F° | C°

• Airports
• Shuttle Service
• Restaurants inside the Windsor Barra Hotel
• Tourist information
• Language
• Timezones
• Climate
• Clothes
• Electricity/Voltage
• Communication
• Currency
• Credit Cards
• Banks
• Cashing money with Credit or Bank Card
• Tips
• Taxi
• Malls
• Hospitals
• Safety measures

Rio's international airport is located on Ilha do Governador which has excellent access to Rio's south zone where most of the major hotels are located. The airport is served by 28 international carriers as well as the three major Brazilian airlines and between them they offer direct flights to-and-from more than 80 international cities and most of the major Brazilian urban centers. A shuttle service operates between Rio and São Paulo and is based at Rio's smaller city-center airport, Santos Dumont. An efficient taxi and bus service links the international airport with the main hotels and residential areas.

International Airport - Galeão - Antonio Carlos Jobim
Av. 20 de Janeiro s/nº Ilha do Governador
Rio de Janeiro - RJ
CEP:21942-900
Tel - Informations: + 55 21 3398-5050
Flights: + 55 21 3398-4527 / 3398-4526

Domestic Airport - Santos Dumont
Praça Senador Salgado Filho s/n° Centro
Rio de Janeiro - RJ
CEP:20021-340
Tel - Informations and Flights + 55 21 3814-7070

For more information about the airports, please see the INFRAERO website - Brazilian airports

Source: Rio Convention & Visitors Bureau

The host country will offer shuttle service from/to the suggested Hotels to/from meeting venue. Please see the schedule below and program yourself.

Shuttle Service - International Airport - Galeão - Nov. 10^th, 11^th and 12^th.

The check-in shuttle from Galeão Airport to suggested hotels will be available hourly from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. For general information about the service, please contact the IGF identified staff or the IGF booth at the airport. The list of suggested accomodation options can be found here.

This service can be found at International Arrival.

It will not be available at Santos Dumont Airport.

Shuttle from the Hotels suggested to the Meeting Venue
Shuttle departure:
South area (Copacabana, Ipanema, São Conrado): from 7:00am to 7:15am
Barra da Tijuca (Meeting Venue neighborhood) : from 8:00am to 8:15am

Shuttle from the Meeting Venue to the Hotels suggested
Shuttle departure:
From 7:30pm to 8:30pm

Transfer to the international airport.
Interested person must make the reservation in the Information desk located at Ground Floor Lobby - Convention Center.

November 15^th
Shuttle departure:
12:00 pm
3:00 pm
6:30 pm

(Departures only from Windsor Barra Hotel)

November 16^th
Shuttle departure:
7:00 am
12:00 pm
3:00 pm

On Nov. 16^th the buses will be available departuring from:
Windsor Barra Hotel
Sheraton Barra
Hotel Sofitel Rio

Main Restaurant - Ground Floor
From 12:00pm to 4:00pm
Buffet with brazilian and international food.
(1 not-alcoholic drink included)
R$54,00 + 10%

Queluz Restaurant - First Lower Level
From 12:00pm to 3:00pm
Buffet with salads and pastas (1 not-alcoholic drink included)
R$35,00 + 10%

Coffee Shop - First Floor
From 7:00 am to 7:00pm
Sandwiches, snacks and drinks.

Season Turismo & Esportes is the official travel agency for the participants of the IGF Brazil 2007. For more information, see http://www.seasonsporttour.com/igf/.

The language spoken in Brazil is Portuguese. English is widely taught in schools and a great part of the population understands Spanish.

Brazil covers three timezones. Brasília time is the official Brazilian time (see the map), UTC -3 hours. This timezone changes during summertime, when Daylight Saving Time is used.

IGF Brazil 2007 will take place within the Daylight Saving Time use.

Rio de Janeiro is a tropical city. Summer runs from December through March with temperatures ranging from 25º C (77º F) to 42º C (108º F) while winter runs from June through August when temperatures can drop to around 20º C (68º F) in the day and a cool 16º C (60º F) at night.

See the on-line weather forecast in Rio de Janeiro - http://www.weather.com/

Source: Rio Convention & Visitors Bureau

In November, we recommend to use light clothes whenever possible. We remind, however, that the conference rooms always have air-conditioning.

Voltage in Brazil is not fixed. The electric current in Rio is 110 or 120 volts, 60 cycles, alternating current. Travel adapters are indispensable for some electric devices.

Many hotels and large apartment blocks do, however, have some 220 volt outlets.

The voltage can be different in each hotel. See the hotel's description for more information.

Rio has an excellent telecommunications system which links Rio to the rest of Brazil and the world. The International Direct Dial (IDD) code for Brazil is 55 and the city code for Rio de Janeiro 21.

Most hotels provide guest room International Direct Dial (IDD) services; some hotels have in-room Internet hook-up and fax machines. Others offer this service through their Concierge or Business Center.

Outside hotels, long-distance calls can be made from IDD payphones or cardphones in various locations. Telemar also provides service at certain hours of the day at their Copacabana and Ipanema offices. The push-button call-home system, providing immediate connection to the operator of the country required is also available. For information about dial access and IDD phone locations, contact the hotel operator.

