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Ceara, The State Of Opportunity

The Fortaleza area, on the beautiful Northeast coast of Brazil, is undergoing a time of extraordinary growth. There is a fast growing interest in investment opportunities in the state of Ceara. Among the many opportunities emerging, the most vibrant is in the real estate market, also stimulated by the natural attraction of the states beautiful beaches on the Atlantic coast.

Early 2008 the Ministry of Tourism estimated that Portuguese capital firms are investing about 2.2 Billion U.S. Dollar and Spanish investor groups invest 1.3 billion U.S. Dollar in Ceara, because of two reasons: natural attractions and affordable prices.

Estimations of the Association for Real Estate Development and Tourism of Northeast Brazil (ADIT) indicated also in early 2008 that 80 thousand houses will be purchased by foreigners in Brazil before 2016, which should move about 16 Billion U.S. Dollar.

Both these estimates came out BEFORE Brazil was chosen to host the 2014 World Cup Soccer. Fortaleza will host a great deal of these World Cup Soccer matches in 2014.

Recent estimates now show that before The 2014 Soccer World Cup, 9 billion U.S. Dollar will be invested in the Fortaleza area alone.

Infrastructure, hotels, pousadas, clubs, restaurants, condominiums, houses, villas, apartments, banks, hospitals, international schools, commercial offices, shopping malls and a lot more.

All this makes the Fortaleza area one of the prime locations in South America to invest in real estate at this moment. In the 32nd position last year, Fortaleza is currently in the 15th position in a range of 42 cities in Latin America with the best indicators to attract businesses and new ventures. Prepared by the Department of American Studies, Economics and Intelligence, the ranking is done from the valuation of 50 socio-economic variables, infrastructure, services and complemented with a research input of 1200 foreign executives.

When you are ready to buy real estate overseas you have to consider the Fortaleza area.

You can't afford not to.

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Brazil - Overview

Area: 8,511,965 sq km
Population: 188,078,227 (U.S. Census Bureau estimate)
Capital: Brasilia
Government: Federative Republic
Ethnic groups: White 53.7%, Mulatto 38.5%, Black 6.2%, other or unspecified 1.6%
Main languages: Portuguese (official language); Spanish, English, French
Religion: Roman Catholic 73.6%, Protestant 15.4%, Other, Unspecified or No Religion (11%)
Time: GMT-2 to GMT-5.

Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world and the largest in South America, occupying around half of this continent. It has an eastern coastline on the Atlantic Ocean and shares borders with all other South American countries apart from Chile and Ecuador. Geographically, Brazil can be divided into four regions: a narrow coastal belt in the east within which many of Brazil's main cities and two-thirds of its population are concentrated; the vast, dense rainforest of the Amazon Basin covering much of northern Brazil; a central plateau crossed by several low mountain ranges and a number of large rivers; and another river basin with forest, valleys and scrubland in the south.

A Portuguese colony for three centuries, Brazil's population consists largely of European descendents and people of mixed race, as well as native Indians and a significant number of people of African-descent. The size and ethnic diversity of Brazil provide it with a very rich and varied culture, although it is rapidly becoming 'Americanized'. Although Brazil is a leading regional exporter and economic power, it also has a long history of economic and social problems. Having been under military rule for around 50 years until 1985, its civilian government is slowly building up the economy and carrying out various reform programmes to tackle social issues.

Brasilia is the capital of Brazil, but São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro are its largest cities. Other main cities include Manaus, in the Amazonian region, and Fortaleza, Natal, Recife and Porto Alegre on the coast. There are also a number of old colonial towns. São Paulo is reportedly the world's third-largest metropolis, with population estimates ranging between 15 and 20 million, and the wealthiest city in Brazil. It is highly cosmopolitan and the home of Brazil's educated middle class, as well as many ethnic neighbourhoods including those of the city's many Italian and Japanese descendents. São Paulo is particularly renowned for its excellent shopping and nightlife. Rio de Janeiro is probably best known for its lively carnaval, beautiful beaches including Copacabana and Ipanema, and its giant open-armed statue of Jesus overlooking the city and harbour. With population estimates ranging from 5 to 10 million, Rio is also characterised by stark contrasts between rich and poor, as its many shantytowns, home to around a third of the population, are juxtaposed with exclusive residential areas. The beaches play a central role in the life of Rio's residents, being the venue for sunbathing, sports, and even business negotiations.

Brasilia, located inland, is famed for its planning and architecture. There is a small expatriate population here, mainly diplomatic and military staff and their dependents. There are large expatriate communities in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and the coastal towns. Many of the western expatriates are American, British or Portuguese, and have retired to Brazil. The benefits of living in Brazil include the friendliness of the people, a good climate, the country's natural beauty and the relatively low cost of living.

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Brazil - Getting There

Brazil's main international airports are Brasilia International, some 11km south of Brasilia; Rio de Janeiro-Galeão International Airport 20km north of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport, 25 km northeast of São Paulo. There are smaller international airports at Recife, Natal, Fortaleza, Belem and Manaus. Brazil's national airlines Varig, TAM and Gol, operate routes to many cities throughout the world. However, Varig was recently facing bankruptcy and has cancelled the majority of its flights. Many other national airlines fly to Brazil's main cities from locations in the USA, Europe and South Africa.

Approximate flight times to Rio de Janeiro are 11 hours from London, 14 hours from Los Angeles, 10 hours from New York and 20 hours from Sydney.

