brazil guide v4b

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BrazilFreedom Properties

What you need to knowto secure your Investment

What to look out for

Buyers GuideBrazil

BrazilBrazilBrazilFreedom Properties

IntroductionGrowthHistory & CultureLanguage, Religion & ClimateTourism & Leisure ActivitiesCost of Living & CuisineTransportTransportHealth Care ServicesVisa RequirementsUS Nationals

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Contents


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However, in the midst of a threatened global dark age there is a strong glimmer of light emanating from South America, and Brazil in particular; strong in terms of self-sufficiency, with an abundance of natural resources and leading the world in the production and usage of bio-fuels, Brazil stands as a beacon. Fast becoming the largest producer of world food and raw materials, it has also recently found large deposits of oil which meansmeans that it will imminently also be self sufficient in this all important natural resource. All these factors have coalesced into greater trust on the part of international markets in an economy which is, quite simply, steaming ahead and its booming property market has been a major beneficiary.

IntroductionThe world’s stock markets are experiencing exceptionally hard times and there is a consensus among experts that we are headed toward a global recession;

Further, it is a scenario which they predict will last for some time. Investment in such markets is therefore not advisable until a reasonable level of confidence has been restored.

TheThe property markets in North America and much of Europe have also been adversely affected, resulting in a concomitant sharp fall in house prices.

IcelandIceland in particular has witnessed an economic melt-down which placed it in a position whereby its national deficit, created largely by ill-thought out investment, borrowing and lending, brought down its banks and crippled its economy.

The complexity of the collapse of the banking system within these countries is a science in itself and nobody seems to fully understand how and why it has come about, but certainly risk taking on an unprecedented scale is at its core.

It is clearly, then, not the optimum moment to put one’s trust in either such countries or such banking systems.

TheThe minerals market, which includes commodities such as iron ore, tin, oil etc has also been hit hard.

Countries that depend on the importation of such com-modities are unable to buy in the quantities they did prior to the recession and such markets and their future requirements have shrunk.

China, a major player in the commodities market, will not, for the foreseeable future, be buying the huge volume of minerals they bought prior, due to global financial ramifi-cations. To summarise therefore, investment in stocks and shares, and in the property markets of North America and many European countries, together with a shrinkage of the commodities market means that these are not viable options for the sanguine and cautiousviable options for the sanguine and cautious


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Fortaleza’s architecture echoes and pays tribute to its historical past, with the ancient and the modern jostling for position. Along its surrounding coastal area, the intrepid tourist can discover a plethora of sleepy fishing villages, as well as historic and beauti y preserved colonial towns and villages which have developed since the encroachment of the first Europeans in 1500.

History & CultureTo understand the culture and character of Fortaleza one needs to know a little of its history. In 1500 Pedro Alvares Cabral reached the coast of Bahia, where-upon the king of Portugal then divided the land into captaincies, one of which was Ceará, the State of which Fortaleza is now capital. ThePortuguese king gave the captaincy of Ceará to one Antonio Cardoso de Barros but, by all accounts, he did not even inspect his lands. It was not until another Portu-guese prospector, Martin Sores Moreno arrived in Ceará in 1612, that the lands were re-claimed for the Portuguese crown

The Portuguese managed to stave off hostile encroachment of its Brazilian find with the help of the indigenous native Indians, until the Dutch invaded in 1637 and Portuguese dominion ended. The first building to be built by the Dutch in 1649 was the Fortress Schoonenborch, which they erected on the banks of the river Pajen; they had at this time invaded and were occupying other cities in the Brazilian Northeast such as Recife and Natal. A village grew up around Ceará’s first fortress. The village expanded in time to become a thrivingthriving city and after the Dutch were expelled, the city changed its name a number of times before finally opting for “Fortaleza”, meaning fortress. On the 13th of April, 1726, Fortaleza was officially

Today, Fortaleza is a lively bustling city with a population of over 3 million. Culturally diverse, the composition of its warmly friendly, fun-loving people has been forged by its indigenous native people; the Portuguese who invaded it and gave it its language, and the many immigrant and ethnic influences which have combined to make it the vibrant, lively city it has become. It’s interesting to note that Brazil is the only Portuguese-speaking nation in the Americas, giving it a national culture that is very distinct from its Spanish speakingspeaking neighbours. But an evident result of the multicultural mix that Brazil’s cities enjoy in general is that they are characterized by a keen sense of enjoyment, love of fun, carnival and music. Interestingly also, Fortaleza’s population, and indeed that of Brazil generally, is essentially very young. With a mean average age of 29, only 6.2% of the population are over the age of 65, which perhaps accounts for the zest and vigor that is such a feature of its people..


