Curiosities about Brazil

As you can see, Brazil has 26 states, 27 counting the capital, which is known as Distrito Federal or Brasília. The biggest state is Amazonas, where the Rain Forest is located. The most populated is São Paulo; only the capital has more than 19 million inhabitants. To go from São Paulo to the Rain Forest, for example, you have to go by airplane, unless you don't care about staying 2 days in a car, traveling in freeways not in a very good condition.

Brazilian distances are huge, if you have to travel more than one thousand kilometers, the best you can do is go by airplane. If the trip is short, you can go by bus or car.

Brazilian inter-city's bus stations are busy all year around, but if you don't know anything about the region, it's the safer way to travel. The highways are considered dangerous and sometimes confusing, although constructions are always being held, some parts are new and with great signalization, but if you're not sure, it's cheaper and safer go by bus. Brazil doesn't have trains for passengers, only for cargos, so don't count on it. To rent a car, you're going to pay an average price of $25 per day.

Money

The currency of Brazilian Real to Dollar is: 1.00 USD = 1.60300 BRL.
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Language

In Brazil, they speak Portuguese! If you know Spanish it can help, as Spanish and Portuguese are very similar languages. Brazilian people understand quite a lot of Spanish. With the modernization of the country, and the number of foreign tourists rising, more people are learning English as a second language, although there're still those who can only speak Portuguese, especially in poor regions.

Hotels and expensive bars almost always have bilingual staff. You don't have to worry about a 5 stars hotel in Rio de Janeiro doesn't have anyone speaking your language.

General speaking - Brazilian Portuguese:
Hi=Oi
Good bye=Tchau
Yes=Sim
No=Não
Thank you=Obrigado
Welcome=De nada
How are you?=Como está?
I'm fine, and you?=Estou bem, e você?
Good Morning=Bom dia
Good Afternoon=Boa tarde
Good evening/night=Boa noite
My name is John=Meu nome é João
What's your name?=Qual o seu nome?
Nice to meet you=Prazer em conhecê-lo
How much is it?=Quanto é?
Having Fun

Brazil most famous music is SAMBA. They dance separately or in couples and you're going to find people dancing all over the place: clubs, bars, restaurants, beaches... The most important event/party that happens every year is called Carnaval. It happens in February or March, for a whole week. It vary on the days, each year is a different starting date. Parties are everywhere. They can happen in clubs, on the beach, or even in the street.

The most famous Street Carnaval in Brazil is in Salvador, when an average of 1,5 million people participate, including tourists. If you go to your local tourist agency and ask about Carnaval in Brazil, you're going to be surprised with the variety of choices for holidays available at this time of the year, to all kind of budgets. The regular drinks (and the cheapest) are Caipirinha, Vodka with soft drinks and lots of beers. You're going to walk and dance a lot, so bring water, sun cream and a heat (because the sun is extremely hot) and comfortable shoes.

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