There are road routes into Brazil from most neighbouring countries, with the main border crossings from Uruguay Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Venezuela, Guyana, linking to the main Brazilian cities. The crossing from Columbia, however, does not link up with other road connections with Brazil. Long distances buses operate on the main road routes, linking most South American capitals, but the travel times and distances are very long.

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Brazil - Healthcare

There are a number of serious health risks in Brazil, including a high prevalence of dengue fever in urban areas, and endemic malaria and yellow fever in the Amazon and central western regions. Brazil also has cases of reported Rabies throughout the country, and occasional outbreaks of cholera. A number of other tropical diseases can also be found in Brazil, and travellers or expatriates going there should always check an authoritative source of up-to-date medical advice. Typhoid vaccinations are highly recommended, and polio vaccination certificates are required for children under six years of age.

Water is unsafe to drink straight from the tap in Brazil and should be boiled or sterilised. Pasteurised milk and dairy products are generally safe in urban areas but not in rural areas. Vegetables should be cooked before eating and fruits peeled. Meat and fish should be well cooked before consumption.

Brazil has a system of universal, government-funded healthcare, administered through the Sistema Unico de Saude (SUS) programme. Anyone can access this free healthcare at a SUS hospital, there is no registration procedure. However, the effective delivery of medical care under this programme is hampered by insufficient funding, and the hospitals tend to be extremely over-crowded.

In parallel with this public healthcare system is an extensive system of private healthcare for those with private health insurance. In some cases public and private healthcare facilities can be found within the same hospital. In general, private healthcare in Brazil is of a good standard, particularly in the main cities. However, the cost can be high so it is important to have health insurance. Good dental treatment is also available in Brazil. Cosmetic surgery is a major Brazilian industry, bringing many foreign nationals to the country.

There is a shortage of general practitioners in Brazil, as most doctors prefer to enter specialized areas of work, which are more lucrative. To address this lack of sufficient primary care, the government has introduced an extensive family healthcare program in the public healthcare system, which has been decentralized and organized by multidisciplinary teams including physicians, dentists, nurses and Community Health Agents. There is no requirement in Brazil to for a GP referral for specialist treatment, so expatriates often go direct to specialist health providers in the private sector.

There are a number of private ambulance services in Brazil as well as the publicly-funded Servico de Assistencia Medica Urgente (SAMU), which is free to all citizens. There are no paramedics in Brazil because under Brazilian law non-physicians are not allowed to carry out advanced life support procedures.

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Brazil - Buying Property

Property prices are relatively low in Brazil, but they are increasing rapidly, particularly in the big cities and main tourist areas. In some areas, property prices increased by more than 50% in 2005.

A wide range of properties are available for sale throughout Brazil, including modern apartments and family houses in the cities and coastal towns, and more traditional fazendas in the rural areas. New properties can be purchased at the planning or construction stage.

It was recently reported that new apartments in the most exclusive area of the popular expatriate destination of Beira Mar, Fortaleza are selling for US$300,000 to US$1,000,000, while in cheaper parts of the city they are available for as little as US$60,000.

There are no restrictions on the ownership of land or property in Brazil by foreign nationals. However, in order to purchase property, you need a Brazilian identity card called a CPF. To obtain this, you will first need to have your birth certificate translated into Portuguese and notarized by the Brazilian consulate in your home country. You can then apply for the CPF to Banco de Brasil submitting your notarized birth certificate and your passport. You will also need a Brazilian mailing address, to which your CPF card will be sent.

It is advisable to use a broker or agent when buying property in Brazil, but ensure that you find one who is recommended to you, and check their qualifications, since there are many bogus property brokers in Brazil. The broker will help you to find a suitable property, carry out legal checks, negotiate a price and prepare the contracts. Since prices are often heavily inflated for foreign nationals, the services of a good broker can save you a lot of money. You will also benefit from using a lawyer in the preparation of the contract and to make thorough legal checks.

When you have agreed on a price for a property, you will be asked for a down payment of around 10,000 Reals, following which the property will be registered in your name, using the services of a cartorio or notary. The property transfer charge is normally around 4%-5% of the purchase price. You will also be required to pay a 1% import tax on the transfer of funds from abroad, and following registration of the property in your name you will have to pay an annual property tax of around 0.6% of the value of the property.

The balance of payment can often be made either in a single instalment or in instalments spread over 1 to 4 years. Mortgages may be available to foreign buyers from Brazilian banks, but interest rates are extremely high.

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Brazil - Climate and Weather

Although Brazil lies mainly in a tropical climatic zone, the diversity in its size and landscape means that there are a diverse range of climatic conditions throughout the country, from the tropical north-east to the temperate south, with the latter region having the widest seasonal variations in temperature.

In winter, from June to August, temperatures in the south range between 13 degrees Celsius and 18 degrees Celsius, with occasional frosts, and sometimes snow in the mountainous areas. In the summer months, from December to February, temperatures in the south are in the upper 30 degrees Celsius, and sometimes exceed 40 degrees Celsius, with high humidity. Spring and autumn bring typical temperatures in this region of around 25 degrees Celsius. The northeast is less humid than the south, due to the effect of tropical breezes. In the northern Amazonian region, humidity is high, but temperatures are only around 27 degrees Celsius on average.

São Paulo tends to be considerably cooler, due to its high elevation, than Rio de Janeiro and other cities on the coast. There are also wide variations in levels of precipitation, with moderate rainfall of around 1,000-5,000 mm per year across much of the country, and very high rainfall in the Amazon region of around 2,000-3,000 mm per year, mostly falling during the summer months. In contrast, the northeast is the driest, warmest region.

