Travel to Brazil

Brazil: travel info

How do you get to Brazil?

Of course, the best way to get to Brazil is by plane. The major international airports are served by numerous countries directly or non-stop. But many cruise ships also call at Rio de Janeiro, for example.

Travel in the country

Flights

Brazil has four major airlines: Varig, TAM, VASP and Trans Brasil flying to nearly every Brazilian airport. For the smaller airports there are sometimes scheduled flights from the Varig subsidiaries Nordeste and Rio Sul. For smaller and more unusual routes, especially in the Amazon region, there are also air taxis, i.e. privately operated smaller aircraft.

A number of “low-cost airlines” have also established themselves in recent years. These fly under the same conditions as Ryanair and Easyjet, but can usually not yet be booked online. The best known low-cost airlines are BRAM and GOL, which fly to most of the major cities in Brazil. In the high season it is important for all airlines to book well in advance, as the flights are booked out quickly and become very expensive.

If a longer and more extensive trip to Brazil is planned, it is a good idea to get an Air Pass from one of the larger Brazilian airlines while in Europe. With an Airpass you can choose different stops on a round trip and then arrive back at the place of origin of the overseas flight. This saves a lot of time and money and is highly recommended.

Ferry

connections Ferry connections in Brazil are usually good and mostly essential. Especially in the Amazon region and for certain regions of the Pantanal, travelers are almost completely dependent on ferry traffic. In these regions you can spend days or weeks on the river arteries, which is the only way to cross large parts of these regions. A large number of the Atlantic islands can only be reached by ferry.

Railways

There are hardly any passenger rail connections through Brazil. There are still over 30,000 km of railroad tracks, but these are mainly used for freight traffic. A few steam locomotives are still used as tourist attractions such as the 13 km long route from Sao Joao del Rei to Tiradentes in Minas Gerais. There is an electric rail link between Curitiba and Paranagua in Paraná state. Every morning a tourist train travels through the steep mountain ranges of the Mata Atlantica and provides exciting insights into the flora and fauna of the region.

Bus Bus

tours are the most common way of traveling in Brazil for the majority of Brazilians and many tourists. The very well developed network of bus routes and city connections throughout the country (with the exception of the Amazon basin) makes up for the lack of a railway infrastructure. Direct connections between major cities leave several times a day from the respective bus stations (“Rodoviárias”), and between the cities of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro even every 15 minutes at rush hour. The buses are usually punctual, clean and reliable and offer a very good price ratio.

There are three different classes: convencional (a completely normal coach), executivo (air-conditioned with seats and pillows that can be adjusted very far back), leito (the most comfortable variant: wide, fully adjustable seats, air conditioning, blankets and pillows). The Leito and Executivo classes also have chilled water, coffee and small snacks.

There is a website where you can find out about travel times and connections (see WebLinks), but you cannot make online bookings there. You have to buy tickets either directly at the counter or from selected travel agencies or have them brought to you by a messenger, which is highly recommended during the high season in summer or for long-distance journeys.

Roads

Using cars on the road network in Brazil is often the only way to get to more remote areas. It’s also the most flexible way to get around the country. However, caution should be exercised, especially in the big cities, as Brazilians generally have a very reckless and dangerous driving style. In addition, raids can be expected at red lights in a number of large cities, such as Sao Paulo.

According to an estimate from 2005, there are around 2 million km of roads in Brazil, of which only around 185,000 km are paved.

Rental

Cars Getting around in a rental car is an easy and safe way to keep your travel arrangements flexible. The conditions are the same as in Europe, but you should pay particular attention to contract clauses that deal with accident insurance and theft.

International license plate

According to Abbreviationfinder, the international license plate of Brazil is:

BR

Brazil: entry and exit regulations

Formalities, visas

For stays of up to 90 days, tourists with an Austrian, Swiss or German passport, which must be valid for at least six months upon arrival, can enter the country without having to obtain a visa.

A child ID is recognized, but it is recommended that you have a photo attached to it. The entry of a child in the mother’s passport is recognized; local problems can arise if the child is entered in the father’s passport.

