IN BRAZIL

WHEN TO GO TO BRAZIL - Because of Brazil's size, there is a lot of regional variation in climate. However, 90% of the country falls within the tropical zone, so it rarely gets very cold. Because it is in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are opposite those in the northern hemisphere: summer occurs from December to March. Summer is the best time to travel to the southernmost states (Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina) because parts of the region do get frost and occasional snow during the winter (June-Aug.). The coastal cities of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Salvador are consistently warm all year round, and get downright hot and humid during the summer. However, if you're looking to really let loose, Carnival celebrations are held throughout the country in February, although prices skyrocket during this period. The Northeast has beautiful stretches of seashore; during the region's dry season (May-Nov.), the heat is tempered by constant breezes on the coast. This is also a less expensive season in which to visit; many establishments all across Brazil offer reduced rates from April to June and August to November. Travel in the Amazon is best done when much of the region floods from January to June. While this means that the humidity is higher and the rainfall more substantial, the rivers become navigable, allowing visitors to see more wildlife than during the dry season. Most travelers visit the Pantanal toward the end of its wet season in April, when the area is flooded and fauna are stranded on the remaining spots of dry land, making them easier to spot. Ninety percent of Brazil's landmass falls within the tropical zone, as the country is crossed by the equator in the north and the Tropic of Capricorn in the south. However, the nation's climate is far from homogenous and ranges from equatorial to semiarid to subtropical. Because most of Brazil is in the southern hemisphere (northern Amazonas and Roraima excluded), summer occurs between December and March, while winter runs from June to August.

THINGS TO TAKE

• Make sure you have a safe and subtle money belt for keeping your money. These must be the type that you wear under your clothing as the pushes worn outside are a telling sign that you are a foreigner probably carrying dollars. An even better suggestion is to sew a cloth pouch into your trousers as thieves today are often wise to conventional money belt.

• Make copies of all important documents.

• Due to the electricy in Brazil, is recommendable have a universal electric plug adaptor.

• Brazil is a tropical place. Bring with you sunblock, sunglasses, and a hat for protection from harmful effects of UV sun rays.