Brazil is the largest and most populous country in Latin America, with 186 million inhabitants. Named after Brazil wood, a tree highly valued by early colonists, Brazil is home to both extensive agricultural lands and rain forests. Exploiting vast natural resources and a large labor pool, it is today South America’s leading economic power and a regional leader. Brazil covers nearly half of South America and is the continent's largest nation. It borders every nation on the continent except Chile and Ecuador.

Brazil's people come from many backgrounds. About half the country's population is of European ancestry--mostly German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish. Many other Brazilians are of mixed African and European ancestry, and some are of only African descent. Indians, the original Brazilians, form less than 1 percent of Brazil's people.

Brazil shares many traditions with Portugal. It was a Portuguese colony from 1500 to 1822 and is the only Portuguese-speaking nation in Latin America. The early Portuguese colonists also brought Roman Catholicism to Brazil. Today, Brazil has more Catholics than any other nation. 

The Brazilian Carnival is another important part of Brazilian culture. It is held every year, forty days before Easter to mark the beginning of Lent. In Brazil, it is known simply as Carnaval.

Currency

Name: Brazilian Real (Reals)
Exchange rate: Go to www.gocurrency.com

Sao Paulo

São Paulo, Portugese for Saint Paul, is the capital of the state of Sao Paulo, in southeastern Brazil. The city has a population of just over 11 million (2006 census estimate), which makes it the the most populous in the Southern Hemisphere. There are approximately 19.7 million inhabitants that live in the greater Sao Paulo metropolitan area (Região Metropolitana de São Paulo) as defined by the government, making it the fifth most populous metropolitan area in the world, but it's the fourth biggest one in area. People from the city of São Paulo are known as paulistanos, while paulista designates anyone from the whole of São Paulo state, including the paulistanos.

Wide avenues and unusually designed skyscrapers give the city a modern appearance. The center of the business district of Sao Paulo is referred to as the Triangle. This name dates back to the 1500's, when paths that formed the shape of a triangle connected three mission buildings that stood in the area.

Next to the Triangle on the northwest are many hotels and restaurants. A public square called the Plaza of the Republic features an arts and crafts market each Sunday in this area. Mansions once lined the fashionable Paulista Avenue, southwest of the Triangle, but skyscrapers have replaced most.

São Paulo has a number of parks, the largest of which is the beautifully landscaped Ibirapuera Park.

There are few cities anywhere that offer a range of shopping opportunites. There are many excellent designers who have little or no distribution in the United States. Due to the currency (Real), local threads in the different boutiques, continue to be a bargain. Rua Oscar Freire now designates a whole district of wide, sunny avenues filled with shops carrying both homegrown and imported items to chose from.

The Sao Paulo international airport, Sao Paulo-Guarulhos (GRU) Airport, is located 16 miles northeast of Sao Paulo. It is approximately 45 minutes from downtown (without traffic).

More information when visiting Sao Paulo..

Portuguese is the official language of Brazil. Although Spanish, Italian, German, and the largest Japanese community outside of Japan create a very vast ethnic diversity.

Though generally considered by Brazilians to be drizzly and rather cool, São Paulo's climate is by world standards actually warm and mild. Temperatures seldom reach 86°F during summer, while frost is rare during winter. Brazil's winter lasts from June to August, with temperatures between 55 and 64 degrees, but it only gets really cold south of Rio. Summer is from December to February.

A Passport AND Brazilian Visa is required for entrance from the US. There is a $38 dollar departure tax paid by cash or major credit cards.

Premier MedEscape On-site Representative: Bruno Garrido Cordaro

Hometown: São Paulo, Brazil Education: Bachelors Degree in Tourism Languages: English, Spanish, Italian, French and Portuguese My background and experience: Assistant Staff Manager on board of cruise ships around the world, sales and marketing consultant and international concierge.

My goals: 
To make your stay  fantastic, with a complete and personalized service and assistance in one of the biggest and most modern cities in the world. I will provide you transportation, tours, and everything you need with responsibility, professionalism and security, making your recovery very comfortable and relaxing. Leave your worries behind and get the most out of your days here in São Paulo.

Why I love Brazil:
A country rich in natural beauties, music, dances and culture, Brazil is a very nice place to live or visit. Brazil is famous for its carnival, beaches, samba and football soccer. When you combine all there is to do and see with the very hospitable people of Brazil, it makes for a very special place. São Paulo, the largest city in Brazil, is located in the center of a rich tropical reserve only one hour from the beach. It is the economic center of Brazil and considered the gastronomic capital for many international chefs. São Paulo has beautiful parks, museums, and a incredible nightlife, where you can find everything you want 24 hours a day.

I hope to see you very soon in Sao Paulo to be a part of your “MedEscape” and share beautiful Brazil with you.

