabies. Dengue Fever especially after rainy seasons.

Airports

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

Restrictions: Passports issued by Bhutain, Central African Republic or Chinese Taipai are not recognised. A " Laissez-Passer" must be issued by Brazil for holders of these passports

Passports

Required, but NOT by the following:

1) Holders of National Identity Cards issued to nationals of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, & Uruguay

Passport Validity: Passports must be valid 6 months from date of entry

Passport Notes:

Visas

The following DO NOT require a visa:

1) Nationals of Brazil

2) For tourist visits of up to 60 days for nationals of Venezuela

3) For tourist or business visits up to 90 days for:

a) Holders of a British passport

b) Nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Hong Kong (SAR China), Hungary, Iceland, Ireland Rep, Israel, Italy, Korea (South), Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao (SAR China), Malaysia, Malta (Sovereign Military Order of Malta passports), Monaco, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Trinidad, Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uruguay& Vatican City

Notes: All visas issued from any foreign representation of Brazil must be used within 90 days after issuance.

Air Transit

Required by all except those as noted above and:

1) Persons continuing their journey within 24 hours to a third country by the same or first connecting flight without leaving the airport transit area, provided such flight is indicated on their ticket

Exit Permits

Not Required except for political refugees, who shall obtain prior consent from Brazilian government to leave Brazil

Special Notes

All visitors must hold sufficient funds for their stay as well as return or onward tickets for their next destination

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

Clothing

Light clothes with rainwear suitable for region being visited. Warmer clothing for south during winter season. Appropriate clothing & footwear essential for visits to Amazon Basin

Charts for Rio de Janeiro

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Max Temp (C) 29 29 28 27 25 24 24 24 24 25 26 28 Min Temp (C) 23 23 22 21 19 18 17 18 18 19 20 22 Humidity am (%) 82 84 87 87 87 87 86 84 84 83 82 82 Humidity pm (%) 70 71 74 73 70 69 68 66 72 72 72 72 Rainfall (mm) 125 122 130 107 79 53 41 43 66 79 104 137

Temperature (C) Rainfall (mm) Humidity (%)

Representative

UK Tourist Office
Brazilian Tourist Office
32 Green Street
London, W1K 7AT
tel: +44 20 7399 9000
fax:+44 20 7399 9221
e-mail: tourism@brazil.org.uk
website: www.brazil.org.uk

Embassy
Consulate General of Brazil
3 Vere Street
London W1G 0DH
London, SW1Y 4SQ
tel: +44 20 7659 1550
fax:+44 20 7659 1554
e-mail: info@consbraslondres.com
website: www.brazil.org.uk
hours: 930-1230 & 1330-1630 (Mon-Fri)