O Rio de Janeiro continua lindo

I decided posting some of the most beautiful pictures of the places in Rio.One is Largo do Boticario around the Corcovado train.It goes inside the Tijuca National Park and you gonna be able to see the native forest with flowes,birds ...I also passed in the tramway to Santa teresa that cost 0,60 (real),brazilian money.The neighboorhood is charming and you can stop at Curvelo Station and walk to Chacara do Ceu museum and Parque das Ruinas with one of the most beautiful views of Rio.I also posted a picture of Sugar loaf and Christ redeemer in a beautiful day after weeks of rain in Rio de janeiro.

I passed in museum of black heritage is inside the Church of São Benedito dos Homens pretos, in Uruguauana St. Around the biggest open market in Rio,something you cannot miss in town.Real street with real people.

I also visited the Church of Carmo,the Old see with Gold inside ,from the age of Gold in Rio,with the Baroque Style,made by Mestre valentin,one of the most representative Artists from Rio de janeiro.

If you have interest in having a great tour,keep in touch with me

Izabela Pereira

55-21-8859-8751

Selaron Stairs

This is one of the most beautiful and more visited spots in Rio.It is in the neighboorhood of lapa and if you go up you face the Santa Teresa convent.Selaron is a fullskilled artist born in Chile,he moved to Brasilin 1983 and since that year he started working in the stairway ,with 125 meter high and 125 steps of beauty ceramic from different countries in world.I gonna post you some pictures of the place.

A little about Rio!!!

Rio de Janeiro is known for its beautiful landscapes, where the sea meets the mountains, where there are the two largest urban forests in the world, exotic landscapes in a big city itself.If can be a city beloved by people worldwide.
   It is the capital of the Brazilian Tourism, wonderful city, located in southeastern Brazil, with 6 million inhabitants in an area of 1224.56 km ², a coastal area of 246, 22 km ² and green area of 325.6 km ², is a mosaic of enchantments scattered between sea and mountains. Rio is more than one, each day creates solutions to meet all needs and tastes.

