Brazil 2014: What fans need to know

Here are 10 things every supporter should know about visiting the country - and one for those left behind. Costs Much has been made about the costs of accommodation ahead of the tournament. Hotels in the main cities - Sao Paulo and Rio in particular - are expensive and reports have shown dramatic increases in the cost of accommodation during the tournament. Fans will also have to contend with the already high cost of living in some cities - Sao Paulo being ranked the 19th most expensive city in the world recently. British Ambassador to Brazil Alex Ellis says: "Some visitors to Brazil are surprised by how expensive it can be." One survey has suggested that a pint of beer could cost as much as £21 in some parts of the country during the World Cup. But this is an extreme example and a discriminating drinker can find much lower prices. A Caipirinha - the Brazilian cocktail - can cost as much as £9 in some bars. But the same survey suggested that considerable savings could be made by sticking to local products and going to the right bars. For example, in some bars local beer can cost as little as £1 it adds, and Caipirinhas can be found for £1.50. Getting around Fifa secretary general Jerome Vaclke admitted on Friday that fans will face "challenges" at the World Cup - not least because of the vast distances between some host cities. "Don't just turn up thinking it is in Germany, that it's easy to move around the country," he told Reuters. Manaus, for example, where England play their opening game against Italy, is 2,360 miles from Sao Paulo by road - a journey roughly equivalent to driving from London to the south of Turkey. That drive would take more than two days. Internal flights are a quicker way to get between cities. But as time progresses many are increasingly expensive. For shorter journeys, there are dozens of bus companies available.According to travel guide Lonely Planet, standards are high and you can usually find a non-stop service. But there is a danger of disruption during protests and other periods of unrest. Car travel is another option, but one that should be thought through beforehand. Many roads in rural areas are poor quality, according to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), and there is a high accident rate. Carjacking is common and the FCO urges against travel in poorly lit areas. Train travel is limited in the country, FCO advice adds. Details also