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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
No Visa required for South Africans
VISA INFORMATION
WEATHER
- Northern Brazil:
- Climate: Equatorial.
- Characteristics: High temperatures year-round, averaging around 25°C (77°F). Minimal variation in rainfall, with frequent heavy showers and high humidity.
- Best Time to Visit: Dry season from July to December for more stable weather conditions and less rainfall.
- Central Brazil:
- Climate: Savanna.
- Characteristics: Pronounced wet and dry seasons. The rainy season lasts from October to April, bringing high humidity and frequent thunderstorms. Dry season from May to September features lower humidity and clearer skies.
- Best Time to Visit: Dry season (May to September) for lower humidity and less rain.
- Northeast Brazil:
- Climate: Semiarid.
- Characteristics: Hot temperatures with less than 800 mm (31.5 inches) of rain annually. The weather is generally dry, with occasional rainfall during the rainy season from February to May.
- Best Time to Visit: February to May for the rainy season or July to December for drier weather.
- Southern Brazil:
- Climate: Subtropical.
- Characteristics: More varied temperatures with cooler winters. Summer temperatures can exceed 30°C (86°F), while winter temperatures can drop below 18°C (64.4°F). Rainfall is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year.
- Best Time to Visit: Spring and autumn (March to May and September to November) for mild temperatures and less rain.
- Best Time to Visit Brazil Overall: Brazil is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit varies by region. Northern and Central Brazil are best visited during the dry season, while the Southern region is ideal in the spring and autumn months.
GENERAL INFORMATION
| Country: | Brazil |
| Capital City: | Brasilia |
| International Airports: | – Guarulhos – Governador André Franco Montoro International Airport – Rio Galeão – Tom Jobim International Airport – Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek International Airport – Deputado Luiz Eduardo Magalhães International Airport – Tancredo Neves International Airport – Val de Cans/Júlio Cezar Ribeiro International Airport – Hercílio Luz International Airport – Governador Aluízio Alves International Airport – Eduardo Gomes International Airport – Guararapes – Gilberto Freyre International Airport – Pinto Martins International Airport – Presidente Castro Pinto International Airport – Viracopos International Airport |
| Area: | 8,515,767 km² |
| Population: | 217,637,297 (2024 est.) |
| Time Zone: | UTC-2 to -5 (BRT) |
| Religion: | Catholicism (51%) Protestantism (30%) Other Christian denominations (2%) Spiritism (3%) Afro-Brazilian religions (2%) No religion (11%) Other (1%) |
| Language: | Brazilian Portuguese |
| Currency: | Brazilian Real (BRL) |
| Exchange Rate: | Consult your local bank as rates fluctuate. |
| Credit Card Payment Availability: | Widely accepted everywhere. |
| ATM Accessibility: | Easily accessible across the country. |
| Dialling Code: | Country Code: +55 Rio de Janeiro: +21 |
TRAVEL TIPS
| Electricity: | Power Plugs and Sockets: Type N. Standard Voltage: 127 / 220 V Frequency: 60 Hz |
| Water: | Drink only bottled or distilled water. |
| Business Hours: | Shopping malls: Monday – Saturday: 10:00 – 22:00; Sunday: 15:00 – 21:00 Street Shops: Monday – Friday: 10:00 – 22:00; Saturday: 10:00 – 18:00 |
| Banking Hours: | Monday – Friday: 10:00 – 16:00 |
| Photography Restrictions: | No significant restrictions. |
| Tipping: | General: Not compulsory, but a 10% tip is expected and appreciated. Service Charge: Often included in restaurant bills; can be requested for removal if desired. |
| Vaccination Requirements: | Yellow Fever: Required for tourists from South Africa. Consult your medical practitioner or travel clinic for details. |
| Dress Code Restrictions: | No dress code restrictions. |
| Peculiar Customs to Observe: | – Punctuality: In Brazil, especially in the Northeast, it is common for people to arrive an hour or two late. Tardiness varies by region. – Greetings: Brazilian greetings involve physical contact. Women often kiss on the cheek (usually the left) and hug, while men may give high-fives, fist bumps, or similar gestures. The aim is to establish contact and friendliness. |
FESTIVALS
- Brazilian Grape Festival of Caxias do Sul: February / March
- Carnival: Throughout Brazil, 46 days before Easter
- June Parties (Festa Junina): June
- Saint John’s Festival of Campina Grande: June
- Parintins Folklore Festival: Amazon States, late June
- Divine Holy Spirit Party: June
- São Paulo LGBT Pride Parade: June
- Bumba Meu Boi do Maranhão: July
- Paraty’s International Book Fair: July
- Cultural and Gastronomic Festival of Tridents: August – September
- Day of Our Lady of Aparecida: October
- Oktoberfest: October
- Círio de Nazaré: Belém, October
- Natal Luz (Illuminated Christmas): October – December
- Brazilian Grand Prix: November
- New Year’s Eve in Copacabana: December 31
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“They have a joy for life in Brazil unlike any country I’ve ever seen.”
– Morena Baccarin