   Rio's post card is the symbol of Brazil. The Corcovado with the Christ the Redeemer is one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, an international contest. And there's also the Sugar Loaf, a pleasant ride that reveals the entire city. The sights are numerous, but it is important to mention the Maracanã Stadium, the largest temple of football five times world champion and the Samba, where the samba schools parade, participating in the biggest event of the city, the carnival. And the latest is the Samba City, built by the City Hall in an area of 114 m², on the waterfront, is home to the samba factories, where the samba schools prepare their respective parades, which take place during carnival. Samba City is the synthesis of carnival, the whole year, given that it hosts daily performances, workshops and other attractions.
Rio was chosen after research conducted by the Universities of Michigan and California, as the city with the friendliest people in the world. This is the biggest secret of the wonderful city, the spirit of Rio, that makes all urban mosaic of different attractions. Rio's beaches, mountains, green areas, outdoor sports, and events like New Year's Eve, Carnival and many others. The river is historic, cultural, it's daytime, and nightlife. It has many flavors. It is for all ages. Rio is one of its symbols, the Christ the Redeemer with open arms to welcome visitors.
Street primeiro de Março
It was the first street of Rio de janeiroi designed, which connected directly to the castle hill to hill of Sao Bento, considered direct street and called "street right," was crossing point carroagens, so they created the first laws traffic and two-way street.
The primitive path Manuel de Brito, historic birthplace of the city, linking the Largo da Misericordia in Morro de Sao Bento, in indefinite date was divided into two parts: the first was being the Rua da Misericordia still existing and second Street Right, that connected the Morro Castle to Morro de Sao Bento. Street Right at the beginning of the seventeenth century was only a precarious trail, but it was the preferred site of slave traders in the eighteenth century, became one of the busiest streets in town. It settled the first governors of the city, a house that sat on the corner with the Customs. Was also the first Episcopal Palace, where he lived the first bishop of Rio, D. José de Barros and Alarcão in 1682. Later, the governors began to settle in the house that was once the House of Stories, description colonial treasury, which then became the Palace of the Viceroys and the Royal Palace with the arrival of the royal family of Portugal to Brazil. Around this street have developed the main city streets. Later, it was housed the Bank of Brazil, the Post Office, Merchants of Fashion, the bakeries, since the nineteenth century. In 1875 it was renamed to First Street March in honor of the date of the victory of the Battle of Aquidabã in March 1870, which was an important milestone for the end of the Paraguayan War. Coincidentally, this day also is the Foundation of the City, March 1, 1565 .. In Straight Street came in 1835, the great sensation of the season, an ice cream parlor. It was the first street to be given numbers in boxes, idea by the French architect Alexandre Pedro Cavroé. Due to heavy traffic, in 1847, we adopted the system in her hand and counter hands. According to Ferreira da Rosa: "Right on the Street was that Rio de Janeiro witnessed draw the first lines of his greatness, there is the story spelled fortune developing this metropolis." For almost three centuries it was right around the street, which turned the great political events of the city. Only in the early twentieth century is that the area saw the main shaft to be transferred to the new metropolis of Central Avenue, east of the monumental axis Republic.
Avenida Presidente Vargas Since the days of King John VI was already thinking of building a canal waterway connecting the sea to Rocio Pequeno Praça Onze current June, which only received its name after the War of Paraguay, in honor of the day that the squadron of Admiral Barroso won the Battle of Riachuelo . The channel would aim to dry a large marsh near the existing New Town, which was an outbreak of disease, mosquitoes and unpleasant fumes. But only in 1857, has started construction of the Canal do Mangue, who was the greatest work of sanitation in Rio de Janeiro, at the time of the Empire that led to the extinction of the Sentinel's Lake and the wetlands of San Diego, which went up almost Campo de Santana. The work was contracted to the Baron of Maua, which opened its plant with gas for lighting and home that stood near the Rocio Pequeno. In the government of Henri de Toledo Dodsworth, the idea of extending the Mangrove Avenue to the Pier for Miners, current Navy Yard, was put in place and opened the Avenida Presidente Vargas, who was named in honor of then President Getúlio Vargas . To open the avenue many challenges were faced, were demolished 525 buildings, old streets have disappeared, faces opposition from many segments. The Avenue has 2040 meters in length in the stretch to the square Eleven, but including the existing part to the Flag Square its length is 4 km, its width reaches 80 meters until the square of the Candelaria Eleven and 90 meters in the stretch of Canal Mangrove. Avenida Presidente Vargas, currently represents the largest city traffic channel and communicate the city's commercial center to the bridge overpasses of the Sailors, which then make their distribution over the populous north coast. Origins-Church Campion According to the story - semi-legendary - on the origin of the church in the early seventeenth century a storm nearly wrecked had a ship called Candelaria, where the Spaniards traveled Antonio Martins Palma and Leonor Gonçalves. The couple made a promise to build a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Candelaria to escape with his life. The ship finally docked in Rio de Janeiro, and the couple has built a small chapel on its present site in 1609 Candelaria Church.

Campo de Santana, a beauty in middle of Rio Downtown

The Campo de Santana is an area of 135,000 m² in the center of Rio de Janeiro, a green lung in the chaos of daily pollution.
Our tour begins in the center of the park where there is a monument to Benjamin Constant, ideals of the Republic in Brazil that contains various symbolisms positivist philosophy created by Auguste Comte in France that influenced our Republicans.
The monument is flanked by four marble statues representing the four seasons and four sources "stella" surmounted by the goddess of waters Tethys.
The park has a diverse community, being the most famous animals of the agouti. They are like the symbol of the park, the population of some 600 of these animals and live with ducks, peacocks, marmosets, ducks and freshwater invaders, cats.
The flora ranges from Brazil wood to our Asian and European specimens. In the government of D. Luis de Vasconcelos (4th Earl of Figueiró) between 1778 and 1790 opened the path Lantern (more or less today's Street Customs) to urbanize the region was a swamp and garbage dump, but the problems continued Marsh. The site was the scene of the festivities of the acclamation of D. Queen Maria I of Portugal, becoming known since then as Field acclamation. It was also the site of the festivities by acclamation of D. João VI as king of Portugal, Brazil and Algarve, having happened many popular festivals. Later it served to parties of acclaim and coronation of King Emperor Pedro I of Brazil.
     The current name comes from the Church of St. Anne, a brotherhood of blacks who owned there and that his temple was demolished in 1855 for the construction of the railroad D. Pedro II, the current Central Brazil. The original image is in the Chapel of the Railroad within the current building
      With the arrival of the Portuguese Court in 1808 and the arrival of Prince Regent John to St. Christopher, made the royal party always had to pass through town to get to the Palace Square, now Square XV. Although now drained several times made his Highness had to take a boat to cross it because the floods were still frequent. Thus were new drainage and the construction of a barracks to protect the future king, since it was equidistant from the palace of St. Kitts and the Palace Square, created on the site of theChafariz das lavadeiras (Fountain Washerwomen.).