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Brazil - Visas, Residency, Immigration & Documentation

Temporary Visas:

Visitor Visa:
In order to enter Brazil you must have a passport with validity remaining of at least six months from your date of entry. The nationals of many countries including the USA, Canada and Australia are required to hold visas in order to enter Brazil even as a visitor. The nationals of most EU countries, except those who joined the EU in 2004, are not required to have a visa for a stay of up to 90 days. Tourist visa holders are not permitted to work in Brazil.

Tourist visas must be obtained in advance from the Brazilian Embassy or consulate in your home country and are normally valid for a stay of up to 90 days, with one extension allowed. On arrival in Brazil, you must hold a valid onward or return ticket and be able to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds for the duration of your stay. If travelling from certain tropical areas you may need a yellow fever vaccination and a certificate of inoculation.

Short stay Business Visa:
People wishing to visit Brazil for a short period for the purpose of making or meeting with business contacts, attending trade fairs, speaking at conferences etc. are required to apply for a short stay business visa, which is also valid for a stay of up to 90 days.

Temporary Residence Visa / Work Visa:
Anyone wishing to live and work in Brazil will be required to apply for a temporary residence visa. To obtain a temporary visa for employment purposes, you will need to secure a job offer from a Brazilian company or government department, or a foreign company based in Brazil, and they will be required to apply to the Immigration Division of the Ministry of Labour on your behalf.

The criteria for approval of an employment visa include suitable educational qualifications or work experience, a secured employment contract in Brazil, provide proof of adequate means of subsistence in Brazil, police confirmation that you have no criminal record, and a satisfactory medical examination. All official documents must be translated into Portuguese. The application processing period is normally around 2-3 months.

Employment visas are issued for a specific job, and are not transferable between employers in Brazil without permission. Visas are also issued to the employment-visa holder's spouse and children.

Permanent Visas:

There are seven categories of application for a permanent visa to live and work in Brazil. These include marriage and family unification categories, as well as categories covering business executives and entrepreneurs, high level specialists, investors and retirees.

Businessmen and Professionals:
Permanent visas are issued to administrators, managers and directors of professional or business corporations, who are already employed by the company and are moving to Brazil on intra-company transfer. There is a minimum requirement for the parent company to invest at least US$ 200,000 per visa in the Brazil-based subsidiary, and to provide evidence that they are bringing value to Brazil in the form of increased productivity, technology transfer or social benefits. Visas are also issued to administrators, managers or directors of start-up companies, who are not required to meet the minimum investment or job creation criteria which apply to established companies.

Researchers or other high-level specialists employed by Brazilian research institutions may also be granted a permanent visa.

Investors:
Resident investor status may be granted to foreign nationals wishing to invest a minimum of US$50,000 in a Brazilian business or productive activity. There is a requirement to demonstrate a good knowledge of Portuguese. Investment funds must be submitted through the Central Bank of Brazil. Investor visas are issued for an initial 5 years, renewable on approval of a satisfactory investment plan and on confirmation that the investor has created jobs for at least 10 Brazilian nationals. Resident investors can apply for Brazilian citizenship after 4 years; prior to this they have many of the rights of citizens, except for voting rights.

Retirees:
Foreign nationals aged over 50 can apply for a permanent visa if they will be transferring the equivalent of at least US$ 2,000 to Brazil every month. Visas are also issued to up to two dependents, but there is a requirement to transfer an additional US$1,000 per dependent per month. Documentary proof of income and a bank declaration authorizing the monthly transfer are required.

Applicants for permanent residence visas will be required to submit their passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable) and a police certificate of no criminal record, issued within the last 90 days.

Registration
On arrival in Brazil, any holders of visas for more than 90 days duration are required to register with the Federal Police, and obtain an identity card. Those intending to work in Brazil must obtain a work card from the Labor Department and a tax identification card from the Ministry of Finance.

Citizenship
Foreign nationals can apply for Brazilian citizenship by naturalization if they have lived in Brazil for an uninterrupted period of at least fifteen years, and have no criminal record. There are less stringent citizenship requirements for people from Portuguese-speaking countries.

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Brazil - Foreign Currency

If you are an retiree making international money transfers you should definitely consider the benefits of using a currency specialist.

To begin with, you'll save money by getting a better exchange rate on each and every transfer you make. On average, mystery shops undertaken in the media show that the high street banks charge up to 4% more to exchange your money.

Secondly if you use your bank regardless of whether you have a premier account, you'll be subject to a number of additional bank charges which include: - commission fees (up to another 2% of the amount your transferring, - transfer charges (usually £25 for each and every transfer) - and finally depending on where you're sending the money up to another half a percent bank receiving fees.

Most currency specialists will transfer your money abroad completely free of charge. Fluctuating currency rates can seriously affect your wealth. For example British expats paid in Sterling but living in the Eurozone have seen the value of their salary decrease in the last 12 months by over 20% purely off the back of the weak pound. Currency specialists will allow you to lock into favourable exchange rates for up to 2 years protecting your money from adverse currency movements.

Last but by know means least there's the service aspect. Good currency specialists will provide you with all the help and expert advice you need in simple jargon free language.

Whichever country you're living in, the advice is simple. Don't let the banks cash in! Shop around and compare the rates given by your bank with an established currency broker.

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Brazil - Currency and Cost of Living

The Brazilian unit of currency is the Real (R$ or BRL), made of 100 centavos. Notes are issued in denominations of R$100, R$50, R$10, R$5 and R$1, while coins come in denominations of R$1, and 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 centavos. As at November 2011, 1R$ was equal to US$ 0.58 and 1R$ was equal to EUR 0.42.

