Foreing tourists will probably have to resort to taxis. Brazilian taxi systems in the large cities are usually reasonably organized (much better organized than in South Africa).

Taxis are uniformly painted (in Rio, they are yellow with a blue band – see photo, but that isn’t a norm), and a (usually expensive) license is required – and the legal drivers don’t hesitate to weed out the illegal taxis.

Taxi Fares (in Portuguese, Tarifas de Taxi) have three components: a starting fare, a fare per kilometer and a fare per idle time (the latter starts counting as soon as the speed falls below a certain treshold); values vary from city to city.

A site was created to estimate Taxi Fares in the major Brazilian cities (including all host cities of the WC 2014). According to the authors, effort is made to keep the values updated.

Notice that during the night, weekends and, in most cities, all through the month of December, a special fare applies (in Portuguese, it is called Bandeira 2).

Notice also that in certain places, particularly airports and interstate bus terminals, the fare is fixed (depending only on the destination) and paid before boarding the vehicle.

Finding English speaking taxi drivers is an exception, rather than the norm. If you come across a driver who looks helpful and speaks languages, grab his card.

Brazilian airports are already operating above capacity and, despite measures to attempt to speed up their building, we don’t know if the airports will be ready for 2014. Even if the airports are ready, we don’t know if there will be a sufficient supply of seats. And now, even if the airlines sell the tickets, we don’t know if they will actually transport the passenger.

Since last Sunday, August 1st, airline Gol has been delaying or canceling many of their flights. On Monday, more than 50% of the flights were affected; in Rio de Janeiro alone, out of 105 flights, 80 had been delayed and 11 had been canceled. On Tuesday, Infraero informed that Gol had delayed 203 and canceled 47 domestic flights. Today, Infraero informed that about 37% of domestic flights are still delayed.

Gol informed that the delays were “a reflex of the big increase in the volume of passengers, since last Friday” (last day of the winter break in Brazilian schools). According to sources, Gol pilots and crews had exceed the overtime work permitted by law, and refused to fly; besides, Gol had diverted aircrafts to more profitable charter flights, lacking aircrafts for normal routes.

Today, ANAC, the Civil Aviation Federal Agency, announced the punishment for Gol: a R$ 2 million (a bit more than US$ 1 million) fine.

So, a company sells tickets to thousands of passengers, fails to honor them, comes up with stupid excuses, and gets away paying a R$ 2 million fine (that is, if Gol ever pays that fine – it is well known that corporations in Brazil just ignore fines imposed by the Federal Agencies). No wonder the company doesn’t care about quality.

One could think that Gol’s competitors could take the opportunity to gain new clients. But it is no so. First, because the air transportation market in Brazil is dominated by a duopoly, Gol and TAM. And also because TAM is not any more reliable than Gol – massive TAM delays are also not very uncommon.

Probably CBF is right: the stadiums are delayed, but they can be built until 2014; changing the scenario of air transportation in Brazil will be much more difficult.

Visitors coming for visitation and recration purposes, just a Tourist Visa is necessary (that’s the easiest one to obtain).

To work as a volunteer in Brazil (even if no payment is involved), it is necessary a Temporary Visa; the volunteer work is considered “cultural trip” or “studies mission”, as qualified in article 13, item I of this Law.

The documentation to be produced when applying for any Temporary Visa includes: passport valid for six months and containing at least two blank pages, two photos, proof of residence, certificate of good conduct, and more. See complete list.

For those traveling to Brazil to provide services, including volunteer work, to charitable or religious entities or to Non Governmental Organizations, without a work contract or employment relationship (if such contract or relationship exists, then a Work Visa will be needed), further documentation is required.

This documentation is determined by Resolution 68, December 7th 2005: the applicant must present an invitation provided by the entity or organization, and the entity or organization must proof legal status and take responsability (upkeeping, health, etc) for the applicant.

See more information about Brazil Visas.

Read also the Law about Volunteer Work in Brazil.

For visitors who come for visitation or recreation purposes only, as is the case of most people coming to attend the World Cup in 2014, the applicable Visa is the Tourist Visa. Those who come for business or work purposes (including journalists and volunteers) must apply for a Temporary Visa.

The Law says (article 10) that, if a country doesn’t require a Visa for Brazilian Tourists, then nationals from that country will not need a Tourist Visa to enter Brazil.