Pre-Carnival Events

2010 Carnival Program - Pre -Carnival Events

The City of Rio de Janeiro is already experiencing the mood of Carnival 2010 with the rehearsing of Samba Schools from Special and Access Groups, to begin on December 06.

The entrance to the grandstandsis open to the publicand “Pagode da Marquês”shall present some of the stars of Brazilian Popular Music at the end of Sunday schedules, on the stage erected in front of section 3.
JANUARY
Fri, 08
10pm - Imperatriz Leopoldinense
Sat, 09
7pm - Tuiuti
8pm - Porto da Pedra
10pm - Portela
Sun, 10
7pm - Santa Cruz
8pm - Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel
10pm - Acadêmicos do Salgueiro
Sat, 16
7pm - Inocentes de Belford Roxo
8pm - Caprichosos de Pilares
10pm - União da Ilha do Governador
Sun, 17
7pm - São Clemente
10pm - Viradouro
Sun, 24
7pm - Acadêmicos da Rocinha
8pm - Estação Primeira de Mangueira
10pm - Unidos da Tijuca
Sat, 30
7pm - Estácio de Sá
8pm - Porto da Pedra
10pm - Portela
Sun, 31
7pm - Renascer de Jacarepaguá
8pm - Grande Rio
10pm - Unidos de Vila Isabel
FEBRUARY
Sat, 06
7pm - Beija-Flor de Nilópolis
10pm - Imperatriz Leopoldinense
7pm -Sound and lighting tests on the Samba
Runway shall be conducted with the Samba School “Acadêmicos do Salgueiro”.
Venue: Praça da Apoteose - Rua Marques de Sapucaí, s/nº - Downtown
SEBASTIANA CARNIVAL BLOCKS REHEARSAL 2010
Christ’s armpit
Rehearsals: Every Friday in January until carnival, at Odisséia theatre, in the quarter of Lapa, as of 11:00 p.m.During Carnival week, the block shall be on Friday and Tuesday at Odisséia theatre and on Sunday at Circo Voador. Entrance: R$ 24
December 31 - Réveillon (New Year’s Eve Party) at Sociedade Hípica do Brasil, in the neighborhood of Jardim Botânico.
Carmelitas Block
November 27 - Casa Rosa, in the neighborhood of Santa Tereza, 10p.m.
Mauá Slaves
Rehearsals: January 8, 22 and 29, beginning at 09:00 p.m., in Largo da Prainha, near Praça Mauá square - Centro (downtown Rio).
Giants of the Lire
Launchingthe T-Shirt: January 16
(Saturday), at 10:00 a.m., at the Square in Rua General Glicério street - in the neighborhood of Laranjeiras. There is a traditional Children’s Ball by Gigantes da Lira on January 31 (Sunday), at 05:00 p.m., in Circo Voador - in the neighborhood of Lapa.
Congeniality is Almost Love
Launchingthe T-Shirt: December 19, at 09:00 p.m., at Bar Belmonte (bar) - in the neighborhood of Jardim Botânico
Rehearsals: January 15 and 22,and the last rehearsalon January 29 (final decision on the samba song + Carnival Ball), always at 09:00 p.m., at Parada da Lapa.
What’s that shit?
Launchingthe T-Shirt: January 9 (Saturday), at 06:00 p.m., at Bar Paz e Amor (bar)
Rua Garcia D'Ávila street with Nascimento Silva street, in Ipanema.
Presentation of the samba song: January 30 (Saturday), at 06:00  p.m., at Bar Paz e Amor (bar). Final Rehearsal: February 6 (Saturday), at Bar Paz e Amor, at 06:00 p.m.
SAMBA LAND
Organized by: Riotur - Tel. 2271-7068
An open air courtyard where the Samba Land presents performances during the weekend before Carnival, and continues at full steam ahead on the Champion's Saturday.  Stalls offer typical food and dring, while a huge stage draws all attention, with Brazilian top music shows.

