The Tourism section of the Embassy supports the promotion, marketing and commercialization of Brazilian tourism products, services and destinations, as a means to achieve the goal of developing tourism as a sustainable economic activity in Brazil.

The main activities of the Tourism sector are the following:

• spotting commercial opportunities;
• supporting Brazilian participation in tourism exhibits and fairs;
• supporting foreign media coverage of tourism in Brazil;
• spreading knowledge about Brazilian tourism services and destinations and identifying interested partners in Sweden and in Latvia;
• informing about tourism investment opportunities in Brazil;
• organizing seminars, workshops and meetings for professionals;
• giving general information to the public.

Check the websites in the right side of this page for useful information if you are planning to visit Brazil.

Most frequently asked questions

1. Do I need a visa to go to Brazil? Where can I obtain a visa?

Holders of Swedish passport do not need a visa to go to Brazil for tourism purpose only or for participating in seminars, conferences or artistic or sports events provided that no payment is involved . The passport must be valid for a minimum of 180 days from the date of entry in Brazil. At the arrival, the competent authorities may ask the traveler to present a return travel ticket and proof of hotel reservation and/or of financial means (traveler’s cheques, credit card etc.) compatible with the duration of the trip. The tourist can stay in Brazil for up to 90 days from the day of entry. It is possible to obtain from the immigration authority in Brazil (Federal Police-DPMAF) an authorization to stay in the country as a tourist for a further period of 90 days (Please contact the consular section of the Embassy to obtain information about how to proceed).

Those traveling to Brazil for any other purpose – work, study, scientific or cultural exchange, voluntary work, child adoption etc... – need to apply for the appropriate visa. Further information is given by the consular section of the Embassy.

Holders of passports of other nationalities must contact the consular section of the Embassy to verify if they need a visa to enter Brazil – even if they are traveling only for tourism.

Holders of Latvian passport need a visa for tourism in Brazil. Click Consular section (in English)

Visas can only be delivered by the Brazilian Consular Authorities.

2. Which vaccines are required for traveling to Brazil?

a) Polio vaccination certificate (vaccination booklet or letter from the Family doctor) is compulsory for children aged between three months and six years. Polio has been eradicated in Brazil thanks to extensive vaccination campaigns.

b) An international certificate of vaccination against yellow fever is compulsory for travelers who, within three months prior to their arrival in Brazil, have visited or been in transit through the following countries:

Angola, Benin, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic, Colombia, Congo (Republic of), Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, French Guyana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guyana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Kenya, Panama, Peru, Rwanda, San Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Suriname, Tanzania, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Venezuela.

c) Additionally, vaccination against yellow fever is recommended for travellers who intend to visit the following states of Brazil:

Acre, Amazonas, Amapá, Distrito Federal (Brasília), Goiás, Maranhão, Mato Grosso do Sul, Pará, Roraima and Tocantins.

Please note that yellow fever vaccination takes approximately 10 days to become effective. Further information and recommendations can be found at the Traveller' Health section of WHO (World Health Organization) http://www.who.int

3. How do I get to Brazil?

The main European hubs for direct flights to Brazil are London, Frankfurt, Paris, Copenhagen and Lisbon. From Lisbon there are direct flights to tourist destinations in the sunny Northeast of Brazil: Salvador, Recife, Fortaleza and Natal. From Paris there are direct flights to Recife. Tour operators in Sweden (Fritids Resor, Always, Ving, Globe Trotter, Framtidsresor) have non-stop flights to Brazil from October to March.

