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Do
you need a Tourist Visa?
Can
you say RECIPROCITY ?
It
seems that if a Country requires Brazilians to have a visa in order
to enter, Brazil will also require the citizens of that Country
to have a visa in order for them to enter Brazil
All
U.S. Citizens must have a valid Brazilian Tourist Visa in order
to enter Brazil.
For
information on how to obtain a Brazilian Tourist Visa, visit the
Embassy Web Site at http://www.brasilemb.org click on Consular
Services and then click on Visas.
Citizens
of Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, will also need a visa. You
can´t get a visa at the airport. If you do not have a valid
visa, your carrier will not even let you board the plane to Brazil.
Again, check with the Brazilian Embassy in your country in order
to find out if a tourist visa is required..
Most
citizens of South American countries can most likely enter Brazil
with just a photo I.D.. Most European citizens, will most likely
need only a passport in order to enter Brazil
OK,
You're Finally in Rio, now what?
Most
planes arriving in rio, usually at the International Airport also
known as (GIG), or Antonio Jobim Airport.
First
stop, Immigration: This should not be a problem if you have your
paperwork in order.
Second
stop: The Luggage Carrousel, to retrieve your luggage
Last
Stop: Now it is time to make it through Customs.
Customs
officers usually don´t bother foreign visitors. They have
a green-light-red-light system of inspection. Green light, you pass
right through. Red light, guess what.....
If
the Red light blink, don’t worry, and cooperate with the Customs
Officer. Be friendly, and helpful. Your luggage will most likely
be opened or at least get X-rayed, and possibly sniffed by dogs,
this operations are made to get your travel more secure.
Don’t
bring anything with you that will end you up in jail, like drugs,
weapons, or other illegal things.
Getting
into Town:
Some
travelers choose to arrange to have a car meet them at the airport.
However, it is not necessary to make your arrangements in advance.
There are two taxi stands at the baggage claim area. The fares to
all parts of Rio are posted at the booths, and you pay in advance.
Also trustworthy are the white radio taxis parked in the same areas,
and they charge about 20% less. From the airport to the Hotel district
in Copacabana or Ipanema they charge a flat rate of around R$35-R$50.Your
travel time to Copacabana or Ipanema should be about 45 minutes.
Busses
called "frescao" run by Empresa Real or park curbside
outside customs at the airport and for about $5 US you can take
the hour long trip into the city. The busses follow the beachfront
drives and stop at all the hotels along the way.
Your
First Impressions:
Your
first impressions of Rio might be a little disappointing. Don't
expect to see the beautfull beaches of Copacabana or Ipanema when
you first Tours out of the airport. But, by the time you reach breezy,
sunny Avenida Atlântica -- flanked on one side by white beach and
azure sea, and on the other by the pleasure-palace hotels that testify
to the city's eternal lure -- your heart will leap with expectation.
Now you're truly in Rio, seeing closely those beautifull pictures,
pretty girls and all the rest.
What
to do about Money?
Brazilian
money is knows as the REAL, pronounced (hey·ALL), or the plural
REAIS, pronounced (hey·ICE).They come in R$100, R$50, R$10,
R$5 and R$1 bills, and coins in R$1, R$0,50, R$ 0,25, R$ 0,10, R$
0,05, R$ 0,01.
How
to bring your money:
Cash
Cash is always best. If you are worried about safety, wear a money
belt.. Once you are safely in your room you can put the money in
a safe place. A word of advice, never carry more cash than you will
need for the day, take care with your walks at night around your
hotel, the militar police have special officers, who speak english
and can help you.
Credit
Cards
Credit Cards are
used almost everywhere in Rio. Visa, American Express, and MasterCard
are widely accepted. If your credit card uses the Cirrus or the
Plus system, you can withdraw cash at ATM's, credit cards are good
options of secure
Personal
Checks
Simple, leave
your check book at home, checks of other countries are unseful in
Rio.
Other
types of Currencies
US Dollars get
the best rates, period. You may bring other currencies but you will
get a poor exchange rate. Also, you may have to try many different
places before you find someone willing to take the other currencies,
the best options are: downtown or at the hotels, somre hotels make
this services for tourist.
Traveler's
Checks
OK,
it's safe, but you will get a terrible exchange rate, and many currency
exchanges do not take them, althougt is secure too.
To
exchange them you may have to go to a Banco do Brasil, CitiBank
or an American Express branch...... However it may be a good idea
to bring some checks just for an emergency, some hotels make this
exchange.
Need
to exchange money?
A
simple rule of thumb,. "When you exchange money, you lose money".
Try not to cash more than you need because the rate change daily...