The cost of living in Brazil is low for those who have an overseas income or earn foreign currency. However, local salaries are very low, so if you are employed by a Brazilian company and earn Reals, you may find your living costs to be fairly high. In 2011 the minimum wage was R$510, and most workers are paid less than double this.

Restaurant meals are usually good value, and the service and food are generally good, whether you opt for local or international cuisine. Maids and other domestic help are also available at very low cost. The cost of real estate is low compared with many western countries.

A service charge of 10% is usually included in a restaurant bill. It is normal practice to leave a tip of around 10% in hair salons, but taxi drivers don't normally expect a tip, while petrol pump attendants do.

US dollars are widely accepted in larger hotels, restaurants and stores in the main cities and towns. It may be helpful to carry currency in small denominations in Brazil, as it is reportedly sometimes difficult to get change from large notes.

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Brazil - Speaking the Language

Nearly everyone in Brazil speaks Portuguese, and it will be very difficult to live there without learning the language. Only a minority of highly educated or upper class Brazilians speak good English.

Brazilian Portuguese is slightly different to the version spoken in Portugal, and there are considerable regional variations in accent. Spanish and some Italian are quite widely spoken and understood in some areas, especially the south.

Brazilians also communicate using a lot of gestures and body language, the meanings of which may differ from those in other parts of the world.

Although there are some Portuguese language schools in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, they are not widely found in other parts of the country.

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Brazil - Banking

Brazil has a very advanced, technologically sophisticated banking sector. Most of the main banks offer a very wide range of personal and business banking services, including electronic bill paying, inter-bank transfers and internet banking facilities. The majority of banks have ATM facilities, some of which accept foreign debit cards and credit cards.

There are many different banks in Brazil, with the largest including the Banco de Brasil, the government-operated Caixa Economico Federal, Bradesco and HSBC. Most of the banks are interlinked under the Brazilian Payments System, operated by the Central Bank of Brazil. However, banking is expensive here, with high interest rates and government-imposed taxes of 0.038% on very transaction.

Brazilian banks also sell a wide range of financial products such as insurance, stocks, mortgages and retirement plans. Foreign nationals are required to hold a residence visa before they can open a bank account in Brazil.

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Brazil - Taxation

Brazil has a progressive personal taxation system under which individuals are taxed up to a maximum of 27.5% of their income.

Foreign nationals who are tax-resident in Brazil are required to pay tax on their Brazilian and overseas-generated income, unless covered by a Double Taxation Treaty between Brazil and their home country, and must file an annual tax return in April. Foreign nationals become subject to tax-residence status if they stay in Brazil for more than 183 days in any 12 month period, and this status applies for 12 months after their last departure from Brazil.

Taxes are usually deducted direct from employee salaries by Brazilian companies, but payments of tax on other income must be made on a monthly basis at any commercial bank. Overall liability for tax is adjusted following the annual tax return.

Self-employed people can deduct expenses when calculating their income for tax purposes. Other deductions which apply to all taxpayers include education expenses up to a fixed maximum per year, and a monthly deduction per dependent.

Foreign nationals who are not tax-resident are only required to pay tax on their income from Brazilian sources, at a rate of 25% on earned income and 15% on unearned income. They do not have to file an annual tax return.

Brazil has Double Taxation treaties a number of other countries, which mean that tax paid in one country can be offset against any tax payable in the other. There is currently no such agreement between Brazil and the United States.

Capital gains are generally subject to tax at 15% (with exceptions), and gains from the sale of securities on a public stock exchange are taxed at 20%, for all Brazilian residents. Non-residents have to pay 15% on capital gains relating to property in Brazil. There are no inheritance or wealth taxes in Brazil.

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Brazil - Social Security

Brazil has a comprehensive social security system which funds medical care, dental care and pensions for all employees and the self-employed, and their dependents. All employees, self-employed people and employers in Brazil are required to make compulsory contributions to the national social security system.

In the case of employees, contributions of between 8% and 11% of monthly salaries are payable up to a maximum level, which are deductible against tax. Foreign nationals who work in Brazil are required to contribute to the social security scheme, and are eligible for the same benefits as Brazilian citizens.

Brazil has social security agreements with Argentina, Cape Verde, Chile, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain and Uruguay. Under these agreements, social security contributions made in one country may be taken into account when calculating benefit rights in the other country. However, the nationals of these countries are not exempt from the requirement to contribute to the Brazilian social security system when working in Brazil.

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Brazil - Employment

It is very difficult for foreign nationals to find jobs in Brazil, unless they are transferred there by a foreign company or are employed by a multinational corporation.

Unemployment levels are high, and given the low average wages in Brazil it can be difficult for expatriates to make a living there, unless they are earning foreign currency. Moreover, in order to protect the local labour force from foreign competition, the Brazilian government has imposed very high permit fees on companies who wish to employ a foreign worker, which act as a deterrent.

There are a number of online job sites which post details of job vacancies in Brazil, but these are mainly in Portuguese. Some sites specialize in particular areas of work, such as medicine or English language teaching. People who are interested in working in Brazil and have appropriate skills or experience may find details of suitable vacancies on the websites of large multinational corporations,
or inter-governmental agencies that are based in Brazil.

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Brazil - Education and Schools

Virtually all expatriate children living in Brazil attend a private school. There are many good private schools in Brazil's main cities and in other locations with substantial expatriate communities. Some of these are international schools, accredited overseas, which mainly follow the American or British curricula, while others are Brazilian-run. There are also some Christian schools which are popular with expatriates, and a number which offer bi-lingual instruction. The international schools normally have a high percentage of students from the more affluent Brazilian families.