Entry cards and stamps are issued at the airport. The immigration card should be kept separate from the passport so that legal entry can be proven even if the passport is lost. Before the 90-day period has expired, an application for an extension of the residence permit for a maximum of another 90 days can be requested from a federal police station (Polícia Federal – Departamento da Polícia Marítima, Aérea e de Fronteiras = DPMAF). The permitted total length of stay within 12 months is a maximum of 180 days.

If you are staying for a longer period of time, you must apply for a visa beforehand at the embassy (consulate) responsible for your place of residence, as otherwise difficulties may arise when leaving the country.

Visas and passports

Brazil has a policy of reciprocity: Citizens of a country in which Brazilians require a visa must apply for a Brazilian visa in their country before leaving. Citizens of the USA and France are among them. Citizens of the Federal Republic of Germany, Switzerland and Austria do not need a visa if they enter as tourists, as already mentioned.

National currency

The national currency of Brazil is the real = 100 centavos.

The following banknotes are valid and in circulation in the country:

  • 1
  • 5
  • 10
  • 20th
  • 100 REAL

Import and export of foreign currency

Cashless money transactions in Brazil are the easiest way to deal with foreign currency. You can pay with credit cards almost everywhere (preferably Mastercard and Visa) and most national banks have international ATMs from which you can also withdraw money with an EC card. There are also ATMs of the Banco 24hrs at many petrol stations and bus stations, which also accept international credit types.

Import and export of goods

Customs regulations

A form for the customs declaration is given on the plane. As in most other countries, food of animal origin, plants, fruits and seeds are confiscated. Gifts cannot exceed US $ 100 in value. The following are also duty-free: 25 cigars, 400 cigarettes, 280 g of perfume and 2 liters of alcoholic beverages.

Brazil has very strict rules for importing computers. Upon entry, all devices must be registered that must be presented again upon departure. Electronic devices whose value does not exceed US $ 300 can enter the country on a tourist visa without registration and may be left behind as gifts.

Brazil: Travel Medicine, Vaccinations and Warning Labels

As far as the larger cities are concerned, medical care in Brazil can be compared with that in Europe. In the countryside, however, it is often problematic in terms of technology, equipment and/or hygiene. Worldwide health insurance coverage and reliable travel repatriation insurance are urgently recommended, as the costs for medical treatment and hospital stays are sometimes considerably higher than in Germany. They are often not or only partially covered by German health insurances.

Infectious diseases

In Brazil, the following infectious diseases, which are not or less common in Germany or Central and Northern Europe, are to be expected:

  • Malaria , no risk of malaria, exists on the east coast including the Iguacu Falls. With the exception of the cities in the Amazon basin, there is also no risk of malaria in the cities. About 75% of the infections occur with the very dangerous malaria tropica, the rest with malaria tertiana.
  • AIDS
  • Schistosomiasis , but only sporadic, such as in the Amazon basin
  • Chagas disease , especially in rural areas
  • cholera
  • Dengue fever, dengue fever is now a major health problem in parts of the country. At the beginning of March 2008, around 33,000 people in and around Rio de Janeiro were infected, around 70 of whom died.
  • Intestinal infections, contaminated food or water, including amoeba, lamblia, salmonella, shigella, worm infestation and all kinds of viruses and bacteria
  • Filariasis
  • Typhus especially in the northeast of the country
  • Yellow fever
  • Kala-Azar
  • Leishmaniasis
  • Polio, polio
  • Meningococcal meningitis, the main risk of infection is in the slums
  • Plague, isolated occurrence
  • sunburn
  • tetanus
  • rabies
  • typhus

Vaccination recommendations

When traveling to Brazil, the following vaccinations recommended:

  • Diphtheria, this vaccination should always be carried out at home
  • Hepatitis A and B, this vaccination should always be carried out at home
  • Yellow fever, s. Compulsory vaccination
  • Polio, polio, this vaccination should always be carried out, including at home
  • Meningococcal meningitis
  • Tetanus, this vaccination should always be carried out at home
  • Rabies, only recommended if contact with strange animals is likely
  • Typhoid, only recommended if contact with contaminated water or contaminated food is likely

Compulsory vaccination

For all persons who come from a yellow fever infection area designated by the WHO, there is a compulsory vaccination against yellow fever.

