Travel FAQs
– Visitors from the USA, Canada, New-Zealand, Australia and those NOT LISTED below WILL NEED TO OBTAIN A VISA directly from the closest Brazilian Embassy or Consulate, either via mail or personally (usually faster).
Brazil follows a reciprocity policy, so if your country requires Brazilians to get a visa, you will have to get one to visit Brazil.
– If you hold a European Passport or if you hold a passport from one of the following countries YOU SHOULD NOT REQUIRE A VISA, BUT PLEASE CHECK WITH THE BRAZILIAN EMBASSY CLOSEST TO YOU as regulations can change without notice:
– Andorra
– Argentina
– Austria
– Bahamas
– Barbados
– Belgium
– Bolivia
– Bulgaria
– Chile
– Colombia
– Costa Rica
– Denmark
– Equador
– Finland
– France
– Germany
– Greece
– Guayana
– Holland
– Hungary
– Ireland
– Iceland
– Israel
– Italy
– Liechtenstein
– Luxemburg
– Malaysia
– Malta
– Monaco
– Morrocos
– Nambia
– Norway
– Panama
– Paraguay
– Peru
– Philippines
– Portugal
– Romania
– San Marin
– Slovaquia
– Slovenia
– South Africa
– South Korea
– Spain
– Surinam
– Sweden
– Switzerland
– Thailand
– Trinidad & Tobago
– United Kingdom
– Uruguay
– Vatican
– Venezuela
Also make sure that your passport is valid for at least 6 more months after the date you LEAVE Brazil. Tourists will usually be allowed to stay up to 90 days but may be required to leave before depending on the date stamped in your passport upon entry.
If you will only be staying in the state of Ceará (or in Preá & Jeri) vaccinations are NOT required.
If you are visiting one of the following states, enquire with the hotel you will be staying at as you may require a “Yellow Fever Vaccine”
Acre
Amazonas
Amapá
Distrito Federal
Goiás
Maranhão
Mato Grosso do Sul
Pará
Rondônia
Roraima
Tocantins
The most important items to bring:
– SPF 30+ sunscreen
– sun hat
– sunglasses
There are a few supermarkets in town which sell all the basics. However, you may have less choice and these items can be more expensive than where you live, so it’s better to buy them before leaving.
Suggested list of things to bring:
– Shorts
– T-shirts
– Bathing suits
– Lycra top
– Sunscreen
– Flip flops or sandals
– Long lightweight pants
– Long-sleeve lightweight shirt
– Sunglasses
– Sun hat
– Extra batteries
– Camera and charger
– Any personal prescriptions or medicine
– Backpack
– Beach towel (or ask for one at reception)
– Moisturizing or after sun lotion
– Small flashlight
– Currency: Brazilian Real – BRL – (R$)
For today’s rate of the Brazilian Real, click on the currency converter to the right
– Credit Cards : Visa and MasterCard are accepted in SOME restaurants and shops.
If you need to exchange foreign currency to Reais, do so upon arrival at the airport, ask the driver to show you to the exchange office (to the right handside when exiting the arrivals gate). You can also withdraw up to R$ 1,000 per debit card from the ATM´s on the 2nd floor of the airport (up the mechanical stairs to your right). Also keep in mind that Traveler’s Checks are not accepted whatsoever.
– Cash in Preá & Jericoacoara : There are NO cash machines in Preá nor Jeri. The closest ATM is about 1 hour away by buggy (Jijoca), getting there and back will cost about R$ 70 and take at least 2 hours roundtrip. If you plan on going there, ask the receptionist to call the bank to make sure there is cash in the ATM to avoid wasting time.
Preá is located 3 degrees south of the Equator and has a sub-tropical climate with warm temperatures, low humidity and Ocean breezes.
The temperature varies very little during the year:
Day temperatures: 27 to 30º Celsius, 80 to 87º Fahrenheit
Night temperatures: 21 to 23º Celsius, 70 to 75º Fahrenheit
Short showers are common during the rainy season (mid-January to mid-June)
The voltage in North-East Brazil is 220 Volts.
Most European countries also use 220 V.
On the other hand, North America (US and Canada) use 110 V. Sockets:
The Brazilian standard changed recently so there are currently 2 types of sockets in use, the old style which receives both European and US electronics, and the new style which only accepts some European electronics.
The bungalows have a mix of both types of plugs and adaptors and transformers are available if necessary.
Buggies are available with a driver. Renting one for yourself is not easy as most owners know you are not used to driving around buggies in the sand and may end up damaging it. Besides this, you are much better off hiring one with a driver, you will avoid a lot of head-aches for yourself. Ask the receptionist anytime you need one.
Standard tip in restaurants is 10% but…it is up to you. Some restaurants automatically include the 10% at the end of the bill, so make sure you ask or check your bill!
UTC/GMT -3 hours
No daylight saving time
Time zone abbreviation: BRT – Brasília time