Tag Archives: Brasil

What an interesting article!  We found this to be true when in Rio de Janiero, but didn’t realize it was a country wide phenomenon.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/no-burgers-at-rio-mcdonalds-165016973.html

During our 10-day exploration of Rio we relied heavily on our feet and the local subway system for all our transportation needs.  We found, Rio to be an easy city to navigate on foot when in the busy beach areas including Copacabana Beach and Ipanema Beach.   We also walked in the area of our hotel near Flamingo Beach and felt comfortable, safe and generally knew where we were.

However, any further distance we did utilize the efficient, safe and clean subway system.

It is an efficient method of transportation mainly due to its simplicity.   There are only two subway lines and a significant part of these two lines run parallel so you can choose either line (Green or Orange) to use depending upon your timing.  As with any subway or train system, you identify the train you want to board by locating your destination on a subway map either on an app (MetroRio is one option) or the maps found in any subway station in multiple locations.  Then you identify your current location/subway station, follow the line toward your destination and the final stop on that line in that direction.  This is the train you want to find on overhead signage in the subway station.

https://www.metrorio.com.br/vademetro/mapas

Paying for your trip

We found it quite easy to use the rechargeable cards purchased in kiosks located in train stations.

They only accept cash so be prepared.  Although there always seemed to be ATM machines located near these ticket machines, my advice is to avoid these ATM’s.  We chose to only use ATM’s located within bank lobbies.  You can find more information on ATM use in Brazil in this blog post! https://traveladdict101.com/caution-using-atms-in-brazil/

When beginning the process to purchase your ticket, look for the British flag, this will give you the instructions in English instead of trying out your Portuguese.  Unless you are confident, then go for it!!!     

Basically, you decide how much money you wish to load onto this card. You pay a nominal fee (R$1 or $.30US?) to purchase a card and then load it with R$10, R$20, etc.!  I recommend underestimating and reloading the card as needed, it is easy to reload and kiosks are readily found in any station.  The remaining balance is always displayed after you swipe the card to go through the turnstile for the train platform or on the bus.  A typical ride is R$4,10 (about US$1.20). I believe you can reload the card on the bus, although we never needed to use this method.  I wasn’t comfortable as you may need to use your vast knowledge of Portuguese when discussing your purchase with the attendant and will likely hold up a line trying to board the bus.  More on riding the bus below……….

Once you have decided which platform you need to enter to head to your destination, you swipe the card over the circle prior to pushing the turnstile, it beeps, and you proceed through the turnstile.  There are different types of turnstiles, so just look for the ones in the row with the picture that matches your card.

We found the trains to be clean and easy to use.  Most of the train cars are new and have excellent navigation tools to ensure you know where you are at any stop.  The same map of the subway system noted in the station is also located above the door.  There is a blinking light to identify which station is up next or a solid light to show the current station when stopped.  There are is also digital text identifying the next stop and whether to exit to the right or left of the car.  This information is also announced in Portuguese and English although the English is sometimes difficult to hear or understand depending upon the surrounding noise.  Of course if you have counted the number of stops you planned to travel you can keep track of when you should disembark or see the station names on the tile walls when stopped at each station.

Some trains were easy to board and disembark as there are a minimal to moderate number of riders and others boarding, etc.  However, there are specific locations and times of day which become extremely busy with the train cars stuffed beyond what should be their capacity.  During rush hour times of day, there are specific Women Exclusive cars.  You can identify these cars at the platform as the trains will line up in the same position at each station.  However, if your traveling companion is a man, as mine is, you would need to separate to be on this car.  The risk of not finding each other or missing a stop and being separated is too much for me to take this car.  I would recommend during these busy times you find a space near a wall if at all possible and watch out for each other, pickpockets are everywhere.  If you are women traveling together, I think these Woman Exclusive cars could be a safe method of traveling but note the times they are exclusive.

