address books

Special report - Rio-Manaus: Carioca festival and opera myth

Rio-Manaus: Carioca fiesta and opera myth
Brazil: address book

Brazil: address book

By The Editor -

Published on 13/12/2011

IDENTITY CARD

Formalities : passport valid for six months.
Area code : + 55. Rio area code: 021. Manaus area code: 092.
Time difference : between -3h and - 5h.
Language : Portuguese. English is frequently spoken in Rio; a little less so in Manaus, except in the big hotels.
Currency : the real. 1 euro = 2.40 reais.
Best season: Rio: June to September, i.e. during the austral winter. The nights are cool, but the temperatures are very pleasant during the day. Amazonia: during the dry season from July to December. The rest of the year, the rains can be torrential, but as sudden as they are brief.
Group size : They can be very large in number, particularly in Rio. More confidential in Manaus.
Safety : There's no denying that violence does exist in Brazil, but in the end it has very little to do with visitors. Especially if they are travelling in groups, and even more so if they are on incentive trips. Nevertheless, the usual precautions should be taken: no valuable jewellery, no going out at night in certain areas, etc. In this respect, Manaus is infinitely safer than Rio.

TO FIND OUT MORE

BRAZIL TOURISM OFFICE
34, cours Albert 1er. 75008 Paris. Tel: 01 45 61 63 18/76
E-mail : ebt.fr@embratur.gov.br
Internet: http://www.visitbrasil.com/ and turismo.gov.br

PRACTICAL GUIDES

Guide du Routard, Brésil 2012 ; Guide Evasion Brésil ; Footprint, Gallimard ; Petit Fûté Brésil, Petit Fûté Nordeste-Amazonie, Petit Fûté Rio...

GETTING THERE

TAM, the Brazilian airline, operates a daily flight, except Sundays, from Paris-CDG (terminal 1) to Rio. The same airline links Rio to Manaus, non-stop, twice a day. General public tel. : 01 53 53 80 00 . Tel. for professionals: 01 53 75 65 65
Internet: www.tam.com.br

AIR FRANCE offers two daily flights to Rio from Paris CDG. There are also connections to Manaus on the Brazilian airline GOL from Rio, as well as from Sao Paulo. Tel.: 0820 320 820
Internet: www.airfrance.com RIO

RIO

HOTELS

COPACABANA PALACE Right in the centre of the Avenida Atlantica, the Copacabana Palace has played host to all the crowned heads and Oscar winners that Rio has seen since it was built in 1923. It's certainly not the most fashionable place in Rio, but the legend doesn't rule out a touch of modernity, as demonstrated in 2009 by the opening of the Bar do Copa and the introduction of free internet access throughout the building.

The only concern is the environment, in a Copacabana district that has lost some of its superbness to Ipanema and Leblon. Avenida Atlântica, 1702. Tel: +55 21 2548 7070
E-mail : reservas@copacabanapalace.com.br
Internet : www.copacabanapalace.com

SOFITEL RIO DE JANEIRO COPACABANA Taken over by Sofitel in 1996, this establishment located at the end of Copacabana is naturally aimed at business travellers passing through Rio, with its twenty or so meeting rooms and 388 rooms, all with a small balcony to enjoy the view over the Avenida Atlantica. The panorama can also be enjoyed from the pool bar and the two restaurants, Atlantis and Pré Catelan. Avenida Atlantica, 4240. Tel: +55 21 2525 1232
E-mail: reservas.sofitelrio@sofitel.com
Internet : www.sofitel.com

HOTEL FASANO The inauguration in 2007 of this temple of design, a symbol of the new-look Carioca hotel industry, has enabled trend-setters to find their base in Ipanema. Philippe Starck's involvement in the project has ensured the originality and clarity of the decor, both in the 91 rooms and in the communal areas. The must: the swimming pool on the roof, where you can enjoy a truly incomparable view of this legendary beach. Avenida Vieira Souto, 80 - Tel: +55 21 3202 4000
E-mail: rio@fasano.com.br
Internet: www.fasano.com.br

CAESAR PARK Before the Fasano was built, Caesar Park was virtually the only possible stopover for a top-of-the-range traveller on Ipanema beach. The hotel remains at the top of the list, for its exceptional location on Copacabana, its views over the beach from the 222 rooms and suites and from the new convention centre which can accommodate up to 200 participants. Avenida Vieira Souto, 460. Tel: +55 21 2525 2525
E-mail: rioreservas@come-to-brazil.com
Internet: www.caesarpark-rio.com

HOTEL SANTA TERESA Admittedly, it's a long way from the beach. But we're in one of Rio's most charming neighbourhoods, perched just a few minutes by tram from the city centre. Affiliated with Relais & Châteaux, this boutique hotel with around forty suites nestled in a former coffee fazenda in the middle of tropical gardens is probably the most elegant place to stay in the city. It has a swimming pool, of course, but also a spa, a splendid wooded meeting room and certainly one of the best gourmet restaurants in Rio. Rua Almirante Alexandrino, 660. Tel: +55 21 3380 0200
E-mail: reservas@santateresahotel.com
Internet: www.santa-teresa-hotel.com

RESTAURANTS

MARIUS This rodizio Marius, the chic restaurant in the Leme district, is one of Rio's most famous restaurants and an ideal stop-off for business groups. Marius is a meat lover's dream come true. Throughout the meal, waiters bustle around serving appetising cuts of everything that Brazil has to offer in the way of choice meats. Seafood is no exception to the quality tradition of the place. Avenida Atlantica, 290. Tel: +55 21 2104 9000
Internet: www.marius.com.br

