Visa
Visa to enter in Brazil is required for foreign nationals of some countries as USA, Canada and Mexico. EU citizens usually do not need a visa to travel to Brazil. Please, check at a Brazilian consulate or embassy, in your country, if a visa is required (visa should be issued at your country of origin).
Weather
The weather at Búzios and Rio de Janeiro is quite pleasant at this time of the year, with temperatures typically ranging from 20° to 33° C. This time of the year coincides with the spring, so you may expect sunny days and pleasantly warm nights. The temperature of the sea water may vary from 18° to 28° C. Recall that the seasons in the southern hemisphere are exactly the opposite to those in the northern hemisphere.
Clothing
We recommend you to bring light and/or sportive clothes, like cotton-made ones, and some summer season clothes for the night. Búzios is also known for the excellent fine cuisine restaurants. And of course, do not forget to bring your swimming clothes and sun block protection!
Time zone
Rio de Janeiro and Búzios are located at time zone -3:00 GMT. There are typically 4 hours less with respect to Western Europe and 2 hours more with respect to U.S. East Time.
Electrical power
At Búzios and Rio de Janeiro the electrical power is 110 V, 60 Hz.
Language
The national language is Portuguese. English and Spanish is spoken in most hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions.
Currency
The local currency is the Brazilian "Real",
Major credit cards (Visa, Master, Amex, Diners and American Express) are widely accepted at most hotels, restaurants and stores. Visa is the most accepted.
It is advisable to bring with you only American Dollars or Euros. Any other currency might be difficult (or even impossible) to negotiate in the exchange offices.
You may exchange money at the International Airport upon your arrival. There is an office of the Banco do Brasil, which is located in the airport's Terminal 1 in Rio de Janeiro International airport. There are also some exchange offices located in the commercial floor which open from Sunday to Saturday from 6:00 am to 12:00 pm. However, the exchange rate applied in the airport is usually lower than the one you may get at the exchange offices in Búzios or Rio de Janeiro downtown.
Money exchange in Búzios can be done at the Banco do Brasil, located at Rua Manoel Jose Carvalho 70, just one block from the Main Street (Rua das Pedras). The bank is open from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm from Monday to Friday.
You may also exchange money at any of the many tourist agencies located in downtown Búzios.
Please do not expect to find ATM machines.
Tips and taxes
A 10% tip is usually already included in the bill at restaurants and bars. You are not obliged to pay this tip, but usually nobody complains. Of course you may leave a higher tip if you wish. If the tip is not included, it will be explicitly indicated in the bill.
Usually, all prices have already included the Brazilian federal taxes. An exception could be the hotel prices, which may add a 5% to 10% tax to the given rates.
Health
It is essential to have health insurance in Brazil, as hospital and medical fees are expensive. For most regions of the country you don't need to worry about vaccinations. Yellow fever shots are necessary however if you plan to visit Amazon region, which is 3000 kms north to Rio de Janeiro.