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The official language of Brazil is Portuguese but many people speak or understand a degree of English as it is part of the official high school curriculum. Further, as Brazil’s economy and to urist industry have expanded the country has seen its popula-

Language

Religion

Climate

Brazil is predominantly a Catholic country but is noted for its religious tolerance and diversity. About 3 in 4 people, or 74% of the population, are Roman Catho-lic. The Protestant population has been growing very fast, and is at 19.4%. Other Christian groups make up only 13%. African tribal religions are the next largest group. The Jewish community numbers around 160,000,160,000, while Buddhism, Shinto, and other Asian religious are also sizeable and there are around 0.1% adherents of Islam.

As Brazil is such a vast country it experiences different climates in different parts. The lower regions experience some dramatic seasonal changes but the north of Brazil remains warm all year round with average daily tempera-tures of around 25 – 30 degrees Celsius. High summer runs from December to February, when schools are closed, briefcases are packed away and almost the entire population takes to the country’s glorious white sand beaches for several weeks of sunbathing, samba and sipping caipirinhas at sundown.sundown. In addition to the fact that NASA has declared that Brazil has the cleanest air in the world, second only to Antarctica, it is also considered low risk in respect of war, terrorism, SARS or hurricanes and all these factors make it a safe, healthy and climatically attractive prospect

Language, Religion & Climate


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Language, Religion & Climate


Tourism & Leisure Activities

The Brazilian Government has focused heavily on the development of tourism, particularly within the Northeast Region, pouring in over 670 million dollars to aid the development of its infrastructure, transport systems, environment and tourism management bodies, and all this investment and effort has greatly improved access to the region by both air and road. Gen-erally, Brazil offers for both domestic and international tourists an ample gamut of options, largely focused on its many areas of outstanding natural beauty. It provides a combination of tourism with leisure and recreation - sun and beach, adventure, historyhistory and culture. Among the most popular destinations are the Amazon Rainfor st, the beaches and dunes in the North-east Region, the Pantanal in the Centre-West, the beaches of Rio de Janeiro and Santa Catarina, cultural, toric tourism in Minas Gerais and trips to the bustling, forwardlooking city of Sáo Paulo

Leisure Activities, Music & NightlifeNortheast Brazil is famed for its music and nightlife. Samba and Salsa are the backdrop to the myriad bars and restau-rants and you will be spoilt for choice as to how to spend your evenings. Fortaleza is fast becoming one of the most popular tourist destinations and the city itself is rapidly becoming a haven for visitors from all over the world. In this young and vibrant city, the music and dance rhythms of its fun-loving people can be heard everywhere.people can be heard everywhere.

For the more athletically inclined, Brazil’s Northeast coastal beaches and waters offer a mind-boggling array of activities; surfing and windsurfing, fishing, swimming and snorkeling, scuba diving, dune buggy riding, golfing and horse riding are just some of the outdoor sporting activities which can be engaged in. If all that sounds too energetic, then strolling along the beautiful beaches, discovering the host of sleepy fishingfishing villages or taking a dip in the Northeast’s eternally warm, crystal clear waters just might fit the bill. But for those who view shopping as a sport, even the most demanding will be satisfied by the many sole traders selling their wares along the beaches and the gargantuan US-style shopping malls that can be found within Fortaleza itself

It is self-evident that Brazil’s hosting of the 2014 World Cup offers a fantas-tic opportunity to showcase the myriad attractions it has to offer both inves-tors and tourists alike. When Luiz Eduardo Perreira Filho, Brazils Minister of Tourism, was asked “What is the significance for Brazil of hosting the 2014 FIFA World Cup?”, he responded by saying: “It’s a very, very impor-tant opportunity to consolidate the positioning of Brazil in the World as an important tourism destination. It will demonstrate the economic development of Brazil, create new jobs and accelerate the develop ment process. Such an event will boost the international promotion of our country”. Luiz was then asked, “How will the hosting of the 2014 FIFA World Cup impact on Brazil’s Tourism Industry?” Luiz replied, “It’s the biggest opportunity to increase tourism in our country. At present there are 6 million visitors to Brazil per year, so we expect to enhance these numbers, like the coastal areas, the North Eastern parts of the country….and most importantly, busi-ness tourism.

