Brazil Blog

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Tour Packages and Tourism on your own in Rio!

Filed under: Ask Us - April 11th, 2006

Your Question:

We have been on some web sites and there seems to be lots of agents who organize trips in Rio de Janeiro. My wife and I want to got to Sugar loaf, Christ the Redeemer, Botanical gardens, Maracanã for 4 football matches (Vasco v Flamenco 28 Oct, Botafogo v Fluminense 4 Nov, Flamenco v Santa Cruz Nov 2, and Flamenco v Atlético Nov 5), horse racing and maybe a boat trip round Rio harbour. Iis it better to contact these agents to organize a package for all the trips before we get there or organize them locally on our arrival? Any idea what the cost of the above trips would work out at?

Our Reply:

It is better to contact these agents when you get in Rio. There are many agents doing this kind of work in Rio. You will receive many folders with tour packages when you are sitting on the beach in Rio. Being here, you will be able to see pictures of all these tours and you will also be able to deal with the agents in person. There are many different kinds of packages tours, and you will easily find a different thing to do in Rio every day. Here is one example of how much things may cost and what these tour packages look like. The prices are related to April 2006, so it may be different by the time you get in Rio in October.

Tours Packages (Options and Prices): This is only one example of what you will find in Rio de Janeiro regarding tours package.

Option1: Statue of Christ - $25.00 US (each person) - 4 hours tour
Pick up in your hotel, Tijuca Forest, Christ Statue, City Tour, Sambodrome, Maracanã Stadium, Cathedral, and return to your hotel.

Option2: Sugar Loaf Mountain $30.00US (each person) - 4 hours tour
Pick you in your hotel, Sugar Loaf Mountain (cable cars ride included), and return to your hotel.

Option3: A Day in Rio de Janeiro - $60.00US (each person) – 9 hours tour
Sugar Loaf Mountain (cable cars ride included), Rio Beaches Tour, lunch, Tijuca Forest, Statue of Christ, City Tour, Sambodrome, Maracanã Stadium, Cathedral

Option 4: A Night in Rio de Janeiro - $120 (each person) – 4 hours tour
Pick up in your hotel, dinner, show/concert ticket, and return to your hotel.

Option 5: Búzios - Cabo Frio - Angra dos Reis (Nearby Cities) from $40.00US to $80.00US – 10 hours tour.
Pick up in your Hotel, City Tour of the City you are going to visit, lunch included, Beach Tour, and return to you hotel.

Option 6: Soccer Matches (big groups) with a Tour Guide: $25.00US (each). Price includes: pick up from your hotel, soccer game in Maracanã Stadium, and return to your hotel. 4 hour Tour.

How much would that cost to do on your own?

Here are the prices you will pay to get into these attractions. The additional costs on going on your own would be the costs of a tax ride, a bus, or subway.

Soccer Matches on your own: Prices will vary from $9.00US (general bleachers) to $20.00 US (chair sits) – away from the crowd.

Sugar Loaf Mountain – $ 17.00US (each)

Statue of Christ Train – $ 16.00US (each)

Regarding a horse racing, you would want to check the Jockey Club’s Page when you are in Rio. Horse racings do not happen every day, so it is important that you check their schedule. The Jockey Club is located between two other tourist attractions, the Rodrigo de Freitas Lake and the Botanical Gardens. Getting there is easy, and any taxi driver or a bus would be able to get you there safely.

If you have any further questions, just write to us and we will try to help you to answer them. Planning your trip far in advance will make you have an awesome time in Rio.

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Airport/Hotel Tranfers in Brazil

Filed under: Ask Us - April 6th, 2006

Your Question:

HI, I’m visiting Rio in September and also going to the Iguaçu Falls. I haven’t arranged a transfer to the airport at Rio from my hotel or from the airport at Iguaçu to my hotel. Will it be easy to arrange outbound and inbound when I get to Brazil? Thanks

Our Reply:

Brazil has become very popular in the last couple years, so the cities are now prepared to receive tourists. You shouldn’t have a problem getting into your hotel, or into the airport. In Brazil there are many taxi rides available in the big airports such as the one you are going go to in Rio and Foz do Iguaçu. Now, if you don’t want to deal with finding a taxi once you are here, you can just ask your hotel to arrange that for you. Same thing to go from your hotel to the airport, just ask the front desk, and they will easily arrange a ride for you. Some hotels might even provide free airport shuttle services, and even private car transfer. Good luck and write to us if you have any further questions.

