Officially named as the Federative Republic of Brazil, Brazil is the largest country in South America and the fifth-largest in the world by both area and population. It is known for its diverse landscapes, rich culture, and vibrant biodiversity, and home to the world's largest tropical rainforest: The Amazon. The country has an extensive coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, and is famous for its music (like samba and bossa nova), cuisine, football, and colourful festivals such as Carnival. Brasília is the nation's capital, located in the central-western region. Replacing Rio de Janeiro as the official capital in 1960, the city was built with the purpose of promoting the development of the interior of Brazil. It stands out as one of the few planned cities in the world to serve as a national capital, and having its layout to resemble the shape of an airplane or bird from above.
Extreme weather events such as droughts, floods and landslides.
Traffic/driving fines are based on the Brazilian Traffic Code (CTB), where offences are split into 4 levels of severity (minor → very serious). There is also a points system for these violations. Each of the 4 levels have different amount of points that a driver would receive (3 – 7), and if a driver gains 20 or more points within 12 months, their licence may become suspended for 1 – 24 months, depending on circumstances.
Common traffic violations include:
Brazil have protected areas where mandatory entrance or conservation fees will be charged for tourists. These include:
Tourists may stay in Brazil for up to 90 days, extendable by Federal Police to a maximum of 180 days per year depending on nationality. Overstaying beyond 90 days can result in fines up to R$7,200+ (~£1,028), deportation or entry bans. On-the-spot fines are not legally mandated, and paying to a officer directly is technically considered illegitimate or illegal.
The official language of Brazil is Portuguese, but Spanish and English are also spoken.
In Brazil, vehicles drive on the right-hand side of the road. The minimum age to drive is 18, but to rent, is 18 – 21 plus a minimum of 2 years of driving experience. Drivers under 25 often have to pay a daily fee. UK drivers generally do not need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in Brazil for visits under 180 days, as a valid UK photocard licence is accepted. However, it is recommended to have one for police checks.
Roads can be in good condition on highways, but poorly in rural areas. Be cautious in major cities for things like traffic congestion and aggressive drivers. Avoid night-driving on rural and unfamiliar roads, and if you are in cities like Rio and São Paulo, use secure parking.
Gasoline (Gasolina Comum), ethanol (Etanol) and diesel are the most common in Brazilian petrol stations. Stations are mainly full-service, but make sure the attendant selects the correct fuel, and that the pump is reset to zero before filling. Card is widely accepted, and contactless is common in cities, but card may not work in rural stations. So be sure to carry cash.
Fuel stations are very common in cities and along highways, but are less frequent in remote areas. If you are planning to travel to remote places like the Amazon, top-up before departure and whenever you get the chance. Also, rental companies usually have a full-to-full policy where you must return the vehicle with a full tank. Always keep your receipts just in case.
Very strict — zero tolerance.
Mandatory for all passengers.
Children under 10 years must travel in the rear seat. Rear-facing seats are required for infants up to 1 year old, forward-facing seats for children 1 – 4 years, and booster seats for 4 – 7.5 years.