Source: Rio Convention & Visitors Bureau

The Brazilian monetary unit is the Real (R$). The currency rate is available in every daily newspaper, followed by the american dollar exchange rate used in international business transactions.

Cash money and traveler checks, especially in american dollars, can be exchanged in almost every bank, exchange places and hotels. All major credit cards are accepted in Brazil and some stores accept foreign currency.

You can consult the exchange rate of the day and make the conversion to local currency here.

The main credit cards are accepted in Brazil, especially in Rio. The flags Visa, MasterCard, Diners and American Express are in almost all commercial establishments.

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.

Source: Riotur

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.

Rio de Janeiro International Airport Exchange Department ("Seção de Câmbio")
3rd floor.
Tel.: + 55 21 3398-3652
Hours for exchange: For U$ and Euros from 8 am to 10 pm, daily; for another money exchange: Mondays to Fridays, from 10 am to 6 pm.
24-hour machines also available.

MasterCard holders with a PIN number may obtain cash from any 24-hour machine which lists CIRRUS among its participating banks.
Cash withdrawals on American Express card: Call 0800-785050.

Source: Riotur

Hotels: Usually the hotel bills don't include service fees.

Restaurants: You are not obligated to tip, but most frequently 10% is added on the bill.

Taxis: Taxi drivers don't charge tips, but usually the passengers pay something more if they are satisfied with the service.

Rio has an extensive taxi fleet which includes yellow metered cabs which can be hailed in the streets, as well as a series of special taxis operated by licensed companies which can be found at the airports, hotels or booked by phone. From the international airport and the main shopping centers most of the special taxis work on a fixed fare by area which is paid in advance at the company's counter above which the fare price must be displayed.

Source: Rio Convention & Visitors Bureau

Barra da Tijuca shopping malls:

Barra Garden
Av. das Américas, 3255 -
Phone.: +55 21 2431-5677
http://www.barragarden.com.br/
Hours: Mond - Sat 10:00AM to 10:00PM. Sunday - Food Court 12:00PM to 09:00PM; Shops 03:00PM to 09:00PM

Barra Point
Av. Armando Lombardi, 350
Phone.: +55 21 2491-3306 / +55 21 2491-6475
Hours: Mond - Sat a Sáb 10:00AM to 10:00PM. Sunday - Food Court 12:00PM to 09:00PM; Shops 02:00PM to 09:00PM

Barra Square
Av. das Américas, 3555
Phone.: +55 21 2430-7000
http://www.barrasquare.com.br/
Hours: Mond - Sat 10:00AM to 10:00PM. Sunday - Food Court 12:00PM to 09:00PM; Shops 03:00PM to 01:00AM

Barra Shopping
Av. das Américas, 4666
Phone.: +55 21 3089-1000
http://www.barrashopping.com.br/
Hours: Mond - Sat 10:00AM to 10:00PM. Sunday - Food Court 10:00AM to 09:00PM; Shops 03:00PM to 09:00PM

New York City Center
Av. das Américas, 5000 - Barra da Tijuca
Phone.: +55 21 2432-4980
http://www.nycc.com.br/
Hours: Mond - Sat 10:00AM to 10:00PM. Sunday - Food Court 12:00PM to 12:00AM; Shops 03:00PM to 10:00PM

Downtown
Av. das Américas, 500
Phone.: +55 21 3982-2000
http://www.downtown.com.br/
Every Day: 10:00AM to 10:00PM

Rio Design Barra
Av. das Américas, 7777
Phone.: +55 21 2461-9999
http://www.riodesignbarra.com.br/RDB/index.asp
Hours: Mond - Sat 10:00AM to 10:00PM. Sunday -03:00PM to 09:00PM; Retaurantes until the last client.

South area shopping malls:

Botafogo Praia Shopping
Praia de Botafogo, 400 - Botafogo
Phone.: +55 21 3171-9880
http://botafogo-praia-shopping.globo.com/
Hours: Mond - Sat 10:00AM to 10:00PM. Sunday - Food Court 10:00AM to 09:00PM; Shops 03:00PM to 09:00PM

Rio Design Leblon
Av. Ataulfo de Paiva, 270 - Leblon
Phone.: +55 21 3206-9100
http://www.riodesignleblon.com.br/
Hours: Mond - Sat 10:00AM to 10:00PM. Sunday 03:00PM to 09:00PM.

Rio Plaza Shopping
Rua General Severiano, 97 ss. - Botafogo
Phone.: +55 21 2541-4045
Hours: Sun - Thur 12:00PM to 11:00PM. Fri & Sat 12:00PM to 01:00AM, Shops 03:00PM to 09:00PM.

Rio Sul Shopping Center
Rua Lauro Muller, 116 - Botafogo
Phone.: +55 21 2545-7279
http://www.riosul.com.br/
Hours: Mond - Sat a Sáb 10:00AM to 10:00PM. Sunday - Food Court 12:00PM to 10:00PM; Shops 03:00PM to 09:00PM

São Conrado Fashion Mall
Estrada da Gávea, 899 - São Conrado
Phone.: +55 21 3083-0000
http://www.scfashionmall.com.br/
Hours: Every Day - 10:00AM to 10:00PM

Shopping Cassino Atlântico
Av. Atlântica, 4.240 - Copacabana
Phone.: +55 21 2523-8709
http://www.shoppingcassinoatlantico.com.br/
Hours: Mond - Fri 09:00AM to 09:00PM. Sat 09:00AM to 07:00PM.

