Travel Note
You need a visa to enter Brazil if you are traveling with an American passport as of April 2025! It is all done online via the website linked below, and then they will email you your visa after approval. Families can all apply within one application. Make sure your passports are not expiring soon! If you have any difficulties navigating the process, please feel free to reach out to us and we can help guide you.
Flight
GIG (Rio Galeão) is the main international airport in Rio. You could also search for flights into Santos Dumont (SDU) which is a smaller airport right in downtown Rio, probably connecting elsewhere in South America (e.g. GRU, the main airport in São Paulo).
Travel Note
(Gabe here) First, get the book "How to be a carioca". As the sun-burned prone white gringo that I am, this book seriously helped me! It's a little ridiculous, but really funny and helps you understand how things work in Rio. Read it and you'll learn the art of "Jeitinho", the brazilian art of getting out of any problem. Trust me. Next, we recommend using Uber to get around Rio. It's fast, safe, and affordable. Quick tip: When you are exiting the airport. there will be a lot of guys trying sell you on cabs and holding uber signs. Just ignore them and head to the ride share area and call the uber yourself on your phone.
Travel Note
We recommend staying in the south zone of Rio, also known as Zona Sul. For example, some great beachfront neighborhoods are Leblon and Ipanema. There's also Copacabana and Leme. Leblon and Ipanema are quieter and more residential, while Copacabana and Leme are more popular with tourists and can be very lively. Santa Teresa is where the venue is located, but that is a bit further from the beach and other tourist attractions. Botafogo, Flamengo, Lagoa, Laranjeiras, Jardim Botanico, and Gávea are fine options as well, but you'll have to uber to the beach.
Travel Note
Like any big city, it's smart to stay aware of your surroundings. Stick to well-known neighborhoods (like Leblon, Ipanema, Leme, Copacabana, and Santa Teresa), and avoid flashing valuables like jewelry and cellphones. At night, we recommend using Uber rather than walking longer distances. Don't worry and enjoy Rio: A Cidade Maravilhosa!
Hotel
Airbnb is a great option if your prefer it to a hotel. We've had great luck staying in Leblon and around Lagoa.
Hotel
Discount Code - gabeandisa2026
Hotel
Discount Code - gabeandisa2026
Hotel
Hotel