Rio de Janeiro

It was the seat of the viceroyalty, became the capital of the colony and became, in the 19th century, the seat of the Kingdom of Portugal and Algarves, with the arrival of the Royal Family. In 1822, with the Independence of Brazil and the inauguration of D. Pedro I as emperor, Rio became the first and only capital of an empire in the Southern Hemisphere.

All this political and economic movement bequeathed to those who visit the city a series of landscapes that are now well known in the Center. Even before the arrival of the Prince Regent, the aqueduct, now known as Arcos da Lapa, the Church of Santa Luzia, the Monastery of São Bento, the City Palace, the Convent of Santo Antônio and the Imperial Palace were already standing. With the arrival of the court and, later, with the arrival of the French cultural missions, the city witnessed the emergence of new buildings and public places that became a must-visit for those who want to follow the historical trajectory of the city: the Botanical Garden, the National Museum ( former residence of the emperor), Candelária, the buildings in neoclassical style in the Center. The entire neoclassical heritage dictated the style of the great buildings after the Proclamation of the Republic,
that made Rio the capital of Brazil. In the first decades of the 20th century, the Center remained a meeting point not only for the political and economic classes, but also for its social elite.

Thus, the area underwent major transformations, such as those that opened roads, such as Avenida Rio Branco, with the razing of part of the old Morro do Castelo, and Avenida Presidente Vargas, with the demolition of the houses that proliferated with the development from the
port area and railroad branches. In its wake, solid testimonies of an era have become major cultural references, from the Banco do Brasil Cultural Center to the National Museum of Fine Arts, from Casa França Brasil to the Municipal Theater.

The great works also marked the era of post-war governments. Modernism set the tone for monuments such as the Metropolitan Cathedral, on the site of the former Morro de Santo Antôonio, and the Museum of Modern Art, on the Aterro do Flamengo, in the 1950s.
also marked the opening up of other areas of the city, which would come to mark it as a tourist destination: the appearance of Copacabana and Ipanema, previously isolated by the hills that dot the city, and the erection of two icons, the Pão de Açúcar cable car and the Statue of Christ the Redeemer, which would contribute with the most emotional title that a destination could receive in the world: The Marvelous City.

AIRPORTS

Tom Jobim International Airport, located on Ilha do Governador, is easily accessible via modern expressways, to the city center and the South Zone, where the main hotels are located. Twenty-six international airlines and all Brazilian airlines operate at the airport, which in 1998 recorded a movement of approximately 8 million passengers between domestic and international flights.
Santos Dumont Airport, located in the center of the city, operates regional flights connecting the main capitals in the country, executive jets and smaller aircraft. An excellent taxi and bus service links the airports with the main hotels and residential areas.

Rio de Janeiro International Airport – Galeão – Antonio Carlos Jobim:
Tel – information: +55(21) 3398-5050
Flights: +55(21) 3398-4527 / 3398-4526

Domestic Airport- Santos Dumont:
information and flights +55(21) 3814-7070

BUSINESS HOURS

Most offices are open from 09:00 to 18:00 from Monday to Friday and from 09:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays. Most large shopping centers, such as Rio Sul and Barrashopping, are open from Monday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm and on Sundays from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Rio has several convenience stores open 24 hours a day. Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Climate

Rio de Janeiro is the city of Rio de Janeiro. a subtropical city. Summer stretches from December to March with temperatures ranging from 25°C (77°F) to 42°C (108°F); winter runs from June to August, with temperatures around 20°C (68°F) during the day and 16°C (60°F) in winter. night.

Clothing

Sports dress predominates in Rio, although during working hours men tend to wear a suit and tie and women wear finer clothes. Few places in Rio require formal attire. For men, casual pants and a shirt are sufficient; for women casual wear. A light sweater is recommended. enough for winter nights.

Communications

The city has an excellent communications system that connects Rio to the rest of Brazil and the world. Direct and collect dialing can be done from any phone. Public telephones are found throughout the city, including on the sandy beaches, and operate with telephone cards. Portable cell phones can be rented at low cost by visitors. The Direct Dial code for Rio de Janeiro is: 21.

Electric current

The electric current in Rio de Janeiro is high. 110 or 120 volts. Many hotels and buildings have alternative outlets for 220 volts.

Policing

The Military Police of the State of Rio de Janeiro has a battalion – BPTUR – Specialized in ostensive patrolling of the city of Rio for tourist protection. Duly trained and equipped to respond to police incidents with tourists, the police officers of this corporation are in charge of patrolling tourist spots, beaches and areas close to hotels.

BPTUR – Police Battalion in Tourist Areas
Address: Rua São Clemente, 345 Botafogo
22260-001 Rio de Janeiro -RJ
Tel: (21) 3399-7565 / 69
(21) 3399-7457 call center
(21) 3399-7562 intelligence service
Fax: (21) 3399-7450

The Tourist Assistance Office – DEAT – a specialized branch of the Civil Police, it is made up of a delegate, detectives, investigators and scriveners responsible for investigating and recording any occurrences. DEAT has its own headquarters conveniently located in Leblon across from Teatro Casa Grande and close to Scala. A police station was instituted and police officers specifically trained to deal with foreign visitors.

Tourist Service Station – DEAT
Address: Av. Afrónio de Mello Franco, s/nº – Leblon
22430-060 Rio de Janeiro – Brazil
Tel: +55(21) 2511-5112 / 3399-7170
Fax: +55(21) 3399-7172

Hotels

Currently, the City of Rio de Janeiro has more than 500 hotels, including those from 01 to 05 stars, inns, hostels and apart-hotels that offer more than 33,000 rooms.

Taxis

Rio has a large fleet of taxis, almost all equipped with air conditioning. Ordinary taxis, identified by the color yellow, circulate through the streets with a taximeter. Special taxis operated by licensed companies serve airports and hotels or can be ordered by telephone. At airports and main shopping malls, most special taxis work with fixed rates per area, which can be paid in advance at the company's counter, where the price list must be posted.

Tips

Hotels: Hotels often include service charges in their bills.
Restaurants: Tips are optional, but are often found at the end of the bill as a “suggestion”. In Rio, you usually pay 10%.
Taxis: Taxi drivers do not require a tip, although most passengers will round up the fare when they are in the area. Satisfied with the service.
Porters at hotel and airport: R$3.00 per bag.
Trolleys to carry bags at the airport: free

Culture

Rio de Janeiro has an intense cultural life, offering more than 200 venues for cinema, theater, musicals and artistic exhibitions, more than 50 museums and 87 libraries. In addition to the traditional museums, the city is home to museums dedicated to trains, planes, trams, jewels and precious stones, sports, Indians, Brazilian primitive art and even art. Carmem Miranda, among others.

Holidays

In Rio de Janeiro and Brazil there are There are a number of public holidays throughout the year. These are:

1º January – New Year
January 20th – São Sebastião – Patron Saint of the city of Rio de Janeiro (Rio only)
Mobile – Carnival
Mobile – Passion of Christ and Easter
April 21 – Tiradentes – Martyr of Independence
April 23 – São Jorge
1º May – Labor Day
Mobile – Corpus Christ
September 7th – Independence Day
October 12th – Our Lady of Aparecida – Patroness of Brazil
November 2nd – deceased
November 15th – Proclamation of the Republic
November 20th – Zumbi dos Palmares – Black Consciousness Day
December 25th – Christmas

Source: Rio Convention & Visitors Bureau website - http://rcvb.com.br