Local Guide

Recommended Local Tours

General information

Brazil covers half of the South America continent and it is bordered to the north, west and south by all South America countries except Chile and Ecuador; to the east is the Atlantic. The country is topographically relatively flat and the highlands go about 3000m (10,000ft). Over 60% of the country is a plateau; the remainder consists of plains. Although Brazil has over 160 million inhabitants, the population is concentrated in the southeastern states of Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. The city of São Paulo has a population of over 10 million, while over 5,5 million people live in the city of Rio de Janeiro.

Language

The official language in Brazil is Portuguese, with different regional accents characterizing each states, Spanish and English are spoken in some areas, especially in hotels, shops, restaurants, and other tourist spots. At the education center in Brazil, our main language is Portuguese, but courses are also delivered in Spanish and English.

Time

Brazil spans several time zones: Eastern Standard time: GMT - (GMT - 2 from third Sunday in October to third Saturday in March). Third is the main zone. São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and São José dos Campos are among this time zone. -North East States and East Pará time: GMT - 3. -Western Standard time: GMT - 4 (GMT - 3 from third Sunday in October to third Saturday in March). -Amapa and West Pará Time: GMT - 4. -Acre State: GMT - 5. -Fernando de Noronha Archipelago: GMT - 2.

Climate

Most of Brazil lies immediately to the south of the Equator. As a result, there is very little seasonal variation. The climate is comfortably temperate in most of the country, and refreshing sea breezes often blow along the coast all year round. With temperatures usually ranging from 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 30 degrees Centigrade) in Brazil’s main cities, casual spring and summer clothes are appropriate for almost all region and occasion.

Currency

The Brazilian currency is the "Real" and is divided in "100 centavos". The official rate of exchange is published daily in the main Brazilian newspaper. Foreign currencies or travelers checks can be exchanged for Reais at Hotels, banks and tourism agencies. Credit Cards All major credit Cards are accepted everywhere, but in some places such as small markets, videos stores, small places where you usually do not spend much, it is only accepted cash or check.

Holidays

Business holidays include New Year's Day (1 January), Carnival (February or March; dates vary), Easter and Good Friday (March or April; dates vary), Tiradentes Day (21 April), Labor Day (1 may), Corpus Christi (June; dates varies), independence Day (7 September), Our lady Aparecida Day (12 October), All Soul's Day (2 November), proclamation of the Republic Day (15 November), and Christmas Day (25 December).

Religion

Brazil is officially a Catholic country. Over 90% of Brazilians are Roman Catholics and 5% of the population is Protestant. Indian animism was the original spiritual practice in Brazil. It greatly declined when the Catholic Portuguese settlers colonized Brazil, but some still remains. Slaves from Africa that were brought to Brazil had their religions. The Catholics banned these religions. Some Afro-Brazilian cults evolved during that time, but they are of no resemblance to those of the mainstream religions in Brazil.

São José dos Campos city

São José dos Campos, capital of the Paraíba Valley, is located 90 km far from São Paulo. The high technology of the aerospacial, defense, automotive and telecommunication industries in São José dos Campos has been inserting the city in the international scenery. São José dos campos also offers excellent commerce and services infra-structure, characterized by a Regional Shopping Center, with 5 malls, and wholesale merchants such as Carrefour, Wal Mart, etc. The culture circles daily in 3 theaters that stars festivals and dance, and in 18 modern Cinemark movie theaters. Arts expositions, business and scientific workshops movement a great flow of visitor who also can count on great hotels, bars and restaurants. São José dos Campos is among the 25 cities of the country with better living conditions according to the human development report (HDR) from United Nations Organization. The green is a constant scene in its landscape. Clubs, parks and squares are everywhere, and 62,62% of its territory is protected by an Ecological Reservation. Notability must be given to the Marsh with 5 million m2 in front of downtown, the Ecological Reservation Augusto Ruschi and the City Park, that has modern architectural crafts and the landscape from renowned gardener Roberto Burle marx