February, 5, 6, 12-16, 19-20

Carnaval oficially starts in Feb 12...

Carnival

This year the city promotes the biggest popular party in the world, Carnaval, from February 12 to 16. There will be several pre-carnival events and the official closing will be on February 20, Saturday of Champions, with the parade on Passarela do Samba of the winning samba schools, a show of extraordinary beauty. Besides that, the awarding of the three best bandstands will bring joy and fun to the city's districts.







FRIDAY - February 12

CARNIVAL 2010 OPENING CEREMONY

The Mayor of Rio symbolically hands over the keys to the city of King Momo thus opening the Carnival festivities. The event also includes the Carnival King Momo, Queen and Princess.

JUNIOR SAMBA SCHOOL PARADE

Parade Order: Filhos da Águia, Inocentes da Caprichosos, Tijuquinha do Borel, Corações Unidos do CIEP, Infantes do Lins, Miúda da Cabuçu, Pimpolhos da Grande Rio, Ainda Existem Crianças Vila Kennedy, Herdeiros da Vila, Estrelinha da Mocidade, Mangueira do Amanhã, Império do Futuro, Aprendiz do Salgueiro, Mel do Futuro, Petizes da Penha, Golfinhos da Guanabara, Nova Geração do Estácio de Sá.

Passarela do Samba Professor Darcy Ribeiro - Sambódromo

From 5pm

FRIDAY - TUESDAY February 12-16



CINELANDIA BALL

Organized and promoted by: RIOTUR - Tel.: 2271-7068

Traditional meeting place for Carnaval among the Cariocas, the Cinelandia Ball, founded in 1990 has since been one of the biggest street spectacles, welcoming over 60 thousand people during the five days of the event. Carnaval’s greatest idols perform on a stage set up in front of Rio’s Municipal Chamber. The public can dance and sing to famous by-gone Carnival songs by famous artists.

Check it out!

http://walkingriotour.blogspot.com/

Feijoada Imperio Serrano e Feijoada da Portela

Feijoada Empire Pagode serrano-family Imperiana
The guild recreational samba school Império Serrano, was founded in 1947 and is the result of three schools: the pleasure Serrinha, United States of Congonhas and Tamarineira. With the colors green and white, the school opened root with right foot became champion in 1948.A Carnival Samba School offers every third Saturday of the month a feijoada imperdível.Que leaves only $ 10.00 and comes with a delicious caipirinha.O event ends "the 21 hours and get the 13 hours. Block: Avenida Ministro Edgard Romero, 114, Madureira
Rio
Source: site Império Serrano
Pagode family Portelense-Feijoada da Portela
It happens every first Saturday of each month, driven by Velha Guarda da Portela, flocking to spend a pleasant afternoon with very samba.As women wing of Bahian take the stove to prepare breakfast, which in addition to feijoada, can be baked, polenta or the Bahia bacalhau.A court Portela is located at Rua Clara Nunes, 81.Madureira.Esquina the Road Portela.Couvert between $ 7 and 10.

Fonte:site Império Serrano

Black music party in North side of Rio!

North Zone

Baile charm viaduct Madureira

The ball charm Madureira is with everything. 19 years, every Saturday and holidays people from all parts of Rio de Janeiro gather under the overpass Negrao to chat, flirt and be lulled in the beats of the charm and Hip Hop. The formula for such success? Tradition and loyalty to the public. And the frequency has increased. With full recognition of the uprising that Hip Hop has over the past ten years many people have come to seek the root of that which appears as just a tip of the iceberg. And the viaduct can find the root of black music, sometimes in the excitement of the attendees, sometimes at the whim of the relays and sets prepared by the DJ's at night. It is worth noting also that with the closure  in Marechal Hermes, the process of recognition of the viaduct as Madureira official site of the black night in the northern zone only intensified. So all Saturdays are busy and hype is intense as with all festivals of its kind in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Although many houses that play rhythms like the viaduct (R & B, Hip Hop, charm, black music in general), many people involved in the production and even the patrons guarantee: there is no place like it. By the structure (the ball happens right under the viaduct), the event is different and really can not imagine another place similar. The feeling is protective, because the place is covered and has the reputation of dance of peace by the absence of violence. Will be the effect of the rate environment? As soon as we are faced with groups gathered around dancing with gas around the space, which has dissolved any spirit with bad intentions who is approaching. Beer rolls all night with affordable price and the vendors who set up branches in two points of the viaduct (near the entrance and near the bathroom, behind the DJ). 

