Useful Information
- Airport
- Time Zones
- Climate
- What to Wear
- Electricity / Voltage
- Water
- Telecommunications
- Currency and Exchange
- Credit Cards
- Banks
- Tips
- Transport
- Shopping Malls
- Hospitals
- Tourist Police
- Safety Measures
- Vaccination Against Yellow Fever
Airport
Rio’s international airport is located on Ilha do Governador (Governor Island), within easy access to the south area of Rio, where most of the major hotels are located.
International Airport – Galeão – Antonio Carlos Jobim (GIG)
Tel – General information: +55 (21) 3398.5050
Tel – Flights: +55 (21) 3398.4526 / 4527 / 2155 / 2288
Domestic Airport – Santos Dumont (SDU)
Tel – Information: +55 (21) 3814.7070
Tel – Flights: +55 (21) 3814.7224 / 7544 / 7246 / 7700
Time Zones
Brazil is located within three time zones. The time in Brasília is the official Brazilian time (see map), UTC -3 hours. The time difference changes during Daylight Saving Time in the summer. CNSM 2014 will take place during Daylight Saving Time.
Climate
Rio de Janeiro is a tropical city. Summer runs from late November / early December through March with temperatures ranging from 25º C (77º F) to 42º C (108º F), whereas winter runs from June through August when temperatures can drop to around 20º C (68º F) during the day and to a chilling 16º C (60º F) at night.
See the on-line weather forecast for Rio de Janeiro.
What to Wear
In November, we recommend bringing light clothes and a light sweater. The sweater might be useful inside conference rooms, which have the air-conditioning on at all times ;-)
Electricity / Voltage
Voltage in Brazil is not fixed. The electric current in Rio is 110 or 120 volts, 60 cycles, alternating current. Travel adapters are required for certain electric devices. Many hotels do, however, have 220-volt outlets. See your hotel description for more information.
Water
The Rio de Janeiro water supply is compliant with international standards, but due to the strong taste of chlorine we advise drinking bottled mineral water.
Telecommunications
Rio has an excellent telecommunications system that links Rio to the rest of Brazil and the world. Direct dial and collect calls can be made from any telephone. Pay phones are available across the city and are phone card-operated. The International Direct Dial (IDD) code for Brazil is 55 and the city code for Rio de Janeiro, 21.
Currency and Exchange
The Brazilian monetary unit is the Real (BRL). Exchange rates are available in every daily newspaper, followed by the U.S. dollar exchange rate used in international business transactions.
Cash and traveler’s checks, especially in U.S. dollars, can be exchanged in almost every bank, currency exchange houses and hotels. All major credit cards are accepted in Brazil and some stores accept foreign currency.
You can check the day’s exchange rate and convert amounts here.
Credit Cards
The main credit cards are accepted in Brazil, particularly in Rio. Visa, MasterCard, Diners and American Express are accepted in almost all commercial facilities.
Banks
Banks are open weekdays from 10 am to 4 pm. They are closed on weekends and public holidays. Before departure, visitors are encouraged to check whether their credit and/or cash cards are accepted with the local banks.
Automated teller machines (ATMs) can be found almost everywhere. Some machines provide 24-hour cash withdrawal (BRL) facilities for major credit cards.
Tips
Hotels: Usually hotel bills include service fees.
Restaurants: You are not obligated to tip, but most frequently 10% is added to the bill.
Taxis: Taxi drivers don’t expect tips, but usually the passengers pay something more if they are satisfied with the service.
Transport
Rio’s extensive taxi fleet includes yellow-metered cabs and special taxis (most recommended), which are operated by licensed companies and can be found at hotels or booked by phone. There is a taxi office in the airport concierge and the fare should be set in advance. We strongly advise against using non-official taxi drivers.
Shopping Malls
Rio Sul Shopping Center
Rua Lauro Muller, 116 – Botafogo
Tel: +55 (21) 3527.7257
https://www.riosul.com.br
Hours: Mon – Sat 10:00AM to 10:00PM. Sunday – Food Court 12:00PM to 10:00PM; Shops 03:00PM to 09:00PM
Shopping Leblon
Av. Afrânio de Mello Franco, 290 – Leblon
Tel: +55 (21) 2430.5122
https://shoppingleblon.com.br
Hours: Sun – Sat 10:00AM to 10:00PM. Sunday 3:00PM to 9:00PM. Food Court: Friday – Sat 10:00AM to 01:00AM – Mon – Thu 10:00AM to 12:00AM – Sunday 15:00PM to 12:00 AM
Hospitals
Rio de Janeiro and Brazil have a number of internationally renowned hospitals, clinics and doctors, but treatment is expensive, so visitors are strongly advised to take out medical travel insurance before traveling to Brazil.
