Going to au Brésil: Formalities and administrative steps

Organize your stay au Brésil

Money au Brésil

Currency. The real (R$), plural reais, has been Brazil's currency since 1994. Inflation is now under control, but the currency still fluctuates.

Exchange rate. In April 2025, the exchange rate was R$6.26 to the euro. The currency is convertible. It's easy to change Euros or Canadian dollars in Brazil. On arrival at international airports, avoid the exchange offices before customs, where exchange rates are very unfavorable. Never change money on the street. Banks and some tourist agencies exchange euros at the official rates advertised, but with commissions that vary from one establishment to another.

Credit cards. International credit cards are accepted for payments and ATM withdrawals. Not all banks accept non-Brazilian cards. HSBC banks and 24-hour ATMs, sometimes in stores, generally accept international cards. Before you leave, check with your bank to find out about withdrawal rates and commissions, as well as foreign withdrawal limits. It's a good idea to travel with a small amount of cash, and only withdraw as much as you need.

Budget & Tips au Brésil

Budget. Brazil is no longer a cheap country, despite the current collapse of the real. The budget for a trip to Brazil remains fairly high. You need to allow 70 euros for a small daily budget per person (dormitory and sandwiches...), 120 euros for a medium budget and 150-200 euros for a comfortable budget. In the big cities, accommodation can be a major expense. As everywhere, rates for hotels and other tourist services vary according to season and event. During the summer vacations, from December to February (including the Carnival period) and the July school vacations, and even on weekends, prices are higher. They can be doubled or more. In "conventional" restaurants, the bill can quickly become steep. It's possible to eat by the kilo, and for a more modest sum. Prepared dishes(PF, prato feito) are generally inexpensive.

In the low season, you can travel more cheaply if you travel only by bus (overnight), stay in decent but simple hotels, and try the cheapest restaurants (self-service by the kilo). Don't hesitate to negotiate for all the tourist services on offer, especially in low season, when customers are scarce. It's important to remember, however, that very low market prices can sometimes be at the expense of safety. In addition, you must respect the work of others and negotiate within acceptable limits.

Tip. The Gol and Azul airlines offer attractive pass systems for domestic flights, which can only be purchased in France or in the traveller's home country after the purchase of a round-trip ticket to Brazil.

Tips. In restaurants, a 10% gratuity is added to the amount you pay to waiters. This means you don't have to leave a tip, with the exception of a few restaurants where the 10% is not included. But there's nothing to stop you leaving a tip if you enjoyed the service.

Haggling. You can negotiate the price of goods, especially in street markets. You can try your luck by asking for a discount, preferring to pay in cash (always offer a decent price or refrain from haggling).

Taxes. Prices may sometimes be taxed, but the practice is not uniform and the signs are not always explicit. In some hotels, 5% ISS and/or 10% service tax must be added to the posted price. In bars and restaurants, the 10% service charge is not shown on the menu, but is always included in the bill.

Passport and visas au Brésil

Travelers from Europe must be in possession of a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Brazil. For many years, Europeans have been able to travel to Brazil without a visa for a tourist or business stay of up to 90 days. An extension for a further 90 days can be requested. You must then leave the country. For a work visa, the procedure is complex, and you generally have to go through the company hiring you.

Transit. Passing from one country to another by land, notably between Brazil and Bolivia, Argentina or Paraguay, is generally done without any formalities (if you are European). The necessary formalities (exit stamps, entry into the country) must be carried out by the Policia Federal in Brazil, and by Immigration offices in other countries.

Tip. Before you leave, photocopy all the documents you'll be taking with you. It's a good idea to take one copy of each document with you and leave the other with someone in France. In the event of loss or theft, this will make it much easier to renew your passport with the consular authorities. You can also keep copies on the official website (mon.servicepublic.fr).

Driver's license au Brésil

During a stay under tourist visa, not exceeding 180 days, French and European citizens can use their national driving license or have an international driving license issued. According to information from the French Embassy in Brazil, "a non-Brazilian citizen has the right to drive during his stay in Brazil, for a maximum of 180 days, provided he has a valid foreign or international license ("Habilitação Internacional para Dirigir"), which he will present with its sworn translation into Portuguese and an identity document". This permit is required to rent a car.

