WWW2013 - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - 22nd International World Wide Web Conference | 13th - 17th, May

Windsor Barra Hotel Av. Lúcio Costa, 2630 Barra da Tijuca Rio de Janeiro, RJ22620-170 Brazil

Useful Information

Airport

Rio’s international airport is located on Ilha do Governador (Governor Island), within easy access to the south area of Rio, 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 cities. A shuttle service operates between Rio and São Paulo and is based at Rio’s smaller city center airfield, 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
Tel – information:
(+55 21) 3398-5050
Flights:
(+55 21) 3398-4527 / 3398-4526

Domestic Airport – Santos Dumont
Tel – information and flights
(+55 21) 3814-7070

Source: Rio Convention & Visitors Bureau

Tourist Information

BEC Events is the official travel agency for www2013 participants.

For more information:
Please contact: Cristiane Cherulli
Tel.: + 55 21 3265-8868
E-mail: cristiane.cherulli@bec-eventos.com.br
Website: bec-eventos.com.br

Language

The language spoken in Brazil is Brazilian Portuguese. English is widely taught in schools and a large share of the population understands Spanish.

Timezones

Brazil is located within three time zones. The time in Brasília is the official Brazilian time (see map), UTC -3 hours. The time difference changes during Daylight Saving Time in the summer.

WWW2013 will not take place during Daylight Saving Time.

Climate

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), whereas winter runs from June through August when temperatures can drop to around 20º C (68º F) during the day and to a chilling 16º C (60º F) at night.

See the on-line weather forecast for Rio de Janeiro.

Source: Rio Convention & Visitors Bureau

What to wear

In May, we recommend bringing light clothes and a light sweater, because the weather may vary in the fall. In addition to this, it us worth mentioning that conference rooms have the air-conditioning on at all times.

Electricity / Voltage

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

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

Voltage may differ between hotels. See the hotel description for more information.

Water

The Rio de Janeiro water supply is compliant with international standards, but due to the strong taste of chlorine we advise drinking bottled mineral water.

Source: Riotur

Telecommunications

Rio has an excellent telecommunications system that links Rio to the rest of Brazil and the world. Direct dial and collect calls can be made from any telephone. Pay phones are available across the city and are phone card-operated. Portable cell phones are available to visitors for a small rental charge. The International Direct Dial (IDD) code for Brazil is 55 and the city code for Rio de Janeiro 21.

Source: Rio Convention & Visitors Bureau

Currency and Exchange

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 exchange houses and hotels. All major credit cards are accepted in Brazil and some stores accept foreign currency.

You can check the day’s exchange rate and convert amounts here.

Currency exchange is available in the following addresses:

Confidence Câmbio
Av. das Américas, 500 – Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 22640-100
(21) 4004-5700 ? · confidencecambio.com.br

Cittatur
Av. das Américas, 700 – Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 22640-100
(21) 3152-9761 ? · lebonvoyage.com.br

Casa Behar Passagens Turismo e Câmbio
Av. das Américas, 500 – Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 22640-904
(21) 2495-5991 ?

AMITUR CÂMBIO E TURISMO
Av. das Américas, 700 – Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, 22640-100
(21) 2025-2525 ? · facebook.com

Blumer Operações de Turismo e Câmbio
Av. das Américas, 500 – Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 22640-100
(21) 3077-7878 ? · travelpoint.com.br

Daycoval (Sheraton – Barra)
Av. Lúcio Costa, 3150 – Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 22620-172
(21) 3139-8000 ?· www.daycoval.com.br

The meeting venue exchanges from USD, EUR, GBP, CAD and CHF to BRL, but not the opposite.

Approximate currencies:
1.00 USD ? 2.01 BRL
1.00 EUR ? 2.63 BRL
1.00 GBP ? 3.12 BRL
1.00 CAD ? 2.00 BRL
1.00 CHF ? 2.14 BRL

Credit cards

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

Banks

Banks are open weekdays from 10 am to 4 pm. They are closed on weekends and public holidays.

Before departure, visitors are encouraged to check whether their credit and/or cash cards are accepted with their local bank.

Automated teller machines (ATMs) can be found almost everywhere. Some machines provide 24-hour cash withdrawal (BRL) facilities for major credit cards.

Source: Riotur

Tips

Hotels: Usually hotel bills include service fees.

