about the adult cortex (and vice versa)
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil / December 3-7, 2001
"a Cidade Maravilhosa"
- National airlines
- Visa, vaccines
- Currency and banking
- Accommodation
- Transportation within Rio
- Weather
- Eating and drinking
- Sightseeing
- Night life
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Brazil (Republica Federativa do Brasil, capital: Brasilia) is 8.511.965 km2 large, with some 162 million inhabitants forming a colorful nation characterized by great racial and cultural diversity.
Although the only official language is Portuguese, and about 90% of the population are Christians (mainly roman Catholics), very strong economic-social contrasts exist between different regions of the country, as well as between neighboring districts of the big cities: In Rio, nearly 1/4th of the population lives in one of the 578 inventoried favelas located on the many hills (morros) of the city. As the current President, FHC, declared: "Brazil is not underdeveloped country, but rather a country of injustice".
Meanwhile, the Cristo Redentor watches over the city with open arms (inhabitants from São Paulo say that the day Cariocas go to work He will clap his hands...). If your plane lands during the day, try to book a window seat and you will immediately understand why Rio is known as the "Cidade Maravilhosa".
In addition to your local companies, two major
Brazilian airlines offer international flights, with
mileage programs compatible with other world-wide
networks:
- VARIG : <www.varig.com.br>
- TAM : <www.tam.com.br>
NB: local time is GMT - 03:00.
Before you leave
Visa
Non-EU nationals will likely need a visa to enter Brazil. For EU nationals, a valid passport is probably sufficient, but you should check with your local Embassy or Consulate for current procedures.
Vaccination
No vaccine is required to enter Brazil, and really there is no need if you stay in Rio. However, if you plan to visit other states such as the Amazonas or Mato Grosso, you might check for Tetanus, Yellow fever and Hepatitis-B vaccines.
Electrical supply
in Rio is 110V, 60Hz. Standard sockets fit both round and square US plugs.
Spending money....
Since 1994, national currency is the Real (R$), made of 100 centavos (cents) and originally established at 1:1 parity with the US dollar.
As this page is launched on the web, the rate is about 2.3 R.$ for 1 US$ (or 1.9 R.$ for 1 Euro), but since things change fast on this side of the planet, you might wish to check it close to your departure time (Currency Calculator Website). In any case, you will find life cheaper than we do, so Enjoy it!
Travellers checks can be converted in almost any bank (Banco do Brasil within the CCS building) and credit cards (American Express, Visa, MasterCard) are accepted everywhere, even for very small bills. If you plan to travel away from Rio, keep in mind that US Dollars notes are easier to convert than german Deutsche Marks or french Francs.
... and saving your goods
Yes, violence does exist in Rio. But drug-driven organized crime in the favelas is one thing,... that has little to do with on-the-run snitching of a brand new camera on Copacabana beach.
No paranoia required - just common sense and a few reasonable precautions. Avoid tempting pickpockets, leave fancy gadgets and expensive jewelry at your hotel, along with large wads of dollars, since credit cards are accepted everywhere. Avoid the tourist's traditional clothing, and try to blend in... You'll find that walking in the streets of Rio is no more dangerous than in any other metropolis. Much to the contrary: cariocas are warm and solicitous people who will be eager to help.
Hotels
Since there are no registration fees for the Symposium, we will not be able to offer Hotel reservation services. The following links will take you directly to a selection of hotels websites (they will open in a new browser window)
Cheapest hotels are in the Centro, but since it is mainly a working district, streets empty at 20h. In contrast, Glória and Flamengo have an active and colored social life. Those who want to sleep closer to the beach will choose Copacabana or Ipanema, but will have to pay a bit more for it.
- Riotur selection (hotels)
- Cadê search page (hotels)
- Yahoo search page (hotels)
Click on the map to enlarge.
Public transportation
Rio de Janeiro public transportation network allows easy traveling within the city and its surrounding
- In the Centro and Zona Sul (Flamengo, Botafogo, Copacabana) a modern, frequent and very safe subway (metrô) network runs throughout the day (see station map below). However there is yet no subway connection to the Campus.
- To get from downtown to the CAMPUS, you might use bus (ônibus) lines (see Symposium location) or alternatively take yellow cabs (táxis) which are inexpensive and easily available everywhere or through hotel phone calls.
- NB: When you first leave the International Airport, make sure you use ONLY cabs from COOTRAM (blue) or TRANSCOPASS (red) companies (taxis especiais). They're a bit more expensive, but they will take you straight to the required destination!. In all other parts of the city,it is safe to take common yellow cabs.
Weather
During the second week of December, the temperature in Rio is usually around 35oC... do not forget your bathing suit !
Check for daily updated weather informations.
Drinking...
Since it IS hot, you will need to drink:
- água ("water"): Brazil has numerous and excellent mineral water sources.
- caipirinha ("the little provincial"): is the other national option and an obligatory ritual. Made of green lemon, sugar, ice and...cachaça (sugar cane white rum, very cheap, very strong, very good).
- batida-sss ("the shaked ones"): an inventive concoction of fresh-cream, ice, sugar, fruits and...cachaça. You'll need to try various.
- guaraná: An alcohol-free, refreshing and energizing drink made of an amazonic fruit. It comes as a refresco (no gas) or as a refrigerante (carbonated soft-drink)... a great alternative to Coke.
- mate: a sort of tea, originally invented by the Indians and made popular by the Jesuits. Less sweet than guaraná and very refreshing.
- suco: ("juice") at any street corner you will be able to savor any imaginable combination of fresh-made fruit juice. If you hesitate on which one to try, just let the names inspire you.
- in addition, you will find beer, some excellent red and white wines, caldo de cana (fresh-made sugar cane juice) and of course chilled coconuts. Well, you will not suffer from dehydration.
... and eating
Brazilian food is as diverse, colorful and nice as its people. The mix of indian, african, portuguese, french, german, japanese,... cultures produces very interesting results. Among many others, you should experiment:
- Feijoada: the national dish made of black beans, smoked pork, salted beef, cooked in olive oil with lots of garlic and onions. Served with collard green (to compensate for the salt) and orange slice (to absorb the fat).
- Vatapá: one of Bahia's postcards, made of shrimp, bread, coconut milk, ginger, and dendê oil.
- Churrasco: the real spit roasted 100% prion-free beef. Once you eat it, you'll never again dare call your backyard grill-out a barbecue!
- ...
Sightseeing
There is no way out: you simply must get on top of the sugar loaf (Pão de Açúcar) and spend some time at the beaches.
Pleasant and not overvisited sites are: Floresta da Tijuca (the largest urban forest in the world), Jardim Botânico (botannical gardens), or Pedra Bonita (from where hang gliders jump),...
Check for other spots.
In case it rains, Rio has a few nice museums (including popular art), exhibits, and cultural centers.
Find more in the official RioTur website.
Night life
Another way to get to know the carioca way of life is to go where they hang out at night. They are plenty of nice barzinhos (bars) all over the city, especially in Leblon and Botafogo.
If you have the opportunity to go to an MPB (Música Popular Brasileira) or chorinho show, do not miss it!. As the city will already be preparing for Carnival, you will probably have a chance to join a Roda de Samba and have a taste for this tricky rhythm.