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May 16, 2008
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Brazil Packing ListBefore You Go ...Before heading off to Brazil you may want to consider a few of the following ideas. The Language
In Brazil the national language is Portuguese. If you are unfamiliar with this language we highly recommend you purchase a traveler's edition
Portuguese phrase book.
Along with a Portuguese language lesson or phrase book, you may want to consider reading a bit about the
Brazilian lifestyle.
Papers & VISAsWhen visiting Brazil you'll need both a passport from your home country and a visitors visa for Brazil. Applying for a Brazilian visitors visa is fairly easy, you can print off the on-line application form - complete it, then send it by mail (US citizens must present it in person) to the Brazilian Consulate nearest you. It takes about 3-4 weeks for the visa to be processed so make sure you allow for that time. If you are located in a city with a Brazilian Consulate it takes much less time, approximately 1-2 weeks. Traveling to Brazil from the United States, Canada, or Mexico will likely grant you a visa which is valid for 5 years and allows for multiple entries. However, you must enter the country of Brazil within 90 days of receiving the visa and you can only stay for a maximum of 90 days at a time. For further information, including vaccination requirements, contact your respective government department or ministry; requirements are different for every country. Links
http://travel.state.gov/travel/brazil.html (USA) Helpful HintsA helpful hint for you before you go to Brazil is to pack lightly, especially if you're visiting during the summer months of October through March. The temperature during the summer rarely goes below 77 F (25 C) and the clothing found in Brazil is incredibly affordable. So make sure your suitcase isn't too full on the way there, this way you have some space for all the goodies you'll want to bring home. In Brazil there are many feirinhas (street markets) that have an abundance of souvenirs such as soccer jerseys, wooden carvings, paintings, jewelery, clothing, and much more to fill the extra space in your bags! Here's a tip for the ladies, before you go to Brazil you may want to consider getting a Brazilian wax. I know it sounds painful, but once you see those Brazilian bikinis you'll appreciate those few moments of pain will save you a lot of worries. Besides, wouldn't you feel more comfortable with a Brazilian wax in the comfort of your own home instead of a strange hotel room? Before you go to Brazil, a very helpful hint is to make sure your bank card PIN number is only 4 digits. This way you'll be able to use your bank card while traveling around Brazil. I found two banks that I could use my card in order to take out cash. Those banks were Bradesco, and BBV, but there are many more, especially when you are in more populated cities such as Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro, or Sao Paulo. It's also possible to exchange money at the airport of departure, this way you're able to get a better exchange rate than if you were to do it in Brazil. It would be a good idea to call in advance if you are planning on exchanging a large amount of cash because the airports don't hold great amounts of Brazilian currency. Packing List (PDF Format)This section is most important, while not exhaustive, it's a good start for your Brazil packing list.
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These small phrase books give you quick translations for commonly used words and phrases. Better yet, since pronunciation can be difficult, you may want to spend a little time learning the language before your trip. This will allow you to understand and communicate with the Brazilian people better and enrich your traveling experience. There are many Portuguese language books available from on-line bookstores such as
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