Health au Brésil

Traveling in Brazil means taking a few precautions, even if there are no major health risks.

Water. We strongly advise against drinking tap water anywhere in Brazil. Use only sealed bottles of mineral water, or filtered or purified water.

Food hygiene. The most common ailments are intestinal problems (tourista). You need to take an antidiarrheal, an intestinal disinfectant and stay well hydrated (no fruit juices). To avoid these inconveniences, avoid raw vegetables and unpeeled fruit, and avoid ice cubes.

Stings and bites. On site, use mosquito repellent and wear appropriate clothing (pants, long-sleeved sweatshirt, socks). At night, use a mosquito net and anti-mosquito sprays. These precautions also protect against dengue fever, yellow fever and leishmaniasis. Take antiseptic for wounds and bites. For bites, especially from dogs, as rabies is still active in Brazil, consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Sun. In the tropical sun, it's essential to use a high factor sunscreen, cover up with protective clothing and wear good sunglasses. Clouds in the Brazilian sky do not filter UV rays.

Yellow fever. According to the Institut Pasteur, travelers over 9 months of age going to the North and Center-West regions, as well as parts of the Northeast, Southeast and South regions, are advised to get vaccinated against yellow fever. If you're going to Bolivia, you'll also need to show a vaccination certificate on your return to Brazil.

Bilharzia is a water-borne tropical disease. The best way to prevent it is to limit contact with unsalted stagnant water. Once detected, it is easily treated.

Malaria. Malaria is present in the Amazon region of Brazil and the north of the Central West (but not in Manaus or Belém). You should consult your doctor in France before leaving to find out about the appropriate preventive treatment for a stay in a malaria zone. Exposure to the risk of malaria can be limited by avoiding mosquito bites (repellent and covering clothing). Between sunset and sunrise, near stagnant water and shady areas, the risk of being bitten is highest. More detailed information is available at: www.saude.gov.br/malaria.

Mandatory vaccination au Brésil

There are no compulsory vaccinations for French nationals visiting Brazil. Nevertheless, vaccinations and preventive treatments are recommended. It's important to speak to your health care professional several months before departure to plan any vaccinations and prophylactic treatments. According to the Institut Pasteur website (www.pasteur.fr), vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended. Vaccinations against hepatitis B and typhoid are recommended for long stays. Vaccination against yellow fever is recommended if you are traveling to high-risk areas in Brazil.

Security au Brésil

Brazil has the reputation of being a dangerous country for tourists. This is certainly an exaggeration, but it is undeniable that violence is omnipresent in the metropolises and medium-sized towns, a paradox in one of the world's most welcoming nations. Nor is this violence specifically directed against tourists. Brazilians are the main victims.

The risks incurred by tourists are mainly limited to theft. A few precautions and a little common sense are usually enough to avoid trouble. As a general rule, large urban centers, where the world's misery is concentrated along with hordes of tourists, present the greatest risks. Small towns and villages, far from the noise and fury, are less considered "risk zones", but it's equally important to remain vigilant.

Isolated areas should be avoided, especially in the evenings and at weekends in deserted city centers.

For the latest information on local safety, consult the "Conseils aux voyageurs" section of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: www.diplomatie. gouv.fr/voyageurs. Be aware, however, that the site provides an exhaustive list of potential dangers, which sometimes gives a rather alarmist picture of the real situation in the country.

Time difference au Brésil

The time difference between France, Switzerland or Belgium and Brazil can range from 3 to 5 hours, depending on summer or winter schedules and time zones. When you arrive in Rio, you'll need to set your watch back (when it's 3pm or 5pm in Paris, Geneva or Brussels, it's midday in Rio).Brazil spans three time zones: the South, Sudeste, Nordeste and the eastern part of the North and Central West are at GMT-3h, while the rest of the country is at GMT-4h, with the exception of Acre and the extreme west of Amazonas, which are at GMT-5h.

