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| GENERAL INFO |
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Brazilian proudly call Rio de Janeiro "the wonderful city", because of its extraordinary natural beauty.
Rio de Janeiro, capital of the State of Rio de Janeiro, and also Brazil's capital from 1763 to 1961, is nestled between the mountains and the sea. Its magnificent shoreline includes charming bays and beautiful beaches, dotted with islands up and down the coast. Flying into Rio is a beautiful sight, whether it be at night or during the day, the visitor quickly finds out why Rio is known as the Wonderful City. The center for art and fashion. New styles and clothing concepts are always available in Ipanema's elegant stores and boutiques.
Population (city of Rio de Janeiro): almost six million highly cheerful and friendly inhabitants.
Official language: Portuguese is the official language, but English-speaking staff is available in Hotels, Restaurants, and most important Shopping Centers and stores.
Electric Current: Normally 110 volts, 60 cycles. Some hotels have special 220 volts as well.
Climate and Temperature in Brazil
Brazil's climatic typology is very diverse. The huge territorial expanse, allied with factors such as temperature, altitude, barometric pressure and proximity to the ocean, provide the country with climatic conditions that can please everyone. It is one of the richest and most complex ecosystems in the world, with extremely diversified vegetation and sceneries. The Brazilian territory is divided into climatic strips: 92% of the territory is located between the Equator and the Tropic of Capricorn. We can therefore say that the Brazilian climate is predominantly tropical, with equatorial and subtropical (temperate zones) strips distributed over the remaining 8% of the nation's territory. The predominance of lower altitudes throughout the country provides more elevated temperatures, with averages exceeding 20°C. The seasons are the exact opposite of those in Europe and the United States, except in the northern region of the country. The average annual temperature is approximately 28ºC in the northern region and 20ºC, in the south. Extreme temperatures are rare, but they may occur: in the winter, some cities in the south of the country experience negative temperatures, with frost and snow. And in Rio de Janeiro, in the peak of summer, the temperature may hit 40ºC. Now that you know about our climate, choose the temperature you find most pleasant and come fall in love with the beauty Brazil has to offer.
Average temperature in Rio de Janeiro at noon:
November through April: 33.8 oC = 93 oF (Fahrenheit)
May through October: 26.1 oC = 79 oF
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USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND ADDRESSES
Regional dialing code (DDI): +55 (21)
Ambulance - 192
Firemen - 193
Police - 190
Civil defense - 199
Police station of Service to the Tourist - DEAT
Address: Av. Afrânio of Mello Franco, s / no. - Leblon
22430-060 Rio de Janeiro - Brazil
Tel: (21) 2511-5112 / 3399-7170
Fax: (21) 3399-7172 |
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GENERAL SECURITY
Brazil, especially Rio, has had a bad reputation for personal security and many potential visitors have been put off travelling there. Much of this reputation can be put down to wild exaggeration, but it has had the beneficial effect of spurring the various city authorities (particularly Rio and Salvador) into doing something about it. There are now far more tourist police, who are a great deal more helpful to visitors, and there is much better patrolling of problem areas. Although it is prudent to avoid some deserted places (mainly the night), we can say that the violence of Rio is the same found in big cities of the world.
AIRPORT
International Airport Of The Rio De Janeiro
District of Ilha do Governador, about 12 km downtown
Telephone: (21) 398-5050
Rio de Janeiro international airport is served by airlines from many countries. Some of the most important U.S. cities have daily flights to Rio de Janeiro. VARIG and TAM brazilian airlines are the company wich have the greatest number of flights to this city.
The best way of transportation to the hotels is the taxis.
Airport Santos Dumont (Sdu)
Tel.: (21) 262.6212 - 210.2457
Salgado Filho square - downtown Tel: (21) 2262.6212 - 2210.2457
This Airport serves to flights of Aerial Ponte between Rio and São Paulo, and to other cities of the interior of Brazil. It possesses a great restaurant, bank agencies and exchange. |
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BUSINESS HOURS:
Banks: Monday-Friday, 10h00 - 16h00. Closed on Saturday.
Offices: Monday-Friday, 09h00 - 18h00
Shoppings centers: Usually from 09h00 to 22h00. Sunday: from 15h00 to 22h00.
With some variety depending on location and type of business.
Main Shopping Streets: Copacabana (Nossa Senhora de Copacabana and Barata Ribeiro Street), Ipanema (Visconde de Pirajá Street), Leblon (Ataulfo de Paiva Avenue). |
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PASSPORTS & VISAS
Participants may require official invitation letters to the Congress for either local grant applications or entry visas to Brazil (for only few countries it is necessary). |
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TRANSPORT INFORMATION
Public transport
Exploring the Rio de Janeiro city is possible by bus, taxis or Subway (only two lines). Regular public transportation will take you to most places worth seeing. Ask tourist information offices or at the main bus terminal for more information.
Taxis
A great number of taxis exists in most of the cities of the Brazil. Common taxis, with taximeter, they can be called in the street. The value to be paid is in the display of the taximeter. Radio taxis can be requested by telephone. The official taxis of the airport are also radio taxis. If you would like to hire a taxi please ask your hotel receptionist for help.
Some taxi companies
Coopatur - Tel: (xx) 21 573-1009
Copacarioca - Tel: (xx) 21 518-1818
OuroTáxi - Tel: (xx) 21 568-8618
Coopertramo - Tel: (xx) 21 560-2022
Cootramo - Tel: (xx) 21 560-5442
Transcoopass - Tel: (xx) 21 560-4888 |
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CAR RENTAL
There are several international rent-a-car companies, but there are also many local companies that offer that service.