Yellow fever vaccination for children

In most of the countries where yellow fever vaccination is mandatory, this also applies to children over 1 year of age, in some countries even from 6 months. It should be noted that

vaccination against yellow fever had a number of side effects, such as encephalitis. Around two thirds of those affected were children under 6 months. Therefore, under no circumstances should children under this age be vaccinated. But children under one year of age should also not be vaccinated if possible. If in doubt, yellow fever infection areas must then be avoided.

Any vaccination against yellow fever may only be carried out in specially authorized yellow fever vaccination centers!

Malaria prophylaxis

When traveling in the country it is advisable to undergo malaria prophylaxis. If the side effects seem questionable to you, you should at least have a “stand-by product” with you.

General health

prophylaxis By eating and drinking hygienically (only boiled food, nothing warmly warmed up), most diarrhea, some of which is dangerous, can be avoided; Consistent mosquito protection prevents many tropical and other infectious diseases

Drinking water Tap water should never be drunk

in Brazil. Although the water in the cities is sometimes heavily chlorinated, Brazilians also filter their water.

Sun protection

The tropical sun should by no means be underestimated. At the sea there is usually a pleasant breeze, so that on the beach it is often too late to notice how much you have been exposed to the sun. It is best to avoid exposure to the sun completely, which is especially true for children. Sun creams with a high protection factor should always be used.

Current warnings

Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany

Citizen Service

Tel.: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 2000

www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de

Embassies and consulates

Visit Countryaah for a full list of Brazil embassies and consulates in each country around the world.

Representations of Brazil in Germany

The embassy of the ” Federative Republic of Brazil ” in Berlin is located on Wallstrasse on the Spree near the Fischerinsel in Berlin-Mitte and is directly opposite the Märkisches Museum.

The modern embassy building was occupied in July 2000 and officially opened on October 5, 2000 on the occasion of the state visit of Brazilian President Cardoso. The Jannowitzbrücke S and U-Bahn (city rail) station is a few 100 meters away. The U8 underground line, which runs between the Wittenau and Hermannstrasse stations, runs here.

Embassy of Brazil

Wallstrasse 57

10179 Berlin

Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 72 62 80

Consulate General in Frankfurt/Main

Hansaallee 32

60322

Frankfurt am Main

Tel: 0049 – (0) 69 – 92 07 42 0

Consulate General in Munich

Sonnenstrasse 31

80331 Munich

Tel: 0049 – (0) 89 – 2 10 37 60

E-Mail: 101 465.3454@compuserve.com

Web: www.consbras-munique.de

Honorary consulates can be found in Aachen, Bremen, Hamburg, Hanover and Stein.

German representations in Brazil

Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Brasilia

Avenida das Nações, Lote 25, Quadra 807

70415-900 Brasilia DF

Tel: 0055 – (0) 61 – 344 270 00

Email: info@brasilia.diplo.de

Web: http: //www.brasilien.diplo.de

Consulado Geral da República Federal da Alemanha

Rua Presidente Carlos de Campos 417

22231-080 Rio de Janeiro RJ

Tel: 0055 – (0) 21 – 25 54 00 04

Email: info@rio.diplo.de

Web: http: // www. brasilien.diplo.de

Consulado Geral da República Federal da Alemanha

Edf. Empresarial Center III

Rua Antonia Lumack do Monte, 128, 16 ° andar, Boa Viagem

51.020-350 Recife PE

Tel: 0055 – (0) 81- 34 63 53 50

Email: info@recife.diplo.de

Web: http: // www.brasilien.diplo.de

Consulado Geral da República Federal da Alemanha

Rua Prof. Annes Dias 112, 11 ° andar

90020-090 Porto Alegre RS

Tel: 0055 – (0) 51 – 32 24 95 92/55

Email: info@porto-alegre.diplo.de

Web: http://www.brasilien.diplo.de

Consulado Geral da Republica Federal da Alemanha

Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 2092-12 ° andar, Jardim Paulistano

01451-905 Sao Paolo SP

Tel: 0055 – (0) 11 – 30 97 66 44

Email: info@sao-paulo.diplo.de

Web: http://www.brasilien.diplo.de

Another consulate general can be found in Recife, other honorary consulates in Belo Horizonte, Belém, Blumenau, Cuiabá, Curitiba, Fortaleza, Jóinville, Manaus, Ribeirão, Rolândia, Salvador, Santos and in Vitória.

