Big, nearly half of all of South America, with it's "fads", it is called the "California of South America". There is a greater mixing of races than any other country on the continent from inter marriage. Portuguese is the national language (differs from that which is spoken in Portugal). Brazil is also the 5th largest country in the world.

BRASILIA

The capital of Brazil, built in the jungle, a pre-planned city laid out in the shape of an airplane. Commercial districts. People who work there don't hang out for the weekend; they fly home to Rio or Sao Paulo.

RIO DE JANEIRO

"The Marvelous City", is named after the River of January, but really it is on a large bay. Taxis, metro (subway), and buses are easy to get around on.

• Sugar Loaf - Rio's number 1 attraction. On two hills with cable car (gondolas) to top. The peaks offer fantastic views. Best to see morning and evening on a clear day. You can see Copacabana Beach, Flamingo Beach, Christ the Redeemer statue, and downtown area.
• Corcovado - The Chris the Redeemer statue with open arms, 98 feet tall, get there by car or cog train (similar to light rail). Take a helicopter tour. Fabulous views of Sugar Loaf, Rio's lagoon, and beach areas.
• Sao Bento Church - see the monks chant on Sundays.
• The Botanical Gardens, 6000 varieties of tropical plants. Water lilies grow up to six feet in diameter..
• Tijuca Forest - a tropical forest only 20 minutes away from the city center.

The BEACHES!
• Copacabana - the happening beach, boardwalk area, many fine restaurants in hotels.
• Ipanema - slightly less crowded, young singles, college students, Hippy Fair market. Neighborhood feel - more local flavor.
• Leblon - Rio's wealthiest, quieter beaches.


• Carnival - Neighborhoods begun organizing into parade groups in the 1930s; by 1932 acquiring the nickname Samba Schools. Elaborate costumes and floats grew and were added to choreography and theme songs. Judging the parades involved strict guidelines with requires elements. Schools range between 3000-4000 members, 16 schools parade over 2 nights. Sambadrome, built in 1984, seats 85,000 over ½ mile in length. Everything shuts down on Friday afternoon prior to Ash Wednesday for street parades, Carnival Balls held at hotels, non-stop partying Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.

PARATY

Paraty, an UNESCO world heritage site, is a small colonial town. Many people come here to take boats to small islands off the coast to relax and swim. Rio's wealthy have condos along the coast. Lies just south of Rio on the coast.

PETROPOLIS

Emperor Dom Pedro II's summer residence; lush over grown Botanic Garden and Imperial Palace. Generally visited as a day tour from Rio.

MANAUS

The capital of the state of Amazonas. the world's largest floating port (the water rises and falls 40 feet throughout the year). Boats sail up the river some 1,000 miles from the Atlantic. A free port; duty free shopping.

• City market, local market down by the docks, pier, fishing trips.
• Teatro Amazonas, the opera house, built during the rubber boom. Everything was imported from Europe.
• Museu do Indio, a museum to learn about lost and present Indian cultures of the area.
• Meeting of the Waters or Marriage of Water. The Rio Solimoes (mocha coffee) meets Rio Negro (black).
• Jungle lodge packages depart from the pier of the Tropical Manaus Hotel.

BELEM & THE AMAZON

Belem named from Bethlehem, 90 miles south of the mouth of the Amazon. 1st center of European colonization in the Amazon.

• Old town has preserved many of the colonial homes and churches.
• Largest outdoor market.

BELO HORIZONTE

3rd Largest city in Brazil, a busy financial and administrative center. A great base to visit historical cites.

OURO PRETO (Black Gold)

Old gold mining city. The whole city is a national monument. Exquisite baroque churches and homes. 13 churches dot the hillside. Visit the museum of mineralogy while in Ouro Preto, or take a side trip to Mariana, and old mining colonial town 6 miles from Ouro with 18th century churches.

SAO PAULO

13 million people, sprawling businesses, South America's highest standards of living, the best restaurants. Sao Paulo is acknowledged as the largest industrial region in South America. Tea Viaduct is the heartbeat of the bustling Sao Paulo; this street links two squares. Preach da Se is the largest Cathedral on the continent, holding 8,000 people. Take a trip to the snake farm and watch the snake "milking" process.

SALVADOR DE BAHIA

Essence of Brazilian spirit, the country's first capital and still remains the richest source of Brazil's cultural identity. African gods and goddesses merged with Christian saints- Afro Bahians. Sugar made this the wealthiest state during the colonial period.

• Rich heritage, divided into upper and lower cities; lower city has a big handicrafts marketplace.
• Carnival is more oriented toward the locals; street full of jumping bodies chasing after trucks blaring non-stop Carnival music. Not so good for tourists.
• Church of St. Francis in blue and white Portuguese tiles, 18th century baroque style.
• Pillory Hill, brightly painted colonial houses on steeply cobbled streets.
• Itaporoca island- beautiful white sand beaches. Take a day long cruise on the bay.

