Brazil

For many people Brazil conjures up images of football (soccer), Carnaval, and the finest coffee in the world. But the country is much more than beaches and bossa nova, although the sound of samba and Sergio Mendes is an excellent starting point for exploring this vibrant, captivating and infinitely complex land.

Brazil is at the same time stunningly beautiful, delightfully disorganized and shockingly poor, even though the poverty may exist side-by-side with spectacular wealth. As part of the New World, it is open to new ideas, new technologies and newcomers. Youthful and fast moving, it can overwhelm you with its sheer size, or the warmth and spontaneity of its people, while its street children and shantytowns can be quite unsettling.

The fundamental concept to understand is that there is not one but several Brazils, not only because of its varied geography and racial mix, but also in time: sixteenth-century ways coexist with twenty-first century lifestyles. Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo are two of the world's most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities. Rio is famous for its beautiful beaches. Sao Paulo is a major business center, well known for its culture of hard work. Brasilia is the modern capital of the country. Brazil is home to the so-called “lung of the world,” the Amazon rain forest, and its incredible biodiversity.

Perhaps because of Brazil’s size, it also comes with its fair share of regional differences. It is a true melting pot of races and cultures—the Brazilians are a colorful mixture of native indigenous people, black former slaves, white Europeans and Asian and Middle Eastern immigrants. Despite this, there is a strong sense of national identity. The primary language is Portuguese and the currency is the Real. The people are generally warm and friendly.

Brazil is the biggest country in South America and the fifth largest in the world. It builds satellites, exports airplanes, has its own petroleum industry, and takes pride in its modern architecture, furniture, fashion and picturesque colonial towns. It has four different time zones, a rain forest, an Atlantic forest, drylands, wetlands, flatlands, high mountains, skyscrapers, busy urban centers and quite a few deserted beaches hidden away in the 4,655 miles (7,491 km) of coastline.

The climate is predominantly tropical, with greater seasonal variation in the south. Winter runs June-August, with occasional snow in the southern states. In summer (December-February), temperatures rise to 35 C (95 F).

Air travel is the best option for travel within the country; driving is not recommended. Buses are available for travel within and between cities, but have highly variable levels of service. The communications infrastructure is adequate nationwide, and excellent in the cities. International direct dialing and cell phone service are available. Internet service is widely available particularly in the major hotels.

The Brazilian economy is fairly healthy. Banco de Brasil is a popular bank. Agriculture, mining and manufacturing are the major industries. Prices are usually not high, but they can increase considerably in the major tourist areas in the southeast during peak season (December-March). The government is democratic.

Personal and property crime rates in Brazil are very high. Tourists traveling alone are particularly vulnerable to street thefts and robberies in areas adjacent to all the main beaches in Rio. Crime is also high in Sao Paulo; businesspersons are targeted.

Don't use a beach towel and other etiquettes you should know for your Brazil trip.

Learn how to say thanks and other local phrases during your Brazil visit.

See how to ride common forms of transport in Rio de Janeiro.