Check out a travel guide from UIUC or a local public library. Search the online catalog for Brazil - Guidebooks or South America - Guidebooks.

Frommer's offers an online travel guide to Brazil.

University of Illinois Study Abroad Office Before You Leave: If you're traveling through one of UIUC's study abroad programs, make sure you check this site out before you leave.

Consulate General of Brazil in Chicago Visa information: Citizens of certain countries need visas to enter Brazil, this website details the necessary procedures to obtain one. In English.

Brazilian Embassy Travel Tips : Great information about traveling within Brazil, banking, business hours, Carnival dates, customs, dress codes, electrical currents, telephones, weather, and more. In English.

Brazilian Tourism Portal: Official tourism website for Brazil. Includes tourism information by region of Brazil. In English.

Buses

Brazil has an extensive long-distance bus network. Major bus companies sell their tickets online in advance, but you can also buy your ticket at the local bus station. This website provides a way to purchase tickets on the major bus providers in Brazil.

Airlines

• Main National Carriers: Tam and Gol
• Low Cost Carriers: Avianca, Webjet, and Azul
• Search across airlines with websites like Sky Scanner

Traveling extensively within Brazil and/or South America? Consider buying an air pass from Tam or Gol before you go.

Trains

"The passenger rail network in Brazil is extremely limited and not a viable option for travelling around the country. There are, however, a number of scenic routes. Brazil has only 17,500 miles of railways compared to over one million miles of roads." Currently plans are underway for a high speed railway connecting Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games.

Source: Travel Tips from Brazilian Embassy

Brazil has some Yelp.com equivalents for finding recommended activities, restaurants, etc. Check out:

• VCVAI.com
• Qype