Brazil is also called “o País do Futebol”, or the country of football and there can’t be a better compliment for the country which has won the world cup five times. This Latin American country is hosting the world cup after 64 years. Brazill will be gripped by a month long football fever starting from June 12. As England is also a key contender for title a large number of British nationals will also fly to Brazil to cheer their team. Here we provide essential information football fans might be looking for.
Visa and passport
Travellers with a valid UK passport don’t need visa to enter Brazil but their passport must be valid for minimum six month on arrival in Brazil. You can also be asked to show return ticket for the UK and sufficient funds for the duration of stay. Some non-UK passport holders will require a visa. The list of such countries is available on the website of Consulate-General of Brazil.
Inform before you go
As you are heading for Brazil you might be taking your credit cards/ Debit cards for your expenses. While taking your credit card or debit card abroad doesn’t forget to inform your bank regarding this, else your card will be blocked to protect it from fraud. You should also check with your provider whether your phone will work in Brazil and decide to disable data to avoid hefty fees while roaming. Last but not the least, don’t forget to update a friend or relative about your itinerary and contact number of your fellow travellers.
Check authenticity of ticket
If you buy tickets in Brazil you should check its authenticity and there can’t be a better place to check it than FIFA World Cup Ticketing Centre. Tickets are allotted on your ID so you may be asked to produce your ID in stadium. You can also be asked to show credit card/ debit card used in purchase of ticket.
Travelling between cities
Spread over an area of 3,300,000 square miles, Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world by area. As the football world cup is scheduled to be held in 12 cities with an array of things to see and do, the travellers should have practical plans to travel between the cities. The most convenient way to travel between the host cities is internal flights which connect most of the host destinations. Avianca, Azul Airlines, Gol Airlines, TAM, Varig and Webjet are major domestic carriers. Bus services to major destination are also available. Car hires are also available but you should refrain from exercising this option due to poor condition of the roads.
Climate conscious
With a different geography Brazil has a climate very different from us. In June, when it is summer season in England, it is winter in Brazil; thanks to its location in the Southern Hemisphere. During your visit to cities like Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Sao Paulo, Brasilia, Belo Horizonte, Porto Alegre and Curitiba you will come across a temperature that varies between 16C to 25C. North-east cities like Fortaleza, Natal and Recife witness temperature that is around 30C. Get ready for sudden downpours during your visit to Manaus.
Have money for small expenses
You might be travelling with credit or debit card but you should not forget to keep some cash ready for small expenses. The currency of Brazil is the real, and you can get R$3.4for £1. The ATMs are very common in cities from where you can collect cash.
Home Connection
Smartphones with the UK registration normally work in Brazil with 2G, 3G or 4G services. You can cut on roaming by buying a SIM from Brazil’s national or local operators. The authorities are working at enhancing coverage at World Cup stadiums. Wi-Fi networks are also being improved to provide better connectivity at stadia.