ATM's
with the Cirrus system is your best bet. They use the same exchange
rate that your credit card company will use back home. Cambios usually
found in travel agencies have currency exchange desks and offer
attractive rates. However they close on Saturday afternoon and do
not open again until Monday.
You
can exchange your money at major banks like Banco do Brasil or CitiBank.
Most
luxury hotels can exchange money, but often, they offer very low
rates. On weekends or after banking hours they are your only choice,
exchange only your needs. Don´t even think exchange cash with
strangers in the street..
Tipping:
At
restaurants a 10% tip is usually included. Give a little more only
if service was especially good, note that this taxes are not obrigatory.
Taxi
drivers do not expect big tips. Round up, or give an extra R$1 if
you are feeling especially generous. Bellboys and hotel maids expect
to get at least R$1. Barbers, hair stylists, masseurs, manicurists,
pedicurists and the like expect at least a 10% tip (at least R$1).
Tips to bartenders are not mandatory, but appreciated..
Safety
Issues:
Rio
de Janeiro is not the safest city in the world, however its reputation
as a very dangerous city is really unfair.
Rio
is divided into three sections: Zona Norte (North Zone), Zona Sul
(South Zone), and the "downtown" area that separates them, called
Centro. Centro is a sprawling collection of several districts that
contain the city's oldest, good hotels, neighborhoods, churches,
and most enchanting cafés. althought you can find other good points
to visit at north zone.
Rio
has made a serious effort to curb crime within the city, and results
are starting to show. Along with its Federal and Military police
Rio has a new Corps of Municipal Guards patrolling it’s streets.
The governor are investing much money and creating anothers options
of secure, principally for the tourist, because tour is one of the
most investments of the city. Another policy is the Municipal guards
do not carry guns and patrol on foot (usually in groups of two or
three), and also patrol on bicycle. They patrol the South Side neighborhoods,
and beaches like Arpoador, Copacabana, Ipanema, Leme, and Leblon,
some officers are specialized for tourist.
Basic
guidelines that should be followed on any trip.......
Do
not bring expensive jewelry or watches. All valuables, your passport
(Carry a photocopy of your passport, in case you are asked to show
some ID), your passport is your most important document, without
it, police officers can take you to PD and your airplane tickets
should be left in your room, if your room has a safe use it, some
hotels have stringboxes inside the rooms.
Do
not carry more cash than you need for the day. Most restaurants
and stores will accept credit cars.
Carry
your wallet in your front pocket, and don´t walk in places
too much stranges, like Flamengo Park, or Centro. Tours as if you
know where you are going, during teh day this places are very receptables.
If
you have your expensive camera or camcorder, consider a Travelers
Insurance policy.
At the beach, do not leave anything valuable laying around on the
sand while you go for a swim, keep a person of your know looking
your things.
If
you ride the local busses and you are discreet you should have no
problems. Try and avoid them during rush hour and have your fare
in hand when boarding. Do not flash the cash in your wallet, if
you can pay, prefer always a taxi, they are more expense but much
more secure.
Do
not get involved with drugs in Brazil. You do not want to spend
any time in the Brazilian jail, drugs, weapons are illegals, and
the tourist get using it, can be deported.
The
police officers in the street will always try to be helpful, however
most of them only speak Portuguese, althought exist in the south
zone special officers trained to speak english and help tourist.
If
you need to report that something was stolen, go to the tourist
police (DEAT). Their offices are located in Leblon, on Av. Afrânio
de Mello Franco (call 511-5112). This PD are special trainned to
guide you.
Getting
around in Rio:
Getting
around in Rio is really not all that difficult. Just about everything
is in the South Side of the city. The Beaches, Guanabara Bay, and
the Lake make great references, you can walk hours seeing beaches
and lakes.
Toursing:
Toursing
is one of the best way to explore Rio, not to mention very good
exercise. Buy a good pair of Toursing shoes and even a hat might
be a good idea. Now you can begin to Tours your way to the beaches,
excellent restaurants, shopping, movies, theaters, concert halls,
and many other conveniences. A Tours along the beach on Sunday is
almost mandatory. One of the lanes of traffic is closed to cars,
and people take over the street, and you have another choices, like
sugar loaf and "Corcovado", one of the most important
monument stay there a statue of Jesus Christ stay on top.
Bicycle:
You
may rent a bicycle at Copacabana or Ipanema Beach. There are bicycle
lanes connecting all South Side neighborhoods, from Leblon to Leme
and beyond. Be careful in traffic, after all this is a big city.
Go across the tunnel connecting you to Botafogo and head for the
Flamengo Reclaim, one of the biggest urban parks in the world. A
bicycle is a good option of transport, it´s cheap and you
can get exercise while you see beautifull points of the city.