Helicopter Rides from Sugar Loaf, Price, Availability

Filed under: Ask Us - April 6th, 2006

Rio has many companies that offer helicopter rides. Each company offer different routes, with different lengths. The prices will vary from one company to the other depending on how long and how many places you would like to visit in Rio de Janeiro. What you will normally find is a 30 minute ride for approximately 200U$ per person. Bellow you will find some links to help you find a company that best fits your needs. Through their webpage you can try to get a good deal, dealing directly with them. Good lucky and enjoy your sightseeing in Rio.

Wata Company
Rio Holidays Company
Nowscape Company (Scroll down to the bottom of the page)
Discover Brazil (Scroll Down to the middle of the page)
Rio Guide
Rio for Parties

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Dress Code in Rio de Janeiro

Filed under: Ask Us - April 6th, 2006

Your Question:

I like to wear shorts and t shirts when on holiday. Are there any places in Rio’s Hotels, clubs or bars that enforce a dress code (long trousers).

Our Answer:

If you are going out to a bar/club in Rio you will not be allowed to enter if you have shorts or sandals on. You need to be dressed sport casual, otherwise they will not let you in. In Hotels, you can wear shorts and t-shirts, as long as you feel comfortable with what people use there. Different hotels, clubs and bars have ifferent dress codes, so some of them can enforce you to wear nicer clothes, but that is very unusual. As long as you have your jeans and t-shirt on you should be fine. You may want to write to your specific hotel and ask them what their dress code is.

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AskUs Summary, January to March 2006

Filed under: Ask Us - March 31st, 2006

Every three months we like to summarize all the AskUs questions we receive so you can find them all in one place. Below you will find all the AskUs questions we have received between January & March 2006.

If you would like to receive a similar summary by email, as well as a chance to win a Cities in Brazil t-shirt and enjoy access to our free Brazil eBooks, subscribe to our free newsletter! Click Here: Cities in Brazil Newsletter Subscription

Advices for my trip to Rio

Filed under: Ask Us - March 27th, 2006

Your Question:
When in Rio i will be staying at Plaza Copacabana Hotel. Does the hotel normally arrange excursions to the statue of Christ, Sugar Loaf, the Maracana stadium to see football matches and the Jockey Club? Is it better to see a travel agent or make our own way by taxi/bus/subway? Do hotels exchange travellers cheques? Is there much night life (live music) in the vicinity of the Plaza Copacabana Hotel? How can we see samba dancing?

Our Reply:
Does Plaza Copacabana Hotel normally arrange excursions to the statue of Christ, Sugar Loaf, the Maracana stadium to see football matches and the Jockey Club?
Yes, the Concierge at the Plaza Copacabana Hotel can help you with that. You just need to tell them where you would like to go and they will arrange that for you.

Is it better to see a travel agent or make our own way by taxi/bus/subway?
If you are going to Rio by yourself or just one or 2 friends, and you don´t speak Portuguese, it is better for you to go see a travel agent. They normally get good discounts for bigger groups. Another advantage of going in big groups is that you don’t have to worry about transportation or safety. It is not safe to ride buses during the night in Rio, so if you do decide to do these things on your own be aware of that.

Do hotels exchange travellers cheques?
From what I am aware of, cash and traveler checks, can be exchanged at most major hotels throughout Brazil. If you have already booked your room at Plaza Copacabana Hotel, you should email them and ask if their offer this service. If you have a bank card with 4 pin numbers, it will work in Brazil, and it is way easier to deal with them than exchanging your travellers cheques. Also, major international credit cards, such as Visa and American Express, are also accepted in hotels, banks and restaurants.

Is there much night life (live music) in the vicinity of the Plaza Copacabana Hotel?
The Plaza Copacabana Hotel is surrounded by Copacabana’s exciting nightlife. You will be able to walk to many different bars and restaurants that offer live music. Once you get to Rio, ask the concierge that they will tell you the best places to go according to your tastes. People in Brazil are very friendly, and normally people who work at hotels are used to this kind of situation, so they will advise you well. Rio is a tourist city, so there is always something you like to do within a walking distance, especially in Copacabana.

How can we see samba dancing?
The best way to see samba dancing is to go visit a Samba School. Rio has many Samba Schools and there are normally rehearsal days due to the annual Carnival Celebration. A travel agent can also help you with this one. They normally know when and where these rehearsals will occur. It is worth seeing samba dancing performed by professional dancers. You will enjoy it!

