About Rio de Janeiro

Among the various tourist attractions in the "Marvelous City," are the famous beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana, filled with beautiful and warm-hearted people, soft white sand and the cool sea breeze, and the outstanding views from Sugar Loaf Mountain and Corcovado.

Event Venue: Windsor Barra Hotel

Experience incredible moments at the five-star Windsor Barra Hotel, located in the  beautiful neighborhood of Barra Tijuca, just west of Rio de Janeiro. Conference attendees will enjoy this neighborhood’s quiet and pleasant streets as well as its beautiful beaches, restaurants and more. The hotel has comfortable guest rooms, a terrace with two swimming pools and well-equipped recreation areas. It is one of the largest and best event venues in Rio. Is a perfect combination of hotel and convention center at the same place, offering comfort to all participants and avoiding loss of time with traffic.

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Time Zone

Rio de Janeiro
Standard Time Zone: GMT/UTC - 03:00 hour

Banking, Currency and Exchange Rates

Banks are open 10 am to 4 pm weekdays. ATMs can be found almost everywhere; some ATMs provide 24-hour withdrawals. Check with your bank and/or credit card company regarding the use of your credit card and ATM card and any additional fees.

The Brazilian monetary unit is the Real (BRL). Exchange rates are available in every daily newspaper, followed by the U.S. dollar exchange rate used in international business transactions. Cash and traveler's checks, especially in U.S. dollars, can be exchanged in almost every bank, currency exchanges, travel agencies and hotels. All major credit cards are accepted in Brazil; some stores accept foreign currency. You can check the day's exchange rate and convert amounts here.

Rio de Janeiro Electricity

Rio de Janeiro electricity is 110V, 60Hz, as it is in most other parts of Brazil. An adapter is not needed for American appliances. The most common electrical outlet allows for plugs with two round pins, as well as American-style plugs that have two flat prongs. Many hotels also offer 220V outlets to accommodate European travelers. These outlets almost always will be labeled 220V; do not plug a 110V appliance into it.

Mobile Services

The city of Rio de Janeiro is set up with cell phone towers and cell phone providers. Calling cards are also very popular in the city. Check with your local phone company before to fly to Rio regarding any change at your calling plan. It can be expensive to use your phone for international calls in Brazil. We suggest you to buy a prepaid sim card to use during your stay in the city. Phone companies offer this product and to buy it you just need to present your passport at the phone company store.

Opening Hours

The vast majority of shops are open every day throughout the year: 10:00 am - 10:00 pm (Monday to Saturday) and 3:00pm - 9:00 pm on Sundays.

Tips and Gratuities

At almost all restaurants and bars, a standard service fee of 10% is included as a line item at the end of the bill. While it may appear to be mandatory, the service fee is determined by the guest. Most guests pay this fee unless the service is below standard.

Ground Transportation

To view the free shuttle bus schedule from the airport to the convention centre, click here.

Reserve ground transportation to and from the airport and your hotel by e-mailing Pedro Brito at Brummie Lines.

Safe Travel Tips

Follow these safety tips when travelling in a foreign country.
  • Upon arriving to the airport, look for registered cabs. Once you claim your luggage and walk out of the exit gate you will find official taxi kiosks inside the airport that offer fixed taxi rates. Purchase/pre-pay the taxi trip at the kiosks. You are only able to get official taxis (white, blue, black) on the arrival floor of the airport.  Yellow taxis are not allowed.
  • Be cautious of individuals who offer a ride in unregistered vehicles at the airport or other locations.
  • Engage a reliable car service with an English speaking driver or guide such as Brummie Lines (contact them via e-mail at: contato@brummierio.com)
  • If your hotel or rental has a safe, leave your original passport, extra money, and additional valuable items locked safely away.
  • Avoid carrying important documents or multiple credit cards when you leave your hotel. If one card is lost or stolen, you will have additional means of funds in a safe place.
  • Leave your passport where you are staying, and only take a copy.
  • Whenever you need to open your wallet in public, avoid exposing its contents.
  • Do not carry large amounts of money in your wallet. Take only small amounts of currency for your daily expenditures. If you need to take a lot of money, keep this secured in a wallet that is out of sight or use a money belt.
  • Do not place your valuables in your back pocket, especially in areas that are very crowded or busy.
  • Be cautious of your cell phone. Keep it out of sight when walking on the street.
  • Dress practical. Avoid wearing any valuable or high-end items that may draw unwanted attention.
  • Be aware of your surroundings. Most theft occurs in areas with high concentrations of people, such as markets, bus stations, airports, train stations and tourist destinations.
  • When walking, travel with others and avoid empty streets or unsafe areas.
  • If you have a car rental, do not leave any visible luggage or belongings. If this is unavoidable, try to park in a safe place where there is policing.

Emergency Numbers:
Military Police: 190
Mobile Emergency Service: 192
State Highway Police: 198