WEATHER.

Brazilian climate-zones range from tropical to equatorial, and it will vary along our trip. You can expect weather to go from warm to very hot, maybe extremely hot. Along the year we do not often have temperatures lower than 50ºs and higher than 105ºs, but this will depend on the time of the year you travel.

Hot weather is accompanied by frequent showers and heavy humidity. If hot and humid weather is an issue for you, please take this into consideration, and make sure you come prepared with the right clothing. Keep in mind that we discover Brazil by our own means, so we sometimes walk in very humid and hot environments and without a continuous shade.

Besides hot weather, precipitation levels vary widely. Most of Brazil has moderate rainfall of between 39 and 60 inches a year, with most of the rain falling in the summer (between December and April).

The Amazon region is notoriously humid, with a rainfall higher than 78 inches per year and reaching as high as 118. As this is a great variation, mainly in the Amazon and in Pantanal, the rain levels change will change your visit to the region. Rivers and mud-lands will raise or go down showing different fauna, flora. Sometimes we will visit the same area by boat during the rainy season and will hike through it during dry season.

HEALTH ADVICE

If you have any doubts about the Rigors and physical challenges of this trip, please refer to your OAT Travel Handbook page 5 or to the OAT web site.

HEALTH TIPS:

• Prescription medications (gastrointestinal illness & pain medication are very important!).
• Make sure you bring enough of your regular medication & just in case have the name of main component in writing
• Also remember to bring your own kit for allergies in case you are allergic to insects or plants.
• Antibiotics in Brazil, need a prescription.
• Dental exam prior departure is recommended
• Strong Bug repellent is a Must

Health Insurance is highly recommendable whether it is the one that OAT suggests or another one, you will save yourself a lot of trouble and money if something happens down here.

Note: please take into account that this program involves many outdoor activities with 6 nights in remote areas. We will overnight at a lodge and on a small ship for which access to pharmacy and hospitals will be LIMITED.

WATER:

Drinking tap water in Brazil is not recommended. We will provide you with filtered and bottled water during the tour. It is OK to brush your teeth with tap water, except on the ship, where you will have water available to refill your bottle.
 

MONEY

Traveler’s checks are not easily accepted in Brazil. It is better to bring cash, credit or debit cards.
American dollar notes are not accepted when paying for services (such as cabs and public transportation, meals) or shopping in small stores or markets. So, we recommend you handle Brazilian currency (reais).

You can either use the ATM’s at the airport or around the hotel or go to an official exchange office. Take note that not all ATM’s will work for you, you should use the ATM’s of the following Banks: City Bank, HSBC or Bradesco (sometimes Banco do Brasil will work to).

At the orientation walk on the first day in Rio, I will show you where to exchange dollars to reais. They usually have a better exchange rate than at the hotel or at the airport.

Traveler’s checks are not easily accepted in Brazil.

ELECTRICITY

In Brazil we use different kinds of Voltages 110 V and 220 V depending on the area you are visiting. But we have the same frequency as in the USA. In general this shouldn’t be a problem for your appliances like chargers for mobile phones, batteries for your camera or other appliances with an external charger (but always make sure your chargers accept 110-220 V).

The NEW Brazilian outlets are different from any other country in the world (see picture below), You might still find the older type of outlets in some places, these outlets accept the American standard plugs.

BRAZILIAN OUTLETS:

PLUG CONVERTORS:

LUGGAGE

NATIONAL FLIGHTS:

You are allowed to bring a bottle of water or juice in your carry-on luggage on the plane during national flights.

 

CARRY-ON ALLOWANCE: 1 BAG + 1 PERSONAL ITEM.

Each traveler is allowed to carry one item and one personal item (purse, briefcase). Assistive devices and outer garments do not count as personal items. The Carry-On luggage must fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you and adhere to the following requirements:

• Maximum Dimensions of the Carry-On luggage: 21 in. x 16 in. x 8 in. (length x width x height)
• Maximum weight of Carry-On luggage: 17 lb.

CHECK BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE FOR DOMESTIC FLIGHTS.

Each traveler can check luggage weighing a maximum of 50 lb. An excess fee will be charged whenever the baggage allowance is exceeded according to the flight class.

Back to main menu

Or continue reading about:

What to expect.