Country guide
Brazil
Visa
No visa needed
Vaccinations
Required
Currency
Real/Reais (BRL). USD is widely accepted in tourist areas.
Time zones
Brazil lies across 4 time zones: Acre Time: UTC / GMT -5 (7 hours behind South Africa) Amazon Time: UTC / GMT -4 (6 hours behind South Africa) Brasilia Time: UTC / GMT -3 (5 hours behind South Africa) Fernando de Noronha Time: UTC / GMT -2 (4 hours behind South Africa)
Dialing code
+ 55
Best time to go
High Season is from Christmas until Carnaval (late Feb / early Mar). September – October and March – May has good weather and low season rates.
Drinking water
All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Bottled water is available.
Travel tips
Only official taxis should be used.
Visa guide
Entry requirements
- Return or onward ticket
- Accommodation arrangements. If staying with friends, a letter of invitation is required.
- Sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay in Brazil.
- Passports must be valid for a minimum of 6 months when entering Brazil and must have 2 blank pages.
Visa requirements
Visas are NOT required by SA passport holders for a maximum period of 90 days.
Issuing authorities
Embassy of Brazil in Pretoria
152 Dallas Avenue, Corobay Corner Building, Waterkloof Glen, Pretoria 0181
Tel: 012 366 5200
E-mail: brasemb.pretoria@itamaraty.gov.br
Visas: consular.pretoria@itamaraty.gov.br
Website: www.gov.br/mre/pt-br/
Consulate-General of Brazil in Cape Town
901 Touchstone House, 9th Floor, 7 Bree Street, Cape Town, 8001
Tel: 021 421 4040
E-mail: cg.capetown@itamaraty.gov.br
Visas: consular.capetown@itamaraty.gov.br
Web: www.gov.br/mre/pt-br/
Visa validity
90 days from entry date.
SA representative
South African Embassy
SES - Avenida das Nações, Lote 6, Quadra 801, 70406-900 - Brasília/DF
Tel: +55 61 3312-9500
Email: brasilia.general@dirco.gov.za
Web: www.africadosul.org.br/
South African Consulate-General
Av. Paulista, 1754 - 12th floor, 01310-920 - São Paulo
Tel: + 55 11 3265-0449
Email: costal@dirco.gov.za
Health / vaccinations
Compulsory: Yellow Fever
Recommended Travel Vaccines: Hepatitis A & B, Rabies, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio
Malaria Risk
Public holidays
2026: Jan 1; Feb 16-18; Apr 3, 21; May 1; Jun 4; Sep 7; Oct 12, 28; Nov 2, 15, 20; Dec 24-25, 31