Going to IAU - Where to stay

If you are going to the IAU in Rio (August 03-14) and would like some tips from an astronomer who knows Rio, you are in the right place. I grew up in Rio and I consider Rio my hometown. Rio is absolutely beautiful and charming. I am looking forward seeing you there. Here are some links that will make your life a little easier.

I recommend to stay close to a subway (metrô) station in Copacabana. The Convention Center is located close to a subway station 25 minutes from Copacabana (Station Estácio). Wiki on Rio metrô http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rio_de_Janeiro_Metro
I recommend the area of Copacabana close to Cantagalo station (marked with A below). There is another station, Siqueira Campos, (marked wit blue M below), but it is a bit busy. Cardeal Arcoverde station is closer to the entrance of Copacabana, it should be fine too, but metro starts to get crowded there.

Try to stay in hotels at the Atlantica Avenue. N.S. de Copacabana Avenue is very busy and loud. Hotels in side streets should be fine.

The IAU official page for hotels is http://www.astronomy2009.com.br/accommodation.html

You can also find hotels and lots of fun and useful texts in the http://ipanema.com.

Why shouldn´t you stay in Ipanema? well, you can, but it will take a long time to get to the convention center, there is no subway in Ipanema, but there are buses, if you feel adventurous. But you should take the bus from Ipanema that takes you to the subway station in Copacabana, and not the bus to the area of the convention center, unless you don't mind 1 hour in a crowded bus. It will take 15 minutes by bus from Ipanema to Copacabana metro. Taxis to the convention center can be pricy, but taxis to the subway should be reasonable. I just don't like the taxi drivers of Rio, they can be really nice and total jerks. I avoid them, if I can.

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If you don't want to spend too much money with hotel and can handle 2 stars hotels, you can stay in the Flamengo-Gloria-Catete area (in between Copacabana and downtown) which is also by the subway system. Ipanema.com has a selection of hotels there http://www.ipanema.com/rio/hotels/e/hotfla.htm
Hotel Paysandu is well located and the cheapest room is around US$50. But I recommend you shop around on the internet for 2 stars. The Catete area has at least one that I have read about Hotel Imperial which is reasonable (***NEW***around $70, not as reasonable anymore) and well located. This area is historic and quite charming, but noisy. I would NOT recommend staying in Santa Teresa area. It is not easy access and at night can be a little rough to get there...
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Why shouldn´t you rent a car in Rio? well, you can, but it will be stressful. Only behind the wheels Cariocas (people from Rio) may turn too competitive.

Is Rio dangerous? I don´t think so. It is a big city, it has crime and poverty. If you use common sense and don´t display your rolex watch, your diamond rings, laptops and super cameras in your neck, you will be fine. By the way, watches are a major attraction for street kids in Rio. If you don´t want to donate yours, leave it in your hotel. I also recommend leaving your passport in your hotel safe and bring a photocopy in your bag, just in case. But I do that even when I go to Europe.

It is winter in Rio, but ... I promise it won't get cold!!! A really cold day in Rio will reach 15C (60 F), it is like California but humid. But in a sunny day, it will reach high 20sC (80sF). Winter is the dry season, so it should be pleasant. But do remember that in the tropics the weather is not as predictable as elsewhere.

Currency converter - today the conversion rate from Reais to Dollars is 1 US$=2.32 Reais, but that changes all the time. I suggest to double check here (click). I recommend bringing dollars and do not always count on ATM machines to work. Only a couple of banks have the Plus and Cirrus agreement, most of the ATMS are for local banks. I also recommend to be careful when using your credit card and that you call your credit card/bank before you go to make sure your credit card has fraud protection and to tell them that you will be in Brazil. It is common that they will ask for a pin number for your credit card when you purchase something. Even restaurants will bring the machine to your table and you will need to type your pin number. Copacabana has many cambio houses, if you bring dollars, you can easily exchange them to reais and get a better rate than ATM machines do.

*****NEW ***** The dollar exchange rate is getting lower and lower. As of today, 05/24, it is only 2.02 Reais ******

BY THE WAY, CANADA, CHINA, RUSSIA, USA and other CITIZENS NEED TOURIST VISAS TO GO TO BRAZIL. TRY TO ARRANGE THAT AT LEAST 45 DAYS IN ADVANCE.

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Check here

Information on Visas from the IAU

List of Brazilian Consular offices in the USA

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In my next posts I will write about what to do and eat in Rio. I might start writing about other places to visit in Brazil too. Stay tuned and do email if you have a question - duilia at yahoo.com


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