Destination: Rio de Janeiro
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PORTUGUESE is the language spoken. A Romance language derived from Latin, it is actually closer to French than to Spanish. Spanish is considered a foreign language in Rio, but many cab drivers and hospitality professionals speak it in an effort to bridge the language barrier.
REAL is the local currency. Downtown and most Zona Sul, or South Zone, neighborhoods are dotted with Casas de Câmbio (exchange bureaus), many located inside travel agencies. Most U.S.-issued credit and debit cards will work at HSBC and Citibank ATMs; however, if you’re used to withdrawing cash from regional banks all over the world, you may discover that most Brazilian bank ATMs don’t recognize international bank cards. So be sure to bring traveler’s checks, especially if you plan to travel outside the metropolitan area.
THE PHONE CODE is 21—no need to dial it when calling a local number.
AEROPORTO ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM is the international airport, sixteen miles from the South Zone. Locals know it as Galeão (literally, galleon); its code is GIG. Average transfer time to most South Zone destinations is forty minutes.
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