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

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

Transport

Subway (Metro)

metrorio.com.br

Taxis

Rio has an extensive taxi fleet, which includes yellow metered cabs that can be hailed on 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 rate by area paid in advance at the company’s booth where rates must be on display.

Source: Rio Convention & Visitors Bureau

Shopping Malls

Barra da Tijuca shopping malls:

Barra Garden
Av. das Américas, 3255 -
Phone: +55 21 2136-9191
barragarden.com.br
Hours: Mon – Sat 10:00AM to 10:00PM. Sunday – Food Court 12:00PM to 10:00PM; Shops 03:00PM to 09:00PM

Barra Point
Av. Armando Lombardi, 350
Phone: +55 21 2491-3306 / +55 21 2491-6475
barrrapointshopping.com.br
Hours: Mon – Sat 10:00AM to 10:00PM. Sunday – Food Court 12:00PM to 09:00PM; Shops 02:00PM to 08:00PM

Barra Square
Av. das Américas, 3555
Phone: +55 21 2430-7000
barrasquare.com.br
Hours: Mon – Sat 10:00AM to 10:00PM. Sunday – Food Court 10:00AM to 11:00PM; Shops 12:00PM to 10:00PM

Barra Shopping
Av. das Américas, 4666
Phone: +55 21 3089-1000/ 4003-4131
barrashopping.com.br
Hours: Mon – Sat 10:00AM to 10:00PM. Sunday – Food Court 10:00AM to 11:00PM; Shops 01:00PM to 09:00PM

New York City Center
Av. das Américas, 5000 – Barra da Tijuca
Phone: +55 21 3089-1000
nycc.com.br
Hours: Mon – Sat 10:00AM to 10:00PM. Sunday – Food Court 10:00AM to 11:00PM; Shops 01:00PM to 09:00PM

Downtown
Av. das Américas, 500
Phone: +55 21 2494-7072
downtown.com.br
Every Day: 10:00AM to 10:00PM

Rio Design Barra
Av. das Américas, 7777
Phone.: +55 21 2461-9999
riodesignbarra.com.br
Hours: Mon – Sat 10:00AM to 10:00PM. Sunday -01:00PM to 09:00PM; Restaurants: From 03:00PM until the last customer leaves.

South area shopping malls:

Botafogo Praia Shopping
Botafogo Beach, 400 – Botafogo
Phone: +55 21 3171-9872
botafogopraiashopping.com.br
Hours: Mon – Sat 10:00AM to 10:00PM. Sunday – Food Court 10:00AM to 11:00PM; Shops 02:00PM to 09:00PM

Rio Design Leblon
Av. Ataulfo de Paiva, 270 – Leblon
Phone: +55 21 3206-9100
riodesignleblon.com.br
Hours: Mon – Sat 10:00AM to 10:00PM. Sunday 03:00PM to 09:00PM. – Food Court: From 12:00PM until the last customer leaves.

Rio Plaza Shopping
Rua General Severiano, 97 ss. – Botafogo
Phone.: +55 21 2541-4045
rioplazashopping.com.br
Hours: Mon – Sat 10:00AM to 10:00PM. Sunday 3:00PM to 09:00PM, – Food Court From 12:00PM until the last customer leaves.

Rio Sul Shopping Center
Rua Lauro Muller, 116 – Botafogo
Phone.: +55 21 3527-7257
riosul.com.br
Hours: Mon – Sat 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 2111-4444
scfashionmall.com.br
Hours: Every Day – 10:00AM to 10:00PM

Shopping Cassino Atlântico
Av. Atlântica, 4.240 / Av. Copacabana, 1417 – Copacabana
Phone: +55 21 2523-8709
shoppingcassinoatlantico.com.br
Hours: Mon – Fri 09:00AM to 09:00PM. Sat 09:00AM to 08:00PM.

Shopping da Gávea
Rua Marquês de São Vicente, 52 – Gávea
Phone: +55 21 2294-1096
shoppingdagavea.com.br
Hours: Mon – 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 2430-5122
shoppingleblon.com.br
Hours: Sun – Sat 10:00AM to 10:00PM. Sunday 3:00PM to 9:00PM. Food Court: Friday – Sat  10:00AM to 01:00AM – Mon – Thu 10:00AM to 12:00AM – Sunday 15:00PM to 12:00 AM

Hospitals

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

There are many hospitals in the Hotel area. All of them are equipped to handle any emergencies.

