FAQs

Question

Are there any COVID travel restrictions to enter Brazil?

Answer

Please talk to your airline to confirm any COVID entry requirements for your flight origin and your nationality. What we can tell from https://www.visitbrasil.com/en/covid/ is US citizens departing from the US need either: 1. Proof of vaccination, printed or in electronic form, in Portuguese, English or Spanish; OR 2. Proof of a negative or not detected antigen test or RT-PCR, taken one day prior to boarding.

Question

Are there direct flights offered from the US to Rio de Janeiro and vice versa?

Answer

Direct Flights As of writing this in December 2022, we have been able to find direct flights to Rio de Janeiro from Miami and Houston. We have found direct return flights from Rio de Janeiro to New York, Miami and Houston. One Stop Flights You will have many more options at your disposal with one stop flights: - Go for an itinerary with a final layover in Miami. The final leg of this journey will travel direct from Miami to Rio de Janeiro. - Go for a one stop itinerary with a layover in São Paulo Guarulhos International Airport (GRU). Rio de Janeiro (GIG or SDU) is less than an hour flight from GRU. Please ask your gate agent what to expect during your layover in GRU: customs, retrieving and re-checking baggage, etc. The signage and staff at GRU airport will be able to assist English speakers. Navigating the layover is extremely easy. Please be aware São Paulo has two airports: GRU and CGH. Avoid itineraries that require you to drive from GRU to CGH for a connecting flight. - Many other one stop flights are offered with connections throughout Latin and South America. For example Panama (PTY) and Bogota (BOG). Please speak with your gate agent about what to expect during layovers in these airports: customs, retrieving and re-checking baggage, etc.

Question

Where else should I travel if I make this a trip?

Answer

Driving distance from Rio: Buzios - Upscale beach and nightlife destination Angra dos Reis - Upscale beach destination with access to Ilha Grande Ilha Grande - Relaxing, undeveloped paradise Paraty - Small coastal, colonial village with pedestrian streets Short Flight: Trancoso - Upscale and bohemian beach town Salvador - Brazil's former capital is renowned for its African-influenced cuisine, music and architecture São Paulo - The largest city in South America, Sao Paulo’s cuisine and art is as multinational as its diverse population of 10 million Iguazu Falls - The largest broken waterfall in the world. Accessible from Brazil and Argentina. Fernando de Noronha - National marine park and ecological sanctuary with jagged coastline and diverse ecosystem Longer flights: Feel free to explore further in South America: Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru and more. If you have any questions please reach out to Gabby and Conor.

Question

What is the best way to travel within Rio de Janeiro?

Answer

Please note shuttles will be provided to and from the welcome dinner, ceremony and reception. Outside of wedding events, we recommend getting around via Uber. We specifically recommend ordering Uber Black tier cars which will match the quality of car you see from UberX in the United States.

Question

Is Rio de Janeiro safe?

Answer

As long as you bring your common sense, Rio de Janeiro will be one of the safest destinations you ever visit. All wedding activities and hotels are located in Rio’s Zona Sul (South Zone) which is extremely safe. We recommend the following: - Keep tourist activities within Zona Sul - Do not walk alone at night, even in Zona Sul. Prefer Ubers in general at night. - Do not visit the favelas (slums) even on a guided tour - Avoid wearing jewelry in the street (Jewelry is fine for wedding events)

Question

Should I bring wedding gifts to Brazil?

Answer

Please do not bring wedding gifts to Brazil. Registry items will already be mailed to a designated address. For all other gifts please mail them to Gabby and Conor’s home address.

Question

Do U.S. citizens need a visa to travel to Brazil?

Answer

No, U.S. citizens do not need a visa if they are traveling to Brazil for tourism, business, transit, artistic or sport activities, with no intention of establishing residence.

Question

Will transportation be provided to and from the hotel for wedding events?

Answer

Dedicated shuttles will be provided to and from the suggested hotels for the Welcome Dinner, Ceremony and Reception. Please review the “travel” page, to find out more about the recommended hotels.

Question

What will the weather be like this time of year?

Answer

While May is the last full month of autumn, temperatures range between 70 - 85 F. This means that we will be at the beach every chance we get!

Question

Should I carry cash (Brazilian Real) while in Brazil?

Answer

Almost all merchants in Brazil accept credit cards. Even the beach vendor selling knick knacks has a credit card reader hanging from his belt. Rely on your credit card as much as possible, but have some cash on hand too.

Question

Is it OK to drink tap water in Brazil?

Answer

While tap water in Brazil is considered safe, we recommend consuming only bottled water during your stay.

Question

What should I bring to the beach?

Answer

Beach days in Brazil are much different than the United States. The first thing is to familiarize yourself with the Barraca (pronounced bah-hah-kah). Barracas are essentially full service restaurants on the beach. You will find one every hundred yards. Barracas provide the following for purchase or rental at reasonable rates: - Food (grilled fish, sausage, fries, beef) - Full bar: Ice cold beer, caipirinhas, liquor, water, fresh fruit juices, soft drinks - Fresh coconuts on ice - Beach umbrellas - Beach chairs - Tables for holding drinks and food You will need to bring your own towel and sunscreen. Leave any unnecessary valuables at home. Talk to your hotel about which barraca they recommend. Each barraca has a number and the numbers increment as you move east to west. For example, Barraca do Uruguai is number 80. Some hotels may partner with a barraca to offer chairs and umbrellas for free. Some hotels may also have their own chairs and umbrellas on the beach if you prefer to avoid the barraca experience, although we recommend trying it at least once! Do not be intimidated when you approach the beach. Many barraca vendors will greet you at the entrance and compete for your service. They will all be wearing branded pinnies with the barraca name and number. If you have a specific barraca in mind, look for them. Otherwise choose one at random, they all offer similar experiences and menus. Once you select a barraca they will: - Escort you to their area of the beach - Set up your chairs - Dig and put up an umbrella for you - Take your drink order! Pinnie donned wait staff will constantly move throughout the area if you would like more food or drinks. Now sit back, relax and enjoy a few caipirinhas! When it is time to head home, simply close out your tab with the wait staff. All barracas in our experience accept credit cards.

Question

Do many Brazilians speak English?

Answer

Most Brazilians do not speak English, only Portuguese. However most employees in the hospitality industry also speak English. Staff at the Arpoador, Fasano, Fairmont and Orla are bilingual.

Question

Do you have a hotel block for guests?

Answer

Room blocks are not customary in Brazil, but we encourage you to stay in the suggested hotels– Fairmont Rio de Janeiro Copacabana, Hotel Fasano Rio de Janeiro, Hotel Arpoador, and Orla Copacabana Hotel – as we have arranged transportation to and from these hotels to all wedding events.

Question

Do you have a wedding hashtag?

Answer

Yes, its #gabbygoesgringo! Please share as many pictures with us as possible so that we can all remember this weekend forever!

Question

What is the best way to get to my hotel from the airport?

Answer

We recommend ordering an Uber Black from the airport to your hotel. If you are more comfortable using a scheduled car service then please arrange with your hotel’s concierge.

Question

Is tipping customary in Brazil?

Answer

Brazilians have a friendly reputation, but tipping is not a part of the culture. However they are often direct and clear on money they want or do not expect. Restaurants: A 10% "servico" charge is often added to the bill. While there is no legal obligation to pay it, it's customary to do so. Taxi: Tipping is not expected, but cabbies will often round to the nearest real. Hotel: It's customary to tip for room service, maids and bellboys. No one likes to deal with change in Brazil, even in supermarkets cashiers will round to the nearest five cents.