Rates and services

 I´m Izabela Pereira a certified Tour Guide In Rio de Janeiro.I´m introducing myself talking about the wonderful city of Rio de Janeiro,a seducing place where million of people dream about visiting whole year.You will have a chance to see the city with a native,a original "Carioca" , can give you the chance to fall in love with Rio de Janeiro.
-You can have your own Tour Guide,together we can choose the bests spots and have a trip enjoyable, fun and safe in the marvelous city of Rio de Janeiro.
LANGUAGE: English, Spanish and Portuguese
MINIMUN COST: US$ 50,00 /// EU$ 60,00/// R$ 140,00
MAXIMUM COST: US$ 200,00/// EU$ 180,00 ///R$ 450,00
Atractions tickets entrances, meals, drinks, and tolls are not included.

Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil-CCBB

The Centro Cultural Banco do Brazil is the history of No 66 Rua Primeiro de Março, neoclassical building of lines in the past, been linked to finance and business. Its cornerstone was laid in 1880, materializing project Bethencourt Joaquim Francisco da Silva (1831-1912), architect of the Imperial House, founder of the Potion of Fine Arts and the School of Arts and Crafts. Established as the headquarters of the Commercial Association in 1906, its rotunda housing the stock exchange's trading of Public Funds. In the '20s, became part of the Bank of Brazil, who retired to the opening of its headquarters. This function has the emblematic building of the world financial system and would last until 1960, when it gave way to the Central Agency of Rio de Janeiro and then to the First Agency of March, still active. In the late 80's, rescuing the symbolic and architectural value of the building, the Bank of Brazil decided to preserve the building to turn it into a cultural center. The design of adaptation has preserved the elegance of the columns, the ornaments, the marble that rises from the foyer by the stairs and reworked the dome on the roundabout. Opened on 12 October 1989, became a multimedia center and discussion forum.

 

CCBB always have exibitions, Theather ,a library  

Night life in Lapa

Rio has a spot you can´t miss...night life is so good.You will be able to see all "tribes" all together.If you like samba,hip-hop, go to concerts or just wanna sit and look at the people coming and going the whole night.The traffic of cars friday night is crazy.In Men de Sá and Riachuelo street, you gonna spend long time to leave because the number of cars in street.One of the best nights is Friday.I´ll give you some suggetstions of spots you can go.
Carioca da Gema :
OPENS Tuesday to Friday,& pm to 3 pm with Samba and popular brazilian music.Is a good option to drink and meet beautiful people.

Rio Scenaruim
Colorful 19th century building have sprung up on this place , sey in brick-lined colonial relics. The blend of samba-jazz and antiques makes a lively mix, pehaps Rio's most beautifull nightspot. Has three floors, each lavishly decorated with antiques, balconies overlook the stage on the 1st floor, where dancers keep time to the jazz-infused samba, "choro"( samba-related music) Rio Scenárium make for fine exploration if you need to walk off some of those "caipirinhas". Ages from 25 to 40. Arrive before 8:00 pm- closes at 3:00 pm. Loused on Sunday and Monday.

WE start our trip in Praça XV,passing by Paço Imperial,is a palace of governors in Colonial era, house of Emperor Pedro I,now a days a cultural center.

Our second stop will be the chafariz do Mestre Valentim,it used to be a very important place in Colonial era, bringing water to Rio citizens coming from Rio Carioca.

Then , we go to Arco do Telles, the last collonial arch in Rio de Janeiro,it served as passageway under the former residence of of the 17th century Teles de Menezes.Now a days , a lot of night life happens under this arch and something very interesting is , Carmem miranda used to live there.

Then , we gonna pass by livraria Folha Seca where we  can find books about Rio.

There are some cultural centers,Casa França Brasil, Centro Cuktural Banco do Brasil Centro Cultural dos Correios and we gonna finish visiting Igreja da Candelária,one of the most beautiful churches in Rio.

