Tips

  • The official currency of Brazil is the Rais ($R). In some cases it can be difficult to acquire small bills, since you would be more interested in keeping them to make some shopping and save the big ones for restaurants or hotels.
  • Rio de Janeiro is GMT -3. The summer schedule ends by summer, in February and begins in October.
  • The best type of information regarding this subject is in the International Vaccination Center, they can wisely advise accordingly to the zone you wish to visit. However, the vaccine for yellow fever is recommended to any place of the 18 states, amongst them, the Amazon, Bahía Distrito Federal, Mina Gerais, Sao Paulo, Maranhao, Para, etc. The great cities such as Sao Paulo, Río de Janeiro, Salvador de Bahia and the littoral are out of risk. Due to a recent outburst of Dengue fever in the states of Bahia, and Rio de Janeiro you must be extra careful with mosquito bites by using repellents, long sleeve shirts, pants and mosquito nets since it is the only way of avoiding this disease. If the trip is in the Amazons, a anti malaria treatment before beginning the journey is advised.
  • In Brazil people drive on the right, and if you choose to make a road trip through endless highways, it will be necessary to take your driver´s license along with the international driver’s permit, that can be acquired in the transit department for 5 to 6 Rais. We recommend to not driving after sun down, not only through the states but on the highways, due to the transit of buses and lack of illumination.
  • The commercial hours for most establishments, is usually from 9 to 18 hrs. From Monday to Saturday, except for the big shopping malls that extend their business hours until 10 pm. Sundays are closed. Offices and banks have a schedule from Monday through Friday from 10 am to 4:00 pm.

 

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Tops

  • Very near Copacabana, an hour passing Recreio, we find Grumarí beach. It is not saturated with tourists, reason why the swell is disposed to the practice of surf. Since this is a not housing zone, we can observe all the green this side of the littoral has to offer in all its magnitude.
  • A forced visit upon arrival to Rio de Janeiro is Christ the Redeemer, which is already a symbol of Brazil and synonym of a postal picture. Christ the redeemer seems to hug the city, as if protecting it. We strongly suggest taking the zipper train, since it crosses the Tijuca jungle, which is majestic. To observe the greatness of this Carioca locality is simple and the adventure begins the moment we set ourselves to go to the top. Although this tradition is quite beautiful, the Christ remains closed on March 1st, in its summit mass, for all the city is celebrated, it is the date for the commemoration of Rio de Janeiro.
  • To arrive to São Paulo is to visit the old train station adapted for entertainment, expositions and art or sculpture showings both national and international. The Sala São Paulo is home of the cosmopolitan main stream, better to get there in taxi though, it is complicated to find a parking spot.
  • The Avenida Paulista in São Paulo is what the 5th avenue would be to New York, You cannot miss it!
  • Located two hours from Bahia Do Salvador we find Bahia de Todos los Santos, a small island that hides magnificent culture and unusual stories. The most famous beach is Ponta de Nossa Senhora, its crystal clear waters and white sands made us not want to return to the continent.
  • Ouro Preto is the place to visit in Minas Gerais, located at the south of Brazil, it is a beautiful little town. It possesses waterfalls, trials and a great native wood, which has the care of the Brazilian Protection System of National Parks.

 

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Text: AMURA ± Photo: worldpress / wallpaper hdphoto