In practical terms: when it's 3pm or 5pm in Paris, Geneva or Brussels, it's midday in Rio; it's 10am in Montreal and 3am in French Polynesia. Almost the whole country lives on Brasilia and Rio de Janiero time, except Boa Vista, Cuiabà, Manaus and Porto Velho; in the west, it's an hour earlier. When it's noon in Rio, it's 11 a.m. in Manaus.

Spoken languages au Brésil

Brazilians speak few foreign languages. Brazilian Portuguese is spoken throughout the country. Apart from in the big cities and with tourism professionals, you won't meet many English- or French-speaking interlocutors. However, Brazilian Portuguese is relatively easy to learn. Its grammar is simpler than that of academic Portuguese, and the Brazilian accent sounds much more familiar to our ears than that of Lusitanians. What's more, Brazilians are very patient and indulgent towards travellers who try to express themselves in their language. A small Franco-Portuguese or Franco-Brazilian dictionary will get you started. Locally, in the big cities, you can easily find Portuguese teachers by looking in the classified ads.

Communication au Brésil

For extended stays, we recommend you buy a rechargeable SIM card from a local cell phone agency, compatible with your smartphone (beware of mini, micro or nano formats). Normally, the operation is quick and all you need to do is present your passport, but it would appear that you now need a CPF (information to be verified). In the event of a long stay, you can have a CPF drawn up). Most of the time, the agent will install the new card directly into your phone. Having Internet access on your phone makes it easier to get around (Uber-type applications come to mind) and find information. It's also common to have to make or receive calls to organize your visits, so it's very useful to have a Brazilian number.

Use your cell phone. If you want to keep your French plan, you'll need to activate the international option (usually free) by calling your operator's customer service before you leave. You can buy a flat-rate pass from your provider, which gives you access to the 4G network and a prepaid volume of data, calls and SMS.

Who pays for what? The rule is the same for all operators. When you use your French phone abroad, you pay for the call, whether you make it or receive it. In the case of an incoming call, your correspondent also pays, but only the price of a local call. All calls made to or from abroad are not included in the package, including calls to voicemail.

Phone booths and prepaid cards. There seem to be fewer and fewer phone booths. They are disappearing from many places, as the widespread availability of cell phones makes them less and less used. For international calls. From Brazil, you can use a phone booth(orelhao/oes, literally "big ears"), which works with local operator cards (Telemar in Rio and Telefonica in São Paulo, for example) that you can buy at newsagents and post offices (cheaper). Remember to buy several cards, as credits will run out quickly!

The most practical way is to buy a card. Embratel card, on sale at most newsagents. This will cost you a minimum of R$10 and allows you to make calls without having to change cards every thirty seconds! From 7pm and at weekends, calls are cheaper. Please note that many newsagents and souvenir stores will try to sell you the more expensive Embratel card (especially in Bahia). It's up to you to show your indignation, protest and ask to pay the normal price!

To make P.C.V. calls in Brazil. From a public phone booth(orelhao), dial 9, followed by the number of the chosen operator (Embratel or Intelig), the area code without the zero and the number of your correspondent. For international calls, dial 00 01 07.

Electricity and measurements au Brésil

110 or 220 V, voltage in Brazil may vary. If you don't have a bivolt device, check before plugging it in.

The two-hole plugs are compliant with French standards. More recent three-hole plugs are also available...incompatible with European male plugs. You can buy a universal adapter in France before you leave.

Distance and temperature measurements are the same as in France. Brazilians use the metric system and degrees Celsius or centigrade.

Luggage au Brésil

Travelling light An ergonomic backpack is certainly the most practical piece of luggage. Luggage is taken free of charge in the luggage hold of coaches, where the ticket given to the owner of the luggage will be requested on collection. For day trips and short excursions, a small bag is a good idea.

Adapt your bag to your stay. Depending on the itinerary chosen(lazing on the beach or intensive trekking in the mountains) and the season of departure (it may snow in winter in the south or rain in Salvador), the contents of a bag can vary greatly. That said, the weather is usually fine and warm. So we spend most of our time in T-shirts and flip-flops. Here are the essentials: a K-way or rain poncho, a pair of sandals or flip-flops (to be purchased locally!); two pairs of light pants or shorts; a pair of sneakers; a flashlight; a medical kit; a pocket dictionary or French-Brazilian lexicon; a padlock to close your bag, a bike lock for boat trips in the Amazon, a photocopy of your passport; emergency numbers in case your belongings are lost or stolen; earplugs and a small pair of binoculars to get a better look at the animals of the Pantanal; and a nice shirt or blouse and pants for certain places or events.