Barra D’Or
barrador.com.br
Av. Ayrton Senna, 2541 – Barra da Tijuca
Tel.:+55 21 2430-3600

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

Hospital Municipal Lourenço Jorge
Av. Ayrton Senna 2000 – Barra da Tijuca
Tel.:+55 21 3111-4652 / 3111-4653

Rio Mar
riomar.com.br
Av. Candido Portinari, 555 – Barra da Tijuca
Tel.: +55 21 3578-2578

AMIL Assistência Médica Internacional
amil.com.br
Av. das Américas, 4200 – Barra da Tijuca
Tel.: +55 21 3311-1000

Southern area hospitals:

Casa de Saúde Santa Lúcia
http://www.clinicasantalucia.com.br/
Rua Capitão Salomão, 27 – Botafogo
Tel.: +55 21 2126-4000

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

Hospital TotalCor
Rua Farme de Amoedo, 86 – Ipanema
Tel.: +55 21 2525-1900

Hospital Copa D’or
http://www.copador.com.br
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 3111-3781 / 3111-3709

Hospital Samaritano
http://www.hsamaritano.com.br/
Rua Bambina, 98 – Botafogo
Tel.: +55 21 2537-9722

Policlínica de Botafogo
http://www.policlinicadebotafogo.com.br
Av. Pasteur, 72 – Botafogo
Tel.: +55 21 2244-8700 / 2244-8744

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

Tourist Police

One battalion of the Rio de Janeiro State Military Police BPTUR is specialized in ostensive patrolling of the city to protect tourists. These officers are duly trained and equipped to handle cases involving tourists. Their job is to patrol popular tourist areas, beaches and the vicinities of hotels.

BPTUR – Batalhão de Policiamento em Áreas Turísticas (“Police Battalion for Tourism Areas)
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 Dedicated Tourists Police District DEAT a special branch of the Civil Police, is made up of a Delegate (Superintendent), detectives, investigators and clerks responsible for investigating and reporting occurrences. The DEAT has its own offices conveniently located in the area of Leblon, in front of the Casa Grande and Scala theaters. The District was created and officers are specifically trained to handle foreign visitors.

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

Source: Rio Convention & Visitors Bureau

Safety measures

As in any big city, personal safety is an important consideration. Hence:

Keep an eye on your luggage. Use large and colorful labels to identify them easily on airport conveyor belts or delivery booths.

 

Exchange your money only in exchange houses in airports or authorized banking agencies. Do not accept help from strangers, such as porters and agents in airports.

 

Only use official taxi stands or taxis from the cooperatives recommended by the event organization. Always keep the windows of your vehicle up, particularly at night, and always ask your cab driver to keep valuable belongings, such as laptops in the trunk.

 

Always keep your belongings in sight, particularly in open areas, like restaurants, snack bars, parks and even in the event’s venue. Don’t let purses, bags or cameras hanging on chairs or on the floor.

 

Don’t wear expensive looking jewelry and watches. The same applies to large amounts of money; try to have the right money separated in advance for small expenses.

 

Don’t disclose your personal data to unknown persons and avoid carrying passports and travel checks when you go for a walk or a drive. In the event of los, theft or robbery, report the fact immediately to the local police.

 

For your peace of mind, use the hotel’s safe to keep valuable objects, your documents, passport and airplane tickets, and use photocopies of your documents when you go out.

 

If you go out for a walk or to public and open areas, keep your belongings near your body and avoid going out alone. Please refrain from going out on the streets carrying your notebook or other electronic devices.

 

If you need to go to an ATM machine, preferably use those located in malls (shopping centers) or banks. Avoid cash machines on streets or dark places. If you need help, always ask an employee of the bank.

 

More information:

http://www.rcvb.com.br/?/2/default.html

http://www.rioguiaoficial.com.br/en

Vaccination against yellow fever

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is not required for travelers entering Brazil. However, vaccination is recommended to travelers going to the dark grey areas (see the map). Rio de Janeiro is not included.

Source: Portal da Saúde (“Health Portal”) (http://portal.saude.gov.br/portal/saude/profissional/visualizar_texto.cfm?idtxt=31626&janela=1##)

English (http://portalsaude.saude.gov.br/portalsaude/index.cfm/?portal=pagina.visualizarArea&codArea=347)

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