Useful facts for your holiday to Brazil

Flight and transfers

Flights to Rio de Janeiro International take approximately 12.5 hours, with direct flights operating from London Heathrow. You can fly to direct to Sao Paulo, or to Rio de Janeiro via Sao Paulo, which will also take around 12 hours.

Our resorts are situated within a reasonable travelling distance from the airport, but your transfer times will depend your chosen resort. Usually the transfer times can be anything from five minutes to just under one hour. However, if you pre-book your transfer arrangements with us, you will be met by a Tropical Sky representative who will guide you to your transfer vehicle.

Visa Requirements

UK passport holders do not require a visa to enter Brazil. However, passports must be valid for at least six months and a return ticket and proof of sufficient funds may be requested on arrival. Tourists will be admitted for a stay of up to 90 days which is extendable, at the discretion of the Federal Police, for a further 90 days. Tourists are not allowed to work. British Citizens travelling to Brazil require a full British passport which must be valid for 6 months after departure from this country. All travellers should check full entry requirements prior to travel by visiting the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) website or by contacting the relevant embassy.

Language

The official language in Brazil is Portuguese. English isn’t widely spoken here, with the exception of some tourist areas, so you may want to write down any addresses you need before using taxis or buses.

Transportation

Buses: The bus network in Brazil is great and is suitable for both short and long-distance travel. It’s by far the cheaper option, particularly if you’re travelling to neighbouring cities.

By taxi: Taxis here are very cheap and readily available – there are two rates, with Rate 1 being cheaper and Rate 2 reserved more for airport transfers and Sundays. If you’re travelling by taxi in more rural areas, it’s unlikely that there will be a metre so check the fare in advance.

Car: It’s relatively easy to rent a car in Brazil, with several local and international companies to choose from. The rates are reasonable and car rental offices can be found at all airports here. However, driving standards in Brazil are notoriously erratic so be cautious.

Currency

The currency in Brazil is the Real (R$). US Dollars and Euros are usually accepted by hotels and souvenir shops in the cities, or easily exchanged in banks if need be.

Electricity

Electricity supplies vary between 110V and 220V depending on where you’re travelling to, so check before using. Plugs are two-pinned.

Health/Vaccinations

There are no specific vaccinations currently required to enter Brazil, but Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A are advised. Check with your GP or specialist travel clinic before travelling for any specific information regarding your travel, vaccine or medical history.

Brazil gets very hot, so be sure to wear plenty of high factor sun cream and avoid excessive sun exposure where possible. Tap water varies depending on where you go, but most Brazilians prefer to have it filtered to remove impurities – bottled water is readily available.