“It’s the biggestopportunity toincrease tourismin our country”

Tourism

Brazil’s Will Host the 2014 World Cup


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Cost of Living & Cuisine

The cost of living, particularly in the coastal areas away from the largest cities, is very low and is probably in the region of 30% under that which the average visitor is perhaps used to paying.at home. Food and drink are abundant and extremely cheap, as is hotel accommodation with both being far cheaper gener-ally than in the Caribbean.

and healthy. As Brazil’s popu-lace is largely spread through-out its coastal regions, fish looms large in its diet; there is a multitude of delicious shellfish onoffer, such as lobster, crab and many kinds of shrimp. A bewildering selection of delicious tropical fruit is grown and consumed in abundance. Some are already commonplace in the US and Europe, such as papaya, passion fruit and guava whilst others boast mouthwa-tering but unfamiliar flavours, and dazzling names such as pupunha, capuaçu, grumixama and açai. Many of these fruits have been discovered to offer significant health benefits, in particular the açai plant which hashas recently gained enormous popularity in the US and Europe for its antioxidant properties, appearing in ice cream parlours, juice bars and even hair care and beauty products. Brazil has now become the largest producerproducer of beef, so you can expect to enjoy a generously sized juicy steak, if that really is your beef. As a hot spot for domestic and foreign tourists, Northeast Brazil boasts a rich array of Restaurants to serve its visitors.visitors. These eateries, unsur-prisingly, echo the multicultural mix of its inhabitants. Essen-tially its food is a combination of all the countrys cultural influ-ences; Native American, Portu-guese, African, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, German, Syrian, Lebanese etc. Brazil therefore has a wealth of different restau-rants serving excellent food from around the globe. So, whatever takes your culinary fancy, there’ll be a restaurant to cater just for you.


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Transport

Flights

Car Hire

Currency

Delta Air lines launched its first flights to Brazil on Monday, June 17, 2008 and there is a direct flight available from Atlanta to Fortaleza’s international airport in Northeast Brazil. There are also flights from London, Gatwick and two flights a day from Lisbon, in Portugal.

ShouldShould you wish to arrange internal flights there are several national airlines offering flights to other destinations within Brazil at very reason-able prices. Local Public Transport There are taxis and frequent public bus services which serve the city and the numerous surrounding villages and beaches.

When you hire a car in Brazil it is mandatory that you are over 21 years of age and must hold a valid driver’s license, together with a valid passport. The usual method of payment for car hire is by credit card and it is usually possible at most to pick up and drop off a car at a different destination.

The currency in Brazil is Reals. ATMs and banks are readily found throughout Brazil. The main banks are Banco do Brasil, Bradesco, Citibank and HSBC. Currency is firming against the Dollar, the Pound Sterling and the Euro so it is probable that currecy deferentials will be favourable to the Real, making-property prices even more attractive and increasing their value yet further for American and European buyer


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For most regions of the country you don't need to worry about vaccinations. Yellow fever shots are necessary however if you plan to visit the following states; Acre, Amazonas, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Para, Rondonia, Amapá and Roraima. For these regions vaccination against typhoid, polio and malaria is also recommended.

Vaccinations

Health Care ServicesBrazil’s health standards are considered the highest in South America; it has excellent health facilities with a well-established infrastructure. There are both public and private hospitals, which operate twenty-four hours, seven days a week making medical assistance for both emergencies and general health readily available. Private healthcare is not cheap but it is excel-lent. Costs will vary between providers and according to individual cases, but as a general rule full cover will be between R$100 – 200 per month.

In the Northeast of Brazil, as in the rest of the country, there are many pharmacies, which are well-stocked with prescription and over-the-counter medications. There are also many medications which, whilst they may require a doctor’s prescription in America and Europe, do not necessarily in Brazil. Many pharmacies will deliver your prescription direct to your door, 24- hours a day. It is sensible to take precautions against heat stroke and dehydration and in this regard it is advisable to drink plenty of water. In the larger cities tap water is safe, however, when traveling to smaller place, stick to bottled water and apply generous amounts of sunscreen.


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Visa Requirements

The majority of visitors enter Brazil on a tourism visa, subject to the following terms and conditions: Tourist visa holders are prohibited to engage inbusiness, work, or academic activities in Brazil. First arrival in Brazil must take place within 90 days from the date the visa was issued.

The visa is good for multiple entries within the visa's duration. Authorized stays are for a maximum of a 90-day period per visit. If necessary, an extension may be submitted to the Federal Police in Brazil, if requested prior to the expiration of the authorized stay (special requirements apply).

TouristTourist visa holders are allowed to stay in the Brazilian territory a maximum of 180 days over a 12-month period. Citizens of the following countries are not required to pre-apply for a visa to visit Brazil for tourism purposes, provided that the trip is strictly for tourism and the stay does not exceed 90 days: Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark, Ecuador, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Monaco, Morocco, thethe Netherlands, Namibia, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Surinam, Sweden, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, United Kingdom, Uruguay, the Vatican and Venezuela (the latter for a stay of up to 60 days) For ationals from Bhutan, Central African Republic, and Taiwan visa will be issued on a "laissez-passer".


