Climate
Brazil’s climatic typology is very diverse, 92% of the territory is located between the Equator and the Tropic of Capricorn. Cities such as São Paulo, Brasília and Belo Horizonte have mild climates averaging 19°C (66°F). Rio de Janeiro, Recife, Natal and Salvador, on the coast, have warmer climates, around 26°C (80°F), rising into the high 30s-low 40s (over 100°F) during the summer months.

In the southern Brazilian cities of Porto Alegre and Curitiba, the subtropical climate is similar to parts of the US and Europe, with frost occurring in the winter months (July-August), at which time temperatures may drop. Summers are hot, however.
Seasons in Brazil are the reverse of those in Europe and the US.

Language
The language spoken in Brazil is Portuguese. Except for the languages spoken by Indian tribes living in remote reservations, Portuguese is the only language used in everyday life. English is commonly spoken especially in tourist areas and Spanish is also understood because of its similarity to Portuguese.

Currency
The currency in Brazil is called Real. Foreign exchange can be handled at Exchange houses, banks, some travel agencies and authorized hotels. Major International credit cards (Such as Visa and MasterCard), are widely accepted in most stores and in all hotels. Traveler’s checks, as well as currencies, are easily exchanged at these locations.

Vaccinations
An international certificate of vaccination against polio is compulsory for children between the ages of three months and six years of age.

An international certificate of vaccination against yellow fever is compulsory for travelers who, within the three months prior to their arrival in Brazil, have visited or been in transit through any of the following countries: Bolivia, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, the Democratic Republic of Congo, French Guyana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Angola, Benin Burkina Faso, Cameroon and Zaire. Additionally, vaccination against yellow fever is recommended for all travelers when visiting the following Brazilian states: Acre, Amazonas, Amapá, Distrito Federal, Goiás, Maranhão, Mato Grosso do Sul, Pará, Rondônia, Roraima and Tocantins. Please note that yellow fever vaccinations take approximately 10 days to become effective.

Food & Drink
Brazilian cuisine is wild and flavor-filled. Each region of Brazil has its own very diverse cuisine. In the Amazon region a favorite dish is “pato no tucupi” which consists of pieces of duck in a rich sauce. In the Northeast, specialties include “Mosques”, a seafood stew flavored with dendê oil and coconut milk, and “Caruru”, okra and other vegetables mixed with shrimp, onions and peppers.

In the state of Rio Grande do Sul, “churrasco” is the main dish, a local barbecue roasted outdoors over hot coals.

The national drink is cachaça, which is the base of the caipirinha, mixed with lime and sugar making it the most popular drink in Brazil. It is worth trying the Brazilian soft drink, Guaraná.

If there is one dish that typifies Brazilian cooking it is probably feijoada. It is a bean dish prepared with sun-dried beef, smoked sausages, pork, garlic, and chilly peppers. Garnishes include slices of orange, rice, farofa (roasted cassava flour) and other side dishes.

Brazil is the world’s largest coffee producer.

Dress Code
Brazilians, even in the major cities, dress casually outside the office. None of the country's top restaurants insist on suit and tie. Some nightclubs may not allow the use of bermudas for men. Remember to pack a jacket when coming to Brazil as some of the buildings and restaurants can be a little over enthusiastic with the air conditioning. When packing, keep in mind that cities like Rio and São Paulo are big, fashionable, and cosmopolitan and not small tourist resorts. If you are coming to the Amazon, specific clothing is required such as jogging pants and tennis shoes. Do not forget to bring mosquito repellent. Many beach destinations and the Amazon have mosquitoes. Sunglasses, swimming suits and sun block are required for beach destinations. Light clothes, bermudas, shorts and T-shirts too. If you are coming in the winter, bring a light sweater as the temperature may get chilly, especially in the south of Brazil. If you forget to bring an item of clothing with you, you will certainly be able to find what you forgot in any of the big shopping centers.

Electrical Current
In Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, the current is 127 volts (60 cycles) but many of the larger hotels also offer 220 volts. For most electric appliances, Brazil uses plugs with two prongs. If you are bringing electronic appliances, be sure to find the correct adapter. Transformers to boost the current from 110 volts to 220 volts are available in most good electrical supply stores.

Health & Insurance
Brazil has a network of private hospitals in the major metropolitan centers. Private medical care is expensive, so all visitors are required to take out medical insurance prior to their arrival.

Tips
At restaurants the tip is usually 10% included in the bill. Tips for hotel employees and tour guides are not mandatory but appreciated.

Time difference
There are 3 time zones in Brazil. Most areas are - 3 hours behind GMT, such as Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, São Paulo, Belo Horizonte (MG), Fortaleza, Porto Alegre and Curitiba, and now, with the recent changes, Mato Grosso and Amazonas.