Foreign and Commonwealth Office
The FIFA World Cup begins on 12 June 2014 in Sao Paulo and Englands first game is on 14 June in Manaus. This page has useful information and tips for football fans travelling to Brazil. It will be updated regularly sign up for alerts to receive updates to the Brazil travel advice and check back for the most recent information.
Contents
Passports and visas
UK 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. For more information click here. 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
- in Brazil, cars are driven on the opposite side compared to the UK
- 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 inside airports, 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 youre threatened; dont 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 on the Public Health England/NaTHNaC factsheet
- 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 15C and 26 C although they can go as low as 10 C and as high as 35 C
- 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 the UK
- 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 (approx. 300) 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
Dont 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 youre 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 Centre 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
Englands Group Games
England will play their three group games in Manaus, Sao Paulo, and Belo Horizonte. Additional information for each of the three cities is provided below. We recommend carrying out further research for each place you plan to visit.
For fans travelling between the three cities, travelling by air is the most convenient option. Driving by road can be dangerous due to the long distances involved and poor road quality, especially outside major cities. Distances are shorter and road quality better between the cities of Rio, Sao Paulo and Belo Horizonte, with journeys taking 6-8 hours.
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 airports 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