Anyone who has finally realized their dream and bought a plane ticket to Brazil has done exactly the right thing, but here you can get acquainted with a little valuable reading before boarding the flight to the land of dance and beauty.
Language
In Brazil, Portuguese is spoken, though with a more singing accent than in Portugal. After all, many people speak English and Spanish, especially in the larger cities. In rural areas, however, you are right to bring a translation app or a dictionary.
Currency
According to Thesciencetutor, the currency in Brazil is called Real. 1 SEK = 0.4 BRL.
Time difference
Brazil is behind Europe in time – more precisely 3 hours.
Electricity
In Brazil, 110/127 V is most common in the big cities. 220 V is used in the rest of the country.
Climate
Brazil has a warm, tropical climate with rainy season between March and November. Natural disasters such as earthquakes and monsoons occur and in the sea there can be strong underwater currents, especially in windy weather. Floods are common.
Crime
Crime in Brazil is high but this does not mean that you should not travel there. You should avoid the most dangerous areas and not wear expensive jewelry or wear a lot of cash if you are on the beach and walk away for a while. If you drive at night, you should lock all the doors and close the windows, as car robberies are common.
If, contrary to expectations, you were to visit a favela, you must be careful as even sudden violence against guides occurs. Robbery at ATMs is also common, so do not take out a lot of money in the evening if the environment seems suspicious. Bank card frauds often occur, so do not pay by card in smaller shops in the favelas or in the countryside.
If you are a woman, you should also pay close attention to your drinks. Rape, however, is quite uncommon on tourists, but keep an eye on the glasses anyway.
You should never resist if you are assaulted and robbed. Many of the thieves are under the influence of drugs and carry weapons and the best thing to do is give them bank cards and money directly.
Diseases and vaccinations
If you are going to travel to Brazil, you should make sure you have good travel insurance. In the big cities like Rio, there is both poor but also incredibly good medical care for the very richest. The world’s best plastic surgeons live in Brazil. However, you may not have intended to visit Brazil to change your body, but as I said; healthcare and both be at the bottom and at the top. You should avoid the official healthcare system if you can afford to buy good insurance. In Brazil it is not great but on the other hand there are many private establishments and dentists that are top class.
Drink the water in bottles and avoid the tap water. Rinse fruits and vegetables thoroughly. Public toilets are usually very clean and the standard of restaurants is good.
Diseases that can occur in Brazil are:
- Dengue fever
- Zikavirus
- Yellow fever
- Malaria and chikungunya are found in the Amazon.
Feel free to get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B and for polio. Avoid mosquitoes during the rainy season. If you travel to Brazil from another South American country, you may need additional vaccinations, depending on the country.
Pharmacies are everywhere in the cities that deliver directly to the hotel if you want, and should you become acutely ill, you can call 192 for ambulance transport. Contact the insurance company used for the trip directly (when you feel a little better) if this should happen.
Traffic rules
To drive a car in Brazil as a Swede, a Swedish driving license and a three-year international driving license are required. Only a Swedish driving license can cause problems. If you drive under the influence of alcohol, you risk a fine and in some cases 3 years in prison. The roads are worse and the traffic is hectic. Renting a car is cheap and usually includes everything. Preferably choose a reputable international company, however. Avoid night traffic and city centers and pay attention to all wildlife in the countryside.
