General Info

[QUOTE=Christopherd]I only use reals but have converted them for convenience in reply to a new poster to the Brasil forum.

The apartment I rent is just off Prado Junior. It's a private rent, and that rate is for a two month period, though it's been the same for several years.

The only exception was last year, when someone had offered my landlady silly money. I share her details with friends (including one or two mongers I've met from ISG and hit it off with) but don't post it on the board or PM it otherwise I'm not likely to get it myself! Plus I like to know who I'm introducing to her. There's some nice guys I've met who would I'm afraid blow it by their attitude (not bad attitude, just un-Brasilian attitude!)

But it's fairly typical of a local rent.

I posted some details of the furnishings etc on the other thread. There's no internet which suits me. If I use the a/c a lot I give her a bit more (some trust involved there, sorry Bubba). Otherwise the 45R a night includes electric and gas. Nicely but not extravagantly furnished - she owns it, so it's like someone's home. Separate kitchen dining area, shower and bathroom, nice bedroom, lovely balcony where I can see the beach or enjoy the sun.

The point is, the more you get to know Rio and the more you pick up the carioca lifestyle, the less things cost you.[/QUOTE]

I have been to the place Chris rents and can vouch for him telling the truth. It is not exactly luxury, but it is not a rat-hole either. It helps that it is a couple of blocks away from the beach.

Even in my two days of interacting with Chris I learned a lot that I had not known in more than 10 previous visits to Rio. I can honestly say he expanded my horizon. It was fun. Of course, in the end I decided that my tastes are a bit different from his, and I am not quite as bargain-conscious. And I really wish we would not have wasted all that money on our trip to that vastly overrated seafood joint :(. But still, it was great fun to hang with Chris.

[QUOTE=Euro100]And I really wish we would not have wasted all that money on our trip to that vastly overrated seafood joint :(.[/QUOTE]
Yeah, it was a bit of an anticlimax - hope it gets deleted from the guides. But it was fun doing it in company, so thanks for that. I'd have been in a bad mood for a fortnight if I'd wasted all that time on my own! :D Have got a list of upmarket restaurants I fancy trying now that aren't quite so far away. Even so, the drive over the hills was quite good.

I should arrive at airport in Rio about 22:00, I read in Bubba Guide, after the 22:00 the Atm stop working, so how to get fresh reais from atm or change money ? In the guide it was referred tonly to atm in the city or also the ones in the airport ?
Thanks....

[QUOTE=Lukasek]I should arrive at airport in Rio about 22:00, I read in Bubba Guide, after the 22:00 the Atm stop working, so how to get fresh reais from atm or change money ? In the guide it was referred tonly to atm in the city or also the ones in the airport ?
Thanks....[/QUOTE]

You are correct, ATMs in the city stop dispensing money after 22:00. However, the ATM at the airport might still be operating at that hour. If you are desperate to exchange for reals when you arrive, you could try exchanging a small amount (e.g. US$50) with one of the black market (dolar paralelo) vendors in the airport arrivals area. You should expect an exchange rate reasonably close to the official rate. At today's commercial rate of 2.3, the dolar paralelo would be about 2.2. These guys are easy to find, just ask one of the taxi dispatchers in the arrivals area. Use normal security precautions, watch your back.

It seems citibank machines are the exception to the rule on shutting down at night. I posted this in my Rio trip report, so find a citibank machine, they still work after 10pm.

[QUOTE=Lukasek]I should arrive at airport in Rio about 22:00, I read in Bubba Guide, after the 22:00 the Atm stop working, so how to get fresh reais from atm or change money? In the guide it was referred tonly to atm in the city or also the ones in the airport?

Thanks[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Lukasek]I should arrive at airport in Rio about 22:00, I read in Bubba Guide, after the 22:00 the Atm stop working, so how to get fresh reais from atm or change money ? In the guide it was referred tonly to atm in the city or also the ones in the airport ?

Thanks....[/QUOTE]Well you can go to help and change us dollars or euro's. Other than that all major hotels along copacabana will change euro's or us dollars.