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Inspection Trips:We organise regularinspection trips fromEurope and North America,please contact us for details

US Nationals

US nationals are required to apply in advance for a tourism visa to visit Brazil. As a general rule this can be done following the simple proce-dures below: Submission to the Consulate of one visa application form per applicant properly filled out (first and second pages) and duly signed by the applicant. For minors under 18 years old, both parents must sign the application form and have their signatures notarized).

A Passport with a minimum remaining validity of six months and with at least 2 blank visa pages available for the visa stamp (excluding the paes reserved for Amendments and Endorsements). One recent 2"x 2" passport-type photograph of applicant, front view and showing entire face, in white background. Snapshots, computer pictures and picture photocopies are not accepted.

PresentationPresentation of an itinerary printout, or a photocopy of round trip ticket or e-ticket, or a signed letter by the travel agency, addressed to the Brazilian Consulate, attesting to the acquisition of the ticket and informing confirmed round trip bookings. Copy of applicant’s driver license, as proof of residence within the jurisdiction of the Consulate, if visa application form is submitted by a third party. Please note visa requirements are subject to change and there are specific require-mentsments when applying for a visa for minors. US citizens should contact their local consulate for up-to-date advice and information.


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Useful Embassy & Consultatedetails for US, UK & Irish National

Brazilian Embassy in Washington, D.C.Consular Service3009 Whitehaven St., N.W.Washington, D.C. 20008Telephone: (202) 238-2818

Brazilian Consulate General in BostonThe Stattler BuildingThe Stattler Building20 Park Plaza, suite 810Boston, MA 02116Telephone: (617) 542-4000

Brazilian Consulate General in Chicago401 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 3050Chicago, IL 60611Telephone: (312) 464-0244/464-0245Telephone: (312) 464-0244/464-0245

Brazilian Consulate General in HoustonPark Tower North1233 West Loop South, Suite 1150Houston, TX 77027Telephones: (713) 961-3063/961-3064/961-3065

Brazilian Consulate General in Los Angeles8484 Wilshire Blvd., suites 711/7308484 Wilshire Blvd., suites 711/730Beverly Hills, CA 90211Telephone: (323) 651-2664

Brazilian Consulate General in Miami2601 S. Bayshore Drive, Suite 800Miami, FL 33133Telephone: (305) 285-6200

Brazilian Consulate General in New YorkBrazilian Consulate General in New York1185 Avenue of the Americas (Sixth Avenue), 21st FloorNew York, NY 10036Telephone: (917) 777-7777

Brazilian Consulate General in San Francisco300 Montgomery Street, suite 900San Francisco, CA, 94104Telephone: (415) 981-8170Telephone: (415) 981-8170

US Consultate in RecifeRua Gonçalves Maia, 163Boa Vista50070-060 - Recife, PETelephone: (55-81) 3416-3050

US Consulate in Rio de JaneiroAv. Presidente Wilson, 147Av. Presidente Wilson, 147Castelo20030-020 - Rio de Janeiro, RJTelephone: (55-21) 3823-2000

US Consulate in São PauloRua Henri Dunant, 500,Chácara Santo Antônio,São Paulo- SP, 04709-110

Embassy of Brazil in London32 Green StreetLondon W1K 7ATLondon W1K 7ATTelephone : 020 73999000

[email protected] Embassy in BrasiliaSetor de Embaixadas SulQuadra 801, Lote 8CEP 70408-900 - Brasilia - DF, Brazil - Brasilia -Telephone: (55) (61) 3329-2369Telephone: (55) (61) 3329-2369

British Consulate, Rio de JaneiroPraia do Flamengo 284/2 andar22210-030Rio de Janeiro RJTelephone: (55) (21) 2555 9600

British Consulate General, São PauloRua Ferreira de Araújo, 741 - São Paulo - SP - Brasil -Rua Ferreira de Araújo, 741 - São Paulo - SP - Brasil -CEP 05428-002Telephone: (55) (11) 3094 2700

Brazilian Embassy in DublinGround Floor, Block 8, Harcourt CentreCharlotte Way, Dublin 2Telephone: (00353) 1 475.6000

Irish Embassy, BraziliaIrish Embassy, BraziliaSHIS QL Conjunto, 05 Casa, 09 Lago SulBrasíliaBrazil71630-255Telephone: (55-61) 2488800

Irish Consulate, Sao PauloAvenida Paulista 2006, Conjunto 514Avenida Paulista 2006, Conjunto 514Sao PauloBrazil01310 200Telephone: (55-11) 2876362

Irish Consulate, Rio de JaneiroRua 24 de Maio, 347RiachueloRiachueloRio de JaneiroBrazil20950-090Phone: (55-21) 25018455


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Useful Embassy & Consultatedetails for US, UK & Irish National


Contence


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