Country Info: Brazil

brazil

LOCAL TIME

Colombia has one timezone COT (Colombia time) UTC

POPULATION

The estimated population of Brazil is 211,715,973.

LANGUAGE

Portuguese (official and most widely spoken language).

RELIGION:

Roman Catholic 64.6%, other Catholic 0.4%, Protestant 22.2% (includes Adventist 6.5%, Assembly of God 2.0%, Christian Congregation of Brazil 1.2%, Universal Kingdom of God 1.0%, other Protestant 11.5%), other Christian 0.7%, Spiritist 2.2%, other 1.4%, none 8%, unspecified 0.4% (2010 est.)

CURRENCY

The only currency legally accepted in Brazil is the real (R$).

WHERE TO CHANGE YOUR CURRENCY
Reals can only be exchanged in institutions authorized by the Central Bank of Brazil (BCB). Go to www.bcb.gov.br/?INSTCRED and check the complete list of institutions.

CAN YOU USE INTERNATIONAL CARDS TO WITHDRAW MONEY FROM ATMS?

You can withdraw money using credit cards, debit cards or pre-paid cards issued by the main international financial service companies.

CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS
Yes. You can pay your bills with a credit card, debit card or pre-paid card issued by the main international financial service companies in most Brazilian establishments.

CAPITAL

Brasília

GOVERNMENT

Federal presidential republic

PHONE

The National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) is the Brazilian Government agency in charge of administering phone operations in the country and on their website you can learn more about codes, carriers and other information.

The international code for Brazil is + 55.
All cities have two-digit codes and landlines have eight digits in the whole country.
Cell phones have eight or nine digits, depending on the location.
For long distance calls in the country: 0 + operator code + city code + destination phone number.
For collect calls, simply change the 0 to 90 at the start of the call.
For international calls from Brazil: 00 + operator code + country code + city code + destination phone number.
To call service numbers (900, 0800, 0900, 0300, 800), you don’t need to dial the operator code.
Check contacts for the main operators in Brazil.

WATER

Tap water in Brazilian cities such as Rio and São Paulo is generally safe to drink, but it tastes awful. In remote areas, tap water may be suspect. Many hotels and guesthouses filter their water – be sure to inquire about the status where you’re staying. Vigorous boiling for one minute is the most effective means of water purification, though you can also use a water filter, ultraviolet light (such as a steripen) or iodine pills.

ELECTRICITY

The electricity voltage in Brazil varies between 110V and 220V depending on the location. Many hotels offer wall sockets in both voltages, and it is easy to find portable voltage transformers in construction shops.

SAFETY

Most tourists have a good experience when arriving in Brazil, but, especially in the big cities, you must be careful not to become targeted by thugs. See below our tips about safety during your trip:

Upon arriving at the airport, look for registered cabs.
Whenever you need to open your wallet in public, avoid exposing big cash notes.
Do not place your wallet or your phone in the back pockets of your pants, especially in places that are very busy and full.
Do not carry large amounts of cash in your wallet, purse or bag. Take only small amounts in the country’s currency for daily expenditures.
If you have to take a lot of money, keep it in bags used inside your clothing, closed with zippers or velcro strap and tied with an elastic around your waist.
Avoid leaving with important documents and, if you have more than one credit card, take only one. In case your credit card gets stolen, you will have another card for future spending.
Leave your passport where you are staying and take only a certified copy of it.
Use the safe where you are staying, if the place has one, to keep your money, original passport, credit cards and other important items.
Most thefts occur in places where there are large concentrations of people, like markets, subway stations, bus stations and full buses. Luggage theft is also common in airport lounges. Keep an eye out.
Avoid walking through empty places or neighborhoods indicated as dangerous by the local residents. This advice is especially important in large cities and to people who are travelling alone.
Be wary of people who offer a ride in a non-registered cab, at the airport or in any other location.
If you go to the beach, don’t leave your belongings in the sand while you go into the water.
If you rent a car, don’t leave any luggage or bags visible inside. If this is unavoidable, try to park the vehicle in a safe place, where there is policing.

WEATHER

Brazil has climates that suit all tastes, thanks to its great territorial extension, combined with factors such as altitude, pressure and ocean proximity. The average annual temperature is 28° C in the North and 20° C in the South of the country.

The Brazilian winter happens between June and September and in some cities of the South and Southeast, temperatures reach less than 0° C, with frost and snow. In the summer, you can enjoy a 40° C heat in cities such as Rio de Janeiro. Summer in Brazil is the best time to go to the beach, drink coconut water, plunge into the sea and sunbathe.

Regardless of the season, it’s always a good idea to pack a coat and pants, because the weather can change suddenly in some locations, especially in mountain and coastal regions.
Seasons in Brazil:

Summer: from the 21st of December to the 21st of March.
Autumn: from the 21st of March to the 21st of June.
Winter: from the 21st of June to the 23rd of September.
Spring: from the 23rd of September to the 21st of December.

For more information - www.visitbrasil.com/