Things to consider before traveling to Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro
Between August 5 and 21 will be held Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. That means that the city is preparing to receive tens of thousands of people, both athletes and fans who want to closely follow the sporting event of the year.

Leaving aside all the criticism that the organizers are receiving for security issues or completion of the works, today I am going to focus on all those things that one should know before traveling to one of the most beautiful cities in Brazil, a country that two years ago also benefited from the avalanche of sports tourism, although on that occasion it had to do with the celebration of the FIFA World Cup.

Basic information

Rio de Janeiro is the second most populous city in Brazil, although it is number one in what tourism it means. There are almost 6 and a half million inhabitants in a total area of ​​1,182 square kilometers.


It is located in the southeast of the country and is famous for its lively carnivals and its colorful beaches, being that of Copacabana one of the best known and most visited in South America. The climate is tropical, so summers are hot and winters are rather moderate. The official language is Portuguese and the time difference is 5 hours compared to the Spanish summer (4 hours compared to the Spanish winter).

Rio de Janeiro beach

Banknotes and visas

If you are traveling for tourism, you will not need a visa unless you are going to spend more than 90 days there. With the passport, as long as it has a minimum validity of six months, it will be enough. You will also have to show the round trip ticket, a voucher that justifies your economic capacity to spend a few days there (50 euros a day per person) and the papers that justify your accommodation.


The price of a direct round trip ticket to Rio de Janeiro usually ranges from 1,500 euros from Madrid, although everything depends on demand and the time of year. The airport is always the Antonio Carlos Jobim - Galeão, which is half an hour from the city center.

Rio de Janeiro airport

Health and vaccines

The misdeeds of the Aedes Aegypti mosquito force to take precautions. It can transmit chikungunya fever, dengue and the famous zika virus, so you should use repellents every day and avoid drinking tap water. It is also recommended to be careful with the consumption of fruits and vegetables.


Although it is not necessary to be vaccinated, it is highly recommended to be vaccinated against rubella, measles and yellow fever. Vaccination to prevent this last disease is mandatory if you come from countries like Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina and most of those on the African continent.

Zika virus

Things you shouldn't forget

Take comfortable clothes without forgetting that it is important to take something warm for what can happen. The most important thing, besides the swimsuit, is a good mosquito repellent that you can find in pharmacies. I also recommend taking a cap to protect yourself from the sun and avoid sunstrokes. On the other hand, it does not hurt to take medications with the corresponding medical prescriptions.

accommodation

There is everything, so you choose. In Rio de Janeiro you will find modest hotels that mix with luxury ones. Tall buildings with sea views compete with another approach with proposals for Airbnb, which has become one of the main sponsors of the Rio Olympics knowing that it will give them a lot of publicity.

If you can afford it, spend the money it takes to be in a good area of ​​the city. Unfortunately the delinquency It is the daily bread in those parts, so being in a bad neighborhood can multiply the chances that you will be the victim of a robbery.

Recommended article: The most important cities in Brazil

Visit Rio - What To Know Before You Visit Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (March 2024)


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