Be Bold in Brazil
Home to many magnificent, postcard-perfect beaches, lively festivals and incredible landscapes, Brazil has a multifaceted appeal that is quickly charming more and more visitors every year. Brazil also boasts an abundance of natural attractions and UNESCO World Heritage sites. Whatever your budget, there are numerous big adventures to embark on or beautiful beaches to sink into while sipping on a caipirinha (Brazil’s national cocktail).
Things to Do
Rio de Janeiro
Often referred to as simply Rio, this seaside city is famous for its Carnival celebrations, music, beaches and the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue that sits atop Mount Corcovado. It was the capital city until 1960, when it was replaced by Brasília.
Things to do in Rio de Janeiro:
- Visit the Museum of Tomorrow — a science museum that was built in 2015, ahead of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.
- Take the cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain to take in the views from the top.
- Soak up some sun on Copacabana Beach.
Known as the financial centre of Brazil, São Paulo is a vibrant city located in the southeastern region of the country. In addition to receiving many corporate travellers, São Paulo is also a destination for fashion — hosting its own fashion week.
Things to do in São Paulo:
- Immerse yourself in the arts at The São Paulo Museum of Art.
- Become the ultimate World Cup fan at the Soccer Museum.
- Enjoy culture and recreation at the many facilities located in Ibirapuera Park.
Located in northeast Brazil, Salvador is the capital of the state of Bahia. It’s one of the oldest colonial cities in all of the Americas, as it was founded by the Portuguese in 1549. It is also considered a centre of Afro-Brazilian culture.
Things to do in Salvador:
- Ride the Elevador Lacerda (Lacerda Elevator) — built in 1873, it allows you to go from the lower city to the upper city in 30 seconds!
- Climb the Farol da Barra lighthouse on the Bay of Saints, and check out the nearby Nautical Museum.
- Learn about the city’s colonial past by taking a walking tour of Pelourinho.
Foz do Iguaçu
This border city is unique in that the famous Iguaçu Falls separates it from Puerto Iguazú, Argentina. The two cities also share a border with Ciudad del Este, Paraguay — making the tri-national region a popular tourist stop.
Things to do in Foz do Iguaçu:
- Check out the main attraction — Iguaçu Falls.
- Cross the International Bridge of Friendship into Paraguay, or the Fraternity Bridge into Argentina.
- See flamingos and many other birds in the Parque das Aves — a bird park near Parque Nacional do Iguaçu.
Brasília is the capital of Brazil and is home to the three branches of the federal government. It gets its own share of tourists, with many visiting to see the unique architecture in the city.
Things to do in Brasília:
- View the modern Brazilian-style architecture of the National Congress
- See the highest waterfall in Brazil at Parque Municipal do Itiquira.
- Explore the National Park of Brasília and swim in the mineral pools.
Brazil Travel Guide
Brazil’s landscape is varied, and as such the climate across the country varies as well, depending on the altitude and proximity to the coast. There are five distinct climatic zones.
The equatorial zone: This includes the Amazon. There is year-round precipitation and humidity, no winter season, and no period that is particularly dry. Daily temperatures generally do not exceed 33 C, though they may drop significantly at night.
The tropical zone: This includes the greater part of the central area of the country and the coast of the middle-north. Temperatures here are pretty consistent all year round, with the only distinguishing characteristic of the different seasons being the amount of rainfall they bring. Average temperatures remain above 18 C.
The semi-arid zone: This includes the hinterlands of northeastern Brazil and the medium valley of the São Francisco River. Rainfall is scarce in this region, and during the dry season temperatures can reach over 38 C. There is very little vegetation.
The highland tropical zone: This zone is found along the coast of Brazil and is characterized by cool summers and warm winters, though the average annual temperature doesn’t vary by much. Rainfall is fairly uniform throughout the year, and the temperature rarely dips below 18 C.
The subtropical zone: This zone refers to the areas that are just outside the formal tropical zones. Generally, the area is not quite as hot and humid as the tropical areas, while winters are mild to cool but not cold enough for snow or frost. Rainfall will depend on the elevation above sea level.
Entry Visa Requirements for Canadians
A passport that will be valid for at least six months beyond the date you expect to leave the country is required. Canadian citizens using a Canadian passport also require a visa to enter Brazil.
Travellers to Brazil should consider getting a yellow fever vaccination. These vaccines are limited in Canada, so call your health care provider to set up an appointment well in advance — at least six weeks before travel.
- Brasília Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek Airport — Brasília
- Foz do Iguaçu Cataratas International Airport — Foz do Iguaçu
- Manaus Eduardo Gomes International Airport — Manaus
- Rio de Janeiro Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport — Rio de Janeiro
- São Paulo Guarulhos International Airport — São Paulo
Generally speaking, you need to be 25 years or older to rent a car in Brazil, though in some places 21 is acceptable. A car rental costs around R$100 a day, and prices do not tend to vary from agency to agency. It’s best to stick to a major rental company, and although minimum insurance coverage is normally tacked on, it’s best to add on extra protection.
Taxi rides are reasonably priced and are the best option for getting around cities at night or in a rush. Use taxis from taxi stands only. Some airports and bus stations will have fixed-price taxi tickets, but those can be more expensive. In small towns taxis often don’t have meters, so you’ll have to arrange a price beforehand.
All major cities are linked by frequent coach buses with generally excellent service. They usually adhere to strict departure times, and most of the buses are clean, comfortable and well-serviced Mercedes, Volvos and Scanias. Bus travel throughout Brazil can be expensive, with fares averaging between R$6 and R$9 per hour. As an example, travelling from Rio to Sāo Paulo, a roughly six-hour ride, costs approximately R$57.
The local bus service tends to be pretty good. Municipal buses are usually frequent and have a comprehensive network of routes. It is also an affordable way to get around, as fares range from R$1.50 to R$2.10. Crime can be a problem on buses, so it’s important to not carry valuables when travelling by city bus.
While You’re There
Portuguese is the official language of Brazil. Although the use of English and French is increasing, these languages are not commonly understood in many areas, so it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with some Portuguese before travelling.
Brazil’s official currency is the Brazilian real (BRL). Credit cards are widely accepted in Brazil, but Canadian debit cards don’t always work. Traveller’s cheques are not widely accepted.
In general, Brazil uses 127 V and 60 Hz, with some cities using 220 V/60 Hz.
Festivals and Events