General Facts - Rio and Brazil

Map Of Brazil

Facts about Brazil

Official Name:	Federative Republic of Brazil
Capital City:	Brasilia
Total Area:	About 8.5 Million square km.
Estimated Population:	188 Million
Life Expectancy at Birth:	68 years (male), 76 years (female)
Languages:	Portuguese (official), Spanish, English
Literacy:	86% age over 14 can read and write
Natural Resources:	Bauxite, gold, iron, manganese, nickel, phosphates, platinum, tin, uranium, petroleum, timber
Primary Religion:	Roman Catholic (74%)
Population growth rate	1.04%
Estimated people living with AIDS:	700,000
Ethnic groups	white 53.7%, mulatto (mixed white and black) 38.5%, black 6.2%, Other 1.6%
Administrative divisions	26 states, and 1 federal district
Currency: 1 Real (R$) = 100 centavos. Notes of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 Reals See exchange info. below, See images of all current Banknotes used in Brazil in Central Bank Of Brazil Website, Current coins: Here

Electricity: 110 volts or 220 volts, 60Hz. - varies from city to city. Some locations/hotels provide both 110 and 220 volts; two round-pin plugs  and/or American type.

Normally there is no Ground connection

Rio De Janeiro City

Location: State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Estimated Population: 6 Million (city); 4 Million  (metropolitan area)

Average temperature: January : 30°C (86°F). July: 25°C (77°F).

Annual rainfall: 1080mm (42 inches). See additional weather information

Water – It is suggested to drink mineral water, soft drinks… Drink a lot.

Electric Current – In Rio - Normally 110 volts, 60 cycles. Hotels may have also 220 Volts.

Tipping – Normally 10% over your bill. Most restaurants already include the tip in the bill.

Prices in General – The prices are changing according to the season. From mid December to mid March it is the High season, where hotel, tours, and even food and drinks rates are more expensive. In December the Taxis operate the taximeter on tariff 2 all the time (see transportation).

Recommended clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens with waterproofing for the rainy season. Warm clothing is advised for winter (June-October) evening.

The sunlight is extremely bright and sunglasses are recommended.

Dress Code – In spite of being liberal and informal city (ties are not used as much as in Sao Paulo), several tourist locations do not allow entrance with swimming suit. Some of them restrict even Bermudas (short trousers): Forte de Copacabana, Churches, Monument to the Soldiers Killed in World War II and Covento de Santo Antonio.

The tourist places are mainly in the South zone and the Center of Rio.
See also all Maps of Rio

 

Money Exchange in Rio de Janeiro and other cities:

Brazil has three exchange rates:
Commercial - used for official transactions, such as credit card withdrawal.
Tourist - used for money exchange at the bank.
Parallel - black market rate, usually higher than the other rates.

The airport, hotels and banks exchange rates are lower than the rate at most exchange offices. The difference may reach 10%.

Exchange rates in the north of Brazil are normally lower than Rio, Sao Paulo and Foz do Iguassu.

January 2009: Current exchange rate is about: 1US$ = 2.3R$
Untill September 2008 the Real was much stronger: 1US$ = 1.7R$
See today's exchange rates.

We recommend to bring Cash US$ ($100 notes) and use a credit card for payments. Change the money in the city, at money exchange offices.
Do not hesitate to bargain for a better rate.
Avoid changing money on Friday afternoon to Monday morning and during Holidays as the rate is better when the banks are open.

Remember that you are exposed to higher risks when you carry Cash.

If you withdraw money with a Credit Card, you will be charged a fixed amount as a service charge in Brazil, plus your Card issuer commission. It may be wise to take every time the highest amount allowed (R$ 600-1,000).

There are ATM machines at many branches of Banco do Brasil, HSBC, Bradesco and 24 hours cash machines at the airport. You can cash between R$ 600 - 1000 per day, before 22:00 hours.

Making Business in Brazil: Read about the way to establish a business in Brazil

 

Keywords and signs:

Cariocas: People that live or born in Rio de Janeiro

Gringo: Tourist / Foreigner /Stranger

Tudo Bem:  All OK, I feel good, understand you... If you are asked: Tudo Bem? respond: Tudo Bom

Use this sign as much as possible. meaning: Tudo Bem, OK, Thank you,  etc. If someone makes this sign to you, return the same to him.

 

 

I

 Never use such a sign in Brazil, as it is an insult.

 

 

Information in this page is partially based on the CIA World Fact Book

Read safety advises prior to arrival.

 

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