Shopping da Gávea
Rua Marquês de São Vicente, 52 - Gávea
Phone.: +55 21 2294-1096
http://www.shoppingdagavea.com.br/
Hours: Mond - Sat 10:00AM to 10:00PM. Sunday - Food Court 12:00PM to 10:00PM; Shops 03:00PM to 09:00PM.

Shopping Leblon
Av. Afrânio de Mello Franco, 290 - Leblon
Phone.: +55 21 3138-8000
http://www.shoppingleblon.com.br/
Hours: Sun - Thur 10:00AM to 12:00AM. Fri & Sat 10:00AM to 01:00AM. Holidays and days before 12:00PM to 01:00AM.

Rio de Janeiro and Brazil have a number of internationally respected hospitals, clinics and doctors, but treatment is expensive so visitors are strongly advised to take out medical trip insurance before traveling to Brazil.

There are many hospitals in the neighborhood of the Hotel. All of them are prepared to handle any unexpected emergencies that may occur.

Barra D'Or
http://www.hbd.com.br/
Av. Ayrton Senna, 2541 - Barra da Tijuca
Tel.:+55 21 2430-3600

CARDIOBARRA
http://www.cardiobarra.com.br/
R. Fernando Mattos, 162 - Barra da Tijuca
Tel.:+55 21 3389-1000

Hospital Municipal Lourenço Jorge
Endereço: Av. Ayrton Senna 2000 - Barra da Tijuca
Tel.:+55 21 2431-1818 / 3325-5878

Rio Mar
http://www.riomar.com.br/
Av. Candido Portinari, 555 - Barra da Tijuca
Tel.: +55 21 2431-3390

AMIL Assistência Médica Internacional
http://www.amil.com.br/
Av. Lucio Costa, 3600 BL 01 AP 602 - Barra da Tijuca
Tel.: +55 21 2484-7850

South area hospitals:

Casa de Saúde Santa Lúcia
http://clinicasantalucia.com.br/
Rua Capitão Salomão, 27 - Botafogo
Tel.: +55 21 2527-4000

Clínica São Vicente
http://www.clinicasaovicente.com.br/
Rua João Borges, 204 - Gávea
Tel.: +55 21 2529-4422

Hospital Clínicas Ipanema
Rua Farme de Amoedo, 86 - Ipanema
Tel.: +55 21 2523-2099

Hospital Copa D`or
http://www.rededor.com.br/hcd/index.htm
Rua Figueiredo Magalhães, 875 - Copacabana
Tel.: +55 21 2545-3600

Hospital Miguel Couto
http://www.biohard.com.br/mcouto/
Rua Mário Ribeiro,117 - Gávea
Tel.: +55 21 2274-6050 and +55 21 2274-5702

Hospital Samaritano
http://www.hsamaritano.com.br/
Rua Bambina, 48 - Botafogo
Tel.: +55 21 2537-9722

Policlínica de Botafogo
http://www.polioftalmo.cjb.net/
Av. Pasteur, 102 - Botafogo
Tel.: +55 21 2543-1378

Pró Cardíaco
http://www.procardiaco.com.br/
Rua General Polidoro, 192 - Botafogo
Tel.: +55 21 2527-6060

As it happens in all large cities, it is important to consider personal safety. For that reason, don't neglect your personal belongings and avoid to go out alone with lap-tops, photo cameras and electronic devices. We recommend the use of authorized vehicles on the way between the airport and the hotels.

See safety tips for large cities.

One battalion of the Rio de Janeiro State Military Police BPTUR is specialized in ostensive patrolling of the city for the protection of the tourist. Properly trained and equipped to attend to cases involving tourists, the men of this corporation have the task of patrolling the popular tourist areas, the beaches and the vicinity of the hotels.

BPTUR - Batalhão de Policiamento em Áreas Turísticas
Address: Rua São Clemente, 345 Botafogo
22260-001 Rio de Janeiro -RJ
Tel: + 55 21 3399-7565 / 69
+ 55 21 3399-7457 call center
+ 55 21 3399-7562 intelligence service
Fax: + 55 21 3399-7450

The District for Attending to Tourists - DEAT - a special branch of the Civil Police, is made up of a Delegate (Superintendent), detectives, investigators and clerks responsible for investigating and recording occurrences. The DEAT has its own offices conveniently located in Leblon in front of the Casa Grande and Scala theaters. The District was instituted and the police officers specifically trained to attend to foreign visitors.

Delegacia de Atendimento ao Turista - DEAT
Address: Av. Afrânio de Mello Franco, s / nº - Leblon
22430-060 Rio de Janeiro - Brasil
Tel: + 55 21 2511-5112 / 3399-7170
Fax: + 55 21 3399-71722

Source: Rio Convention & Visitors Bureau