Rio de Janerio Travel Guide
Home to the world’s biggest carnival, its most famous beach, and the birthplace of samba, Rio’s reputation as a good-time town is well-deserved. There is something new for even the most seasoned traveller.
When is the best time to visit Rio de Janeiro?
In Rio expect high temperatures and high humidity between December and March. This also happens to be peak season, beginning with New Year celebrations and closing out with the famous Carnival. During this time, the atmosphere is electric but the beaches are busy and the prices typically higher. From January to April expect sporadic and intense rainfall, with April being typically the wettest month. If you want to visit Rio at its least crowded then either between April and June or from September to November are your best bet. May to September has the least rainfall and are the coolest months with temperatures typically a steady 20C, although can fall as low as 14C, which for locals means full winter jackets!
Travelling to Rio de Janeiro?
The main airport for Rio is Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG), popularly known as Galeão, and is serviced by most international airlines. The smaller more central Santos Dumont (SDU) handles domestic flights. To get from either airport to Rio proper by taxi, it is safe to get the ‘Táxi Comun’ from the taxi ranks outside the terminal. They charge a metered rate while taxis booked inside the terminal charge a higher, flat rate. That flat rate can be between R$70 and R$130 from Galeão and around R$40 from Santos Dumont. There is also an airport shuttle that costs approximately R$23 from Santos Dumont and R$30 from the Galeão to the Copacabana, Ipanema, and Leblon areas.
Getting around Rio de Janeiro
Public Transport in Rio de Janeiro
The metro in Rio de Janeiro is air conditioned and efficient with three main lines. The primary line travels from Ipanema, through Copacabana, Botafogo all the way to Centro. Try to avoid traveling at peak times between 8am and 10am and from 5pm until 8pm. The BRT, or Bus Rapid Transit, with dedicated bus lanes around the tourist hot spots of Barra, Leblon, Ipanema and Copacabana, has significantly sped up journey times compared to the old fragmented bus network.
Cycle hire in Rio de Janeiro
Cycling in Rio is an easy-going option as the bike lanes are well-paved and the ground mostly flat. Bike Rio is the public bicycle sharing scheme for the city, to register you will need to download the app.
Cabs in Rio de Janeiro
Taxi apps such as Uber, EasyTaxi and 99Taxis are available. When hailing a taxi on the street, aim to take one from a registered taxi stand as it is not recommended to take unlicensed cabs.
Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR): Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) program benefits are available for new bookings made through American Express Travel with participating properties and are valid only for eligible Platinum Charge Card Members and Centurion® Members. Platinum Credit Card Members who are not also Australian Platinum Charge Card Members or Centurion® Members, are not eligible for FHR program benefits. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be travelling on the itinerary booked. Noon check-in and room upgrade are subject to availability and are provided at check-in; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property. The US$100 credit will be applied to eligible charges up to the amount of the credit. To receive the US$100 credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. The type and value of the daily breakfast (for two) varies by property; breakfast will be valued at a minimum of US$60 per room per day. To receive the breakfast credit, the breakfast bill must be charged to your hotel room. The breakfast credit will be applied at check-out. If the cost of Wi-Fi is included in a mandatory property fee, a daily credit of that amount will be applied at check-out. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members travelling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional FHR benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the property reserve the right to modify or revoke FHR benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you may have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your FHR benefits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in USD or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for FHR program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, please call the number on the back of your Card.
The Hotel Collection Terms and Conditions
The Hotel Collection (THC): The Hotel Collection (THC) benefits are available for new bookings of two consecutive nights or more, with participating properties, made through Platinum Travel Service, Centurion Travel Service or American Express Travel Online (americanexpress.com.au/travel or americanexpress.com.au/thc; Online bookings currently only available to Primary Card Members. Bookings are valid only for eligible Card Members of the following American Express Cards: American Express® Rewards Advantage Card, American Express® Explorer Credit Card, American Express® Platinum Reserve Credit Card, American Express® Gold Card, American Express® Gold Business Card, American Express® Business Gold Plus Card, American Express® Platinum Card, American Express® Platinum Business Card and American Express® Centurion Card. Excludes Gold Credit Card Members who are not also Australian Rewards Advantage, Gold or Platinum Charge Card Members. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be travelling on the itinerary booked to be eligible for benefits described. Noon check-in, late check-out and the room upgrade are subject to availability; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the US$100 credit will be applied to eligible charges up to US$100. To receive the US$100 credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The US$100 credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional THC benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the Property reserve the right to modify or revoke the THC benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your THC benefits. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in US Dollars or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for THC program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.
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