As the fifth largest country, Brazil is naturally a nation that grants recognition from the rest of the globe. Famed for its footballing and Samba dance culture, Brazil tourists expect liveliness and energy. However, it's the country’s business potential that has increased the demand for serviced accommodation in Brazil.
Home to over two hundred million Portuguese speaking citizens, Brazil is the largest country in South America. Therefore, Brazil has many borders, including Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay and the Atlantic Ocean in the east. In fact, Brazil’s 3,250,000 square mile landmass occupies around half the land in South America. Two-fifths of this landmass and 40% of South America is occupied by the Amazon River basin. Amazonia’s significance stretches further into the Amazon Rainforest, renowned for its biodiversity covering much of northwest Brazil. Urbanity is also substantial in Brazil though. Cities such as Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and the capital Brasilia all greatly contributing towards the six and a half million tourists and corporates who arrive in Brazil each year.
Prior to Portuguese arrival to Brazil, research suggests the earliest inhabitants of the state were around ten thousand years ago. Although still proud of their indigenous culture, the Portuguese colonialism in Brazil changed the course of Brazil’s history. Pedro Cabral first arrived in 1500, and the first permanent settlement was established in 1532. Centuries followed of increasing Portuguese expansion, and the discoveries of gold and diamonds in the eighteenth century only increased European influence. Eventual independence was achieved though for the Brazilians in 1822, resulting in the first Empire of Brazil and the first Brazilian Republic in 1889. Brazil’s independence enabled the country to create its own stamp on the globe. This began economically, with moving the capital from Rio de Janeiro to the purpose-built city Brasilia in 1960.
Matching its significant size, Brazil has the eighth largest economy in the world. Its agricultural performance and abundance of natural resources are vital to the economy. Brazil is the world’s biggest and first exporter of coffee and sugar. Agriculture also contributes to over 40% of the national exports. However, with the tourism industry gaining priority, almost 70% of the population is employed in services, opposed to only 10% in agriculture. It has significant memberships in MERCOSUR and BRIC groups, cementing its status as a global economic powerhouse. MERCOSUR particularly enables global flexibility regarding trade, and protection from potentially volatile overseas economies.
Corporates are recognising more and more the potential of investing in Brazil. Last year, Brazil ranked fourth in the world regarding foreign direct investment inflows, increasing by 2% since 2016. Inflows are only set to rise again, with a huge domestic consumer market and a strategic geographical location enabling easy business voyage into Brazil. Another huge incentive for investment is the Brazil Investor Visa Program. The program enables anyone in partnership with a Brazilian company or making certain investments the chance to gain permanent residence. An ‘investor visa’ essentially grants foreign individuals and their family’s access to the same rights and benefits of a Brazilian citizen. Foreign investment is also treated equally compared to national business, with similar tax treatment and access to the hugely diversified economy, and wealth of natural resources. The 2014 FIFA World Cup held in Brazil, also heightened the quality of the national infrastructure, making it easier than ever to travel across Brazil. This also makes business trips and staying in Brazilian corporate accommodation relaxing and stress-free.
Recent economic success has also derived from the now-steady Brazilian Real (BRL) currency. Despite the previous fluctuation, the last few years has seen the Real steady itself. It is still worth visiting www.xe.com for the current exchange rates before your trip.
Residents of Australia, Canada and the US can apply for an electronic visa for entry to Brazil. All European Union and South American citizens can enter the country visa-free though for business and tourism purposes. Tourists to Brazil are admitted to stay for up to ninety days, but this can be extended to up to six months through contact with the Federal Police.
Travelling or staying in Brazil can be relatively straightforward trusting you respect social customs and laws. The official language is Portuguese, but the people are pretty accommodating toward foreigners. We advise you get the required vaccinations, and the Travel Health Pro website provides a handy guide for UK travellers. Fears amongst travellers of email scams and political unrest are common, but these are easily extinguishable if you apply common sense and keep your wits about you. Otherwise, staying Brazil can be fulfilling, with Sao Paulo’s hosting of the world’s largest pride celebration symbolising the welcoming attitude of the people.
Accessing the hidden gems of Brazil can come at the cost of facing a completely unique driving experience. Foreign driving licenses are valid for up to six months though, and most state roads are well-conditioned following infrastructure improvements prior to the FIFA World Cup in 2014. Preparation is advised for the rural roads, which can be wide-ranging regarding conditions, meaning late night driving is not recommended. Overall, if you drive on the right and be prepared for both bumpy and busy roads, exploring Brazil by car can be satisfying. An alternative to city driving is taxi transport. Fares are reasonable, and apps such as Cabify, Uber and 99Taxis enable convenient pick-ups from your serviced apartment.
Brazil has a great mixture of both significant metropolitans and amazing, picturesque landscapes. Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Brasilia all epitomise economic prosperity, as well as stunning, famous landmarks. Rio is particularly famed for this, consisting of the Sugar Loaf rock peak, Christ the Redeemer statue and Copacabana beach. All these attractions fit seamlessly into the bustle and business activity of Rio, whilst also maximising the city’s iconic status.
Whilst perhaps slightly less recognised, Sao Paulo and Brasilia showcase amazing architecture not found anywhere else in the country. Whilst Brasilia’s architectural highlights are the Pantheon of Freedom and Museum of Indigenous People, Sao Paulo holds some of the finest art collection in Latin America inside the beautiful Museu de Arte. Your business travel can expand much further than the urban centres too, with our serviced apartments granting you access to landmark attractions such as the Amazon Rainforest and Iguacu Falls. Home to vibrant biodiversity and staggering views, both these iconic sights are equally essential to Brazilian tourism and represent great get-away options from corporate routine.
Both landmark attraction popularity and economic progression are detrimental for increasing business travel and investment. With both these factors being fulfilled at present, Situ has corporate accommodation in wonderful Brazil to suit business travel of any variety.
Serving almost thirty-six million passengers each year, São Paulo’s primary airport is the busiest airport in South America. The airport is located only fifteen miles from São Paulo’s city centre.
The airport compromises of three terminals. T1, the smallest, serves only domestic flights, T2 addresses all over the continent, whilst T3 is the main hub for international and domestic flights. Shuttle buses connect all three terminals and an extensive bus network connects the airport to the rest of the city. Taxi company Guarucoop is the official provider of taxi travel out of the airport.
Recent times has seen a weakness in Brazilian train transport. Most trains are freight services, but the scenic trips do include the Belo Horizonte-Vitoria and Curitiba to Morretes journeys.
There are nine metro systems in total across Brazil. These are located in Bela Horizonte, Brasilia, Fortaleza, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Sao Paulo and Teresina.
The largest of these systems are in Rio and Sao Paulo. The networks are modern, clean and safe, as well as convenient enablers of quick, easy travel through the major cities for a fair price.
The bus network in Brazil is extensive and handy. Almost every town has bus terminals called ‘rodoviária’s’, running by strict, punctual timetables.
The quality of long-distance bus travel depends on the class you choose to book, increasing in convenience and comfort from ‘Convencional’ to ‘Leito’ class. Buses are popular for long-distance travellers due to their comfort, affordability, and well-maintained schedule compared to trains.
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