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    • Brasilia

    Brasilia travel guide

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    Overview

    Situated atop the Brazilian highlands, Brasilia is the country's purpose-built capital and seat of government. Most visitors pass through Brasilia International Airport, one of the continent's major transport hubs, without bothering to view the city. And, sadly, it's true that the city can't compete with the allure of Brazil's more mainstream destinations.

    Nevertheless, Brasilia is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a major drawcard for architecture aficionados, who come to marvel at its artistic layout and monumental modernist buildings.

    Designed to recreate a utopian city, Brasilia has been nicknamed 'ilha da fantasia' or 'Fantasy Island'. The buildings serve as monuments to progress, technology and the promise of the future, and, against a backdrop of perpetually blue sky, their striking, bleached-white granite and concrete lines are wonderfully photogenic.

    Among the most famous of Brasilia's modernist structures are the Cathedral of Santuario Dom Bosco, the monolithic Palácio do Itamaraty, and the TV tower which, at 240 feet (72m), offers the best views in town.

    The famous Brazilian architect, Oscar Niemeyer, designed all of the original city's buildings, while the urban planner, Lucio Costa, did the layout. The central city's intersecting Highway Axis makes it resemble an aeroplane when viewed from above. Getting around the city is easy and convenient, as there is excellent public transport, but walking is not usually an option given the vast distances between the picturesque landmarks.

    Brasilia is located 720 miles (1,160km) from Rio de Janeiro and 626 miles (1,007km) from Sao Paulo. As the only major inland city in this vast country, it's quite literally in the middle of nowhere. Still, visitors will find some worthwhile excursions outside the capital, with the long distances involved making for great overnight trips. Itiquira Falls is a 550 foot-high (168m) waterfall 60 miles (100km) from the city, while Caldas Novas, the world's largest natural hot springs resort, is found 220 miles (360km) southeast of Brasilia.

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    English Pronounciation

    Brasilia has a tropical savannah climate, with fairly constant temperatures year-round. The average temperatures range between 63°F (17°C) and 81°F (27°C) most of the year, with slightly lower averages between May and September. There are fairly distinct wet and dry seasons, with rainfall far more plentiful between October and early April, and the cooler months between May and September markedly drier and a bit less humid.

    Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek International Airport
    Location: The airport is situated seven miles (12km) southwest of Brasilia.
    Time: GMT -3 (GMT -2 between the third Sunday in October and the third Sunday in February).
    Transfer Between Terminals: A shuttle operates between the two terminals.
    Getting to the city: Buses and microbuses leave regularly from outside the terminal building for the main bus station in the city centre. However, taxis are generally the best option. Taxis are available 24-hours a day outside both terminals.
    Car Rental: There is a range of car rental companies based at the airport, including Avis, Hertz, Localiza, Movida, Unidas and a number of local companies.
    Airport Taxis: Taxis are available all day and night outside the terminal buildings.
    Facilities: The airport is clean and efficient. Facilities include banks and a bureau de change, ATMs, restaurants, snack bars and bars, left-luggage facilities, shops, a children's area, a post office and a travel agent. The airport is also well equipped for the disabled.
    Parking Parking is available within easy walking distance of the terminal.
    Website: www.bsb.aero/en

    Brasilia is not a pedestrian-friendly city and walking is only recommended for very short distances. Hiring a car is a good and popular option, as the city's easy to navigate by car and traffic congestion is minimal compared to most of Brazil's big cities. The subway is not particularly useful for tourists as it's designed for commuters and mainly services outlying suburbs. But, it can be used to get to some hotels and shopping malls. The subway operates between 6am and 11.30pm on weekdays, and 7am and 7pm on weekends and holidays.

    Most travellers prefer to make use of the buses and taxis in Brasilia. Minibuses are particularly useful as they link the central, commercial area to most main avenues and the airport. Buses must be flagged down as they usually won't stop unless signalled. Taxis are relatively expensive, but are metered and reliable. They're difficult to hail on the street, but can easily be called from hotels or found at taxi stands.

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