Yellow
taxis:
Finding
a yellow taxi is not difficult, you don't have to go far, they are
everywhere. You can not miss them, their bright yellow with a blue
stripe painted on the side. Yellow taxis run by a meter. The meter
starts ticking as soon as you get in. After 9 p.m. and on weekends
fares are a little higher (the meter is set to 2).. Some taxis are
air-conditioned at no extra charge. Remain alert and trust your
instincts a few drivers because a few taxi drivers have taken tourists
for a ride, say the adress you want with conviction, to make the
drivers thinks you know where are you going
Radio
taxis:
Another
option is the radio taxi. These radio taxis have drivers that usually
speak English and usually serve the larger hotels . The taxis are
usually larger and air-conditioned. Call one of the companies providing
this kind of service and tell them where to pick you up, where to
drop you off, and at what time. Some radio-taxis charge by the meter,
others charge flat rates. Ask for all details first. They will ask
for a contact phone and call you back to confirm the ride, this
taxis are more expensive then others.
Metro:
Rio's
subway system is still relatively small, but it is very safe, clean
and reliable. It can take you from Copacabana to Botafogo, Flamengo
and Downtown. The metro stops running at 11 p.m. and on weekends.
Reaching distant locations can be a challenge so plan your trip
accordingly. Metro maps can be picked up at tourism offices and
some metro stations.
Air-conditioned
buses:
Air-conditioned
buses can be hailed just like taxis. They run along the beach, and
connect South Side neighborhoods to each other, downtown, the airport
and Barra. They do not have a fixed schedule posted on the street,
though. As they are not as frequent as regular buses, you may have
to wait for a few minutes. Beach corners and the right in front
of lifeguard stations are the informal stops. Take a ticket from
the lady sitting in the front, and take any empty seat. Later she
will charge you and give your change. You may ask the driver to
drop you off anywhere along the way. This service is available only
during the day and are more comun at south zone.
Vans:
While
you are waiting for a "frescão" chances are a van will
stop and offer to take you to your destination. These vans are not
regulated, but tolerated by authorities. This means if anything
goes wrong you do not have where to complain. We cannot recommend
this kind of service until it is legalized. Obviously this does
not apply to licensed vans that work together with travel agencies
on tours and events.
Regular
local Buses:
Rio's
most popular means of transportation, yet the trickiest to master.
A ride on a circular line bus is only R$ 1.20. There are bus lines
connecting the whole city, and unlike in the US do not need exact
change. You must enter through the REAR door and exit through the
FRONT door. There is a professional known as "cobrador"
sitting behind a turnstile to collect your money and give you change.
Buses
are not air-conditioned, and at rush hours they look more like sardine
cans. Safety is an issue to consider.
Sometimes
pickpockets and petty thieves take advantage of crowded buses to
prey upon commuters. Someone with a $2,000US camera mesmerized by
Rio's natural beauties right out the window spells victim all over.
If you take regular buses try to look like you belong, do not carry
valuables, or wear jewelry, if is extremely necessary use taxi.
Cars:
With
a new driving code and heaver fines and penalties, drivers in Rio
de Janeiro are starting to act almost civilized. Now most cars actually
stop at red lights, at least during the day, and drivers and passengers
do wear a seatbelt. Hidden cameras forced speedsters to slow down
in roads like the Red Line connecting to the airport, and at other
problem areas. You do not need a car to get around the South Side,
but it makes sense to rent one if you choose to stay in Barra or
take short trips off-Rio, You rent a car in the airport. Consider
staying in an all-suite hotel, where a parking spot is part of the
package. To secure the best rates available rent your car online
and pick it up at the international airport or in Copacabana. A
compact car with insurance and unlimited mileage will cost you about
$70 US a day. Remember that your license have to be ok. And always
drive with caution, even if know the place, if you had chance study
the driving code, there must be similarly with yours.
Electronics
and Misc.:
The
Electricity is 110 V and 60 Hz. You may need an adapter. The outlets
take round or flat plugs, but not the flat plug with one prong wider
than the other. Computer outlets are standard, but modem connections
could pose a problem, be carefull until turn on an electricity machine.
Misc.
Women,
please wear as little make-up as you can, after all you are in the
tropics. Always use a good sun screen, and bring a high SPF sun
block lipstick. Most of the quality brands of cosmetics are available
in Rio. However if you have a favorite you might want to bring it.
If
you have a favorite snack or one of those things we tend to become
attached to and you just can not live without it, bring it. Favorite
brand of cigarette, bring it. Get the idea.
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