Some expatriate parents choose to send their children to a Brazilian private school with lower fees than an international school. The medium of instruction in Brazilian schools is Portuguese, but some children have additional English language classes. Many expatriate children attend boarding schools in their home countries for their secondary education.

In Brasilia the schools used by most expatriate families are The American School, Brasilia International School, and School of Nations. Rio de Janeiro has an American School and a British School. Sao Paulo has the largest variety of international schools and other private schools favoured by expatriates.

Other Brazilian towns and cities with international schools include Belo Horizonte, Fortaleza, Curitiba, Porto Alegre, Bahia and Recife.

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Brazil - Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water)

Brazil uses both 120 and 240 volts for electrical appliances, and it is important to check the voltage as there may be no difference in the physical appearance of sockets. A variety of plugs are also in use, including European, American and Japanese styles. Adapters are widely available.

The public utilities are generally of a good standard, but there are occasional power cuts, mainly in the smaller cities and towns, and especially during the rainy season.

The cost of electricity, gas and water are sometimes included in the monthly rental charges for an apartment in Brazil, so you need to check this when negotiating a rental contract.

Utilities bills can be paid by electronic transfer from your Brazilian bank account.

Water is unsafe to drink straight from the tap in Brazil and should be boiled or sterilised, although the quality does vary from place to place. In many areas in brazil you don't have public water supply so water is pumped from the ground up to a big tank on the roof. This water is used in bathrooms, kitchens and swimming pools. You don't have a "water bill" in these areas, you only pay the electricity that your pump uses to pump up the water.

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Brazil - Communications (Telephone, Post, Internet, TV)

Brazil is a technically-advanced country and has sophisticated telecommunications, internet and broadcasting facilities.

The fixed-line market has been privatized and the four main operators are Telesp, Telemar, Brasil Telecom and Embratel. It is very expensive to make international calls from a fixed-line phone in Brazil, and VoIP has become a popular alternative.

Mobile phones are becoming much more popular than fixed-line telephones. Mobile phones mainly use the GSM system, and coverage varies in different parts of the country. The four biggest mobile phone companies in Brazil are Vivo, Claro, TIM Brasil and Oi.

A number of companies offer combined VoIP, broadband and pay TV services, including TV Cidade and TVA. Brazil reportedly has the 10th largest number of internet users in the world, and there has been a major shift from dial-up to broadband services in recent years, with ADSL now accounting for nearly 80% of the broadband market.

Brazilian Correio, the national postal service, is fairly reliable and there are many post offices throughout the country. It is important to use priority mail services when sending letters or parcels overseas, otherwise delivery is likely to be very slow. On average, airmail to Europe takes around five days. Post office opening hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays to Fridays, 8 a.m. to 12 noon on Saturdays.

Brazil has hundreds of TV channels and thousands of radio stations. A few large commercial companies, such as Globo, dominate the broadcasting market. Cable and satellite TV are both popular in Brazil and there are a number of English-language channels.

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Brazil - Driving and Public Transportation

Foreign nationals are allowed to drive in Brazil using their original driving licence or an international driving licence, but this must also be translated into Portuguese and they must carry the original and translated versions, as well as their passport or other identification document. The minimum driving age is 18. Driving is on the right-hand side of the road.

The standard of driving in Brazil is quite poor and accidents occur frequently. Many expatriates prefer to hire a driver rather than drive themselves around. Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and other cities have extensive public transport systems including buses, metro lines and trolleybuses, and metered taxis are also widely available. However, there are risks of pick-pocketing and other crimes when travelling on public transport and most expatriates avoid this. The majority of inter-city travel in Brazil is by road, although due to the long distances and journey times involved expatriates often prefer to travel by air. There are air shuttle-services between The majority of inter-city travel in Brazil is by road, although due to the long distances and journey times involved expatriates often prefer to travel by air. There are air shuttle-services between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Brasilia, Brasilia and Belo Horizonte, and regular services linking most of Brazil's main cities. The Panrotas website gives details of timetables and fares. Low-cost flights are provided by GOL Linhas and OceanAir.

There are also long-distance bus services between most of Brazil's cities and main towns. Services are generally comfortable and fares reasonable. There are often overnight stops on long journeys.

Road conditions in Brazil vary widely, from excellent state-maintained modern highways to federal interstate roads which are under-funded and poorly maintained. Within cities and towns, road conditions are highly variable.

There are severe penalties for traffic offences in Brazil, although these are not always strictly enforced, and the laws vary between states. The maximum speed limits are usually 110 kph on national highways and 80 kph in cities and speed cameras are operation, although the speed limits are usually ignored wherever there are no cameras. It is illegal to overtake on the right. The blood/alcohol limit is 0.06 percent. Seatbelts must be worn.

There are very few railways services within the country, with the exception of a few tourist services.

It is possible to travel by boat between some of the cities of the Rio São Francisco and along the Amazon. There are passenger-ferry services between most of Brazil's coastal ports.

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Brazil - Food and Drinks

Brazil's cuisine is as varied as its geography and culture. On the other hand, some may find it an unrefined melange, and everyday fare can be bland and monotonous. While there are some quite unique dishes of regional origin, many dishes were brought by overseas immigrants and have been adapted to local tastes through the generations. In Brazil, Italian and Chinese food can often be as baffling as Amazonian fare.