Gran Melia Mofarrej

The Gran Melia Mofarrej hotel is located in the center of Sao Paulo, overlooking the tranquil greens of Trianon Park and surrounded by exciting museums and theaters. It enjoys a privileged location in the heart of city's business and financial district. Surrounded by fine stores, excellent restaurants and many sights, it is the ideal hotel for those seeking comfort and highly personalized service on their business and leisure trips. The hotel has 228 rooms including rooms for the disabled and non-smokers. All of them are fully equipped with the latest facilities. For the time of leisure you can visit its 2 international restaurants and taste the varied gastronomic offer. Also you can enjoy practising sport at the fitness centre, swimming pool and take a rest in the sauna and spa. The Gran Melia Mofarrej has business center and 8 Meeting and banqueting rooms for up to 600 people, which have highly qualified personnel and the latest in audiovisual equipment.

Melia Jardim Europa

The Melia Jardim Europa hotel with its modern architecture is located in the commercial and business district of Itaim Bibi in Sao Paulo and a perfect choice whether you are traveling for business or leisure. The hotel is just 20 minutes away from the city center with the popular Avenida Paulista and Avenida Luis Carlos Berrini, 15 minutes from the local Airport Congonhas, and 45 minutes away from the Guarulhos International Airport. All of the rooms have a fully equipped private bath, Air conditioning, Satellite TV with remote control, Telephone, Internet access (charge aside), alarm clock, mini-bar, safety deposit box and magnetic key card. Limited number of rooms reserved for non-smokers. 24-hours Room Service. For your business needs the hotel boasts 4 meeting rooms for up to 240 people, and providing you a highly qualified personnel which can help you for the planning and organization of the event and giving you the latest in audiovisual equipment. Also, you will find a modern Business Center where you have High Speed Internet access. Our hotel has an Aromatique Restaurant serving International specialities, offers breakfast, as well as luch-buffet service and dinner a la Carte. The lobby bar completes our gastronomic offer. For those moments of leisure you will be able to practise sport in our Fitness Center, take a relax in the Sauna or swimming in the Outdoor Pool. Otherwise, if you want or need to use Internet access you can do it in your room.

Paulista Flat

Located in one of the most well known areas of São Paulo, Paulista Flat offers the best value for your stay.With our personalized attention, ample and comfortable suites, the Paulista Flat provides comfort and hospitality.The apartments are well decorated with air conditioning, central heating, refrigerator, telephone, cable tv with remote control and room service. It also has a complete kitchen to make you feel at home.Amenities include computerized reception,safety deposit boxes,valet parking, messenger service, and laundry and dry cleaning services. The Flat also houses a restaurant located in the mezzanine with a varied international menu, presented buffet style or a la carte.Paulista Flat is the best resource for reasonably priced and comfortable accommodations in the heart of Sao Paulo.

Albert Einstein

Guided by the never-ending search for excellence in health assistance, the Albert Einstein Jewish Hospital (HIAE) has a leading position amongst the Latin American hospital institutions. Due to its quality standards, it is certified by the Joint Commission International (JCI). Furthermore, HIAE has ISO certifications in several areas. Our customers fully acknowledge this level of excellence, which is based on international parameters. A survey held in 2003 indicated that Einstein surpasses the expectations of 97% of its patients – the highest rate achieved amongst the over 100 institutions surveyed.

Hospital Sao Rafael

For more than 20 years Sao Rafael Hospital has specialized in programmed surgical and short hospital stays.  Located in Sao Paulo, its focus has been to provide personalized attention. It has accomplished this through a reputation for quality and safety in a sophisticated and comfortable atmosphere.

There are 8 state-of-the-art operating rooms located on the main campus.  The Intensive Care Unit is equipped for post-surgical support if needed.  There are rooms available on-site for post-operative recovery and each is equipped with cable tv, mini-fridge, telephone and air conditioning.

Surgical specialties include cosmetic and plastic reconstructive, bariatric, general, vascular, dermatologic, gynecologic, orthopaedic and urologic.

The facilities at Hospital Sao Rafael are among the finest and most modern in the city.  Due to its size, Sao Rafael takes great pride in its personalized approach to each patient, creating a family atmosphere of warmth, friendliness and attentiveness.

Hospital Sirio Libanes

The Sírio-Libanês Hospital is famous for its pioneering practices and excellent service. Its actions always involve the human aspect in its patient relationships. After all, what makes the Sírio-Libanês Hospital such a special institution is the feeling that people have of being treated with care and respect after visiting the Hospital for an examination, surgical procedure or medical treatment. Occupying an area of 80,000 m2, and with 4,500 collaborators - including staff, nursing and medical teams - the Sírio-Libanês Hospital has the capacity to carry out up to 50 surgical procedures per day, around 2,000 types of diagnostic examinations and has beds for 300 people. A pioneer in incorporating new technology, the Sírio-Libanês Hospital specializes in over 40 areas and is a worldwide reference point in its areas of competence, because it gives priority to everybody's most important asset: their life.