FESTIVALS, HOLIDAYS AND OTHER ANNUAL EVENTS IN Brasilia

There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Brasília each year. The main ones are listed below.

Just like in Rio de Janeiro, the Brazilian capital puts on quite a show for carnival every year, including a huge and colourful parade. Brasília's streets are given over to the beat of the samba.

Commemorates the presidential inauguration on this day in 1960, naming Brasília the capital of Brazil. Designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer and urban planner Lúcio Costa, the city's construction was a colossal and mind-boggling accomplishment.

This springtime commemoration of the Holy Eucharist was introduced by the Portuguese. This is an all-day affair in Brasília, with processions of children dressed in white and streets covered in sawdust, leaves, dried flowers, coffee grounds and chalk.

Brazil's independence from Portugal on this day in 1822 is celebrated in Brasília with fireworks, concerts and other staged performances, streets parties and dances.

On this day, families gather to pay tribute to the departed and decorate their tombs at the cemetery.

This day celebrating Brazil's most popular dance form also marks the official start of the summer holidays. As in other cities across the country, it is celebrated in Brasília with numerous samba performances, concerts and revellers dancing in the streets.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER IN Brasilia

Month	Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Average Rains (MM)	Best Time to Travel
January	17/63	27/81	241/9.5	Not the best period to go
February	17/63	27/81	214/8.4	Not the best period to go
March	17/63	27/81	189/7.4	Not the best period to go
April	17/63	27/81	123/4.8	Not the best period to go
May	15/59	26/79	39/1.5	Good period to go
June	13/55	25/77	8/0.3	Good period to go
July	13/55	25/77	11/0.4	Good period to go
August	15/59	27/81	12/0.5	Good period to go
September	16/61	28/61	51/2.0	Not the best period to go
October	17/63	27/81	172/6.8	Not the best period to go
November	17/63	26/79	238	Not the best period to go
December	17/63	26/79	248/9.8	Not the best period to go

Brasília-Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek International Airport

Brasília International Airport is located about 11 kilometres (7 miles) south of the city centre.

• Two terminals:
  • Terminal 1 (Air France)
  • Terminal 2

• By car
  • Accessible via the DF-002 and the DF-003 motorways. It takes about 15 minutes to reach the city centre.
  • There is a large parking lot with a capacity of 1,000 spaces just outside the airport. BRL 5 for up to 1 hour, BRL 3 for the second hour and BRL 1 for each additional hour, BRL 31 daily.
  • Several car rental companies have counters in the arrivals hall.
• By rail
  • Metro line 113 connects the airport to the centre of Brasília. Trains leave every 20 minutes and reach the city centre in about 20 minutes. BRL 4 for one way.
• By bus
  • Bus line 102 links the airport to the central Brasília. The trip takes about 30 minutes. Minibuses 11 and 30 connect the airport with L2 in the North Sector and W3 in the North and South Sectors. The fare is BRL 3 each way.
• By taxi
  • Taxis are available at the ranks outside the arrivals hall. The trip to central Brasília costs around BRL 30.

• Services: shops, bars and restaurants, free Internet access (Wi-Fi) available in the airport.
• Telephone: +55 (0)61 3364 9000
• Website: http://www.bsb.aero

GETTING AROUND Brasilia

Built in the late 1960s, Brasília was designed specifically for cars. As a result, other modes of transport are not very developed, although they do exist. Buses are the main public transport option. Brasília also has a Metro, built in 1992, but trains only run from the bus station along the Asa Sul to the satellite cities.

By bus

The city's bus routes serve most points of interest in Brasília. A single ticket costs BRL 3.

By taxi

Taxis are plentiful in Brasília. It is important to make sure that the driver turns on the meter when setting off. Alternatively, you can agree on a price beforehand. Expect to pay between BRL 10 and BRL 20 for a trip within the city centre.

By car

Cars are the most popular means of transport for locals in Brasília. There are many car rental agencies dotted around the city. However, like elsewhere in the country, Brasília's main thoroughfares become congested with traffic at rush hours and parking garages are often full.

Visitor information

Upon your arrival in Brasília, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organise your stay.

Offers practical information and useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).

• Address: Centro de Convenções Ulysses Guimarães - SDC (Setor de Divulgação Central) - Eixo Monumental, Lote 05, Ala Sul, 1º Andar, Brasília - DF (8 734,50 km) 70070-350 Brasilia
• Telephone: +55 61 3226 2192
• Website: www.turismo.df.gov.br

The official website developed and maintained by Embratur, the Brazilian national tourist board, provides a wealth of information on Brasília.

• Website: https://www.visitbrasil.com/

Currency and Exchange Rates

The currency used in Brazil is the Real (BRL).

JPY1 = R$0.04

R$1 = JPY25

The above exchange rate is given for information because is variable.

Medical information

See your doctor before you travel. It is also recommended to take out insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation before your trip. Brasília counts several hospitals and medical institutions, as well as quality medical practitioners and health specialists.

Brazilian authorities now require proof of vaccination against yellow fever for travellers arriving from the following countries: French Guiana, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. The original of the vaccination certificate must be presented. Booster doses of diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio vaccines are mandatory. For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination centre:

• Address: 38, quai de Jemmapes, 75010 Paris
• Website: https://www.vaccinations-airfrance.fr/
• Telephone: +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00
• To make a vaccination appointment:
  • online (click here)
  • call the centre at +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00

There are no food safety risks in Brasília.

Drinking tap water is not recommended. It is better to drink bottled water.

Administrative formalities

Entry requirements for Brazil

As a general rule, foreign nationals must apply for visa before travelling to Brazil. However, Brazil has entered into visa exemption agreements with a number of countries. To find out if you will need a visa for travel to Brazil, visit the consular section of the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for the latest travel information and recommendations: www.portalconsular.itamaraty.gov.br

Comprehensive information that may be helpful for international visitors is also provided on the Brazil page of the U.S. State Department's travel Website:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Brazil.html

UsefulContacts

To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Brasília, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.

Essential phrases

Good to know

+55

+ phone number (without 0)

-12 : 00
of time difference with
Tokyo

Start of daylight savings time: third Sunday in October
End of daylight saving time: third Sunday in February

BANKS

Usually open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

GOVERNMENT OFFICES

Usually open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

127 V / 50 Hz

Tipping
In Brasília as in the rest of Brazil, a 10% service charge is included in the bill at bars and restaurants. However, it is customary to leave a little extra tip if you are particularly pleased with the service.