English Speakers in Rio de Janeiro

Filed under: Ask Us - March 24th, 2006

Your Question:
I only speak English. Will this be a problem getting around in Rio or are there many people who speak English?

Our Answer:
Rio is Brazil’s most famous city; for that reason, the city is prepared to welcome tourists, especially people who work at tourist’s attractions places. Normally in Rio everyone is able to speak some English. It will not be perfect but you will be able to understand them. Even though you will find a lot of English speakers in Brazil, I think it is important for you to learn some of the common phrases in Portuguese just to be safe. Taxi drivers normally know how to speak English, but as soon as they see you are not from here, they will charge you more for the ride. In general, Brazilians are really friendly, and they will go out of their way to try to help you to get any information you are asking for, but as in everywhere in the world, there will always be people trying to take advantage of you. If you are going to buy souvenirs at feirinhas for example, try to get a brazilian to ask how much it costs for you. Feirinhas are the most commom place where people will charge you way more for their products due to the fact that they know you are a foreign. So, knowing a little bit of Portuguese could save you in some situations, but you will definitely find English speakers almost everywhere in Rio. We hope you have a great time in Rio! Enjoy

Where is Novo Hamburgo located?

Filed under: Ask Us - March 24th, 2006

Your question:
Where is a city with name Hamburgo?

Our Answer:
In Brazil we have a city called Novo Hamburgo. This city is located in Rio Grande do Sul, close to Sinos River, only 40 km from Porto Alegre, which is the capital of Rio Grande do Sul.

Prices in Rio de Janeiro - Brazil

Filed under: Ask Us - March 21st, 2006

Your Question:
I am coming to Rio de Janeiro for 2 weeks holiday . I have never been to Brazil before and as i am on a budget i would like to know some approximate prices. How much does it cost to travel the cable cars to Sugar loaf, go up on the train to the statue of Christ, a beer on the Copacabana beach, a snack on the copacabana beach, a meal at a normal copacabana churrascarias, and to go to Maracana to see soccer.

Our Reply:

Sugar Loaf Mountain - Cable Cars Rides:
Adults over 12 years old: R$ 35,00
Children from 06 to 12 : Half-Price - R$ 17,50
Children under 06:free
Sugar Loaf Mountain

Corcovado Train
Ticket Price
R$ 36,00
(round trip, plus 50% discount bonnus on Naif Museum of Art ticket)
children to 5 years old free and 5 up to 12 years old only R$ 18,00.
Corcovado Train

Beer (Copacabana Beach)
R$2.00

Snack (Copacabana Beach)
From R$2.00 up to R$10.00(big shrimp sticks)

Meal at Churrascarias (BBQ Restaurants)
From R$30.00 up to R$60.00 (depending on drinks and desserts you may consume)

Maracana Soccer Game
From R$15.00 (general bleachers) up to R$ 50.00 (chair sits away from the crowd)

Soccer Games at Maracanã in October 2006

Filed under: Ask Us - March 16th, 2006

Your question:
I will be in Rio from October 25th to November 8th. How many premier(serie A) football matches will i be able to see while i am there.What teams play in Rio? Is the Maracana Stadium open for football some one told me it was closed for refurbishment for the Pan American games

Our Reply:

The most popular soccer teams that play in Rio are: Flamengo, Vasco, Fluminense and Botafogo. These are the teams where many “soccer stars” will be playing. While in Brazil, you will be able to watch a few soccer games at the Maracanã Stadium if you want. Besides hosting soccer games, the stadium will also be open for visitors. Here is a list with some of the games:

Oct 27 Fuminense X Grêmio at 4:00 pm
Oct 28 Vasco X Flamengo at 4:00 pm (good game!)

Nov 01 Botafogo X Internacional 8:30 pm
Nov 02 Flamengo X Santa Cruz 8:30 pm

Nov 04 Botafogo X Fluminense 4:00 pm ( Also, a good game!)
Nov 05 Flamengo X Atlético 4:00 pm

To find more information about soccer matches in Brazil, just visit Brazilian Soccer Confederation. Once you are logged into the page, click on the phrase Calendário 2006, and then after click on the word SérieA.

Enjoy your stay in Brazil! You will have a good experience at the soccer games. Just be careful and try to seat far away from the “organized cheer leaders”, they are a little bit too crazy about their team