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You will soon be visiting the largest country in South America with the greatest variety of vistas to be seen, traditions to be experienced, and fun to be had imaginable. To make your departure smooth, we offer the following information.

Climate
Mostly temperate with sea breezes often found along the Coast. Temperatures from 65 to 85 degrees in most of the country all year around.

Clothing
Spring and summer sportswear is appropriate for almost every region and occasion. In addition, comfortable shoes for climbing steps of Corcovado, a cotton "safari" outfit for the Amazon or Pantanal dining-out dress or suit for the big city night. Include broad brimmed hat and dark glasses for hot, sunny days. Whatever you forget is fun to buy in Brazil.

Documents
A Visa Is Required for U.S. citizens visiting Brazil and must accompany a valid passport. If you plan to visit the Brazilian side of the Iguassu Falls, from the Argentinean side, you need a Brazilian Visa.
The Brazilian consulates phone numbers and e-mail addresses are:
Boston 617.542.4000 egbos@consulatebrazil.org ,Chicago 312.464.0244 bras-cg@ix.netcom.com ,
Houston 713.961.3063 consbras@brazilhouton.org ,Los Angeles 323.651.2664consbrasla@earthlink.net ,
Miami 305.285.6200 consbras@brazilmiami.org , New York 917.777.7777 consulado@brazilny.org ,
San Francisco 415.981.8170 brazil@crl.com
Some consulates have a visa application form in their website:
Boston http://www.consulatebrazil.org/touristvisa.htm,
Houston http://www.brazilhouston.org/ingles/vitur.htm,
Miami http://www.brazilmiami.org/consulado/English/visas/TOURIST%20VISA.htm,
New York http://brazilny.org/index_English.html

Valuables
We suggest to travelers everywhere that they make a copy of the front and visa pages of their passport and leave it, along with any valuables and the bulk of their money in the hotel safe. We remind you that it is wise to be prudent in Rio just as in any big city.
Take your pictures, do your shopping and return camera and money to your safety box before going to the beach.

Luggage
Reminder that shopping is FUN in Brazil and you might find an expandable bag handy for carrying home the souvenirs as well as for ease on overnight excursions.

Currency
For convenience sake, carry traveler's checks in small denominations. Rates in exchange shops to be found in the major shopping malls are better than at the hotel. We also find American $1 and $5 bills handy for arrival and departure costs.

Inoculation
None are required for Brazil though your own physician may suggest one if you are going far into the Amazon. If you enjoy gastronomical treats but may suffer from the new spices, bring a familiar medication with you. Yellow fever vaccination is needed to travel between Brazil and Peru or vice versa.

Tips And Taxes
As in most countries, taxes are unavoidable and tips are given on the basis of the quality of service rendered. The amounts suggested for tips in this section are a guideline for appropriate tips for average to good service. Note: It is helpful to carry a small quantity of US $1 bills for tips and easy change.

Hotels
A percentage service charge will be added to all room service bills. Bellboys and maids are generally tipped for their services on the average of $ 1.00 per bag porterage and $ 1.00 per room per night of accommodation as a room tip for the maid.

Restaurants
As a general rule there is a percentage sales tax and a percentage gratuity added to all restaurant bills. It is customary to leave an additional tip so that the total percentage of gratuity comes to 15 - 20% for good to excellent service.

Tour guides and drivers
On group tours, the average tip for a tour guide traveling with the group is $7.00 to $12.00 per day of travel. When the guide is not traveling with you the suggested tip is $3.00 to $5.00 per person for full day tours and $1.00 to $2.00 per person for half-day tours. The driver's tip is usually half of what is given to the guide. For private car tours, guides generally receive $5.00 to $7.00 per full day and $3.00 per half day.

Airport departure taxes
On international departures there is an exit tax of $25.00. Airport departure tax for domestic flight is about $3.00 to $6.00

Taxis
All taxis should have been licensed by the city. The reading on the meters corresponds to a chart that indicates the taxi fare in local currency. This chart is updated as the currency and inflation fluctuates. Taxis at many hotels and at the airport have higher, set rates than those you may hail on the streets, they are better and much more reliable. Taxi cab drivers do not expect a tip.

Imported Items
Items not made in Brazil are much more expensive than elsewhere and often not available for purchase. Some of these commonly needed items include film and camera equipment, insect repellent, sunscreen, contact lens solutions and binoculars. A word to the wise, if you use these items, brings them from home.

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