A good option to see Brazilian dance and culture

Niterói

Niterói is a city, and a município (county), in the state of Rio de Janeiro, southeast region of Brazil. This city was founded on November 22, 1573 by the Tupi Amerindian chief Araribóia (who later was converted to Roman Catholicism and given the Christian name of Martim Afonso, after the Portuguese explorer Martim Afonso de Souza). It makes Niteroi the only Brazilian city to have been founded by a non-Christian, non-assimilated Brazilian Amerindian.^[3]

Niteroi is a modern city, with modern buildings and four main shopping malls. Its economy is centered on its trading and commerce services, like imobiliary corporations, graphic design, web design and publicity. It also hosts industries of food (especially seafood), clothes, caldle, marine objects; its negative point is that its transports depend on a small port and scarce options of roads, if compared to Rio de Janeiro's.

The city is 25 minutes from the center of Rio de Janeiro's city, the state's capital, and most populated, although Niteroi boasts the title of the second richest of the state.^[5]

The Niterói Contemporary Art Museum, the city's main landmark, was designed by the famous Brazilian modernist architect Oscar Niemeyer. The landscape of the central urban area of the city is dominated by a high cilindric building though, the Niterói Tower, that hosts different professional offices and belongs to the Niterói Shopping Mall.

Niteroi has other three big shopping malls besides the Niterói Shopping Mall: the Plaza Shopping, the Itaipu Multi Center and the Baymarket. This last one occupies the former area of the Sandiz department store, demolished in the mid १९९०

Demographics

Niteroi is 14 km (8 miles) distant from Rio de Janeiro city, to which it is linked by the Rio-Niterói bridge and two ferry-boat services. The quality of life in Niteroi is considered one of the best (3rd place) among 5,600 Brazilian cities, according to UN indexes।

Politics

São Francisco Beach.

Currently, mayor of Niterói is Jorge Roberto Silveira ( From Brazilian Work Party or Partido Trabalhista Brasileiro in Portuguese ). Jorge Roberto Silveira is an old mayor of Niterói ( who was involved in the MAC Scandal ),he is the favourite politician of the people from Niterói. He gave the title of the 4th Brazilian city with the better quality of life, the cleanest city of Brazil with CLIN

[edit] Administrative divisions

The Administrative Regions of Niterói (pre-1990)

From 1943 to the late 1970s, the county of Niteroi comprised two districts only: the district of Niteroi (original area) and the district of Itaipu (acquired in 1943), which barely had an urban continuity or even proper road links to each other and were considered apart areas. The fractioning of Itaipu's farms into real estates as well its imobiliary boom after the building of the Rio-Niterói's bridge demanded a better integration between the two sides of the county which led to the improving of the roads and urban facilities and a reformation on the make up of Niteroi's administrative division. The county was reorganised into five districts. In the early 1990s, the administrative division of Niterói was altered once again, being the county now divided into twelve administrative, further subdivided into 48 neighborhoods.

U.S. citizens travelling to Brasil

February 01, 2008

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Brazil, a nation the size of the lower 48 United States, has an advanced developing economy. Facilities for tourism are excellent in the major cities, but vary in quality in remote areas. The capital is Brasilia. Read the Department of State Background Notes on Brazil for additional information.

ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A passport and visa are required for U.S. citizens traveling to Brazil for any purpose. Brazilian visas must be obtained in advance from the Brazilian Embassy or consulate nearest to the traveler's place of residence. There are no "airport visas" and immigration authorities will refuse entry to Brazil to anyone not possessing a valid visa. All Brazilian visas, regardless of the length of validity, must initially be used within 90 days of the issuance date or will no longer be valid. Americans reentering Brazil must be able to show an entry stamp in their passport proving that the visa was issued within 90 days; otherwise they will not be allowed reentry. Immigration authorities will not allow entry into Brazil without a valid visa. The U.S. Government cannot assist travelers who arrive in Brazil without proper documentation.

Travelers are reminded that they are subject to local law. Showing contempt to a Brazilian government official at the port of entry, or elsewhere, is a serious offense. (Fines for such offenses are based on the offender’s claimed income.)

Additionally, travelers who have recently visited certain countries, including most other Latin American countries (check Brazilian Embassy website linked below), may be required to present an inoculation card indicating they had a yellow fever inoculation or they may not be allowed to board the plane or enter the country. Minors (under 18) traveling alone, with one parent or with a third party, must present written authorization by the absent parent(s) or legal guardian specifically granting permission to travel alone, with one parent, or with a third party. The authorization (in Portuguese) must be notarized and then authenticated by the Brazilian Embassy or Consulate.

