Climate
90 per cent of Brazil lies within the tropical zone, with temperatures ranging from 18 to 40oC. In the temperate far south it can snow in winter, but in the Amazon temperatures rarely drop below 23oC.
South of the Equator most of the rain falls in the form of tropical showers in the summer between December and April, although Rio can be subjected to days at a time of drizzle in the winter.
The north of the country, principally the Amazon, enjoys a drier season from June to September.
Festivals and holidays
Carnival, which falls in the five days before Ash Wednesday, is celebrated in most Brazilian towns and cities as a mass street-based event. It is dominated by the samba beat, extravagant costumes and non-stop drinking and dancing.
The most famous carnivals are those of Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and Olinda in the north.
Reveillon, or New Year’s Eve, is another excuse for a party with fireworks and rituals, that of Rio being the most spectacular. Elsewhere, there are festivals celebrating wine, beer and even livestock.
Currency
The Real. See www.oanda.com for exchange rates.
Visas
British citizens can find up-to-date travel advice on the Foreign & Commonwealth Office website. Citizens of other countries can find visa information here.
Vaccinations
See www.MASTA.org for up-to-date health advice for travellers.
A valid certificate of vaccination against yellow fever is required for travel to many parts of Brazil. Vaccination must take place at least 10 days prior to the date of entry to Brazil for the certificate to become valid. Proof of vaccination against polio is necessary for children entering Brazil aged between three months and six years. For more details of official vaccination requirements, please refer to the website of the Brazilian Embassy. More details here...