IGUASSU FALLS

275 water falls, spread out for two miles, shared with Argentina. Visit at least two days and keep in mind that the Brazil side has a viewing tower and trails with fantastic views.

EAT & DRINK

Brazilian cuisine is a wonderful blend of Native American, Portuguese, and African traditions. Local specialties include a variety of fish stews, beef stews, and feijoada (black beans, beef, and sausages). Don't miss delicious beef, chicken, or pork spit-roasted at one of the country's popular B-B-Q joints called churrascarias.

Doces ( desserts), have tart tropical fruits, such as mangoes, papayas, and coconuts. Indulge in quindim, a custardy coconut cake. Wake up to robust Brazilian coffee. On the beach, quench your thirst with Brazilian beer or a caipirinha, Brazil's national drink.

WEATHER

Weather in Brazil is generally visitor-friendly year round. There is little variation in the seasons, but the average annual temperature decreases steadily from north to south. Seasons are reversed, so when it is winter in the U.S., it is summer in Brazil. Rio's summer, from November to May, is hot and humid (104 degrees) and subject to frequent showers. Winter lasts from May to October and is more temperate, with warm weather, clear skies, and an average temperature of 75 degrees.

PACK SMART

Bring beach wear and lightweight, natural clothing, such as cottons and linens, for warm weather visits. Bring waterproof clothes for sudden rainy-season downpours from November through March. Bring warmer clothing when visiting during Brazil's winter: June and July. For the Amazon region, bring long sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, a sun hat, sunglasses, and sun block. Casual dress is the norm for all but the most upscale restaurants.

GETTING AROUND

Luxury trains with restaurant and sleeping cars link São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The extensive Ônibus bus network connects most small villages and towns with major cities. Buses are modern, comfortable, and punctual. Car rental is available in all major urban centers, but parking in cities is difficult. It's best to avoid driving in Brazil's congested urban areas, if at all possible. If you must drive, check road conditions before venturing out independently. Taxis are also available in Rio and São Paulo. Arrange transfers, air and land, as part of your pre-planned itinerary.

MONEY

The unit of currency used in Brazil is the real (R$) (plural: reais). 1 real = 100 centavos. Notes come in denominations of R$100, 50, 20, 10, 5, and 1. Coins come in denominations of R$1, and 50, 25, 10, 5, and 1 centavos. Credit cards are accepted throughout Brazil, but ask before you pay if there is a discount for using cash. Travelers cheques are also accepted. U.S. currency and travelers cheques can be exchanged at banks, hotels, and casas de cambios (exchange booths).

TIPPING

Some restaurants include a 10% service charge with the bill; if so, it's customary to leave the waiter an additional 5% tip. If there is no service charge, leave 15%. In deluxe hotels, tip porters 50 cents per bag and chambermaids 50 cents per day. Tip $1 for room and valet service. Taxi drivers are generally tipped 10% of the fare.

WHEN IT'S OPEN

Stores are generally open from 9:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m. during the week, and until 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. Museum openings vary, check locally for hours. Churches are normally open throughout the day. Banks are open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

SPECIALTY GOODS

Brazil abounds with shopping delights, especially Rio and Sáo Paulo: fine art, gold and gemstones, bikinis and sandals, musical instruments, antiques, and regional crafts, such as baskets, hats, and jewelry made from exotic bird feathers. The Feira Hippie (Hippie Fair) in Rio, held each Sunday in Ipanema, is a favorite of visitors. In Minas, look for famous arraiol tapestries, topazes, and pewter.

RELIGION

About 70% of the population practices Roman Catholicism.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Electricity in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo is 110 volts/60 cycles. Some hotels have 220-volt plugs. Purchase a converter before your trip for hairdryers and other appliances.

The unit of currency used in Brazil is the real (R$) Plural: reais. 1 real = 100 centavos.

Portuguese is the official language. English is understood in tourist areas.

The telephone country code for Brazil is 55.

Brazil is 1 hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time.

A passport and a visa are required to enter Brazil. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months after period of intended stay. The visa must be used within 90 days of issuance. Visitors must hold sufficient funds, return or onward tickets, and documents required for your next destination.

Yellow fever immunization is mandatory for visitors whose travel includes stops in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Peru, and/or Venezuela. Exceptions are made only for infants 9 months or younger and pregnant women. Contact your health care professional or a travel clinic for the latest additional medical information for travel to Brazil, since international regulations and recommended vaccines change without notice.

Drink bottled water and make sure the fresh fruit you eat is peeled first.

Insurance is highly recommended for medical emergencies, cancellations, and loss of property.

The U.S. Consulate office is located at Avenida Presidente Wilson, 147, 20030-020 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Phone: 55-21-292-7117.