VARIG Brazilian Airlines has been flying the skies of Brazil since 1927 and has
devoted itself to providing passengers the best air transportation available anywhere in the world.
This guiding philosophy encompasses every facet of air travel from the onboard service to state-of-the-art equipment and maintenance, plus rigorous training.
VARIG has grown enormously from its roots as a regional carrier flying in the south of Brazil to its position today as one of the world's largest.
VARIG now has a fleet of 81 aircraft, boasting a modern jet fleet of Boeing 727, 737, 767 and 747 aircraft as well as DC-10 equipment. VARIG is committed to the long-term modernization of its fleet and recently placed the largest order on Latin American aviation history for Boeing 747400s and advanced generation 737-300s. Orders already placed with McDonnell Douglas will result in a steady delivery of new MD-I Is beginning in 1991.
VARIG's commitment to excellence extends beyond its fleet. It operates the
largest and most sophisticated maintenance facility in South America, serving not only its own aircraft but also those of leading international carriers. The carrier's recently expanded catering facility regularly cooks about 20,000 meals per day.
VARIG is Brazil's leading international and domestic carrier. Its domestic flight network links 45 Brazilian cities taking passengers and cargo to every corner of the country. Internationally, VARIG serves 41 cities in 30 different countries, providing the most comprehensive route system to Brazil of any carrier.
Main international gateways are Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo; however, VARIG also offers international service from Manaus and Belém in the Amazon, Recife and Salvador in the Northeast, Iguassu Falls and Porto Alegre in the South.
This standard of excellence has been acknowledged throughout the world as surveys taken by industry and non-industry sources continually rank VARIG as the premier airline serving Central and South America.
You will notice the difference the moment you step aboard a VARIG plane.
VARIG. Brazilian Airlines brings the warmth and excitement of Rio de Janeiro to the United States and Canada 28 times a week with flights from Los Angeles, Atlanta Miami, New York and Toronto to Rio, Sao Paulo.
Personal attention and a host of special details (How about blankets and pillows at your seat upon boarding? Linen napkins, silverware for your dinner service?) will show you why VARIG is a holder of the coveted Air Transport World’s award for the best on board service in the industry.
Let VARIG pamper you on your overnight flight to Rio with some of the best cuisine aloft as well as complimentary drinks and headsets. Convenient schedules, wide body jets and great tour prices make Rio and VARIG an unbeatable combination. For more information contact VARIG Brazilian Airlines at: 1-800-GO-VARIG or Atlantic Corporate Travel 1-800-682-1998
Useful information before going to BRAZIL (take a virtual trip clicking here)
THE PEOPLE
Brazil's inhabitants are descendants of a mixture of people. Portuguese colonizers
mixed with the native Indians and African slaves (mostly of Yoruba and Quimbundu origin,
corresponding to modern-day Nigeria Benin and Angola). Dutch and French colonization
also took place in the Northeast. In the 1 9th century, waves of German, Italian, Polish
and Japanese immigrants added new elements to the mixture. Brazilians are perhaps one
of the most racially mixed peoples in the world.
THE LANGUAGE
Portuguese is the national language, but Brazilian Portuguese is very different in accent and intonation from the language spoken in Portugal or in other former Portuguese colonies. Some people suggest that Brazilians actually speak "Brazilian" much in the same way that Americans might be said to speak ''American" rather than English.
CLIMATE
Climate varies according to latitude and altitude. Seasons are the exact reverse of those in the U.S. and Europe (except in the North). The average yearly temperatures are about 82F in the North and 68F in the South.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
A visa is required for foreign citizens wishing to visit Brazil. Passports should be valid for six months from the intended date of arrival in Brazil. Tourist and transit visas are generally processed within two working days. They can be obtained through the nearest Brazilian consulate. One Passport-sized photograph along with your ticket and duly completed application from are required to apply for your visa, valid for 90 days (tourist) or 10 days (transit).
CUSTOMS
Besides clothing and personal effects, tourists entering Brazil may bring one of each of the following items: radio, tape player, typewriter, movie and still cameras, Tourists are allowed to buy US$ 300 of merchandise in local duty free shops.
TIME
In most of the country, the time is three hours earlier than Greenwich (London) Mean Time. This changes during the summer when daylight savings time goes into effect (clocks move forward one hour). The time in Rio is two hours later than New York except when daylight savings time is in effect in either country.
COMMUNICATIONS
All parts of the world can be swiftly contacted by telephone or Telex. A modem, microwave communications system connects the main cities in Brazil, nearly all of which are equipped with Direct Dialing Service for both domestic and international calls.
CURRENCY
The Brazilian monetary unit is the Real. The official rate of exchange is published in daily newspapers. One can exchange through hotel cashiers, banks and travel agencies. Cash and traveler’s' checks are easily exchanged at these locations. Many hotels and shops accept foreign currency and international credit cards.
BUSINESS HOURS
Most shops in Brazil are open from 9 am - 6:30 or 7 PM, weekdays, and from 9 am - 1 PM on Saturdays. Some shops may close earlier, and many shopping centers stay open as late as 10 PM. Banks open from 10 am - 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday, in most parts of the country with small regional variations. In some regions, shops may also close for lunch.
ELECTRICAL CURRENT
In Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, the current is almost exclusively 110 or 120 volts, 60 cycles, AC. Salvador and Manaus have 127-volt service. Recife, Brasilia and a number of other cities have 220-volt service. Most hotels provide 110-volt and 220-volt outlets.
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
CAMPING
For information, contact the Camping Clube do Brasil Divisao de Campings - Rua Senador Dantas, 75/29o andar Rio de Janeiro, RJ - Brazil. Telephone number: (021) 262-7172. The club has 52 sites in 14 states and 150,000 members.
RENTAL CARS
Chauffeur driven or self service rental cars are available at all major airports and in most large cities. Look under ''autolocadoras" or "locadoras de automoveis" in the phone book for Hertz, Avis, National, Localiza, Unidas, Nobre, Interlocadora, etc. An international driver's license is required for foreigners.
TAXIS
Taxis are plentiful in most cities throughout Brazil. Regular, metered taxis can be hailed on the street. Although the meter is used, the actual fare you pay is listed on a chart taped to the rear side window of the vehicle which the driver will consult upon reaching your destination. Radio-dispatched taxis are larger and air conditioned but more expensive. These are found at airports or can be summoned by phone.
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