The Ministry for Foreign Relations maintains a page (supposedly up to date) with a list of countries which do not need a Tourist Visa to enter Brazil.  The list includes most European countries with regular presence in World Cups, such as United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, France, Switzerland, Ireland and others. Nationals from Mercosul (Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay) don’t even need a passport.

Among others, the following countries do need a Tourist Visa: USA, Canada, Japan, Australia.

Required documentation is listed at this page. Cost of Visa ranges from US$ 20 to US$ 100; Brazilian authorities claim that the price is based on reciprocity. In June 2010, American Consulates in Brazil increased the application fee to US$ 140, which should reflect in the fee charged from American citizens to enter Brazil.

Visa applications must be submitted to the Brazilian Embassies and Consulates; this page contains links to consulates all over the world (cities in alphabetic order). The Ministry of Tourism maintains a few tourism offices in some major World cities, which may also be helpful.

Validity of Visas is also subject to reciprocity (recently, American citizens became eligible to ten year visas). Regardless of the validity, the following applies (article 12 of the Law): multiple entries are permitted; maximum stay per entry is 90 days; if required withing the first 90 days, an extension may be granted, at discretion of Brazilian authorities; maximum stay per year is 180 days.

Read more about the Brazil Visas.

A few days ago, Unesco inscribed another Brazilian Monument as a World Heritage Site: the Sao Francisco Square.

The Square is in the city of Sao Cristovao, in the State of Sergipe; founded in 1590, it is the fourth oldest city in Brazil. The Square is surrounded by Historic buildings, such as the Church and Convent of Sao Francisco (built in 1693), Church of Our Lady of Rosary of Colored Men, the Sisters Mercy Hospital and more.

Sao Cristovao was built while Portugal was under rule of the Spanish King (1580 – 1640). This kind of large square which concentrates all public buildings was common in other Latin American cities, but  not so common in Brazil.

Sao Cristovao was capital of the State until 1855, when Aracaju was founded to be the new capital. Thanks to that, all the colonial, baroque, religious architecture is very well preserved in Sao Cristovao (the Sacred Arts Museum is one of the richest in Brazil).

The movie below shows the Sao Francisco Square; see more photos and movies of Sao Cristovao and Sao Francisco Square.

Brazil has now 19 Heritage Sites. Full list is here. The World Cup is a good opportunity to visit some of the Sites.

Sao Cristovao, as said above, is distant from the major cities. Even Aracaju remains as one of the quietest capitals in the Northeast of  Brazil. One can reach Sao Cristovao by driving from Salvador (about 350 km) or Recife (500 km).

Brasilia, the capital of Brazil, is itself a Heritage Site. Brasilia is also the host city nearest the Old Town of Goias and the best starting point to visit the parks of Cerrado (Chapada dos Veadeiros and Parque das Emas – the Parks are close to each other, and about 200 km from Brasilia).

Recife is neighboor to Olinda, a Heritage Site. Recife is also the departure point to visit Fernando de Noronha; actually, the part of Noronha which is considered Heritage (the Atol das Rocas) is open only to researchers, but the paradisiac beaches of Noronha are worthy a visit.

Manaus is right on the middle of the Amazon Basin, and Cuiaba is right on the middle of Pantanal. Actually, the main purpose of CBF having chosen those cities as hosts (see here) was to draw attention (and tourists) to the Amazon and the Pantanal.

Fortaleza is the host city nearest to two Heritage sites: the Historic Center of Sao Luis (about 1,100 km away from Fortaleza – there are flighst between the cities) and the Serra da Capivara National Park (about 600 km from Fortaleza, probably the most difficult Heritage Site to get to).

Curitiba and Porto Alegre are both good starting points to visit  two Heritage Sites: the Missions of Sao Miguel (read about the movie) and mesmerizing Foz do Iguaçu Park (or, in Spanish, Foz do Iguazu – anyhow, Iguaçu puts Niagara Falls to shame – see photo). Both Sites are far from each other (200 km) and require travel across the State  (800 km).

Salvador is also a Heritage Site itself; Salvador is the host city nearest the Atlantic Forest of the Discovery Coast, about 200 km South of the city. Another part of the Atlantic Forest which is also inscribed as World Heritage is located between Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Belo Horizonte is the host city with more Heritage Sites nearby. From BH, it’s a short drive to Ouro Preto, Diamantina and Bom Jesus do Congonhas; all these cities flourished during the epoch of the Gold Rush in Brazil, and are located along the road used to transport the gold, Estrada Real.

The World Cup in Brazil will have much to offer, besides football.

