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BrazilBrazil Travel Planning & Travel Tips
Embassy Contact Information: U.S. citizens living in or visiting Brazil are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy or Consulates in Brazil and obtain updated information on travel and security within Brazil. The U.S. Embassy is located in Brasilia at Avenida das Nacoes, Lote 3, telephone 011-55-61-312-7000, after-hours telephone 011-55-61-312-7400; web site at http//www.embaixada-americana.org.br. Consular Section public hours are 8:00 a.m.-12:00 noon and 1:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday except Brazilian and U.S. holidays. There are consulates in the following cities:
Brazil Climate:March-November is the driest and best time to visit; December-February can be rainy and humid. In southern Brazil, the evenings and winter days can be fairly cool, and sweaters or light coats are needed. The Amazon region is always hot and humid, but the best time to see it is July-August, when it's neither the peak of the rainy season nor the time when the river is lowest.
Calling Internationally: International cell phones usually don't work in Brazil (check with your provider in case any changes have been made). Public phones can be found everywhere and are called orelhões (big ears), as the cover has traditionally been shaped like a giant ear. Recently some cities have been making public phone booths in the shape of toucans, parrots, pineapples, berimbaus, and even jaguars. To use these phones you need a phone card, for sale at all newsstands. Ask for a "cartão telefonico." Now the dialing is where it gets interesting. Telephone numbers are normally listed with a three-digit prefix, followed by the area code, followed by the seven- or eight-digit number (for example, 0XX-21-5555-5555). Since government deregulated the phone business, a number of very competitive companies have sprung up. The two digits that fill in the xx are the number of the appropriate service provider (in Portuguese this is called the prestadora). Any phone can be used to access any service provider. In some cities there may be a choice of two or three that people pick depending on their rates and packages. However, the only code that works in all of Brazil (and as a visitor the only prestadora code you need to remember) is the one for Embratel--21 (which also happens to be the area code of Rio). So, if you were dialing long distance to a number in Rio, you would dial 0-21 (selecting Embratel as your provider), 21 (Rio's area code), and 5555-5555 (the number). Dialing long distance to a number in São Paulo, you'd dial 0-21-11-5555-5555.
To phone internationally, you dial 0 + 21 + the country code + area code + phone number. International collect calls can be requested by dialing 000-111, or automatically by dialing 90 + 21 + country code + area code + phone number. Major long distance company access codes are as follows: AT&T tel. 0800-0102; MCI tel. 000-8012; Sprint tel. 000-8016; and Canada Direct tel. 000-8014. In hotels it is usually much cheaper to use your international calling card than paying the local rates. Make sure you bring the access number to dial your operator when using your calling card.
Electricity: Brazil's electric current varies from 100 to 240 volts, and from 50 to 60Hz; even within one city there can be variations, and power surges are not uncommon. Brazilians protect their equipment with current stabilizers, but these heavy appliances are far from portable. For laptops or battery chargers, bring an adaptor that can handle the full range of voltage so you never have to worry. Most hotels do a good job of labeling their outlets, but when in doubt check before plugging in! The Brazilian plugs usually have three-prongs: two round and one flat. Adapters for converting North American plugs are widely available in Brazil and very reasonably priced: R$2 to R$3 (US$1 to US$1.50).
Travel Insurance for Brazil Trips: You should consider the benefits of travel insurance as part of your Brazil travel planning. Most travelers look for travel tips that discuss the importance of travel insurance and travel insurance through Travel Guard can provide important coverage for your trip.
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*Non-insurance services provided by Travel Guard Assist.
 
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