Travel advice on the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil
The FIFA World Cup begins on 12 June 2014 in Sao Paulo. This page has useful information and tips for football fans travelling to Brazil. It will be updated regularly – to receive updates to the Brazil travel advice and check back for the most recent information.
Contents
- Passports and visas
- Travel and Accommodation
- Top tips to stay safe
- Health issues and risks
- Scams and safety issues
- Don’t forget
- On match day
Passports and visas
EU and US passport holders do not require a visa to enter Brazil. However, passports must be valid for at least six months and a return ticket and proof of sufficient funds may be requested on arrival. Tourists will be admitted for a stay of up to 90 days and are not allowed to work. We advise that you have two blank pages in your passport on arrival and that you complete the emergency contact details page. This will make it much easier to contact someone if necessary.
Travel and Accommodation
- Brazil is a big country, seven times the size of South Africa – make sure you plan your journeys between stadiums carefully as they may be spread far apart; a flight between Rio de Janeiro and Manaus is about four hours
- make sure you only use licensed taxis or official public transport
- travel between cities can be time consuming, especially by bus
- there is a high road accident rate in the country; in many rural areas the quality of roads away from the main highways is poor, and standards of driving, especially trucks and buses, is low
- Brazil has a zero tolerance policy on drink driving; if you are caught driving under the influence of alcohol, you will probably be prosecuted
- penalties for drink driving range from fines and a suspension from driving for 12 months, to imprisonment for up to 3 years
- traffic can be heavy in big cities – leave earlier than usual to the stadium if travelling by road
- ensure you book your accommodation before you arrive in Brazil
- take extra care when sharing a room with other people in a hostel; make sure you keep your belongings locked away at all times and ensure your passport is kept in a safe place
Top tips to stay safe
- be aware of pick-pockets and never leave your bag or belongings unattended while in public places or on public transport; thieves operate both inside restaurants and hotels as well as outdoors -they are good at spotting tourists and know they will have valuables
- keep your passport in a safe place; you can carry a photocopy around with you, plus other photo identification (e.g. driving license) – this is widely accepted in Rio de Janeiro by authorities who deal with tourists
- only use licensed taxis; you can pick up a licensed taxi from the many recognised taxi ranks
- be ready to hand over valuables if you’re threatened; don’t attempt to resist attackers, they may be armed or under the influence of drugs
Health issues and risks
- we recommend that all tourists purchase their own comprehensive travel insurance
- check which vaccinations and medication you need before you travel, and general health advice
- use mosquito repellent; it can also help protect against mosquitoes that carry the dengue fever virus
- being in the southern hemisphere, June/July is winter in Brazil; depending on which city you are in, temperatures can range between 15ºC and 26 ºC although they can go as low as 10 ºC and as high as 35 ºC
- it is advisable to carry a bottle of water if outdoors for a long period of time
- alcohol plus sun can quickly lead to dehydration – take it easy; also note that spirit measures are much larger in Brazil compared to what you may be used to
- never accept drinks from strangers and do not leave your drink unattended at any time
- in case of an accident or emergency, you will be taken to a public emergency hospital where you will be seen by a doctor; this is usually free but longer term treatment will carry a charge
Scams and safety issues
- you need your passport for exchanging money at banks
- most banks impose a limit of R$1,000 when withdrawing cash using foreign credit/debit cards
- only carry around cash you will need for the day; be careful of who is standing around you when using cash machines
- make sure you inform your bank before travelling if you intend to use your credit/debit card abroad
- ensure someone knows your daily travel plans and try to travel in pairs or groups if attending large events or at night
- keep details of where you are staying handy
Don’t forget
- to inform your credit/debit card provider where you are going to avoid your card being blocked for anti-fraud reasons
- to check with your mobile phone service provider to make sure your phone works in Brazil, and store useful numbers in your mobile phone such as the local police and our nearest office
- to tell a friend or relative where you’re going and how long for – give them some idea of your itinerary if possible and an emergency contact number
On match day
- arrive early at matches to avoid problems at the gate and missing the start; build in as much time as possible when travelling
- make sure any tickets that you buy are genuine by checking with the FIFA World Cup Ticketing Center on 0300 021 2014 (Domestic customers), and +41 (0) 445-831-000 (International customers)
- tickets are ID specific, and you may be asked to produce photo ID to confirm the ticket is yours; be prepared to show the debit/credit card used to purchase the ticket
- there will be no tolerance of racist or xenophobic material and attitudes
Manaus
Arriving into the city
By air
Eduardo Gomes International Airport is approximately 15 km north of downtown Manaus. The airport has two passengers’ terminals, one for domestic and international flights and the other for general aviation.
Getting to and from the airport:
- by car – the airport is located at Av. Santos Dumont, 1350 and easily accessible from BR-174; car hire operators are located in the terminal buildings
- by bus – there is a bus service that connects the airport to downtown Manaus
- taxis – you can pay for a licensed taxi from inside the airport’s terminal
By bus
Manaus is in the heart of the Amazon forest. There are very infrequent long-distance bus services arriving from major cities. The long distances involved and poor quality of roads makes this an undesirable option.
