Camila & Zane’sCarnival Wedding Celebration Guide

General Information and a few Safety Tips

• Bringing only what you need for the day
• Keeping your phone in a front pocket, zippered bag, or crossbody bag
• Look around you before you take your phone out to text or take a picture
• Leaving passports, expensive jewelry, and unnecessary valuables at your hotel
• Staying aware of your surroundings in large crowds
• Taxis and Ubers are typically $5–$10 to anywhere in Rio, but keep your windows up when in a taxi or Uber
• Every establishment takes cards, even the street vendors, and we recommend you don’t take out any cash. It’s not necessary.
• Always double-check the dollar/real (Brazilian real) amount displayed on the card machine screen before you tap. A common tourist trap is a vendor typing in an extra zero.
• Never tap your card if the machine screen is broken, cracked, or completely blank. Insist on a different machine or walk away.
• “Can you watch this?”: Locals (Cariocas) do this constantly. If you need to dip in the water, it is standard practice to ask a neighboring family or a beach kiosk (barraca) worker to watch your towel. Do not do this for anyone asking. Immediately find and secure your possessions. There is a 2nd person coming up behind, usually digging a hole close by to stash your bag. There are hundreds of stolen bags uncovered at the end of the night when the city turns over the sand.
• Ask for prices first: Beach vendors do not print menus. Always ask the price of an açaí, coconut water, or chair rental before you sit down or accept it to avoid the unofficial “gringo tax”.
• Wear and bring sunscreen with you every day, the sun is brutal.
• The waves at Leblon, Ipanema, and Copacabana look beautiful but have incredibly strong undercurrents and sudden drops. Swim only where you see local families swimming.
• Although most places have wifi, call your cell provider and add international data (usually $10 a day) or get a data pack international SIM card for Brazil from the Airalo app
• Download the Uber app for transportation (to and from the airport) and iFood app (for late night cravings)
• If you like to shop, you can find great clothes and gifts in Rio. Visit Shopping Leblon and Rua Garcia D’Ávila in Ipanema. These items cost a lot less than they do in the United States.
• There is a lot of water around, 3 world class beaches within walking distance, bring your swimsuit just in case.
• Flip flops and swim trunks are perfect for casual lunch spots right by the beach. However, dinner at most restaurants is a bit different. You do not need to dress up in fancy clothes, but you should avoid wearing beachwear at night.
• The saying “Tudo bem” will be said to you morning, noon, night, and for every occasion, it means “How are you? Everything good?” Which you reply with the same “Tudo bem” (“All good”).
• When you are introduced to someone new (female only) at a party, dinner, bar, or on the street, you both do air kisses on the cheek to each other (right then left). It’s weird not to do this and you’ll be considered cold and awkward if you don’t. Zane is still getting used to this.

Overall, the atmosphere is incredibly fun and welcoming, just use common sense, especially during the busiest street parties.