Rio de janeiro  

TIME ZONE
GMT+3

GENERAL The bustling city of Rio de Janeiro has been one of Brazil’s most popular and frequented tourist destinations for decades. Its vibrant city centre is bursting with culture and pulsating with a deep sense of history and heritage. Rio, as it is commonly known, is the second largest city in Brazil and the third largest metropolis in the whole of South America. It is the most visited city in the Southern Hemisphere, which is no mean feat. This makes for an impressive, memorable attraction for visitors from all over the world.

GEOGRAPHY
Rio de Janeiro is hot for most of the year, and rain is frequent during the period between December and March. The coastal areas are cooler than those situated inland due to the cool breeze blowing off the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The average annual temperature is between 21 and 27 degrees Celsius. The landscape and vegetation in and around this metropolis are magnificent, providing a visual feast that has inspired authors and screenwriters the world over.

LANGUAGE
The official language is Portugese.

CURRENCY
Brazilian Real is the currency (abbreviation R$). Cash can easily be exchanged in hotels, authorised banks and travel agencies. International credit cards are accepted in most hotels, shops and restaurants. The exchange rate varies and must be checked at the hotel front-desk.

WEATHER
Weather in Rio in February is very warm and humid with little chance of rain. Days average 30 degrees. 

HEALTH AND VACCINATIONS:
We strongly encourage you to discuss any required vaccinations for your travel with your GP. 

A Yellow Fever vaccination is required to enter Brazil, please maintain your certificate of vaccination as you may be requested to present this upon entry and exit. 

If you have visited or transited one of the following countries in the last three months you’ll need to be vaccinated against yellow fever, and be able to provide an international certificate of vaccination: Angola, Benin, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Republic of Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, French Guiana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Kenia, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Suriname, Tanzania, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Venezuela.In addition, a yellow fever vaccination is compulsory for all travellers visiting the following Brazilian states: Acre, Amazonas, Amapá, Distrito Federal, Goiás, Maranhão, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso do Sul, Mato Grosso, Pará, Rondônia, Roraima, Tocantins.A yellow fever vaccination is recommended for travellers visiting the following Brazilian states: Bahia, Espírito Santo, Paraná, Piauí, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, São Paulo.

Malaria and dengue are present in Brazil. Be sure to take proper precautions to avoid these mosquito-borne diseases.

Zika virus has been found in Brazil. Some travelers are at an increased risk including women who are pregnant or may become pregnant.

Seek urgent medical attention if you suspect poisoning, have a fever or suffer from diarrohea.

Vaccines or boosters usually advised: Tetanus and Yellow Fever 

Other vaccines to consider: Hepatitis A; Hepatitis B; Rabies; Typhoid

TRAVEL INSURANCE:
There is no reciprocal health agreement with the Brazil. Comprehensive travel insurance is compulsory and a copy of your policy must be provided to CWT M&E. 

CWT M&E are offering all AHA Study tour attendees 20% off travel insurance. Please email AHA@cwt-me.com or call 1300 781 011 for a quote. 

Medical facilities outside Rio de Janeiro and other major cities and resorts can be basic and in case of emergency you are advised to seek treatment in Rio or the nearest town/city. In an emergency dial 112 and ask for an ambulance.

FOOD AND DRINK:
Boil all drinking water or drink bottled water and avoid ice cubes. Avoid uncooked and undercooked food.

VISAS:
1. Please note that as at 17 June 2019, Australian visitors no longer require a Visa to visit Brazil. The measure benefits holders of a valid passport traveling for tourism, business, artistic or sports activities. The initiative also covers travellers transiting through Brazil. Visitors will be granted a stay of up to 90 days, which can be extended once for the same period, as long as they do not exceed 180 days within a 12-month period, counted from the date of the first entry.

2. Other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) can change at short notice. We will keep you notified of any changes.

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS:

There is no limit on the amount of money a Brazilian or a foreign traveller may bring into Brazil. However, if a traveller carries a total of R$ 10.000,00 (ten thousand reais) or more, whether in cash, checks or traveller’s cheques, and whether in reais, dollars or other foreign currencies, he/she is required to declare that amount upon entry in Brazil.

Registrations are open
If you have any questions please contact us on 1300 781 011 or email aha@cwt-me.com