What's the best time to visit Rio de Janeiro?
Rio is an all-year destination, at its hottest Jan-Mar (humid with tropical showers, occasionally over 40°C during the day). It can be cool and drizzly Jul-Aug but the sun is never far away. Late Dec-Feb (and to a lesser extent Jul) are local holiday times and can be very busy.
For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.
How do I get local currency in Rio de Janeiro?
Brazilian Real.
Notes can be withdrawn from the ATMs at the airport and in town. Banco do Brasil, Bradesco and HSBC accept UK credit or debit cards. Limits may be lower than your UK bank allows. ATMs close at 10pm. Currency also obtainable in banks and money exchanges.
What's the time difference between Rio de Janeiro and UK?
GMT -3 hours. There is daylight saving from Oct- end Feb (approx) when clocks are put forward one hour.
What places combine well with Rio de Janeiro?
Beach time in Búzios (136 km by road) or Ilha Grande on the Costa Verde (136 km); Paratí, quaint and arty colonial port surrounded by rainforested hills (236 km); Petropolis, former summer seat of the Emperor, in the tropical mountains behind Rio, (68 km, 1.5 hours by road); Ouro Preto, exquisite colonial city in the mountains of Minas Gerais (280 km); Iguazú Falls (2 hours approx by air); Salvador da Bahía in the northeast (2 hours by air).
What's the flight time between Rio de Janeiro and UK?
Average flight time to Rio is 11 hours. Two airlines offer direct flights. There are flights with European connections to many other major cities.
What are the festivals, cultural and sport events in Rio de Janeiro?
Reveillon: New Year’s Eve, 2 million white-clad Cariocas descend on Copacabana beach to celebrate the Festa de Iemanjá, launching candlelit boats on the Ocean. Fireworks and music accompany the fun.
Carnival: 5 days in Feb/Mar, variable. Apart from the world famous parades in the purpose-built sambadrome there are street processions, live bands, costume balls, over-indulgence and general frivolity.
If you still have questions, please contact us and one of our Travel Experts will be happy to help.
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