To Remember
Language
The official language of Brazil is Portuguese
Currency
Since 1994, the real (plural: reais) has been the official currency of Brazil. To exchange your currency for reais, go to an exchange bureau or bank authorized to do foreign exchange.
To check the value of the real against other currencies, check the website of the Brazilian Central Bank
Telephone communications
Payphones
There are public telephones - known locally as orelhões - scattered around the city, especially in busier locations. To use them, you will need to buy a phone card, with 20, 30, 40, 50 or 75 credits. All cards allow you to make local calls, long distance (interstate) and IDD (international) calls.
To call from public phone, insert the card and follow the instructions below:
1 - Long distance (interstate): 0 + carrier* + city code + phone number
2 - International (IDD): 00 + carrier* + country code + city code + phone number
You can also make collect calls without a card:
1 - Local collect calls: 9090 + phone number
2 - Long distance (interstate) collect calls: 90 + carrier* + city code + phone number
You can also get international calling calls, at discounted rates - they can even be purchased online.
* The phone carrier code is a two-digit number referring to the international calling carrier you would like to use when making your call. In Rio de Janeiro, can call using codes 21 (Embratel), 23 (Intelig) and 31 (HI).
Mobile phones
Before travelling, check whether your carrier offers roaming services in Brazil. If it does not, and you have an unlocked phone, you can buy pre-paid SIM cards, from one of the four carriers operating in Rio de Janeiro (Oi, Claro, TIM and Vivo). To call, after buying the SIM card, simply purchase a recharge card, starting at three reais (depending on the carrier). Check out each carrier's website to see which plan works best for you:
Electricity and power outlets
Two voltages are used in Brazil: 110V and 220V. In Rio de Janeiro, the standard voltage is 110V, but many hotels also have 220V outlets. It is recommended to check the voltage in each device before plugging it into an outlet.
For security reasons, Brazil has recently modified its standard outlet configuration, adopting a three-pin model, depicted below:
It is also common to find outlets and appliances using the old standard, with only two round pins, as shown below:
Or the American standard:
Some hotels offer outlet adapters for certain configurations.
Climate
The city of Rio de Janeiro is located just north of the Tropic of Capricorn, giving it a very humid tropical climate. In June, the local temperature usually lies between 18 and 25 degrees Celsius, but there may be peak temperatures above 30 degrees. The rainfall level in Rio de Janeiro, in June, is 53 mm.
Attire
Due to possible weather variability and the possibility of rain, we recommended you pack light clothing, for warmer days, and rain-appropriate shoes and coats.
Other than that, in terms of clothing, informality prevails in Rio de Janeiro. A light jacket is often needed in hotels, restaurants and bars, as well as on the subway, due to air conditioning.