For current entry and customs requirements for Brazil, travelers may contact the Brazilian Embassy at 3009 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone 1-202-238-2828, e-mail consular@brasilemb.org; web site at http://www.brasilemb.org। Travelers may also contact the Brazilian consulates in Boston, Houston, Miami, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, or San Francisco. Addresses, phone numbers, web and e-mail addresses, and jurisdictions of these consulates may be found at the Brazilian Embassy web site.

Rio de Janeiro: Avenida Presidente Wilson 147, telephone 011-55-21- 3823-2022, after-hours 011-55-21- 3823-2029; web site at http://www.embaixada-americana.org.br/index.php?itemmenu=83&submenu=107&action=rio.php. Consular Section public hours are 8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (passports and reports of birth by appointment) and 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. (notary services), Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, except Brazilian and U.S. holidays. Non-emergency passports and reports of appointments should be done by appointment; please request at acsrio@state.gov.

Brazil, a lifestyle

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Brazil, a lifestyle

For a long time now, Brazil’s natural beauty and Carnival rendered it international fame, attracting thousands of tourists all year long. The number of foreigners visiting the country went from an average of 1.5 million per year in the 1990s to more than 4 million visitors per year from the year 2000 on, according to Embratur’s (Brazilian Tourism Institute) Statistical Yearbook for 2003. But there is a very special attraction that you only discover when you come here: the Brazilian people. Much beyond the breathtaking scenery, the way these people live surprises everyone with its simplicity, willingness, hope, hospitality and happiness.

Studies carried out by Enbratur indicate that 75% of the tourists who seek Brazil as their vacation destination do so first of all because of the natural beauty. But once they arrive here, they find such hospitality that they soon become enchanted with the mixture of colors, races and cultures of the people as well.

According to surveys, when foreign tourists are questioned about Brazil, they indicate happiness as the main characteristic of our people. Happiness that can be perceived in every moment they stay in the country – whether in our music, the warmth of our northeastern beaches, the lively Rio de Janeiro nightlife or the exuberant Amazon.

From this warm and festive spirit, popular displays such as Carnival, New Year’s Eve celebrations and June Parties arise, all famous for their liveliness and joy. It seems that the people’s desire to show what is good about Brazil transforms this vigor into creativity, flashed about in contagious colors and sounds.

Research carried out with international tourists who have already had the opportunity to know Brazil reveal that the visitor truly finds the country to be beautiful. The results also show that 52% of this public goes back home valorizing yet another aspect of this land: its people. After all, besides appreciating some of the most beautiful spots on the planet – including countless beaches, ecological paradises and historical cities – the visitor is always accompanied by people who are willing to show the best points of every excursion, making the trip unforgettable.

Samba City

Samba City

Samba City is the latest tourist attraction in Rio de Janeiro, occupying an area of 114.000 sq. meters, built in the port district by the City Hall, at Rua Rivadávia Corrêa 60, Gamboa, a district neighboring downtown.


There is a reason for this choice of location for the thematic city, since it is here, considered to be “Sacred Ground”, that the Carioca samba was born.

The triangle, which includes the districts of Saúde, Santo Cristo and Gamboa has a great concentration of the City´s popular culture, notably the personalities and entities, linked to the Carioca Carnaval.

The design of Samba City forms a geometrical figure, with factories surrounding the main square. They seem like parts of a group, linking hands, forming a large circle. It is as if the world of the samba were embracing its ancestors, who were around here during the 17th and 18th centuries, bringing the art of African dance and music, to be incorporated today to Brazilian cultural traditions.

The thematic city will transform Samba School activities into a permanent practice. More than a tourist attraction, Samba City has become a production center of genuine Brazilian art.

THE FACTORIES OF SAMBA

. gates measuring 10m wide by 7.5m high allow the passage of the allegoric floats fully assembled.

. Sewing ateliers, hat fashioning room, adornment room and the workshops for polystyrene and fiber glass modeling are located on the highest floor of 2.700m²

. A cargo elevator services all four stories.

. The 12m high ceiling ( void ) assure that the allegories can be assembled in their real size.

. From an outside sidewalk, the visitor will go through all factories, watching the allegories construction from an 8m high balcony.

PERMANENT CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

There are varied activities at the Samba City. Please call the phones: (21) 2213-2503 or (21) 2213-2546
www.cidadedosambarj.com.br.