[QUOTE=Poucolouco]You are correct, ATMs in the city stop dispensing money after 22:00. However, the ATM at the airport might still be operating at that hour. If you are desperate to exchange for reals when you arrive, you could try exchanging a small amount (e.g. US$50) with one of the black market (dolar paralelo) vendors in the airport arrivals area. You should expect an exchange rate reasonably close to the official rate. At today's commercial rate of 2.3, the dolar paralelo would be about 2.2. These guys are easy to find, just ask one of the taxi dispatchers in the arrivals area. Use normal security precautions, watch your back.[/QUOTE]

This is not 100% right, certain ATM's eg the one in the chemist shop across from Barbarellas work 24/7 but unfortunately only give you about R$100 at a cost of 6%, I may be wrong about the exact amount and % but I know I have been there at 4am and thought "Shit is that all I am getting". Almost gives you a putas perspective. However it is enough for a taxi and a few beers. Any GDP worth the effort won't want paying up front anyway and you are guaranteed an all nighter if she has to wait until the banks open.
If you need to pay for a taxi into town from the airport pay by credit card in the arrivals hall. Not cheap but safe and fast.

[QUOTE=Lukasek]I should arrive at airport in Rio about 22:00, I read in Bubba Guide, after the 22:00 the Atm stop working, so how to get fresh reais from atm or change money ? In the guide it was referred tonly to atm in the city or also the ones in the airport ?

Thanks....[/QUOTE]Hi Lukasek,

For changing money late there are a few 24/7 ATM's. I recommend the City Bank ATM's. I frequently use the one in Visconde Do Piraja oposite of the park Nuestra senhora de paz.

Chico

Thanks all...Yes now I remember Bubba wrote at Help they change money with a good rate ( I have the reason to go there 1 minute later I arrive LOL ) and I did not think about hotels....I am packing my clothes and I simply cannot wait to be back to Brazil...

[QUOTE=Goga Fung]Christopherd, thank you for the useful info.

Is basic/intermediate Spanish enough to get by in Brazil/Rio, or I better learn some Portugese?[/QUOTE]Let me ask you this:

I want to visit the US, is basic or intermediate French enough to get by in the US?

Seriously, Brasilians may understand you but when they speak in Portuguese, the majority of it will fly over your head because even tough in writting, Portuguese and Spanish are very similar, in pronunciation, they are very different because of the different portuguese sounds. So while basic or intermediate Spanish may help you a bit to get by, it wont be enough to truly enjoy Brasil. For that, it will require Portuguese, Brasilian Portuguese that is.

Good luck.

What is Rede Orla Video? I am connecting my laptop and i see that as a wireless option. THX

Cable tv. The lady who rented my apartment, didnt tell me until after i had paid that the place does not have cable tv. I told her that it was important that she have it installed. Is it true that you have to sign a 12 month contract to have cable put in? You cant just have it installed for a couple of months?

[QUOTE=Bravo]Cable tv. The lady who rented my apartment, didnt tell me until after i had paid that the place does not have cable tv. I told her that it was important that she have it installed. Is it true that you have to sign a 12 month contract to have cable put in? You cant just have it installed for a couple of months?[/QUOTE]

First, check with your condominium to see what cable companies service your building. From my experience with both TVA and NET, you can tell the cable company that you only want it for a short period, say 2 months. They will tell you it's no problem you just have to call them when you want to terminate.

Then when you get ready to cancel, getting it terminated is like pulling teeth. You call them and they listen to your story and then they keep transfering you to another person until you lose your patience and hang up. It usually takes several phone calls to accomplish this. Then they will have to make an appointment for a technician to come to your place and pick up the cable converter. You must get a receipt for the converter because they will try to bill you for it later. Neither TVA nor NET has an office where you can drop off the converter. The phone company Telemar used to have an alliance with TVA and you could drop off the converter at a Telemar store. I'm not sure if this can still be accomplished. As an alternative, you might consider some sort of financial arrangement with your landlady to terminate the cable agreement when you depart.

[QUOTE=Bravo]What is Rede Orla Video? I am connecting my laptop and i see that as a wireless option. THX[/QUOTE]

That might be the free wireless available on the beachfront. I cannot remember the exact name of it.

Happy New Year to you all, and a link to a very sexy and funny Brazilian advertisment for cerveja antartica:

[url]http://www.tatuagemdaboa.com.br/[/url]

Wait a little bit until the lady totaly appears and then you have to fill your name, a friend's name or your nickname, don't have to give your adress, and push "visualizar". And laugh!