With the World Cup coming to Brazil, it is possible that we see changes and adaptations in the law, so as to reduce bureaucracy for the many tourists and professionals who are coming to watch and participate of the event. Until now, however, nothing has changed.

Article 4 of the Law specifies the seven kinds of Brazilian Visa:

- transit visas (for travelers going to another country, in transit through Brazil; valid for a maximum of ten days; not necessary if the traveler’s carrier is just making a necessary stop over)

- tourist visas

- temporary visas (including Visa for Volunteer Workers)

- permanent visas (for those who want to become a resident in Brazil)

- courtesy visas

- official visas

- diplomatic visas

Article 3 states that all Visas are granted at discretion of the Brazilian authorities, subject to national interests; article 26 states that even if a Visa is granted, the holder may be denied entry, on arrival to the country.

Article 7 lists the cases when a Visa shall not be granted: to minors of 18 years of age, if unaccompanied by parents or without their express permission; to anyone considered harmful to public order or national interests; to anyone who had been expelled from Brazil earlier; to anyone condemned or prosecuted in another country by a crime which may be subject to extradiction, according to the Brazilian law; to anyone who don’t satisfy the requirements of the Ministry of Health of Brazil.

As far as the World Cup is concerned, two kinds of Visa are of particular interest:

Tourism Visas: for those who have no intention of immigrating or working, i.e., the vast majority of people coming to watch the matches. Read more about Tourist Visas to Brazil.

Temporary Visas: applies to anyone who intends to study or work in Brazil, such as volunteers, students, business people, sports people and journalists.

Read more about Immigration Laws to Brazil.

Update, August 6th 2010: Brazil and European Union to sign a visa waiver agreement.

The Brazilian Government is taking measures to improve Brazilian airports and bring them up to the levels required to attend the expected mass of travellers.

But, even if the Government fullfils the promises about the airports, another point remains: the Brazilian air carriers will have to expand their availability of air routes to provide timely transportation between cities.

According to latest statistics informed (April 2010, source ANAC), there are two companies which dominate the Brazilian domestic air transportation market: TAM (41.75% of market share) and Gol (41.44% of share); the third largest company was Webjet (6.02% market share) and fourth was Azul (5.36%).

Combined, TAM and Gol make a duopoly with more than 83% of market share, and about the same share of available seats. Let’s take a look at the routes operated by the companies.

Below, domestic routes operated by TAM and the companies which have commercial agreements with TAM (click the image to enlarge).

Below, domestic and international routes operated by Gol and Varig (Varig used to be the main Brazilian air carrier, but the company failed a few years ago and was purchased – along with the respective routes – by Gol).

The maps show that there is a big concentration of flights in a few cities, and scarcity in others.

The three main hubs in Brazil are: Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia. According to the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association,  the route Rio – Sao Paulo is the busiest in Latin America, and Sao Paulo – Brasilia has just become the second one, surpassing the route Mexico City – Monterrey (see report).

Cities such as Curitiba, Porto Alegre, Recife, Salvador and Belo Horizonte are considered regional hubs, and are served by a few direct daily flights among them, and coming or going to a national hub. According to the same report mentioned above, Sao Paul0 – Porto Alegre and Sao Paulo – Curitiba are the fourth and fifth busiest air routes in Latin America.

The other host cities (namely Cuiaba, Manaus, Natal and Fortaleza) have just a couple of direct flights to hubs, and barely none flights amongst them.

FIFA and CBF will need to carefully study the logistics of air transportation in 2014 before defining groups, teams and matches of the World Cup.

If, for example, a popular team such as USA or England has a match in Manaus and the following in Cuiaba or Natal, there will certainly be a fight for tickets and a lot of passengers making connections in Brasilia or Recife.

Of course, if Brazilian air carriers increase investments, or the Brazilian Government allows international competition, the situation may change.

Veja, the most influential Brazilian magazine, published some time ago a guide of best hotels in Brazil; the guide sorts hotels by city and event (such as “the best hotel for the Sao Paulo Fashion Week in Sao Paulo“), and is still a good indicator of the finest hotels in Brazil.

In Sao Paulo: Hotel Unique (photo below),  Sofitel, Transamerica, Grande Hotel Senac. See other hotels in Sao Paulo.

In Rio de Janeiro: Le Meridien, Sheraton, Pousada Pardieiro. See other hotels in Rio de Janeiro.

In Santa Catarina: Plaza Blumenau. See other hotels in Florianopolis.

In Salvador: Bahia Othon. See other hotels in Salvador.

