Rio de Janeiro is a Brazilian city, capital of the namesake state, located in the southeast of the country. It is the largest international tourist destination in Brazil, Latin America and the entire Southern Hemisphere.
Passport and Visa
A valid passport and in some cases a visa is required to travel to Brazil. To get more information about Visa visit the Visa information page and them go to the official site. For further information about visa application requirements, contact your travel agent or a local Brazilian Consulate office. If you require a Visa Letter of Invitation from IEEE Communications Society (ComSoc), please see the Visa Letter Request page.
Climate
Most of Brazil lies one the South of the Equator. As a result there is very little seasonal variation. The climate is comfortably temperate in most of the country, and refreshing sea breezes often blow along the coast almost all year round. With the temperatures usually ranging from 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 30 degrees Centigrade), casual spring and summer clothes are appropriate for almost every region and occasion. In Rio , Summer runs from December through March with temperatures ranging from 25º C (77º F) to 42º C while winter runs from June though to August when temperatures can drop to around 20º C (68ºF) in the day and cool 16º C (60ºF) at night.
Language
Portuguese is the national language, although the Brazilian people give different accents and semantics to the Portuguese language spoken in Portugal. English and Spanish are the foreign languages spoken in most areas, especially in hotels, shops, restaurants and other tourist places. English and Spanish are part of the school curriculum.
Money
The Brazilian currency is the Real (R$); Coins issued by the government are either bronze for 5, 10 and 25 centavos, silver for 50 centavos and a nickel and bronze coin for R$1.
R$2, R$5, R$10, R$20, R$50, R$100 and R$200 are the denominations of the bills.
The value of the real against the US dollar varies according to the daily rate. Banks and exchange bureaux charge a commission on exchange transactions, which the visitor should check beforehand. Money changers are obliged by law to display net rates of exchange. Receipt notes must be issued by law; it is advisable to keep these until after departure.
Cashing money with Credit or Bank Card
Visa card holders may withdraw cash from the Banco do Brasil and Banco Itaú. Card holders with a PIN number may obtain cash from the 24-hour machines; those without will have to await verification, available from 10 am to 4 pm.
Banks
Banks are open weekdays from 10 am to 4 pm; they are closed on weekends and public holidays. Before departure from home, visitors are encouraged to check the acceptability of their credit and/or cash cards with their local bank. Automated teller machines (ATMs) can be found almost everywhere; some machines provide 24-hour cash withdrawal (R$) facilities for major credit cards.
Subway System
Rio de Janeiro's subway is safe, efficient and easy to use. Tickets are bought at the counter, as there are no ticketissuing machines. The Copacabana Metro station is located in Praça Cardeal Arcoverde or Siquiera Campos, four blocks from the beach. The Metro is a great boon to adventurous visitors; Catete, Glória, Cinelândia, Carioca and Uruguaiana stations are those closest to the city's principal historical and cultural attractions.
Time Zone
Country and in the main cities, the time is three hours earlier than Greenwich (London) Meridian Time.
Voltage
Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo have 110 or 220 Volt 60 cycles alternate current (AC). Salvador and Manaus have 127 Volts. Recife, Brasilia and a number of other cities have 220-Volt Service. Most Hotels, however, provide both services and/or adapters for guests.
Brazil’s Power Outlets are as follows:
