Insight Guides Explore Rio de Janeiro (Travel Guide eBook)

Insight Guides

• Éditeur: Insight
• Année: 2016
• ISBN:
  9781786715463
• Sujet: Desarrollo personal
• Sous-sujet: Viajes

In a spectacular setting between granite peaks and the South Atlantic Ocean, Rio de Janeiro is one of South America's most iconic cities. Explore Rio de Janeiro is the latest title in this popular series from Insight and is the ideal pocket companion when discovering this exciting city: a full-colour guide containing 14 easy-to-follow routes through the city's many fascinating neighbourhoods, from the Centro Histrico and the charming Santa Teresa district to the fabled beaches of Copacabana to Ipanema and beyond to the Costa Verde. Insight's trademark cultural coverage perfectly sets the routes in context, with introductions to Brazilian cuisine, and Rio's shops and nightlife. The best places to eat and drink are highlighted in each route and in the directory section, which also contains a wealth of useful practical information, including a range of carefully selected hotels to suit all budgets. All routes are plotted on the useful pull-out map, and evocative photography reveals Rio's unique character.

A-Z

A

Addresses

Travelers from the US will find the street numbers to be refreshingly familiar, with odd number addresses on one side and even numbers on the other. Unlike many other South American metropolises, there is no elaborate grid system or otherwise confounding street address system. The main neighborhoods are easily accessible via bus or metro.

The following will help you understand Brazilian addresses and place names:

Al. or Alameda = lane

Andar = floor, story

Av. or Avenida = avenue

Casa = house

Centro = the central downtown business district, also frequently referred to as a cidade (the city)

Cj or Conjunto = a suite of rooms, or sometimes a group of buildings

Estr or Estrada = road or highway

Fazenda = ranch, also a lodge

Lgo or Largo = square or plaza

Lote = lot

Pça or Praça = square or plaza

Praia = beach

Rio = river

Rod or Rodovia = highway

R or Rua = street

Sala = room

Age restrictions

Like in most Latin-American countries, the official drinking age is 18.

Street scene on a rainy day in the Centro

Yadid Levy/Apa Publications

B

Budgeting for your trip

The unit of currency in Brazil is the real (R$; plural, reais).

Most Latin American economies tend to be volatile, so what is true today may not necessarily be so when you get to Brazil. For example, Rio was a cheap getaway during much of the 1980s, but became one of the world’s most expensive cities in the early 1990s. Since currency reform in 1994, prices have tended to be relatively stable. However, 2015 saw a sharp depreciation in Brazil’s currency, and a recession ensued. The weak economy means Brazil once again offers excellent value to North American and European visitors. But bear in mind locals aren’t pleased with this turn of events, and stress levels regarding Brazil’s economic future are high. Best not to rub it in.

Here is a general price table, in US dollars, to help you plan your trip:

A beer US$1–3

A glass of house wine US$2–5

Main course at a budget, moderate and expensive restaurant US$4–6, US$8–15, US$20–30

Room in a cheap, moderate and deluxe hotel US$40–50, US$75–150, US$150 and over

Taxi from airport to main destination US$15–20

Single bus ticket US$1

Single Metro ticket US$1

Starting in 2014, the metro now offers free two-hour bus and train transfers to those who pay with a TAP (Transit Access Card).

Accommodation. In general, hotels are reasonably priced. Most, but not all, include breakfast in the price of the room. And with the devaluation of the real, there is no better time than now to book a room in a high-end hotel. Even the Copacabana Palace, one of the most luxurious hotels in the world, has weekday rates that rival mid-range accommodations in the US.

Eating out. The cost of dining in Rio, when compared to major cities in Europe and the US, is very reasonable. Many restaurants have attractively priced pratos do dia menus at lunchtime, and some churrascarias (barbecue restaurants) offer daytime discounts. The por kilo buffet-style restaurants are always a good bet for travelers on a budget. And for those with cash to burn, it’s possible to get a seat at the chef’s table in a Michelin-starred restaurant for around US$150.

Transportation. Flights to Brazil are fairly expensive, especially in high season. Transportation on the ground is quite reasonable; local and intra-state buses are very cheap, and taxis are an affordable option for getting around the city. Remember when traveling within Brazil that the country is larger than the USA. The choice can often be 48 hours on a bus or three hours on a plane. If you are going to be traveling in Brazil, look at getting an airpass (www.brol.com/airpass/) prior to your arrival. Brazil also has some low-cost airlines such as Gol (www.voegol.com.br) and Azul.

Playing cards on the street in Lapa

Yadid Levy/Apa Publications

C

Children

Cariocas are very family-oriented, and because of Rio’s location on a bay, it offers much beach fun for the whole family. Also, the zoo and outdoor markets are great for kids. Most attractions offer a discount for children, often around 50 percent off. Parents who want to take a breather will find that the more upscale hotels, such as the Copacabana Palace, offer babysitting services.

Clothing

Rio is a beach city, and cariocas are beach people. For these reasons board shorts, flip-flops and even string bikinis are allowed almost anywhere during the day. However, going out at night might require more than a T-shirt and shorts, depending on the venue. Travelers enjoying a meal in a fancy hotel or upscale neighborhood like Leblon should follow the rules of decorum and dress accordingly – but even these places are pretty relaxed. A certain degree of modesty is expected when visiting historic churches, however.

If you visit Rio during its summer, you may need an umbrella, or at the least a cap or hat. Locals rarely wear raincoats because they’re too hot. For Rio’s winter, pack a light jumper.

Crime and safety

The horror stories that have been published in the past that make Rio sound like a tropical Wild West are a bit exaggerated. Petty crime, as in all the world’s major cities where tourists congregate, remains a problem, and it’s best to take the necessary precautions. Store your valuables in the hotel safe. Take nothing of value to the beach, where sneaky thieves take advantage of careless or unwary tourists. An old trick is for a kid to approach you from one side and ask you the time; he’ll pretend not to understand, while behind you one of his partners is picking you clean. More subtly, someone might ask you to guard his shirt while he goes swimming; he tosses the shirt casually over your belongings, and on his return scoops up the lot. Beware of pickpockets in crowds; keep wallets and bags in front of you. Stay clear of lonely beaches and unlit streets. Avoid displays of jewelry.

Keep in mind that Rio is a busy, cosmopolitan city and not a sleepy tropical resort, and you won’t go too far wrong. Having said that, Rio tends to pull off big events (such as Carnival or the World Cup) safely, and without a major spike in crime. This should be the cas...