MetroRio is the app we found to be most useful for navigating the trains throughout the city.  It is fully operational offline in the Android version.  As you can see it will help you to plan a trip or route, provide length of trip details, services available at the different stations, maps in 3 versions and give you Must See, Rio by Subway ideas.  We found it very helpful and appreciated the fact we did not have to use it on a network or wifi signal.

Rio has many different versions of buses throughout the city.  Some are “executive” buses, they have minimal stops, are more expensive and along the coach bus style.  Some are city buses, which we tried to use once as we didn’t realize the difference between a Rio bus and a Metro bus.  If you want to use the rechargeable Metro card, you must find the Metro bus which is blue and easily identified with the large words METRO BUS which is obvious when you know there are different systems!!!

When boarding a Metro Bus, the front door is for entry only.  There are 4-5 rows and then a large red turnstile with an attendant.  This attendant will show you where to swipe your card, take cash or reload your card.  The last 15 rows of the bus are past this turnstile with an exit door near the back.  Even if you sit in the first 4-5 rows, you will need to proceed through the turnstile at some point to exit the bus.

Traveling via public transportation in any city is more economical although requires some patience.  You are able to see the locals as they live each day commuting to work or other events.  I find it much easier than attempting to navigate, drive, fit into local driving customs and traffic and locate parking!

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We found Rio to be a very inexpensive location.  The US dollar was strong against the Brazilian Real.  In May 2016 the exchange was approximately $.35 = R$1.00 or $35 = R$100.

Whenever traveling abroad, ensure your credit card company is aware of your travel dates and destination.  This is typically an easy phone call to the issuing bank or even an online for completed on the bank website.   I suggest only using a credit card vs. a debit card when traveling abroad in case of any theft or compromise of your debit card.  If compromised, a debit card can allow your related bank account to be completely and immediately drained to a zero balance.  A credit card will tend to be a safer alternative as you likely have a higher credit limit than cash in an account and if the card is stolen, your responsibility for the fraudulent charges are not immediately taken from your account or even held against your credit limit.

Specifically, in Brazil, it is recommended you avoid automatic teller machines (ATM) in any location except within the lobby of a bank.  This is especially true of ATMs found in the airport or subway stations!  There are instances of poor security in these other locations.  Banks are plentiful around the city and have exceptional security in the lobby from multiple security cameras, heavy doors and walls of glass for easy visibility.  They also have an extraordinary number of ATMs in each lobby.  Much different than a U.S. bank lobby with one or two machines.  These banks typically have 8-10, possibly 15 machines in a single, LARGE lobby.  We also found bank lobbies to have opening hours posted, typically closing at midnight and opening early each morning, often 4am.

As a matter of course, I would suggest not taking a risk with an unknown bank but rather choose a bank known internationally, for instance HSBC.

I was concerned about arriving into a country and being unable to exchange money, remove cash from an airport ATM upon arrival, locate an acceptable bank ATM, etc.  We were able to use a currency exchange in Houston during our layover to ensure we had cash when arriving in case of any immediate need, tips, etc.  Most hotels are able to break larger bills you receive through a currency exchange or ATM withdrawal.

Your travel funds are valuable!  Be Safe!  Be Careful!

Arriving!  Galeao International Airport (GIG)

When arriving into any foreign airport, I make it a priority to be familiar with how we will exit the airport and travel to our first destination…more than likely our hotel or accommodation.  Arriving into Rio de Janeiro at the Galeao International Airport was no different.  This arrival was proceeded by a 10-hour flight from Houston, TX, followed by the typical lines to clear customs and visa control required at entry into any foreign country.  That, mixed with a language barrier, concerns for the honesty of any taxi driver picking up any airport and our complete unfamiliarity with a large city, we heeded advice found on other travel blogs and websites and found the radio taxi service.