By boat
Passenger boats arrive and depart at Porto de Manaus, on the Amazon River. Main destinations are Belem, Porto Velho and Tabatinga.
Climate
Manaus’ temperature varies from 23°C to 30°C, but the high humidity can make the temperature feel higher.
June is the end of the rainy season and is usually when the Rio Negro reaches its highest water-levels. There is an increased chance of flooding during this time.
Stadium and Fanfest
The Stadium, Arena da Amazonia, is located in the centre of the city and access on match days may be slow. There will be ticket checks and body searches at the entrances. To avoid a last minute bottleneck try to get to the stadium early.
The Fanfest will be held at Park Praia da Ponta Negra, at the Rio Negro shore. The area has been recently renovated and has a wide sidewalk, cafes, a skate park and an amphitheater.
Additional information
- the state of Amazonas is recognised as a yellow fever zone; make sure you have up to date vaccinations – inform your GP or travel clinic that you are travelling to Manaus at least 6-8 weeks before departure
- be extra cautious when going into the rain forest – wild animals are a concern, and insects can be poisonous or cause severe allergic reactions; insect repellent is strongly recommended
- drowning in quicksand has occurred on Ponta Negra Beach – avoid swimming in the river
- bio-piracy is a crime; do not try to leave the country with animals, products or samples of Brazilian species – you will be sued and may be sentenced to prison
- there are no metro or train services in Manaus
Sao Paulo
Arriving into the city
By air
The international airport in Sao Paulo is Andre Franco Montoro, more commonly known as Guarulhos. It is located in the north east of the town about 30 km from the city center.
The domestic airport, Congonhas, is located in the south part of the town about 11 km from the city centre.
Getting to and from the international airport (Guarulhos):
- by car – the airport is located at Av. Rod Helio Smidt, and easily accessible from two motorways Dutra (BR-116) and Ayrton Senna (SP-70); both will lead you to Marginal Tiete and from there to most destinations you will require; car hire companies are located in the terminal buildings
- by bus – there is a bus service that connects the airport to Tatuapé metro station; there are also shuttle services to main points in the city as well as hotels
- by taxi – you can pay for a licensed taxi from inside the airport’s terminal; most credit cards are accepted and the fee is fixed according to your destination
Getting to and from the domestic airport (Congonhas):
- by car – the airport is located at Av. Washington Luís, at the end of Av 23 de Maio. Car hire operators are located in the terminal buildings
- by bus – there are bus services that connect the airport to Avenida Paulista and to São Judas metro Station
- by taxi – you can pay for a licensed taxi from inside the airport’s terminal; most credit cards are accepted and the fee is fixed according to your destination
By road
From Sao Paulo there are bus services to some of the major cities in Brazil. Travel times can be very long and road quality can be poor, especially away from the major cities.
Sao Paulo has three different bus terminals, all of which are connected to metro stations.
- Bus Terminal Barra Funda – located in the western part of the city
- Bus Terminal Tiete – one of the largest terminals in South America; located in the north part of the city
- Bus Terminal Jabaquara – located in the southern part of the city
Climate
Sao Paulo’s temperature in June and July can vary between 5°C and 22°C.
Stadium and Fanfest
The stadium is located in Itaquera, to the east of the city.
- buses, tube and trains will be available to get to the stadium; the tube and train will offer the most direct service, with buses taking longer and potentially requiring multiple changes
- there are a number of stations around the stadium; the closest being Corinthians Itaquera – about a 5 minute walk from the stadium
The Fanfest will be located at Vale do Anhangabau in São Paulo’s historical downtown area. Travelling there by tube will be a convenient option. The closest stations are Anhangabau, Sé, and Republica (on the red line) or São Bento (on the blue Line).
Belo Horizonte
Arriving into the city
By air
Confins International Airport, also known as Tancredo Neves Airport, is located about 40 km from downtown Belo Horizonte.
Getting to and from the airport:
- by car – The airport is served by two expressways – MG-10 (Linha Verde – Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos / Av. Cristiano Machado) and MG-424; there are car hire operators located in the main terminal building
- by bus – There are two bus services connecting the airport to downtown Belo Horizonte
- taxis – you can pay for a licensed taxi from inside the airport’s terminal
By road
The Belo Horizonte Bus Station is located at Praça Rio Branco, 100 – Centro.
Climate
Belo Horizonte’s average temperature in the months of June and July varies between 13°C to 25°C, although it can also get colder.
Stadium and Fanfest
The Mineirão Stadium is located in Av. Antônio Abrahão Caram, 1001 – Pampulha.
- buses, tubes and trains will be available to get to the stadium; please be aware that there is no interchange between the bus and rail services
- there will be additional bus services for World Cup matches
The Fanfest will be held at Rui Barbosa Square, also known as Praça da Estação. It is a former train station in the city center, now used by the metropolitan subway.