Take covering and/or warm clothing - a little wool for chilly nights (this can happen almost anywhere, especially in autumn and winter) and for freezing nights spent in air-conditioned buses, a long-sleeved shirt and pants for mosquito-ridden areas (Amazonia and in the Pantanal, in the rainy season); winter clothes for the southern region in winter or even in Ouro Preto.

Daily life au Brésil

Hello? au Brésil

Until the last decade, telephone booths in Brazil, nicknamed " orelhão " (big ears), were part of urban furniture, like the famous British red telephone booths. They took on friendly local colors: the shape of a berimbau calabash in Salvador de Bahia, a tuiuiu (stork emblematic of the Pantanal) in Cuiabá or Campo Grande. Unfortunately, these cabins have often been stored away in telecom museums.

The simplest and cheapest solution is to subscribe to a pass with your French cell phone from your operator, which will allow roaming according to different terms and conditions. Alternatively, you can buy a SIM card in Brazil from a newsagent (R$10) and activate it. To do this, you'll need to generate a CPF... which isn't always easy. You can top up at TIM, for example, again at a newsagent's, on a flat-rate basis for 1 or 2 weeks for R$10 or R$20 respectively, 1 Gig of internet and unlimited Whatsapp.

To call Brazil, dial the international dialing code (+55), the city code and the phone number.

To call from Brazil to France, with a Brazilian phone, dial 00, the operator's number (021 or 023 or other...), 33 then the French number.

Accessibility au Brésil

Brazil is not the best pupil in terms of accessibility of public transport or public places for people with reduced mobility and baby carriages, despite legislation requiring them to do so. Sidewalks are often poorly maintained, with numerous holes. Access ramps to public transport, monuments or public spaces are insufficient in number and/or poorly maintained. It is not impossible to travel in Brazil in a wheelchair or with baby carriages. Many hotels and restaurants, and an increasing number of public places, are now accessible to PRMs and baby carriages. All you need to do beforehand is choose the right accommodation, transport and locations.

Travelling with children. Most hotels are equipped to welcome and entertain children. In resorts, there is always entertainment for the little ones, and often a day-care service. However, beware of some of the more upmarket hotels or those dedicated to relaxation, as children under 10 or even 12 are often not accepted. As for stays in the heart of nature (Amazonia, Pantanal, natural parks, islands or isolated beaches), it's best to find out beforehand whether the locations are suitable and whether children will be able to follow the proposed activities.

Health au Brésil

As Brazil lies entirely in the intertropical zone, it is only logical that all the so-called "tropical" diseases should be found here. Tap water should be avoided in all circumstances, even in large cities. Similarly, avoid raw vegetables in small beach restaurants. The most common ailment is "tourist diarrhea" or "turista", often linked to a change in diet and/or the consumption of untreated or poorly treated water.

Mosquitoes can be a nuisance, so cover up and apply repellent. Bites can be painful and can transmit dengue fever or malaria. Travellers to the Amazon should be aware of the risk of malaria in certain areas, so as to plan anti-malarial treatment. However, this is not the case in Belém or Manaus. There are few or no compulsory vaccinations in Brazil. Yellow fever is a regular epidemic. Vaccinations are available in France.

The recent Covid-19 crisis demonstrated the dilapidation of the Brazilian public health system (SUS). In the event of severe health problems, it may be advisable to go to a private clinic. It's a good idea to find out in advance what your mutual insurance company offers in the way of medical coverage and/or repatriation.

The French embassy provides French nationals with the contact details of a medical advisor (https://br.ambafrance.org/Liste-des-medecins-parlant-francais-a-Brasilia - https://saopaulo.consulfrance.org/-Services-aux-francais).

In Rio, call the consulate on 9-8121-2628 24/24.

