Because we want you to enjoy every second of our special celebration — safely, fully, and stress-free!
Rio de Janeiro, and Brazil in general, will be a completely new destination for many visitors. Therefore, we’d like to provide some information on how to get there, transportation, and accommodation.

Check Visa Requirements & Vaccines. Depending on your nationality and your travel route, a visa or vaccinations might be needed.

• Good to know: If you’re only visiting Rio de Janeiro, no vaccines are officially required.

• But if you’re heading to the jungle, the Amazon, or rural areas, you might need a yellow fever vaccine — so double-check early!

Rio de Janeiro has two airports:

• GIG – RIOgaleão International

• SDU – Santos Dumont

International flights only land at GIG, with many direct flights from European airlines. The only direct flight from Germany usually departs from Frankfurt (Lufthansa). From the airport, the best way to reach your accommodation is to take a taxi. We don’t recommend using public transportation, as the airport is relatively far from the city center and there are no direct bus lines to the airport!

For those flying with the Brazilian airline LATAM, for example, you can choose SDU as your destination airport. Long-haul flights typically land in São Paulo first, requiring a connecting flight. SDU is much closer to downtown Rio, and offers a stunning first view of Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer right from the plane!

IMPORTANT: Passengers flying via São Paulo will need to collect and recheck their luggage there. Customs control in Brazil always happens at the first point of arrival.

We have ATMs, but bring Brazilian money with you (reais). Today the quotarion is 1 euro = +/-  6,5 reais.

Rio de Janeiro is a large city with frequently congested streets and heavy traffic. The main reason for this is the relatively underdeveloped public transportation system. Although there is a subway with 4 lines, its network is limited, though it covers most tourist areas and attractions. 

The simplest transportation options remain taxis and Uber, and we definitely recommend using Uber Comfort or Uber Black. The prices are significantly lower than those of taxis and often more economical than the subway, especially for larger groups. 

Additionally, you can enter your destination directly into the international Uber app, avoiding any communication issues. The price is shown immediately, and you can pay with European payment methods (PayPal, credit card, etc.). If the price seems unexpectedly high, it's worth waiting 2-3 minutes and trying again. A short 10-minute ride shouldn’t cost more than 15 Reais, while longer trips (such as to the airport) generally won’t exceed 60-70 Reais.

There are as many accommodations in Rio as there are grains of sand, especially in the neighborhoods of Copacabana and Ipanema, which offer a wide variety of hotels for every budget. The coastline is lined with hotels from all the major international chains, although rooms with ocean views tend to be expensive. However, many of the larger hotels are somewhat outdated.

In addition to hotels, there is a wide range of vacation apartments available on platforms like Airbnb, providing the security of a trusted international portal.

Location:
We highly recommend staying in the South Zone (Zona Sul) of Rio. This area is more international and expensive, but it’s also the heart of the city’s tourist life. Here you'll find the famous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, as well as iconic landmarks like Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain.

We especially recommend the neighborhoods of Ipanema, Leblon, and Copacabana. These areas feature the most beautiful beaches and an abundance of restaurants and shops.

On the other hand, we do not recommend the Centro and Lapa neighborhoods as places to stay. Centro is best visited during the day, especially on weekdays, while Lapa comes to life at night with vibrant nightlife, but is quite quiet during the day.

🍴 Where to eat in Copacabana & Ipanema:

• Café Colombo: A beautiful, historic place for coffee, snacks or a full meal.

• Churrascaria (Brazilian BBQ): For the full “all you can eat meat” experience. Try Fogo de Chão or Churrascaria Palace.

• Italian food & Pizza Rodízio (yes, all you can eat pizza exists!): Try Caravelle or Mamma Jamma.

• Fresh Juice & Açaí stands on every corner – don’t miss it!

Most well-known supermarket chains:

• Zona Sul (lots of branches in Copacabana)

• Pão de Açúcar

• Guanabara (big and affordable, more local vibe)

💧Drink Smart

• Tap water = no-go. Always drink bottled or filtered water, even when brushing your teeth.

•Download Airalo or another e-SIM provider to get internet as soon as you land.

With mobile data, you can use WhatsApp (every Brazilian lives on it) and Uber.

Rio is a vibrant, magical city, but like any big city, it’s good to be cautious.

• Leave the bling at home: Avoid wearing flashy jewelry.

• Don’t flash cash: Keep your money/cards safe, and avoid showing your phone too much on the street.

• Use a crossbody bag or money belt.

• Only bring what you need for the day — less is more.

• At night, take Uber rather than walking long distances.

Bring your sunscreen , your sense of adventure, and your dancing shoes — you’re in for an unforgettable time in Brazil!

We can’t wait to celebrate with you! 💛💚💙

With love,

Roberta & Olivier