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Accommodation
HOTELS: Accommodation varies according to region. First-class accommodation is, by and large, restricted to the cities of the south and is generally expensive. For further information contact the Associacão Brasileira da Industria de Hoteis, sala 1005, Avenida Nilo Pecanha 12, Rio de Janeiro (tel/fax: (21) 533 9632 or 533 4800). There are also a number of pousadas, small privately run hotels that are less expensive than the major hotels.
Rio de Janeiro/São Paulo: Many modern hotels, ranging from the very expensive deluxe hotels to moderately priced hotels. It is vital to book well in advance for the Carnival (which takes place annually in February/March).
Brasília: Small number of good hotels. Most tourists visit Brasília by air from Rio or São Paulo for a day trip, or make a single-night stopover.
Bahia (Salvador): Small number of good hotels, some moderately priced hotels, several demi-pensions. The Bahia carnival takes place after Christmas (from December to March).
Amazon Basin: This region is being developed in part as a tourist attraction and has numerous lodges.
Visitors are reminded that hotel tariffs are subject to alteration at any time, and are liable to fluctuate according to changes in the exchange rate.
Note: The best guide to hotels in Brazil is the ‘Guia do Brasil Quatro Rodas’, which includes maps available from EMBRATUR and from any news stand in Brazil.
GRADING: The Brazilian Tourist Board (EMBRATUR) has a star-rating system for hotels used by most establishments in towns. The classification is not, however, the standard used in Europe and North America. 5-star is the grade for deluxe hotels. 3-star hotels are good value for money and offer well-kept accommodation, whilst a 1-star hotel can only offer basic amenities.
CAMPING/CARAVANNING: Cars may be hired, and camping arranged on safari tours or group ‘exploration’ trips in the Amazon region. The road network in Brazil is good and is being expanded, but since many parts are wild, or semi-explored, it is wise to drive on main roads, to camp with organised groups under supervision and with official permits, or otherwise to stay in recognised hotels. The country is peaceful, but because it is so large there is a real danger of getting lost, or being injured or killed by natural accident or lack of local survival skills.
Those with an ‘international camper’s card’ pay only half the rate of a non-member (about €4 per person). The Camping Clube do Brasil has 52 sites in 14 states. For those on a low budget, service stations can be used as campsites. These are equipped with shower facilities and can supply food. For further information, contact Camping Clube do Brasil, Divisao de Campings, Rua Senador Dantas 75, 29 andar, 20000 Rio de Janeiro (tel: (21) 210 3171; fax: (21) 262 3147; e-mail: ccb@ase.ibase.org.br; website: www.campingclube.com.br).
YOUTH HOSTELS: There are over 90 youth hostels (albergues de juventude). For further information, contact Federação Brasileira dos Albergues da Juventude, Rua General Dionisio 63, Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro (tel: (21) 286 0303; fax: (21) 286 5652; e-mail: info@hostel.org.br; website: www.hostel.org.br).
OTHER TYPES OF ACCOMMODATION: Eco-Hotels: Owing to a recent government initiative to invest in ecotourism, there are now a relatively small number of ‘eco-hotels’ available, located mostly in or near the Amazonian rainforest. Some provide visitors with luxury accommodation built on treetops and also arrange informative tours to the surrounding area; prices tend to be very high. Budget: Dormitórios, which have several beds to a room, cost as little as US$5 per night, though standards are correspondingly basic (with shared bathroom facilities); a pousada (small guesthouse) costs approximately US$10 per night. Rooms with bathrooms are called apartamentos, those without a bathroom are called quartos.
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