In all cases, don't hesitate to call the French consulate, which will help you find solutions.

Emergency numbers au Brésil

There are two numbers to know for medical emergencies: 192 is the emergency number for public ambulances (SAMU) and 193 for the fire department.

The police number is 190. In major tourist towns, there is a tourist police force.

Securty au Brésil

Brazil has the reputation of being a dangerous country for tourists. This is certainly an exaggeration, but there's no denying that violence is omnipresent in metropolises and medium-sized towns - a paradox for one of the world's most welcoming nations. The risks incurred by tourists are mainly limited to theft. A few precautions and a little common sense are usually enough to avoid trouble.

As a general rule, large urban centers, where the world's misery is concentrated along with hordes of tourists, present the greatest risks. Small towns and villages, far from the noise and fury, are less considered "risk zones", but it's equally important to remain vigilant. In all objectivity, if you follow the basic instructions, the risks are hardly greater than in certain areas of major Western capitals.

Sensitive places. Pickpockets and pickpockets frequent public transport (mainly municipal buses, which are often crowded), markets, urban beaches, bus stations, boats in the Amazon and around banks. Violent assaults are rare in these places, but may occur in the evening, in favelas and in certain places frequented by tourists, such as after leaving dodgy nightclubs. Avoid deserted areas at night.

Never show signs of affluence (expensive watches, flashy designer clothes, jewelry, large cameras, the latest smartphones, etc.).

Don't carry large sums of money or papers, and avoid taking them out in public places. Keep a small amount of change in your pocket, easily accessible, for the bus or a drink, and keep the rest of your money hidden. Calculate what you'll need for the day or evening. In big cities, credit cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and some stores. One of the golden rules of travel is to avoid putting all your money and documents in one place.

Watch your drinks in nightclubs. GHB (the date-rape drug) seems to have been used in some nightclubs.

Avoid behaving like a tourist (nose in your travel guide, looking distraught). On the contrary, look confident and adopt, as far as possible, the casual attitude and clothing of Brazilians (soccer or surf T-shirts, for example).

If you're going into town, it's best to leave your passport and credit card at the hotel, and carry only a little money (ideally in an inside pocket rather than a fanny pack) and a photocopy of your passport. If you're going to the beach, keep this "little money" to a minimum and take only the bare essentials. If you're going alone and fear for your belongings while swimming, leave them with trustworthy neighbors or barraca waiters.

To get around at night, or if you need to carry valuables or are encumbered by large bags, it's best to take a cab. Before boarding a bus, it's a good idea to have your change ready on the sidewalk, so you don't have to take out your wallet when you go through the turnstile. To take a cab, stand at the head of a taxi rank or phone the exchange, which will give you the registration number of the vehicle that will pick you up. You can also use smartphone applications such as Uber.

If you have to cross town with your backpack, you may be hit with shaving foam to force you to put it on the ground, where it will be more vulnerable, or with a razor blade. In all cases, you must remain stoic, continue on your way and wait until you're in a safe place to clean your bag or assess the damage. Even if these little tricks are rare, avoid leaving your luggage unattended in public places.

If you are mugged, don't resist. Attackers will often have more decisive arguments than a Swiss Army knife, and they won't hesitate to use them. What's more, if you follow the advice above, the most important thing having remained in the hotel, the rest being spread out in several places: give the contents of one pocket; if they insist, give the contents of another; the third will enable you to take a cab. Don't look at them.

Most hotels regularly visited by tourists seem safe. Follow the instructions for Rio and São Paulo in particular. Sometimes it's better to pay more for a hotel room and enjoy the sleep of the just. If you have any doubts (especially in budget hotels), lock your room door with your own padlock, make sure the window closes properly and, if necessary, padlock your bag to a fixed piece of furniture. As a general rule, even in hotels that seem reasonably decent, avoid leaving valuable objects or documents lying around. Some hotels offer safety deposit boxes.