We found this service to be incredibly easy to find and easy to use upon our arrival.  The “office” is to the right immediately after you exit the international arrivals area.  Unfortunately, this large space was under intense construction at the time of our arrival as preparations for the Rio 2016 Olympics were in high gear so I cannot describe it to you in detail.  I can tell you the radio taxi was easy to find and well-marked.  Deciding to use this service was nearly a no brainer for all of the following reasons:

• The employees at the counter speak good-excellent English
• The rate is pre-arranged and pre-paid by zones.
• They take credit cards
• Once you provide your destination (I recommend writing it down on a card exactly as the hotel, in this case, provides it. This avoids any “lost in translation” event.) the employee documents your destination on a voucher in duplicate and hands it to you.
• One copy of this voucher is given to the taxi driver located immediately outside the door, just to the left of the counter.

Once in the taxi, the ride to your destination is efficient and does not require any further negotiation.  We followed our driver along on GPS via a cell phone and he took a very direct route with the only diversion apparently to avoid traffic encountered on the freeway.

We stayed in the Flamengo Beach area of Rio requiring a 30-minute taxi ride.

Besides being quite an efficient method of transport, it was also quite economical.  As are most services in Brazil, the ride was quite inexpensive, about US$33 for two people.

I don’t like buffet restaurants.  I want to disclose my biases right up front, but you cannot eat in Rio de Janiero without learning to navigate a “plate by the kilo” restaurant.  It is really quite easy. They are very common and do offer a wide variety of choices from salad to dessert but until you do it once, step by step directions would have been helpful so here you go!

• Walk into the front door and greet the person standing just inside
• Take the slip of paper this greeter will hand you. Note! This slip of paper seems to have magical qualities and will be your ticket through this experience!
• You can choose a table immediately or go directly to the buffet.
• If you sit for even one minute, a waiter will come to your table to take your drink order. Hand him the magic slip of paper, he will note what you have ordered and bring it to you shortly. We struggled with our drink order beyond the basic Coke, Coke Lite, water (“aqua, no gas”) and sparkling water (“aqua, con gas”). These always came in a can or bottle.  We did attempt to order tap water as we saw other tables with a small carafe on their table.  I pointed to “H2O” on my magic slip of paper and hoped it was tap water.  But no…H2O is a brand name of a lemon flavored carbonated drink, think Sprite.  Although good, it was not what I had hoped.  Beer and wine are also common choices at any restaurant.

• Remember this magic slip of paper is your ticket to the food! You take the paper with you to the buffet and peruse the abundance of choices for your meal. Just like in any buffet you over fill your plate because it all looks good.  Or at least pretty good.  There will be small signs with the names of the prepared food (in Portuguese).
• Your choices will include a bit of a salad bar, casseroles, sushi, pizza, sausage, potatoes and other similar items. Most locations will also have grilled meat items available.

• My strategy was to take a small amount of many items and see what I enjoyed. Once you fill your plate with what looks good, you proceed to the scale. Why a scale you ask? This is how you will be charged for your meal.
• Place the plate of food on the scale, hand over your magic slip of paper and the person will write on it or apply a sticker to the paper.
• If you want seconds of the best item you chose or even a bit of dessert, you are welcome to return for more! Bring your magic slip of paper with you, pick up a new plate and enjoy! Return to the scale for a second or third sticker
• The waiter will check on you and you can again order additional drinks (no free refills) which he will again note on your (clearly) magical slip of paper
• When you have finished your meal, simply take the magic slip of paper to the cashier near the door, hand it over and pay the total. Even if the “magic paper person” is only a few feet away, the cashier will hand you a tab which you promptly give to the “magic paper person” at the door. This proves you have paid for your meals.
• Meals in Rio are very inexpensive. I would estimate a Plate by the Kilo meal for two will be approximately $25 including drinks.
• Meal times in Rio are much later in the day when compared to US meal times. This can be to your advantage! Dinner in Rio will typically begin between 8 – 9pm.  After a day of exploring and adventures, you may be ready for dinner at 7pm so this hour of a full wait staff and few customers allows you time to navigate the buffet and ask questions without feeling you are holding up the rest of the diners!
• Enjoy!!

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