There are many hospitals in the Hotel area. All of them are equipped to handle any emergencies.
Casa de Saúde Santa Lúcia
Rua Capitão Salomão, 27 – Botafogo
https://www.clinicasantalucia.com.br/
Tel: +55 (21) 2126.4000
Clínica São Vicente
Rua João Borges, 204 – Gávea
https://www.clinicasaovicente.com.br/
Tel: +55 (21) 2529.4422
Hospital TotalCor
Rua Farme de Amoedo, 86 – Ipanema
Tel: +55 (21) 2525.1900
Hospital Copa D’or
Rua Figueiredo Magalhães, 875 – Copacabana
https://www.copador.com.br
Tel: +55 (21) 2545.3600
Hospital Miguel Couto
Rua Mário Ribeiro,117 – Gávea
https://www.biohard.com.br/mcouto/
Tel: +55 (21) 3111.3781 / 3111.3709
Hospital Samaritano
Rua Bambina, 98 – Botafogo
https://www.hsamaritano.com.br/
Tel: +55 (21) 2537.9722
Policlínica de Botafogo
Av. Pasteur, 72 – Botafogo
https://www.policlinicadebotafogo.com.br
Tel: +55 (21) 2244.8700 / 2244.8744
Pró Cardíaco
Rua General Polidoro, 192 – Botafogo
https://www.hospitalprocardiaco.com.br/
Tel: +55 (21) 2527.6060
Tourist Police
One battalion of the Rio de Janeiro State Military Police BPTUR is specialized in ostensive patrolling of the city to protect tourists. These officers are duly trained and equipped to handle cases involving tourists. Their job is to patrol popular tourist areas, beaches and the vicinities of hotels.
BPTUR – Batalhão de Policiamento em Áreas Turísticas (“Police Battalion for Tourism Areas”)
Rua São Clemente, 345 – Botafogo
22.260-001 Rio de Janeiro – RJ
Tel: + 55 (21) 3399.7565 / 69
+ 55 (21) 3399.7457 Call center
+ 55 (21) 3399.7562 Intelligence service
Fax: + 55 (21) 3399.7450
The Dedicated Tourists Police District DEAT is a special branch of the Civil Police. It has detectives, investigators and clerks responsible for investigating and reporting occurrences. The DEAT has its own office conveniently located in the area of Leblon, in front of the Casa Grande and Scala theaters. DEAT officers are specifically trained to help foreign visitors.
Delegacia de Atendimento ao Turista – DEAT (Tourists Police Department)
Av. Afrânio de Melo Franco, 159 – Leblon
22430-060 Rio de Janeiro – Brazil
Tel: +55 (21) 2332-2924 / 2885 / 2889
Safety Measures
As in any big city, personal safety is an important consideration. Hence:
- Keep an eye on your luggage. Use large and colorful labels to identify them easily on airport conveyor belts or delivery booths.
- Exchange your money only in exchange houses in airports or authorized banking agencies. Do not accept help from strangers, such as agents in airports.
- Only use official taxi stands or taxis from the cooperatives recommended by the event organization. Always keep the windows of your vehicle up, particularly at night, and always ask your cab driver to keep valuable belongings, such as laptops in the trunk.
- Always keep your belongings in sight, particularly in open areas, like restaurants, snack bars, parks and even in the event’s venue. Don’t let purses, bags or cameras hanging on chairs or on the floor.
- Don’t wear expensive looking jewelry and watches. The same applies to large amounts of money; try to have the right money separated in advance for small expenses.
- Don’t disclose your personal data to unknown persons and avoid carrying passports and travel checks when you go for a walk or a drive. In the event of loss, theft or robbery, report the fact immediately to the local police.
- For your peace of mind, use the hotel’s safe to keep valuable objects, your documents, passport and airplane tickets, and use photocopies of your documents when you go out.
- If you go out for a walk or to public and open areas, keep your belongings near your body and avoid going out alone. Please refrain from going out on the streets carrying your notebook or other electronic devices.
- If you need to go to an ATM machine, preferably use those located in malls (shopping centers) or banks. Avoid cash machines on streets or dark places. If you need help, always ask an employee of the bank.
Vaccination Against Yellow Fever
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is not required for travelers entering Brazil. However, vaccination is recommended to travelers going to the dark grey areas (see the map). Rio de Janeiro is not included.