APRAZIVEL For a stopover in the bohemian district of Santa Teresa, this restaurant perfectly reflects the spirit of the place. The cuisine delves deep into the roots of Brazilian gastronomy. One of the house specialities is "tropical fish", with orange sauce, coconut rice and cooked bananas. Very tropical indeed... Rue Aprazivel, 62 . Tel: +55 21 2508 9174
E-mail: www.aprazivel.com.br
Internet: www.aprazivel.com.br

THE MUSTS

CORCOVADO Since the inauguration of Christ the Redeemer in 1931, Paul Landowski's masterpiece that has become the symbol of the city, Corcovado has received almost 600,000 visitors a year, attracted not only by the statue but also by the exceptional view over the city and the bay.

SUGAR BREAD From the summit, there is an incomparable panorama of the Santa Cruz da Barra fortress, Copacabana beach and, in the distance, Corcovado and the Tijuca forest.

JARDIM BOTANICO Further proof that it is possible to find a little plant-based peace in the hustle and bustle of Carioca. This magical place has several areas that can be made private.

COPACABANA FORT Situated just between Copacabana and Ipanema, this early 20th-century fort is now a conservatory of military art, as well as a cultural centre with several of its rooms open to groups.

MANAUS

HOTELS

PARK SUITES MANAUS The hotel, a 17-storey tower with 350 rooms and suites, may be a little out of the way of the city centre, but it takes huge advantage of this by offering an exceptional view of the Rio Negro. Half resort - superb infinity pool, tropical park - half business tourism - ten meeting rooms - the Park Suites is undoubtedly one of the establishments best suited to receiving incentive groups in Manaus. The rooms are spacious and modern; some have a private terrace with a 180° view. Excellent restaurant and casual chic service. Avenida Coronel Teixeira, 1320 A. Tel: + 55 92 4009 8200
E-mail. : reservas.pmao@atlanticahotels.com.br.
Internet: www.parkplaza.com or www.atlanticahotels.com.br

TROPICAL MANAUS It looks like an old convent, with an inner courtyard, patios, red-tiled roofs and balconies... The corridors are dotted with tasteful antique furniture; the rooms are obviously matching... The tree-lined swimming pool is simply sublime. Like its neighbour the Park Suites, the hotel is located on the banks of the Rio Negro, and boasts a tropical park that has the luxury of hosting a zoo. 594 rooms and suites, conference centre, 15 meeting rooms, luxury boutiques... Avenida Coronel Teixeira, 1320 Tel: + 55 92 2123 5000
E-mail: reservas.manaus@tropicalhotel.com.br

Internet: www.tropicalmanaus.com.br

LODGES

AMAZON JUNGLE PALACE The Amazon Jungle Palace is an extraordinary affair: a floating hotel on a bend in the river that suddenly appears as a surreal setting. It's 1 hour from Manaus and can only be reached by water, aboard one of the hotel's luxurious private yachts. The jungle overhangs this long lodge, which has 68 suites, like a cathedral of vegetation. It also boasts a surprisingly large convention centre, fully equipped to accommodate 800 people. On the incentive side, the Amazon Jungle Palace is very committed to protecting the environment, and offers a wide range of activities. Restaurant serving Amazonian and international cuisine, swimming pool, bar. Tel.: +55 92 32 12 56 00
E-mail: reservas@amazonjunglepalace.com.br
Internet: www.amazonjunglepalace.com.br

TIWA AMAZONAS ECORESORT Accessible in less than an hour by boat, this delightful lodge is located opposite Manaus, on the right bank of the Rio Negro, which is around ten kilometres wide at this point. Bordered by a white sandy beach, 36 wooden bungalows have been planted on the edge of a crystal-clear lake. Everywhere there are pontoons, hammocks suspended between the trees and ephemeral kiosks with curtains rustling in the breeze. The excellent restaurant serves Amazonian specialities. Including the famous pirarucu cordon bleu! Phone: + 55 92 9134 6020
E-mail : reservas@tiwa.com.br
Internet: tiwa.com.br

RESTAURANT

O LENHADOR It's hard to get more exotic than this restaurant, located just outside Manaus. Set up under a straw hut, it serves a buffet of all the fish of the Amazon, grilled or prepared with the local sauce. Including the inevitable pirarucu - with banana - but also skate and prawns from the Amazon, duck with tucupi sauce and... caiman with Provençal sauce! Avenida do Turismo, 2371 -Taruma. Tel: + 55 92 3239 0004
E-mail: contato@olenhador.com.br
Internet: www.olenhador.com.br

THE MUSTS

THE OPERA OR TEATRO AMAZONAS Inspired by the greatest European opera houses, the sublime opera house was inaugurated in 1896. Parts of the opera house can be made private.

THE MEETING OF THE WATERS Around ten kilometres downstream of Manaus, the Rio Negro joins the Solimoes to form the Amazon. Seen from the air, the result is two rivers flowing against each other, with a perfect dividing line between them. Unique.

JUNGLE WALK Just take a boat up the river for an hour and you'll find yourself surrounded by water and forest. A day trip to the undergrowth is also an excellent option.

THE PORT All day long, there's a constant flow of people along the docks. Boats from another era, tableaux vivants that look like something out of a historical film...