Spotlight: Rio de Janeiro
Land of caipirinhas, samba and the world's best-known Carnaval
Rio de Janeiro is majestic and magical, and will keep calling back long after one's departure. The city is gearing up for the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics with infrastructure and safety improvements, however any time is a good time for a Brazilian adventure. Visit the famous (and very crowded) Posto 9 beach in Ipanema, take in a cocktail at the Copacabana Hotel and dine or shop in the upscale Leblon area. Those with extra time may want to explore nearby in beautiful Florianópolis or Buzios beach towns.
Must
See Sight
Corcovado (the big Jesus statue who stands atop Rio)
Predominant
Language
Portuguese
Most
memorable experience
Going to Salgueiro Samba School in the weeks leading
up to Carnaval. Samba “schools” are not samba classes led by instructors, but more categorize the performers representing a local
district at the annual Carnaval parade. One will experience an infectious mix
of Portuguese and African rhythms, beats and music from brass and percussion
instruments. It’s a cultural nightlife experience filled with lots of dancing, revelry
and a taste of being a true carioca (Rio local).






Best
places for a single girl or groups of girls to go out
Lapa. This is where the historic
aqueduct once existed, however now there exist around the “Arcs of Lapa” many
nightclubs including the many-floored and roomed Scenarium, to suit all musical flavors and tastes. The scene in the summertime
lasts until the wee hours of the morning.
If you're central and looking for some nightclubs, try Baronetti on Rua Barão da Torre (popular among young, trendy hipsters) and the exclusive club above Boox restaurant. Dress chic, there's a tough door policy! Londres nightclub at the Fasano Hotel is also worth a pass-through.
Brazil has some of the best sushi, so don't miss Sushi Leblon. Book in advance.
Safety & Medical Tips
Walking alone and at night
Safety Scale - 2: Recommended that you
walk in groups and/or chaperoned by a male(s)
Perceptions of safety in Rio de Janeiro vary widely among travelers. From experience, common sense and street-smarts are of the utmost importance. It is advised not to go looking for trouble outside of popular areas, especially not in favelas where one has no business being unless entering with a local/locals. When walking around alone at night, stick only to well-lit areas before 9 or 10pm. Afterwards try to walk with a small group or at least a friend, preferably male.
Male tourists are likelier targets of burglary and corruption. Experience has seen routine traffic stops end in collusion between the cop and the cab driver to procure a few hundred Brazilian reais. Looking or acting like a naïve tourist probably doesn't help in these situations. Be polite, courteous, cooperative and carry ID.

A pop-up pre-Carnaval street party
Popular over-the-counter drugs for cold/flu symptoms: Cataflan, Ponstan,
Naprosyn, Biofenac, Feldene, Profenid
Over-the-counter drugs available for curing women’s infections
The use of a single-dose Fluconazol
and Itraconazol is a very
well accepted approach because the treatment lasts only one day. You can use
them alone or in combination with their topical versions.
Process to acquire birth control pills
You do not need to have a prescription in order to buy birth
control pills in Brazil. A recommended brand is called Harmonet. The
morning-after pill is also readily available in many drugstores, called “pílula
do dia seguinte.”
There is also 24-hour multi-lingual clinic in Rio de Janeiro called the Clínica Galdino Campos.
Address:
492 Ave. N. S. Copacabana
Copacabana - Rio de Janeiro - RJ
CEP. 22020-001 Tel.: (+55 - 21) 2548-9966
E-mail: clinica@galdinocampos.com.br

Contributed by Shindy Chen & Daniela Justi
Photos by Shindy Chen
Daniela & Shindy lived in Rio de Janeiro. Daniela is from Campinas, and also lived in São Paulo.