Brazil's national dish is feijoada, a hearty stew made of black beans and pork cuts (ears, knuckles, chops, sausage and pieces of beef (usually dried). It's served with rice, garnished with collard greens and sliced oranges. It's usually not served in restaurants, but the ones that do typically offer it twice a week (usually on Wednesdays and Saturdays). A typical mistake made by tourists is to eat too much feijoada shortly after arriving. This is a heavy dish, and you need to get used to it before you eat it. Even Brazilians usually eat it parsimoniously. While you are at it, try the caipirinha, Brazil´s signature drink made of wedged limes, sugar and cachaça.

Excellent seafood can be found in coastal towns, especially in the North East.

Brazilian snacks, called lanches, include a wide variety of pastries. Look for coxinha (deep-fried, batter-coated,ground- chicken stuffed balls), empadinha (a stuffed pastry pie, unrelated to Latin American empanadas: try out the palmito - heart of palm variety), and pastel (fried turnovers). Another common snack is a misto quente, a pressed,toasted ham-and-cheese sandwich. Pão-de-queijo, a roll made of manioc flour and cheese, is very popular - pão-de-queijo and a cup of fresh Brazilian coffee is a classic combination.

Southern - Churrasco is Brazilian barbeque, and is usually served "Rodizio" ou "espeto corrido" (all-you-can-eat). Waiters carry huge cuts of meat on steel spits from table to table, and carve off slices onto your plate (use the tongs to grab the meat slice and don't touch the knife edge with your silverware to avoid dulling the edge). Traditionally, you are given a small wooden block colored green on one side and red on the other. When you're ready to eat, put the green side up. When you're too stuffed to even tell the waiter you've had enough, put the red side up... Most churrasco restaurants (churrascarias) also serve other types of food, so it is safe to go there with a friend that is not really fond of meat.

Mineiro is the "miner's" cuisine of Minas Gerais, based on pork and beans, with some vegetables. Dishes from Goiás are similar, but use some different ingredients such as pequi and guariroba. Minas Gerais cuisine if not seen as particularly tasty, has a "homely" feel that is much cherished.

The food of Bahia, on the northeast coast has its roots across the Atlantic in West Africa. Coconut, dende palm oil, and seafood are the prime ingredients. Tip: hot ("quente") means lots of pepper, cold ("frio") means less or no pepper at all. If you don't dare to eat it hot you should try acarajé (prawn-filled roasties) and vatapá (drinkable black beans soup).

Espírito Santo and Bahia have two different versions of moqueca, a delightful tomato-based seafood stew prepared in a special type of clay pot.

Amazon cuisine draws from the food of the indigenous inhabitants, including various exotic fish and vegetables. There is also a stupendous variety of tropical fruits.

Ceará's food in the coastline has a great sort of seafood, is known to have the country's best crab. It's so popular that literally every weekend thousands of people go to Praia do Futuro in Fortaleza to eat fried fish and crabs (usually followed by cold beer).

Brazilian cuisine also has a lot of imports:

Pizza is quite popular in Brazil. In Sāo Paulo, travellers will find the highest rate of pizza parlours per inhabitant in the country. The variety of flavours is extremely vast, with some restaurants offering more than 50 types of pizza. It is worth noting the difference between the European "mozzarella" and the Brazilian "mussarela". They differ in flavor, appearance and origin but buffalo mozzarella ("mussarela de búfala") is also often available. The Brazilian "mussarela", which tops most pizzas, is yellow in color and has a stronger taste. In some restaurants, particularly in the South, pizza has no tomato sauce. Other dishes of Italian origin, such as macarrão (macaroni), lasanha and others are also very popular.

Middle-eastern and Arab (actually Lebanese) food is widely available. Most options offer high quality and a big variety. Some types of middle-eastern food, such as quibe and esfiha have been adapted and are available at snack stands and fast food joints nation-wide.

São Paulo's Japanese restaurants serve up lots of tempura, sushi and sashimi. The variety is good and mostly the prices are very attractive when compared to Europe, USA and Japan. Most Japanese restaurants also offer the rodizio or buffet deal, with the same quality as if you ordered from the menu. Sometimes, however, it can be quite a departure from the real thing. The same can be said of Chinese food, again with some variations from the traditional. Cheese-filled spring rolls, anyone?

Restaurants

Eating out is a great bargain and a pleasure in Brazil. Service varies in quality but is usually inexpensive. Even in expensive Rio and in touristy areas where prices are marked-up, you can have an excellent meal at a good restaurant with drinks for US$10.

Note that the locals tip 10% of the bill. This value is usually included in the bill, but is under no circumstances mandatory and it is a consumer's legal right to ignore it if they choose to do so. Use this as an opportunity to make somebody's day for extra special gratuity. If you are going to stay for some time, choose a good reastaurant for everyday eating, make friends with a waiter (usually by giving him an extra tip) and you will enjoy excellent service. It is not uncommon, however, for restaurants to retain part or all of those 10% and not give them to the waiters. A way to get around this is to pay the bill excluding the tip, and tipping the waiter directly (and discreetly) in cash.

Most of the self-service restaurants offer two kinds of deals: all-you-can-eat buffets with barbecue served at the tables (called "rodízio"), or a price per kilo ("por quilo"), very common during lunchtime throughout Brazil.

Many inexpensive restaurants are weighted self-service buffets, or por quilo. You pile up your plate with whatever you want, then place it on a scale at the counter, and pay by weight. These restaurants, being inexpensive, are those where many Brazilians prefer to eat daily. Service may be hard to get if you can't speak Portuguese, but this is the place to go if you want to eat good and cheap.

