Brazil has an expansive system of federal highways, designated by the letters 'BR', which account for the vast majority of the road network. Minor roads, provided and maintained by the state of Rio de Janeiro, are designated by the letters 'RJ'. Road conditions are adequate although signage is poor. The national speed limit on highways is 110kph (68mph); speed cameras are in operation and fines are hefty. Drivers tend to drive fast with little regard for other road users; accidents are distressingly common.

The minimum driving age is 18 years. Drivers should carry a driving licence from their country of origin at all times; technically an authorised Portuguese translation is required, although this is rarely asked for (an international permit is not necessary). Third-party liability insurance is required by law. Driving is on the right-hand side of the road. By law, both driver and passenger must wear seat belts, although this is rarely enforced. The maximum legal alcohol to blood ratio is 0.06%.

Touring Club Do Brasil (tel: 0800 264 141 or (21) 3824 0070; website: www.touring.com.br) provides information and assistance to foreign motorists in cities and on highways, providing the driver is a member of a similar organisation in his/her own country. Car insurance and 24-hour roadside assistance is also offered.

Emergency breakdown service: Touring Club Do Brasil (tel: 0800 264 141 or (21) 3824 0070).

Routes to the city: The BR-116 from Porto Alegre passes through Curatiba, where it picks up traffic from Foz do Iguaçu and continues on through São Paulo, all the way to Rio de Janeiro. Coastal highway BR-101 runs from Natal, through Salvador to Rio de Janeiro and beyond. However, there is a faster inland route from Salvador on BR-116, which connects with the BR-040 from Brasilia at Belo Horizonte. The BR-116 and BR-040 lead into Rio along Avenida Brasil. The main highway continues along the coast before emerging from Túnel Novo at Copacabana. From here, the Avenida Atlântica runs alongside the beach to Ipanema and Leblon.

Approximate driving times to Rio: From São Paulo - 6 hours; Brasilia - 20 hours; Foz do Iguaçu - 21 hours; Porto Alegre - 26 hours; Salvador - 28 hours.

Coach services: International and interstate buses operate from the Terminal Rodoviária Novo Rio, Avenida Francisco Bicalho, in Santo Cristo (tel: (21) 3213 1800; website: www.novorio.com.br). The station consists of an arrivals and departures side and has a tourist office that is able to help with city transportation advice. Facilities include left luggage and a bureau de change (for cash only). Long-distance coaches also depart from the more conveniently located Menezes Cortes terminal, Rua São Jose, Centro (tel: (21) 2544 6667).

International services go to Asuncion (Paraguay), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Montevideo (Uruguay) and Santiago (Chile). Pluma (tel: 0300 789 1300; website: www.pluma.com.br) serves international and national routes.

Interstate buses travel to major Brazilian cities and tourist centres. There are many service providers, including Pluma (see above), Real Expresso (tel: 0300 788 7325 or (61) 2106 7100; website: www.realexpresso.com.br), Viação Cometa (tel: (11) 3868 5800; website: www.viacaocometa.com.br) and Expresso Brasileiro (tel: (21) 2253 5121), which operates a service to São Paulo.