Long-distance bus journeys pose no security problems. You can leave your luggage in the hold without worrying about it until you arrive. Boats in the Amazon, on the other hand, pose more of a problem, especially if you're traveling in hammock class. The risk of theft is high at the start, in the confusion of boarding, and during the voyage, when crowded conditions encourage pilfering. Never leave valuables or important documents unattended. Secure your bag with a bicycle lock to a pipe on the boat near your hammock, and lock it with a padlock. Beware of pseudo-employees when boarding.

Women travelling alone. As everywhere else, women travelling alone need to be extra vigilant. The increased violence in Brazil doesn't help matters. However, if you follow the basic rules, you can travel safely in Brazil. Public transport is generally safe, and you'll even be surprised at the kindness of passers-by, who in most cases won't hesitate to come to your aid in the event of a problem.

Drugs. The dangers inherent in the consumption of narcotics are well known. In Brazil, vigilance is particularly important. Weed, under the local name of maconha, is omnipresent. For simple consumption, prison sentences range from six months to two years. Drug trafficking carries sentences ranging from three to fifteen years. And foreigners receive no special treatment. Some dealers, in cahoots with the authorities, do not hesitate to sell before reporting. In any case, trying to buy drugs as a foreigner exposes you to certain risks.

LGBTQ au Brésil

Homosexuality is tolerated by law in Brazil. The country has also legalized same-sex marriage. In the major cities (Rio, Sampa, Belo Horizonte, Porto Alegre), many bars, clubs and restaurants are meeting places for the gay community. Beware, however, that in some places, in rural areas, in certain working-class neighborhoods and/or in certain circles (extreme right and ultraconservative religious), you may encounter homophobic reactions.

Embassies and consulates au Brésil

France has an embassy in Brasilia and 3 consulates general in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Recife. Consular services are rich and varied. You can have lost papers reissued, get health or legal advice...

Embassy of France in Brasilia: SES Av. das Nações, lote 04, quadra 801 - +55 61 3222 3999 - +55 61 3222 3820 - https://br.ambafrance.org

French Consulates: São Paulo (Avenida Paulista, 1842 - Torre Norte, 14th floor +55 11 3371 5400 - https://saopaulo.consulfrance.org), Rio (Avenida Presidente Antônio Carlos, 58 - +55 21 3974 6699 - https://riodejaneiro.consulfrance.org), Recife (Edifício BV Corporate - 10th floor R. Prof. Aloísio Pessoa de Araújo, 75 Boa Viagem - +55 81 3117 3290 - https://recife.consulfrance.org).

Mail au Brésil

Up to 20 grams, it will cost you R$2.25 to send a letter to France at the standard rate. It takes quite a long time, at least 2 to 3 weeks. We usually arrive before the postcard. Registered mail will cost you R$ 130 to send an important letter.

Local media au Brésil

The media are numerous, diverse and omnipresent in Brazil.

In the print media, the Diario do Pernambuco has existed since 1825. Today, as in many countries around the world, the traditional "paper" press is in decline, but there are some powerful print media. The daily Folha de São Paulo has a daily circulation of almost 1.5 million copies. The Globo (Rio de Janeiro) has a circulation of 600,000. L'Estado de São Paulo has a circulation of 500,000.

Radio stations are extremely numerous in Brazil. 2/3 of Brazilians listen to the radio. Radio stations cover a wide range of topics, including politics, economics, sports and religion, and the vast majority are privately owned. Public radio stations are few in number, and are grouped together within EBC, created in 2007 and the Brazilian equivalent of Radio France, including Radio Cultura.

The television sector is highly developed and largely private. There are 10 major private television networks, the most popular of which are Globo, SBT, Rede Record, Bandeirantes and RedeTv, and an infinite number of smaller networks. TV Brasil and TV cultura are among the few public channels with a small audience.

Internet sites dealing with culture and current affairs are numerous, but rarely translated into French. Among these are www.sesc.com.br on culture, www.cnfcp.com.br on folklore, pib.socioambiental.org on indigenous peoples, and a history site www.sbthh.org.br. In French, the expat.org site is very useful. The site "Braises" (https://braises.hypotheses.org/) by French geographer Hervé Théry is very rich. Finally, we recommend the French-language site Tiradentes-Geographie (tiradentes-geographie.com), which covers Brazilian news, society and geography.