4. What are the legal requirements for children and adolescents under 18 years old traveling in Brazil?

For traveling inside Brazil a person under 18 years old must be accompanied by one of the parents, or by one of the grand-parents or by an adult next of kin. The family tie must be corroborated by a document. Please note that the document must be presented with a translation into Portuguese. A person under 18 years old can also travel in Brazil in the company of an adult who is not his/her next of kin if authorized (written authorization, in Portuguese, with signature authenticated by a Brazilian Notary Public or Consular Authority) by the father, the mother or the legal guardian. For leaving the Brazilian territory, a person under 18 years old must be accompanied by both parents or by the legal guardian. If traveling with only one of the parents, the other parent must give written authorization (in Portuguese, with signature authenticated by a Brazilian Notary Public or Consular Authority). Please contact the consular section of the Embassy in order to obtain the Travel Authorization Form and further information or click Consular section Only the Justice for Children and Adolescents may grant authorization for a person under 18 years old to leave Brazil unaccompanied or in the company of an adult who is not a parent. These guidelines apply, in principle, to any person under 18 years old in Brazilian jurisdiction, regardless of the nationality. Nevertheless, there are variations in the manner the guidelines are interpreted in each state of the federation.

5. What language is spoken in Brazil?

The language is Portuguese. In tourist places and in big cities it is not uncommon to find Brazilians who can speak English or Spanish. Brazilians are friendly and hospitable and even if you have to resort to mime you will be able to get around without difficulty.

6. What currency is used in Brazil?

Brazilian currency is the Real (you can find the exchange rate in appropriate websites). At Brazilian international airports, in bigger cities and even in some tourist resorts it is possible to exchange foreign currency. American dollars and Euros are the currencies more easily exchanged. Please be advised that anyone entering Brazil with more than R$10.000,00 (ten thousand Reais), or the equivalent in another currency, in cash or traveler's cheques must declare it to the customs. A sample of the Currency Carry-on Declaration (Declaração de Porte de Valores) can be downloaded at the website htttp://www.receita.fazenda.gov.br

7. Which international credit cards are used in Brazil?

Visa and Master Card are the most widespread and can be used for withdrawing cash in automated tellers. American Express and Diners are also accepted in many hotels and restaurants and in some shops. Do not forget to have the telephone of the international assistance service of your credit cards at hand.

8. What are the customs requirements for tourist's baggage entering Brazil?

You will find all the necessary information and a sample of the Accompanied Baggage Declaration which you will be asked to fill at the website (in English) of the customs authority (Secretaria da Receita Federal-SRF)
htttp://www.receita.fazenda.gov.br

9. What precautions should I take against muggers and robbers?

Avoid carrying large quantities of cash (always take traveler’s cheques), wearing jewels and expensive watches. Avoid attracting attention with expensive photo and filming equipment. Be wary of pickpockets in public transportation and crowded places. Ask the hotel staff or locals about the security conditions in the places you intend to visit. When confronted by a mugger or robber do not oppose resistance.

10. Which is the most convenient means of transportation inside Brazil?

As Brazil is the fifth biggest country in the world and distances are of continental proportions, the best way to go around is by plane. You can either buy a Brazil Pass (VARIG-TAM), which can only be bought outside Brazil, or buy tickets from other local airlines. There are reliable Brazilian airlines offering discount rates to most destinations in the country. The Brazil Pass is a flexible and economic alternative; see www.varig.com.br or www.flytam.biz If you are on a shoestring budget you can also travel by bus; the road network is extensive. In cities, taxis are the most convenient means of transportation and their fares are very low compared to Swedish taxis. In Rio and São Paulo the metro is a safe and easy alternative.

11. Is my driver's license accepted in Brazil?

Brazil is a State Party to the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic and according to its Article 41 recognizes International Driver's Licenses issued in conformity of the provisions of the Convention. The driver must be over 18 years old. The International Driver's License should be presented together with the valid original (domestic) driver's license.

12. What are the dates of Carnival?

Carnival is the peak holiday season in Brazil. Carnival dates change every year. It begins forty days before the Catholic holiday Lent. The main celebrations are from Friday to Tuesday. Ash Wednesday is a day for recovering from the previous sleepless nights. However, some cities continue to celebrate even on Ash Wednesday and until the following weekend. Banks and most offices and businesses close during the festivities. Brazilians take time off and travel, so make sure to plan your trip well in advance because you will be competing for flights and hotel accommodations not only with tourists from all over the world but also with Brazilians.

Carnival dates until 2017: