Rio de Janeiro Travel Information
People || Time Zone || Language || Airport || Visas || Banks || Business hours ||
Currency || Climate || Clothing || Travelers nasal/nasal Cards || Airport Tax || Electricity ||
Taxis || Tipping || Sightseeing || Useful Telephone Numbers || Tourist Organizations
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Rio is beauty of itself, 50 miles (90 Km) of beaches, towering mountains,
or the mountain greenery that so spectacularly links the high ground to the sea.

 

Area & People
Rio de Janeiro has a population approximately 5.7 million.

Time Zone
Rio de Janeiro's time zone is 3 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (England).

Language
The national language is Portuguese, with English as the second language widely taught in schools.
Brazilian Portuguese varies from European Portuguese including pronunciation and vocabulary. Some aspects of Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation might seem unusual to native English Speakers. The use of nasalize vowels. Nasalized vowels are indicated in spelling by a following "m" or "n" or by "~" over the vowel.
English words of Brazilian Portuguese origin include cashew, ipecac, macaw, petunia, piranha, tapioca and toucan.
Basic words and phrases in Brazilian Portuguese

Airport
Rio's international airport itself is conveniently located on IIha do Governador which has excellent access to Rio's south zone where most of the major hotels are located. The airport is served by 28 international carriers.
International Airport (Information)   Tel. (55 21)398-4526, 398-4527
Domestic Airport (Information)  Tel. (55 21)210-2457

Visas
Visitors from certain foreign countries will require a visa which is usually processed within 2 working days by applying to the nearest Brazilian Embassy or Consulate.
Requirements for a tourist visa include a passport valid for at least 6 months, one passport-sized photograph and a round-trip ticket.

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Banks
Banks provide standard services nationwide, Monday through Friday from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M., except public and bank holidays.

Business Hours
Most offices are open from 9 A.M. to 6 P.M., Monday through Friday.
Stores are open from 9 A.M. to 6 P.M., Monday through Friday and from 9 A.M. to 1 P.M. on Saturday.  Most of the large shopping centers such as Rio Sul and Barra shopping are open Monday through Saturday from 10 A.M. to 10 P.M.

Currency
Real (R$) is the Brazilian monetary currency since July 1, 1994.

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Exchange facilities for cash and traveler cheques are available in banks, hotels, and foreign exchange booths located in tourists areas.

Climates
Tropical to semitropical. Spring and summer clothes generally suitable. Seasons reversed from northern hemisphere.
Summer : December through March with temperatures ranging from 25 degree Celsius to 42 degree Celsius.
Winter   : June through August with temperatures ranging from 16 at night to 20 degree Celsius during a day.

Clothing
Rio's tropical weather makes light summer clothing most practical, especially for outdoor activities like sightseeing. Most restaurants and nightspots are not restrictive on the dress code - polo shirts, t-shirts, jeans, slacks, blouses and skirts, sun dresses and sneakers are acceptable at most places. Although some establishments require formal wear for the evening, suits and evening dresses will never be out of place in Rio's trendy night-spots. It is always advisable to ring up beforehand to check on dress regulations, if any.

Travellers cheques / credit cards
Cash and traveler checks, can be exchanged at most banks or exchange boots as well as the major hotels.
US dollar travelers cheques can be conveniently cashed at all provincial banks and authorized money changers.
Major international credit cards, such as American Express, Diners Club or VISA are accepted by major banks, restaurants, hotels and shops.

Airport tax
Outgoing passengers on international flights from Rio de Janeiro's airport must pay R$60 or US$36.

Electricity
Electricity in Rio de Janeiro operates exclusively on 110 Volt or 120 Volt, 60 cycles.

Taxis
Taxis cruising the streets of Rio de Janeiro have meters.

Tipping
There is recommended that tips range from 10% to 18% if it is not included in a bill. In taxis, round out the number. For luggage at a hotel and/or airport, figure one dollar per suitcase.

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Useful Telephone Numbers
Ambulance                                     Tel. 192
Federal Highway Police                  Tel. 371-8011
International Operator                    Tel. 000-111
Long Distance Operator                 Tel. 101
Phone number information              Tel. 102
Police                                            Tel. 190
Telegram                                       Tel. 135
Tourist Services Center                  Tel. 541-7522, 542-8004, 542-8080
Rio de Janeiro Tourism Authority   Tel. 217-7575

Tourist Organizations
Brazilian Tourist Authority : 174 Rua Uruguaiana, 8th floor (Downtown). Tel : 509-6017, Fax : 509-7381.
City of Rio de Janeiro Tourist Authority : 10 Rua da Assembleia, 9th floor (Downtown). Tel : 542-8080, Fax : 531-1872.
Rio Convention and Visitors Bureau : 547 Rua Visconde de Piraja, 6th floor (Ipanema). Tel : 259-6165, Fax : 511-2592.
State of Rio de Janeiro Tourist Board : 10 Rua da Assembleia, 7th and 8th floor (Downtown). Fax : 531-1898.

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SIGHTSEEING

Corcovado (Christ the Redeemer statue)
The most memorable attraction in Rio de Janeiro, standing over Rio on top of Corcovado mountain.  From there you can see all of Rio-Guanabara Bay, Yacht Club, Sugar Loaf, the south zone with the Jockey Club, Botanical Gardens, and the Atlantic Ocean and beaches.
R$15 for everyone over seven years old of age.
513 Rua Cosme Velho (Cosme Velho).
Tel (21) 558-1329

Tijuca National Park
Tijuca National Park is the largest urban natural park in the world.

Tourist Sights in Tijuca Forest
The Chinese Lookout with views of Ipanema, Corcovado, Leblon and south beaches.

Sugar Loaf
The second most sought-after landmark in Rio de Janeiro, a huge granite rock rising form the entrance to the bay, reached by cable car. The cable cars is open daily from 8 A.M. to 10 P.M.
R$15.50 for adults and R$7.75 for children.
520 Avenida Pasteur (Praia Vermelha)
Tel. (21)541-3737

Botanical Garden
The 340 acres containing trees and plants from around the world and Brazil. When you are in the center of the gardens, look up, you will see Corcovado mountain.
The Botanical Gardens open daily from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M.
The main entrance is located at 1008 Rua Jardim Botanico.

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See You In Rio Soon...

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