Even in the smallest towns it is easy to find self-service restaurants with good food. Brazilian restaurants can have varying degrees of cleanliness. Customers are allowed by law to visit the kitchen and see how the food is being handled.

Some Brazilian restaurants serve only meals for two, and sometimes the portion is too large for a single person. The size of the portions are usually not indicated on the menu, so you may have to ask the waiter. Most restaurants of this category allow for a "half-serving" of such plates (meia-porção), but usually charge 60 to 70% of the listed price.

Fast food is also very popular, and the local takes on hamburgers and hot-dogs ("cachorro-quente", translated literally) are well worth trying. Brazilian sandwiches tend to come in many varieties, including various combinations of ingredients like mayonnaise, bacon, ham, cheese, lettuce, tomato, corn, peas, raisins, french fries, ketchup, eggs, pickles, etc. Brave eaters may want to try the traditional complete hot dog (just ask for a completo), which, aside from the bun and the sausage, will include corn, peas, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, bacon, small fries and parmesan cheese.

Large chains: The fast-food chain Bob's is found nationwide and has been around in the country for almost as long as McDonald's. There is also a national Arab fast-food chain called Habib's. Recent additions, though not as widespread, are Burger King and Subway. Pizza Hut restaurants may be found on some places, but not very often. Brazilians handle sandwiches with napkins and may use utensils to eat french fries.

Drink

Liquor and beer
Brazil's most famous alcoholic drink is cachaça (cah-shah-sah), an extremely potent sugar-cane liquor known to knock the unwary out quite quickly. An acquired taste,it can seem gasoline on the unaccustomed tongue. It can be tried in virtually every bar in the country. Famous producing regions include Minas Gerais, where there are tours of distillers, much in the same way as you'd tour vineyards in the Sonoma Valley or in France, and the city of Paraty. Pirassununga is home to Caninha 51, Brazil's best-selling brand. In a city near Fortaleza there is a cachaça museum (Museu da Cachaça) where you can learn about the history of the Ypioca brand.

The strong flavor of cachaça - also known as aguardente ("burning water"), pinga, and many other regional variants - can be mixed (hidden?) in cocktails like the famous caipirinha, a combination of cachaça with sugar and lime juice. The same mix using vodka instead of cachaça is nicknamed caipiroska or caipivodka; with white rum, it's a caipiríssima.

Another interesting concoction is called capeta ("devil"), made with cachaça, condensed milk, cinnamon, guarana powder (a mild stimulant), and other ingredients, varying by region.

Drinking cachaça straight, or stirring in only a dollop of honey or a bit of lime juice, is a common habit on the Northeast region of the country.

If you enjoy fine brandy or grappa, try an aged cachaça. Deep and complex, this golden-coloured spirit is nothing like the ubiquitous clear liquor more commonly seen.

Beer in Brazil has a respectable history because of the German immigrants. Most Brazilian beer brands tend to be less thick and bitter than actual German, Danish or English beer. The most popular domestic brands are Brahma, Antarctica, Bavaria, and Skol. Traditional brands include Bohemia, Caracu and Itaipava. Other international brands available are Carlsberg, Stella Artois, Guinness, Miller, Budweiser and others. There are two ways of drinking beer in bars: draft or bottled beer. Draft lager beer is called chope or chopp ('SHOH-pee'), and is commonly served with one inch of foam, but you can make a complaint to the bartender if the foam is consistently thicker than that. In bars, the waiter will usually collect the empty glasses and bottles on a table and replace them with full ones, until you ask him to stop, in a "tap" charging system. In the case of bottled beer, bottles (600ml) are shared among everyone in the table and poured in small glasses, rather than drank straight from the bottle. Brazilians like their beer nearly ice-cold - hence, to keep the temperature down, bottles of beer are often kept in an insulated polystyrene container on the table.

While imported alcohol is very expensive, you may find a large assortment of vodka, wine and rum brands in any local supermarket. They come relatively cheap and don't taste that bad. If you really want imported vodka, gin, or Scotch, your best bet is to buy those at the duty-free shop at the airport (Brazil is one of the few countries where you can buy duty-free goods on your way in).

Rio Grande do Sul is the leading wine production region. There are a number of wine-producing farms that are open to visitors and wine tasting, and wine cellars selling wine and fermented grape juice. One of these farms open to visitors is Salton Winery, located in the city of Bento Gonçalves (Rua Mário Salton, 300, Distrito de Tuiuty, CEP 95700-000. Bento Gonçalves, Rio Grande do Sul. Tel: +55(54) 2105-1000).

The Sao Francisco Valley, along the border of the states of Pernambuco and Bahia, is the country's newest wine-producing region. Brazilian wines are usually fresher, fruitier and less alcoholic than, for instance, French wines. Popular brands like Sangue de Boi, Canção and Santa Felicidade and others with prices below R$ 6.00 are usually seen as rubbish.

If you happen to be in Minas Gerais, look for licor de jabuticaba (jabuticaba liquor) or vinho de jabuticaba (jabuticaba wine), an exquisite purple-black beverage with a sweet taste. Jabuticaba is the name of a small grape-like black fruit native to Brazil.

Coffee and tea
Brazil is known world-wide for its high-quality strong coffee. Café is so popular that it can name meals (just like rice does in China, Japan and Korea): breakfast in Brazil is called café da manhã (morning coffee), while café com pão (coffee with bread) or café da tarde (afternoon coffee) means a light afternoon meal. Cafezinho (small coffee) is a small cup of strong, sweetened coffee usually served after meals in restaurants (sometimes for free, just ask politely). Bottled filtered coffee is being replaced by stronger espresso cups in more upscale restaurants.