Actual
Venue: Av. Princesa Isabel, 181 lj J - Copacabana
Phone: (21) 2541-3444
Fax: (21) 2542-3890
E-mail: actual@msm.com.br
Website: http://www.msm.com.br/actual
Avis
Venue: Av. Princesa Isabel, 350 - Copacabana
Phone: (21) 2543-8481
Fax: (21) 2543-8488
E-mail: elcopacabana@avis.com.br
Website: http://www.avis.com.br
Boomerang
Venue: Rua Xavier da Silveira, 40/C - Copacabana
Phone & Fax: (21) 2523-3093
E-mail: boomerang@vetor.com.br
Website: http://www.boomerangrentacar.com.br
ConnectCom
Tel Phone 24hours service: 9311-1112.
Van and car service, chauffer driven.
Venue: Av. Nossa Senhora de Copacabana, 195/712 - Copacabana
Phone & Fax: (21) 2275-8461
Europcar Rio
Call Center: 0800 703 3876
Venue: Av. Princesa Isabel, 245 loja A - Copacabana
Phone: (21) 2275-0460
Fax: (21) 2275-0441
E-mail: europcar-rio@rentax.com.br
Website: http://www.europcarbrasil.com.br
Hertz
International Airport
Tels.: 3398-4421
Interlocadora
International Airport
Tel.: 3398-3181
Fax: 3398-4765
Website: http://www.interlocadora.com.br
CURRENCY AND EXCHANGE
The currency used in Brazil is called the Real (R$) and the foreign exchange rate is published daily in the newspapers and other specialized sites. Foreign exchange can be handled in banks, travel agencies and authorized hotels. Travelers' checks as well as currencies are easily exchanged at these locations. International credit cards are accepted at most hotels, restaurants, stores, travel agencies, car rental companies and other companies that render services to tourists. A floating exchange rate is used. The Brazilian currency has remained reasonably stable. In August of 2005, the American dollar maintained an average exchange rate of R$ 2,45, and the EURO was equivalent the R$ 3,00, according to data from the Brazilian Central Bank. |
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CREDIT CARDS
The credit cards are accepted in almost all of the commercial establishments. They also serve as warranty in the reservation of hotels.
American Express - Tel: 0800-785050
Credicard / Mastercard - Tel: 0800-784411
Visa - Tel: 0800-662233
Diners - Tel: 0800-784444 |
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TIPPING
In most restaurants and bars a 10% service fee is added to the bill. More sophisticated places may add on 15%. If service is not included it will be stated at the bottom of the bill : "Serviço não incluido". Taxis do not expect a tip, but it is normal to round up the final price. You should be aware that the amount given on the taximeter will not always be the amount you are due to pay - look out for a separate sheet taped to the window which will tell you how much the amount on the meter equates to.
For hotel porters an optional of R$ 5,00 is enough. The loaders in the airport and in the hotel they should receive the equivalent the US$ 1.00 for suitcase. Tipping at petrol pumps is not necessary. |
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REGISTRATION INFORMATION
The Congress Registration Form and all linked information can be obtained on the Congress website: www.metrologia2006.org.br. The home page is updated regularly. |
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IDENTIFICATION BADGE
We request you to wear your badge at the Congress halls and during social activities. |
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BRAZILIAN FOOD AND DRINK
The most common dishes feature various meats, rice and the ubiquitous Brazilian black beans (feijão), whilst restaurants often lay on all-you-can-eat barbecues and buffets. Brazil also has many regional varieties of cookery. An example is the Bahian cookery, which includes dishes such as: Vatapa (shrimps, fish oil, coconut milk, bread and rice), Sarapatel (liver, heart, tomatoes, peppers, onions and gravy). From Rio Grandes do Sol a typical dish is Churrasco (barbecue beef, tomato and onion sauce). From the Amazon comes Tacaca (thick soup with shrimps and garlic). All kinds of alcoholic drinks are available, including excellent lager style beers: Skol, Brahma, Antarctica and Cerpa. The most popular local firewater is Cachaca, most commonly served as 'Caipirinha' with slices of lime.
There are no restrictions on licensing hours. Soft drinks include Guarana (a carbonated cola-like drink) and many varieties of excellent fruit-juices (sucos) including several vitamin-rich fruits you will never have heard of. Coffee tends to be served as a very strong, very sweet drink, but if you want to avoid sugar in sucos or coffee you should specifically ask. |
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VACCINATION
Yellow Fever Vaccine
For tourists who have been in transit over the past three months, or who are coming from certain countries - Angola, Benin, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Colombia, Ecuador, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, French Guiana, Liberia, Nigeria, Peru, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leon, Sudan, Venezuela and Zaire - an International Certificate of Vaccination against yellow fever is required. The yellow fever vaccine is also recommended for all national and international tourists who intend to visit the following Brazilian states: Acre, Amazonas, Amapá, Federal District, Goiás, Maranhão, Mato Grosso do Sul, Pará, Rondônia, Roraima and Tocantins. Do not forget: it is necessary to take the vaccination at least ten days prior to leaving on your trip.
Polio Vaccine
For children between the ages of three months and six years, an International Certificate of Vaccination against Polio is obligatory.
Doubts and Other Vaccines
Consult the Brazilian Consulate nearest you, or the Brazilian Embassy in your country, to explain any doubts and to obtain any other information concerning vaccinations in Brazil. |
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TAXES
Airport tax for international flights is approximately R$ 89,00. Internal flights are taxed at about R$ 7,20 and R$ 9,20. In addition, all hotels require a City Tax at US$1 per day per room. All the above taxes may be paid in Dollars or "Reais" and must be paid locally. |
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