In Curitiba: Mabu Royal and Premium Hotel. See other hotels in Curitiba.

In Brasilia: Melia. See other hotels in Brasilia.

In Recife: Atlante Plaza. See other hotels in Recife.

In Natal: Serhs (photo below). See other hotels in Natal.

In Fortaleza: Bluetree. See other hotels in Fortaleza.

In and near Manaus: Tropical, Amazon River, Crowne Plaza. See other hotels in Manaus.

FIFA, CBF and the Brazilian Government have manifested preoccupation with airports and stadiums, but there is another point which deserves concern: hotels.

Brazil never saw Tourism as a priority.

The board below, extracted from a report by the Brazilian Travel Authority (which, in turn, was compiled based on information provided by the World Tourism Organization), shows the participation of Brazil in international tourism in the World and in South America.

According to the board, in 2007 (most recent data produced by BrazilTour), out of more than 900 million travelers who took international trips, only 19 million came to South America, and just a measly 5 million came to Brazil.

That means that Brazil has a share of about 0.56% (that is less than one percent) of total international tourism. And the board shows that that figure hasn’t been changing much in recent years.

Of course, this has repercussions in the hotel sector, both in quantity and quality.

It is uncertain whether the current hotel infrastructure will be capable of handling all the flux of tourists in 2014.

FIFA requires that each host city have a minimum number of hotel rooms, in proportion to the capacity of the respective stadium; several new hotels are being built, but it is up to private entities to assess the risks and determine how many unities will be built.

Belo Horizonte and Brasilia aspire to hosting the opening match of the Cup, but one serious restriction they face is their limited availability of hotel rooms. In Rio de Janeiro, where the final match of the Cup will be staged, cruisers will be used as hotel rooms.

An then there is the quality of services. Staff of most hotels don’t speak any language other than Portuguese; recently, the Government launched a programme called Ola, Turista (Hi, Tourist), to teach, using the internet, tourism workers (hotel and restaurant staff, taxi drivers, etc) to speak English and Spanish.

Brazil have several resorts and upscale hotels all around the country (in Brazil, the Travel Authority used to award Stars to evaluate hotels, but the concept was abandoned long ago – so, all Five Star Hotels in Brazil are self-attributed honours), but those have been serving a limited number of visitors. In case a large number of customers demanding high quality services come to Brazil (it must be remembered that these customers will have to dispute with the National Teams), there can be shortage of rooms.

Below, a brief report of the current situation.

Full schedule of the World Cup 2014 wasn’t released yet. It is known, however, that the matches will happen between mid-June and mid-July of 2014.

The official logo was already presented, but neither the mascot nor other symbols were. Several promotional movies inviting visitors are ready to go – the first one being displayed right after the final match in 2010.

It will be winter in Brazil, but temperatures will be much more pleasant than in South Africa. It is likely that matches will be played, in local time, at mid-morning (around 10 am), short afternoon (around 1 pm) and late afternoon (around 5 pm); that will allow audiences in North America and Europe to watch the games at comfortable times (not sooner than 6 am in Western North America, not later than 10 pm in Eastern Europe).

Tickets are not for sale yet. FIFA already said that there will be big changes from the system adopted in South Africa, so as to make tickets cheaper and easier to be bought.

It is likely that there will be jobs and volunteering opportunities for the World Cup, but there is no further information yet.

Since May 2009, the host cities have been known. To meet interests of FIFA, the Brazilian Confederation and the Brazilian politicians, it was defined that there will be matches in twelve cites (there are doubts if those many are indeed the most recommended).

There will be also twelve stadiums; nine of them are publicly owned, and three are private property. None of the stadiums is ready; a few will be built from stratch, most will be fully overhauled.

Work in all stadiums is delayed. FIFA already manifested preoccupation with the delays. Public stadiums have to deal with a lot of bureaucracy; private stadiums have troubles finding money. This blog keeps track of the works in the stadiums.

Despite claims in contrary by the authorities, the infrastructure works are already delayed. According to several reports, Brazilian airports are not ready to cope with the expected flux of passengers in 2014 (600,000 foreign visitors and 3,000,000 of Brazilians). Recently, the Federal Government passed a law to speed up the works in airports.

The bullet train between Rio and Sao Paulo will not be ready for 2014. Oi Telecom was contracted to provide telecom infrastructure. Very little else has been done regarding infrastructure.

The vuvuzelas were prohibited in Brazil (ops, that was just a wishing).

The graph below shows the recent increase in accesses to this site.