Chá, or tea in Portuguese, is most commonly found in its Assam version (orange, light coloured). Some more specialised tea shops and cafés will have Earl Gray and green tea available as well.

Mate is an infusion similar to tea that is very high in caffeine content. A toasted version, often served chilled, is consumed all around the country, while Chimarrão, the hot, bitter equivalent of mate, can be found in the south, and is highly appreciated by the gaúchos (Rio Grande do Sul dwellers). Tererê is a cold version of Chimarrão, common in Mato Grosso state.

Soft drinks
If you're on the beach on a hot day, nothing beats coconut water, or agua de coco - but be careful how you pronounce the word coco (hint: stress the first o as you would in the word oboe, otherwise it will sound to them like you are ordering poo! (cocô) ).

If you want a Coke in Brazil, ask for coca, as "cola" means "glue", in Portuguese (but if you say "Coca-cola", everybody will understand).

Guarana; is a carbonated soft drink made from a berry (the guarana;) native to the Amazon area. The major brands are Antarctica, Kuat and Brahma.

Fruit juices
Fruit juices are very popular in Brazil. There are fruit juice bars at nearly every corner. Açai (made of a fruit from the Amazon) is absolutely delicious and very nutritious(extremely rich in antioxydents) on top of that.Traditionally used blended in combination with guarana (a stimulant) powder,and a raw codorna (quail egg) & sometimes a banana to recouperate and re-energize from late-nite partying It is normally served cold and has a consistency of soft ice. Don't let the crazy purple color stop you from eating it! Maracuja (passion fruit)(careful during an active day- this has a relaxant effect) Caju (cashew fruit,not nut) and Manga (mango) are also great juice experiences. Don't be afraid to try what you see on the menu. Brazilians have great taste when it comes to mixing juices. Be aware that orange juice in Brazil is called suco de laranja, which can confuse Spanish speakers who aren't careful.

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Brazil - Leisure, Entertainment and Sports

Brazil is probably best known for its football and its parties, especially Rio de Janeiro's annual Carnaval. In general, the country offers excellent leisure, entertainment and sporting facilities, ranging from the lively nightlife of Rio and Sāo Paulo, to the fascinating nature reserves of the Amazonian region.

Music, dancing and festivals are central to Brazilian life, and these are enjoyed especially during the annual Carnaval, on five days preceding Ash Wednesday. Although festivals are held throughout the country at this time, the most spectacular is the world-renowned Carnaval held in Rio de Janeiro. There are many colourful samba performances, live music, parades, drinking and general merry-making, as the whole town turns out to party.

Most Brazilians can dance, and many expatriates take the opportunity to learn the samba, bossa nova or lambada while living there. There are dance classes in most urban areas, as well as Gefieras, or samba parlours where visitors can participate or just watch the dancing.

The main cities, especially Rio de Janeiro, Sāo Paulo and Salvador, offer excellent entertainment to suit all tastes. Their nightlife is famed throughout the region, with numerous nightclubs, discos and bars offering live music and other acts, but in many this only gets under way after midnight.

Rio has a number of fascinating museums, such as the Museu Historico Nacional, The Museu de Arte Moderna do Rio de Janeiro and The Museu de Arte Contempora centsnea de Niteroi. Sāo Paulo is home to the Museu de Arte de Sāo Paulo with its excellent collection of paintings by impressionist masters.

Sāo Paulo, Rio and Brasilia all have theatres, concert halls and cinemas, and there are often performances by international artists. Shopping is also a very popular pastime in Brazil, and shopping malls are usually open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. There is a good range of restaurants in the cities, with a range of international cuisine, at very reasonable cost. Brazilian, Portuguese and Italian food is particularly popular.

Football is a national passion in Brazil, both as a spectator and participant sport, and there are sports clubs offering football training throughout the country. There is a tremendous sense of pride in the Brazilian national team, and in Brazil's ownership of the largest football stadium in the world, the Brazilian Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

For those more interested in Brazil's wildlife, there are many ecological reserves in which to observe the rich plant and animal life. The largest reserve is the Pantanal, a massive wetland area, with well-marked wildlife trails.

A wide variety of water-sports are popular in Brazil. It is one of the world's best locations for kite-surfing, surfing, and wind-surfing, hang-gliding, diving and sailing are also very popular. Hiking and climbing are also popular pursuits here, with rock climbing being centred on the Rio de Janeiro region. There are a number of national parks offering excellent hiking.

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Brazil - Retiring and Pensions

Brazil has become a very popular retirement destination, particularly for North Americans. Retirees are attracted by the warm climate, pleasant environment and low cost of living, especially the very reasonable cost of property.

Brazil has double taxation agreements with a number of countries and if covered by one of these you will not be charged twice on your income, including your pension, when living in Brazil. Brazil currently has double taxation agreements with Canada, the UK and many other European countries, but not with the United States.

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Brazil - Taking Your Pets

Domestic pets (dogs, cats or domesticated birds) being brought to Brazil are required to have a health certificate issued within 4 days of travel, endorsed by the Brazilian consulate in your home country.

Dogs and cats over three months old must be vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days but no more than 12 months before export to Brazil. The vaccination certificate (Form EXA25) must be endorsed by the Brazilian Consulate General in your home country.

There are no requirements for quarantine of pets on arrival in Brazil.

There is good quality veterinary care and pet supplies available in Brazil's main urban areas.

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Expat Women

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Moving