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| Entry Requirements |
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A visa is required for many
foreign visitors to Brazil. We recommend you contact your local
Brazilian consulate for information concerning visa and any other
pertinent requirements for entry to Brazil. Passports valid for at
least six months from intended date of arrival are required for Brazil.
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| Customs Upon Arrival |
| Foreign
tourists traveling to Brazil may bring US$ 500.00 of duty free items
into the country. Besides that, most Brazilian international airports,
including Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Manaus, offer
arriving passengers the added advantage of buying another US$ 500.00
worth of imported articles in the duty free shop located inside the
customs area. |
| Water |
| Because
of the high chemical content used in purifying Rio's system, it is
suggested that foreigners drink bottled (mineral) water. Several brands
(of both, carbonated and non-carbonated) are available. |
| Communications |
| All parts
of the world can be swiftly contacted by telephone, e-mail or fax. A
modern communications system connects the main cities of Brazil, nearly
all of which are equipped with DDS (direct dial system) as well as
international direct dialing. Most 5-star hotels have 2-line phones in
all rooms with data port. |
| Tipping |
| Service
tips range from 10%
to 15% and in restaurants are often included in the bill as
"serviço". The Portuguese word for tip is "gorjeta". |
| Foreign Exchange |
The
Brazilian monetary unit is the Real (R$). The exchange rate available
to visitors is published daily in the newspaper along with the
commercial dollar rate of the day used in official international
business transactions. Cash and traveler checks, especially US Dollars,
can be exchanged at most banks or exchange houses as well as the major
hotels. All major credit cards are accepted in Brazil and some stores
even accept foreign currency.
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| Office, Banking & Shopping Hours |
| Normal
office and working
hours are 9am to 6pm daily, with some half days for street stores on
Saturdays. Shopping centers are open from 10am to 10pm, Monday through
Saturday, and from 3pm to 10pm on Sundays and holidays. Banks are open
from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday. |
| Traffic |
| As
the newly arrived will
quickly learn, traffic is fast and bold and not always as gracious as
one might wish. Caution is required when crossing the streets, as
pedestrians are not always given the right of way. |
| Eletricity |
| The
electric current in Rio
is 110 volts, 60 cycles AC, with the exception of the Inter-Continental
Rio and the Sofitel Rio hotels, where the electric current is 220
volts, 60 cycles AC. Although the plug holes may look different, no
plug adapter is normally required. In other Brazilian cities, voltage
may also vary depending on the hotel. Those which only offer 220 volts
60 cycles AC, have electricity converters available at no charge. |
| Clothing |
| Brazil
is an informal and
casual country. Jackets and ties are not required anywhere, anytime.
Sport clothes are the norm. During our winter – June, July
and August, a light jacket or sweater may be advisable in the evenings,
but only due to the weather. |
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