Austrian representations in Brazil

Embassy of the Federal Republic of Austria in Brasilia

SES (Setor de Embaixadas Sul), Av. das Nacoes, Quadra 811 –

Lot 40 70426-900 Brasilia DF

Tel: 0055 – (0) 61 – 344 334 21/331 11/332 31/333 73

Email: brasilia-ob@bmeia.gv.at

Web: www.aussenministerium.at/brasilia

Consulate General in Sao Paulo

Rua Dr. Cardoso de Melo 1340, 7. andar – conj. 71 – Vila Olimpia

04548-004 Sao Paulo SP

Tel: 0055 – (0) 11 – 30 44 99 44

You can find other honorary consulates in Belo Horizonte, Curitiba, Fortaleza, Manaus, Porto Alegre, Recife, Salvador, Treze Tilias and in Vitória.

Representations of Brazil in Austria

Embassy of the Federal Republic of Brazil in Vienna

Pestalozzigasse 4/2

1010 Vienna

Tel: 0043 – (0) 1 – 512 06 31

Email: mail@brasilemb.at

Honorary Consulate of the Federal Republic of Brazil in Linz

Hessenplatz 19

4020 Linz

Tel: 0043 – (0) 732 – 77 65 43 – 24

Email: beinkofer@trading.co.at

Honorary Consulate of the Federal Republic of Brazil in Innsbruck

c/o Volksbank Tirol, Meinhardstrasse 1-3

6020 Innsbruck

Tel: 0043 – (0) 512 – 530 30

Honorary Consulate of the Federal Republic of Brazil in Graz

Glacisstraße 67/1

8010 Graz

Tel: 0043 – (0) 316 – 821 165

Email: office@griss.at

Honorary Consulate of the Federal Republic of Brazil in Hard

Wallstrasse 9

6971 Hard

Tel: 0043 – (0) 5574 – 90 800

Email: vorarlberg@brasil.or.at

Honorary Consulate of the Federal Republic of Brazil in Salzburg

Sterneckstrasse 52

5020 Salzburg

Tel: 0043 – (0) 662 – 65 965 – 300

Email: erich.hackl@geoconsult.at

Swiss representations in Brazil

Embassy of Switzerland in Brasilia

SES, Avenida das Nações

Qd. 811,

Lot 41 70448-900 Brasilia/DF

Tel: 0055 – (0) 61 – 34 43 55 00

0055 – (0) 61 – 34 43 39

22/34/Email: bra.vertretung@eda.admin.ch

Web: www.eda.admin.ch/brasilia

Consulate General in Rio de Janeiro

Rua Cândido Mendes 157

11 ° andar

20241-220 Rio de Janeiro/RJ

Tel: 0055 – (0) 21 – 22 21 18 67

Email: rio.vertretung@eda.admin.ch

Web: www.eda. admin.ch/riodejaneiro

Consulate General in Sao Paulo

Rua Cândido Mendes 157

11 ° andar

20241-220 Rio de Janeiro/RJ

Tel: 0055 – (0) 21 – 22 21 18 67

Email: rio.vertretung@eda.admin.ch

Web: www.eda.admin.ch/riodejaneiro

You can find other honorary consulates in Belo Horizonte, Curitiba, Fortaleza, Joinville, Manaus, Porto Alegre, Recife and Salvador.

Representations of Brazil in Austria

Embassy of the Federal Republic of Brazil in Bern

Monbijoustrasse 68

Case postale 1004,

3000 Bern 23

Tel: 0041 – (0) 31 – 371 85 15

Brazilian Consulate in Zurich

Stampfenbachstrasse 138

8006 Zurich

Tel: 0041 – (0) 44 – 206 90 20/30

Travel to Brazil