The Rio Code

Concierge & Travel Support Services

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The Rio Code

Rio 2016 Olympics

Rio de Janeiro is a vibrant city in its own right. If the 2014 World Cup is any indication, expect more of everything. The Marvelous City is due for a dramatic increase in activity, excitement, and tourism. There are estimated to be as many as 500,000 people planning to visit. Anyone experiencing Rio for the first time is in for a treat.

At the same time, there is a lot of news circulating regarding zika, water pollution, danger, Brazil's lack of preparedness, etc. Parts of each story are true. Every country has its issues and emerging nations can have special issues. We advise you not to expect precision nor perfection. What makes Rio de Janeiro special is the charm of the city, the people, and the Carioca energy.

Expect the 2016 Olympics in Rio to be a great experience. Rio de Janeiro has something for everyone: individuals, couples, groups, and families. We know that those that come prepared, will have the best time. Learn what to expect, plan accordingly, and start planning now.

Expect

Expect . . .

to vacation in a beautiful, big city. Rio is Not Club Med.
prices to be higher than normal
increased security
increased fraud and theft
to have people looking to take advantage of you
a more and less tourist friendly environment

a country where people speak some English but not as much as you think

that Portuguese is spoken in Brazil. It is not the same as Spanish.
Long lines
people from all over the world
lots of parties and celebrating
mild weather (mid-70s) because it will be winter in sub-tropical Rio
- sunset about 5:30pm
- cooler, drier weather, fewer mosquitos (minimal zika threat)
to have fun
to see a lot of poverty
to see a lot of beauty in the people as well as the culture

Plan

Plan . . .

to get some counsel so that you can be prepared for a great trip
to secure a person or source to help you navigate Rio's:
- local transportation system
- non-touristy locations (most fun)
- tourist and local attractions
- lodging options
to make your restaurant reservations in advance
for long lines and operational inefficiency
to eat at kiosks on the beach and prepare for the fact that customer service is not that great
to get your tickets for Olympic events through official channels.
your site seeing and side trips in advance
to learn a few phrases in Portuguese
to inform your bank and credit card company that you will be traveling
to bring a chip-enabled card to minimize credit card fraud. And never let your card out of your site
to leave your jewelry at home. Don't make yourself a target

The Rio Code team believes we have the best service to assist you with your Rio experience in our Virtual Concierge and Concierge TRC offerings. In any case, be sure to talk to someone. Welcome! We hope you come to love Rio de Janeiro as we do.

Trusted Advice

Lodging

Rio de Janeiro, like most major cities, has options for lodging to fit every budget. There are hotels, hostels, apartments, rooms for rent, pousadas (like a BnB), etc. There are several factors experienced travelers to Brazil keep in mind.

Exchange rates are currently great but expect lodging to be expensive and scarce during the 2016 Olympics.
Recognize that luxury is relative and different in different countries. Set expectations accordingly.
Be sure to have a plan to confirm that all of the amenities listed in your place are in order - especially high-speed internet, hot water, water pressure, and electrical outlets.

TripAdvisor, AirBnB, and HomeAway can help you select lodging for your trip. However, for assurance and peace of mind, The Rio Code can validate and confirm that you are actually going get what you reserved. We go see the actual location and provide a candid review of the building, its support staff, the surrounding neighborhood, actual proximity to transporation and attractions, etc. Pictures can ony tell so much. We know, we have experienced it. This service is included as part of our TRC Concierge package. Otherwise it is available for a nominal fee.

Apartments & Rooms

Airbnb
HomeAway
Facebook
Apt. Brokers

Hotels
Posadas
Hostels

High Season

Low Season

Popular Neighborhoods for Tourists

Copacabana
Ipanema
Leblon
Barra da Tijuca
Niteroi
Botafogo
Laranjeiras
Centro/Lapa

Churrasco
- Brazilian BBQ. It is grilled rather than slow-smoked. Also no BBQ sauce
Meat
- Beef is the most popular protein source in Rio. There is ample fish but beef and chicken are mainstays.
Sal e Alho
- Brazilians use more salt than Americans on average. Expect salt and garlic. Flavorful but not spicy.
Lanchonetes
- On virtually every corner, these juice bar/snack shops have sandwiches, fries, and Brazilian snacks.

Rodízio
Restaurants
- Rodizio means all you can eat for a set price. Popular at buffets and some local pizza places.
A Quilo
Restaurants
- Buffet style restaurants. Food priced per kilogram. Prices vary by location and food selection.
Buffet
"Caution"
- Go to buffets during high patronage hours to ensure the freshest food. Lunch time is optimal.
Prato
Executivo
- Most restaurants serve large family portions. Prato executivo is portioned for one person.

Churrasco - Brazilian BBQ. It is grilled rather than slow-smoked. Also no BBQ sauce
Meat - Beef is the most popular protein source in Rio. There is ample fish but beef and chicken are mainstays.
Sal e Alho - Brazilians use more salt than Americans on average. Expect salt and garlic. Flavorful but not spicy.
Lanchonetes - On virtually every corner, these juice bar/snack shops have sandwiches, fries, and Brazilian snacks.
Rodízio Restaurants - Rodizio means all you can eat for a set price. Popular at buffets and some local pizza places.
A Quilo Restaurants - Buffet style restaurants. Food priced per kilogram. Prices vary by location and food selection.
Buffet "Caution" - Go to buffets during high patronage hours to ensure the freshest food. Lunch time is optimal.
Prato Executivo - Most restaurants serve large family portions. Prato executivo is portioned for one person.

Translation

The major difference... We work in two-person collaborative teams to ensure that you receive the correct translation.

One native English speaker that speaks Portuguese
One native Portuguese speaker that speaks English

Live Interaction

Translation Graphic — Think of a scenario...
You are out and about.
You need to get somewhere.
No one around speaks English.
This isn't the time for an app.
You need to speak with
someone that can help.

We provide you with a phone number. You call and hand the phone to the phone to the nearest proprietor, store owner, gas station attendant. We talk to this person, identify where you are and work with him or her to get your point across and get you on your way.

Email & Documents

You will most likely receive email communication and/or documents:

written in Portuguese or
poorly translated into English

This is usually confirmation for your lodging and other logistics. We can properly translate for you.

Signage

Many expats and vistors to Rio de Janeiro are introduced to signs the hard way - resulting in fines and unexpected charges on their credit cards. There are important signs that are not always translated into English. We know what it is like to not know. We can help. Just take a picture and text it to us. We'll text back the translation and what it actually means in context.

Translation Sign photo — Yes... This is a speed trap

Tourism

We offer tour options to popular and non-traditional destinations. We also identify recommend tours, guides, and excursions based upon your travel profile. We offer two concierge packages but can also help with day trips and a la cart services.