Paquetá Island

An invitation to tranquility only a few minutes from downtown Rio



A few minutes from the busy metropolis, right in the heart of Guanabara Bay, Paquetá is a gift to cariocas. A tropical island that attracts national and international tourists, it is a perfect natural setting for romance, strolls and fun. Paquetá is indeed a special place to visit beginning with the pleasant journey on a ferry, catamaran or hydroplane across the Bay, with the sea breeze for company. On landing, the visitor will find no traffic of motorized vehicles on the island where bicycles and horse-drawn carriages move on the gravel of streets lined with colorful flamboyant. The streets take up only 10,9 km² of the total area, so the island is noise and pollution free.





Ever-present nature characterizes the place. Paquetá has the 20 only Brazilian baobabs – an African tree that residents call “Maria Gorda” (Fat Mary). Another typical tree is flamboyant, some of the specimens being 100 years old. The name of the island is a Tupi (Brazilian Indian language) word meaning “many shells”, due to the vast quantities that can be found on the beaches of calm and inviting waters. Excursions to Pedra da Moreninha (Moreninha Rock) and Parque Darke de Mattos (Darke de Mattos Park) should not be missed. The park was totally revitalized recently, the re-urbanization works having been carried out by Rio City Hall. In the late afternoon, there is nothing better than watching the sunset. On Morro da Cruz (Hill of the Cross) there is a belvedere that is also a must as it gives a partially panoramic view of the island.







Since 1883 Paquetá has been part of Rio de Janeiro municipality. From the graveled streets one is able to observe buildings of various architectural styles, including the Mansion where D. João VI stayed, and the house that belonged to José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva, the patriarch of independence.

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Endereço: Paquetá
Visitação: Ferries and hydroplanes: departure from Praça XV de Novembro.

what´s good in the tropical country

Very few tourist destinations can offer such varied options as Brazil. Its natural beauties, the enormous popular festivities and the countless protected environmental reserves are valuable attractions that astound the foreign tourist when it comes time to choose a vacation destination. Everyone has already heard about Rio de Janeiro, Carnival, the Amazon or the country’s paradisiacal beaches.

Recent surveys carried out by Embratur (Brazilian Tourism Institute) show that the most sought after Brazilian location is Rio de Janeiro. Also called the Marvelous City, this capital of the state of Rio de Janeiro has some breathtaking scenery and is also home to the largest popular festivity in the world: Carnival. The grandiose celebration, which gathers thousand of merrymakers every year to dance and watch the Samba School parades, attracts a significant number of foreign visitors to the grandstands and box seats that line the Marquês de Sapucaí Avenue.

Carnival is also present in the schedules of several other Brazilian cities, attracting the interest of a great many foreigners who visit Brazil. São Paulo follows Rio’s example, and it too puts on some lively Samba School parades; in Pernambuco, the merrymakers in Olinda and Recife, who dance in the streets in costumes, following music groups on floats and maracatus, and carrying the famous gigantic dolls from the region are the ones who stand out; in Salvador, capital of Bahia, the fun is provided by trios elétricos, mobile stages that pull thousands of people along behind them to the sound of the axé music from Bahia until sunrise.

The country’s beautiful beaches and natural wonders also call people’s attention and attract 35% of the tourists, according to surveys carried out by Embratur. With a coastline that extends more than seven thousand kilometers, Brazil has the privilege of being able to offer several leisure options in this segment. Among the most visited beaches in the country, we have the famous beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana, along the Rio de Janeiro coast; Joaquina, in the south of the country, famous for holding national and international surf championships; Praia do Forte, along the north coast of Bahia, headquarters for the Tamar Project for the preservation of sea turtles; and the wonderful beaches in the Fernando de Noronha archipelago.

And one cannot forget about Ecotourism, the segment that has attracted most new followers over the past few years. According to data from the Ecotourism Society, average annual growth has been between 10% and 15%. Those interested in this type of traveling total 5% of the entire world tourist flow, or approximately 35 million people. And Brazil is one of the destinations with greatest potential in this segment, since it has one of the world icons for ecology and biodiversity: the Amazon, located in the north of the country, with around 5.5 million square kilometers. It is estimated that the forests alone in the Amazon region have 60% of all life forms on the planet – more than half of which are still unknown to science.