Statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, now voted as one of the new 7 Wonders of the World.
by Robin Shannon, in public domain
Brazil is the biggest country in South America, and the only one where Portuguese is the dominant language instead of Spanish. This South American giant is also the fifth biggest country in the world, in terms of both land area as well as population. Brazil has a 7,367km coastline with the Atlantic Ocean to the east. It shares a border with French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname and Venezuela to the north, Colombia to the northwest, Peru and Boliva to the west, Paraguay and Argentina to the southwest, and Uruguay to the south. Within this vast country are some of the biggest cities in the world, namely Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, and the biggest river, the Amazon, with the world's biggest river basin. From cities to rainforests, from tribal cultures to urban cultures, Brazil offers a dazzling variety of attractions to suit the interest of every travel enthusiast.
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Fast Facts about Brazil
Official Name: Republic of Brazil
Capital: Brasilia (2,200,000)
Population of Brazil: 186,112,800
Languages: Portuguese, Spanish, English, French
Currency: Real (BRL)
Religions: Roman Catholic (74%), Protestant (15%), others
Size: 8,511,965 sq km (3,286,486 sq miles)
Region: South America
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By the banks of Rio Negro in Manaus, Brazil
by MSouza, in GNU Free Documentation License
When to visit Brazil
It depends on where in Brazil you are heading. If you wish to explore the Amazon, avoid the rainy season, from January to May. Summer, between December and February in the southern hemisphere, is when Brazilians head to the beach and to the streets. That's the most festive time, but also the most expensive, when the price of everything goes up to embrace Brazilians on vacation. Brazilian school holidays are from mid-December until Carnival time, in late February. If you are looking for a happening time, that's when you should go. Otherwise, visit Brazil during the winter, when the sea water temperature goes down, and prices too. Apart from July, when there's another school holiday, the winter months are the cheapest and least crowded time to visit Brazil.
Getting into Brazil
Most of the international flights land at Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. There are also international flights going to Recife, Fortaleza, Natal, Salvador, Belem and Manaus.
Brazil Entry Requirements
Where to stay in Brazil
Click on the name of the towns listed below to view hostels and budget accommodation available for booking there.
Click here for Budget Hostel Listing with Price and Room Availability
Angra dos Reis
Arraial da Ajuda
Arraial do Cabo
Belo Horizonte
Bombinhas
Buzios
Cabo Frio
Campo Grande
Canoa Quebrada
Cristiano Otoni
Cuiaba
Curitiba
Extrema
Florianopolis
Fortaleza
Foz do Iguacu
Ilha do Mel
Ilha Grande
Ilhabela
Ilheus
Imbassai
Itacare
Itacoatiara
Lencois
Manaus
Maragogi
Natal
Nova Friburgo
Olivenca
Paraty
Peruibe
Petropolis
Pipa
Porto Seguro
Rio de Janeiro
Salvador
Sana
Sao Paulo
Saquarema
Serra da Canastra
Trancoso
Ubatuba
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User Feedback on Accommodation
We compile the accommodation listing above with the good faith that it will be useful to you. If you have used any of the accommodation listed above, please write to us with your feedback, whether you enjoyed your stay there or not, and we will share it with others. Your feedback will benefit others when they choose their accommodation. We will not de-list any of the accommodation just because of a negative feedback from anybody, but will let you decide for yourself based on the feedback you read. User feedback is listed in http://www.earthdocumentary.com/hostel_feedback.htm
Getting around in Brazil
By flight
For such a vast country, the most practical form of transport is domestic flight. However, not all flights are direct, and you may have to transit at hubs such as Brasilia and Sao Paulo. The low cost carriers in Brazil are BRA, Gol, and Webjet, all requiring Internet-based booking. For non-Brazilians, however, trying to book a seat on these low cost carriers via the Internet can be frustrating, because you will be asked for documentation (ie your CPF national identity number) which as a foreigner, you do not have. Moreover, the low-cost carrier Gol does not accept payment via Visa or MasterCard, and require American Express.
Flight listing in the airport for domestic flights will usually show the final destination. So you need to check your flight number, and not just look for the city you are flying to (as this might not be listed at all, if the plane is only stopping over there). On the other hand, an international flight with a domestic stopover will list the domestic destination rather than the final, international destination. If you are boarding a flight that originates outside Brazil enroute to a final destination in Brazil, you will be treated as incoming; you will have to go through immigrations and customs, and you have a chance to purchase "duty free" items, even though you never left Brazil. You do not fill in a fresh copy of the immigration form, just show the one you completed when you arrived internationally with your passport and visa.
By car
Renting a car is a good idea to explore Brazilian cities, not for going cross country. Car rental agencies are available right at the airport. Be aware, though, that Brazilians drive at a furious pace, so drive only you're bold enough for the road. Get the "Guia de Estradas" a map guide showing distances as well as road conditions.
Things to see and do in Brazil
You are spoilt for choice in Brazil. Here's a selection. More to be found on individual city listing.
Go to Rio de Janeiro. Take the hill railway to the top of Corcovado (Hunchback) mountain, to enjoy the panoramic view of the city, under the mammoth statue of Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer).
Visit Iguazu Falls and be awed by the Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat)
Visit Fortaleza, a resort town to the north. Take a trip to the beautiful village of Jericocoara.
Go to Manaus, and get a taste of the Amazon rainforest.
Journey to Belem, at the mouth of the Amazon river, to see the activities at this thriving port. Visit the Goeldi Museum with the largest collection of tropical plants in the world, and in the early morning, make a trip to the Ver O Peso (See the Weight) market.
Go to Pantanal, www.pantanal.com, for a taste of the wilderness
Visit Paraty, a port town with heritage buildings including the Santa Rita Church.
Go to Rio Grande do Sul to explore ruins of the 300-year-old Jesuit missions, www.rotamissoes.com.br the most famous being the Unesco World Heritage site of Saõ Miguel das Missões in Santo Angelo.
Explore Salvador da Bahia, with the Unesco World Heritage Site of Pelourinho and its heritage buildings. Visit the Museu Afro-Brasileiro, www.ceao.ufba.br/mafro
Sightseeing Tours of Brazil
The following are local tours that are available for you to book:
FORTALEZA Sightseeing Tours Events & Attractions from Viator
RIO DE JANEIRO Sightseeing Tours Events & Attractions from Viator
SALVADOR Sightseeing Tours Events & Attractions from Viator
Money matters in Brazil
The currency in Brazil is called the Real (BRL; symbol R$). R$1=100 centavos. Banknotes come in denominations of R$1, R$2, R$5, R$10, R$50 and R$100. Coins are available in denominations of 1 centavos, 5 centavos, 10 centavos, 25 centavos, 50 centavos and R$1.Banking hours are from 10:00am to 4:00pm.
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