Brazil Overview

Fast Facts

Main Languages: Portuguese is the official language of Brazil and widely spoken by people of the country. Besides this, many American minority languages are spoken across the country that include Apalai, Arara, Bororo, Canella, Caraja, Caribe, Gurani, Kainganj, Nadeb, Terena, Tucana and Tupiniquim. English is also used in major cities of Brazil.

When to Go: Brazil is a vast country and boasts of six climate zones, namely equatorial, tropical, semiarid, highland tropical, temperate and subtropical. The climate of Brazil is characterized by a variety of weather conditions that vary from one country to another country, and also from region to region. Though Brazil is a round the year destination, but plan a visit to a particular destination according to local weather conditions. Generally the southern Brazil follows four season pattern, namely summer (January to March), autumn (April to June), winter (July to September) and spring (October to December). While most of Brazil follows a two-season pattern, a non-rainy season (the winter) and a rainy season (the summer).

Local Transport: The major cities as well as famous tourist destinations of Brazil are well-connected with an extensive system of public as well as private transport including flights, cars and buses.

Planes: All the big cities of Brazil such as Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro, Belem and Sao Paulo have their own airports that are served by a number of domestic flights. Air travel is most convenient mode of transport to cover the major destinations of Brazil.

Cars: Brazil has a huge road network of over 1.6 million kilometres that covers almost every nook and corner of the country. A car drive along the scenic roads is a good idea to explore the beautiful countryside of Brazil. Along with major airports, there are many car rental companies in various parts of the country that offer cars on hire at reasonable prices.

Buses: Bus services are available in almost every city and small towns of Brazil. In fact, buses are the most convenient and economical mode to travel amidst various regions of Brazil. From luxury buses to local minibuses, you can travel in varied types of buses as per your wish.

Trains: Brazil has a small rail network in few regions that can be utilised for local transport in regions like Curitiba, Parangua, Sao Joao del Rei, Tiradentes, Belo Horizonte, Vitoria, Sao Luis, Macapa, Serra do Navio and Parauapebas.

Boats: Boat travel is very common in the Amazon region as well as on the coastal areas west of Sao Luis.

Bicycle: Bicycle is a popular mode of transport in small cities and towns of Brazil. You can enjoy a pleasant cycle-ride along the little crowded roads outside the city area.

Currency: Brazil Reais (BRL) 1 BRL is approximately 26.50 Indian Rupees (INR)

Voltage: 110 V/220 V

Time Zone: Brazil follows 4 time zones (GMT -2, GMT -3, GMT -4 and GMT 5) with daylight saving time (summer time) observed in the areas located on the Southern, Southeast and Central-Western parts of the country. However, for foreign tourists the time in most parts of Brazil is three hours behind GMT (GMT -3).