Travel Note

Visas

Brazil has recently reinstated visa requirements for U.S. citizens. Apply online. Apply at least 3–4 weeks in advance. Some users report issues uploading photos: make sure your file meets requirements (please note: follow their exact dimensions and the JPG format). Print 2 copies of the visa just in case. 💡 If you hold another passport, check requirements for that nationality, you probably don’t need a visa.

Hotel

Where To Stay

We highly recommend staying in Leblon — Rio’s safest and most charming neighborhood. It’s home to the main Chabad House, the Zukins, and it’s perfect for Shabbos: close to meals and shul at 221 Venancio Flores St. 🛏️ Hotel Block at the Ritz Leblon We've reserved a block of rooms at the Ritz Leblon Hotel, one of the closest hotels to the Chabad House. Use the special code: LUBAVITCH when booking for our group rate. Accommodation Options You’ll find something for every comfort and budget in Leblon: High-end beach hotels 🌊 – Enjoy stunning ocean views and top-tier service. Cozy Airbnb apartments 🏡 – Great for families and those looking for a homey vibe. Classic hotels – Comfortable and convenient, with easy access to local spots. 💰 Bonus: The Brazilian Real is favorable to the USD right now—your money goes further!

Travel Note

Shabbos

We can’t wait to spend Shabbos together! Here’s what’s planned so far: 🕍 Shul: 221 Venancio Flores St, Leblon (near the beach) Candles: 5:20pm Kabbalas Shabbos: 7pm Shacharis: 10am Friday Night Meal: At shul or a nearby location: TBD Shabbos Day: Aufruf kiddush at shul 💃 Shabbos Kallah: Details coming soon!

Travel Note

Kosher Food

Most kosher eateries are in Copacabana, but delivery to Leblon is easy and affordable. Ubers there are also quick and cheap. At Supermarkets: Use buskasher.com.br to check product certification. Our main kosher certifications are BDK and BKA. American brands that can be found in Rio need to be checked for a certification, sometimes they are produced in Brazil and may be not certified locally. Green List: Chalav Yisrael Yellow List: Chalav Stam Some products require checking the barcodes for factory codes that don’t produce dairy products (especially for chips). Typical items: dark chocolate, pareve milk, juices, chips, etc. Grocery: Kosher Place: Located inside CIB (JCC), sells basic kosher products, baked goods, dips, dairy, dairy popsicles and frozen ready meals. Whatsapp: +55 21 99352 8394 Hours: Mon-Thursday 9am-7pm Friday 9am-3pm Address: Rua Barata Ribeiro, 489

Travel Note

Restaurants

Sushinharia: Sushi with both chalav yisrael and stam kitchens. Request "Lista Verde" for chalav yisrael. Delivery for lunch; dine-in & delivery for dinner. Whatsapp: +55 21 99283 2028 Hours: Dine In Sun-Thur 4pm-10:45pm. Sat 7pm-11:45pm Delivery Hours: Sun-Thur 11am-10:45pm, Friday 11am-3:45pm, Saturday 7pm-11:45pm Address: Rua Barão de Ipanema, 53 Shak Shuk: Meat restaurant inside the CIB (JCC). Menu includes steaks, burgers, etc. Also houses a pizza place adjacent. Whatsapp: +55 21 99168 7219 Hours: Sunday - 12pm-3pm Buffet style. Restaurant 6pm-10pm Monday-Thursday - 6pm-10pm Motzei Shabbos 7:30pm-11:00pm Address: Rua Barata Ribeiro, 489 - 2nd Floor Padoka Kosher: bakery inside a local Jewish school Barilan. Offers breakfast & lunch. Note: different from typical American bakeries. Whatsapp: +55 21 988498233 Open: Mon-Thur 7:30am-5pm, Friday 7:30am-4pm Address: Rua Pompeu Loureiro, 48 Lar da Esperança: Bakery by Beit Lubavitch (produced elsewhere, sold at floor J). Prepackaged baked goods like bread, cookies, cakes. They can also provide pre-packed ready-made meals if ordered in advance. Whatsapp Isaac at +55 21 97043 2525

Travel Note

Safety Tips

Rio is vibrant and beautiful, but be smart: Avoid walking in unfamiliar areas at night Don’t wear visible jewelry Don’t use your phone on the street: step inside stores if needed Ubers are safe and reliable Avoid entering favelas unless with a trusted guide

Travel Note

Money

Credit cards accepted nearly everywhere—even street vendors PIX is Brazil’s version of Zelle (that is locals main form of payment, but visitors can’t)

Travel Note

To Do - Viewpoints

Morro Dona Marta: No hike, great view Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf): Iconic cable car ride or hike Pedra Bonita: Drive or hike; paragliding launch site (You can also go to watch people jump, cool to watch). Pedra da Gávea: Challenging hike Morro Dois Irmãos: Epic hike via Vidigal (more info below) Mirante do Leblon: Local lookout Catacumba - hike Arpoador - lookout, good spot for sunset.

Travel Note

To Do - Hikes

Dois Irmãos Sunrise Hike with Russo +55 21 99787-8793 The Morro Dois Irmãos hike starts inside the Vidigal favela and is very safe when done with a trusted local guide like Russo, who is well-respected in the area. You can go during the day or for a sunrise experience, which we highly recommend. The journey includes a short Uber ride from Leblon, mototaxis through the favela, a 30–45 minute hike in the dark to the summit, and stunning sunrise views over Rio. On the way back, Russo offers a tour of the favela before returning to Leblon by Uber or a scenic 15-minute oceanfront walk. Pedra do Telégrafo: about a 1-hour drive from Rio, with beautiful beaches along the way. The hike offers a stunning viewpoint featuring the famous rock ledge photo spot. Expect possible lines for photos—avoid Sundays if you can. Floresta da Tijuca: Waterfalls & forest trails Pontal: stunning dip rock formation between two beaches, 360 ocean view. A bit of a climb.

Travel Note

To Do - Culture

Centro (Downtown): old city architecture, local markets, Municipal Theater, Lapa Arches, Selarón Steps. Portuguese Royal Library: World’s third most beautiful Santa Teresa: Artistic neighborhood with historic trolleys Museu do Amanhã: Science & sustainability museum

Travel Note

To Do - Activities

Bike or paddleboat at the Lagoa Parks: Parque Lage, Botanical Gardens, Parque da Cidade Paragliding: Contact Gui Gama at +55 21 99735-2305. If you’ve ever wanted to try paragliding, Rio is the place—soaring from a mountain over the city and rainforest, landing on the beach. Do it early in your trip, as weather conditions may require rescheduling. Rent a boat: day trips or scenic tours Ilha Fiscal: Small island with historical buildings Soccer: Games around the wedding: August 23 Motzei Shabbos: Flamengo x Vitória at Maracanã. Vasco x Corinthians at São Januário (time is TBD so it might not work with Shabbos) Beaches: Praia do Pepino, Grumari, Barra da Tijuca Shopping: Street fruit markets, Feira Hippie: Ipanema’s artisan market on Sundays, Shopping Leblon: Mall, Farm Rio

Travel Note

Explore More of Brazil

Flights Away: Iguazu Falls: The world’s largest waterfall, is a 2-hour flight from Rio. Plan to spend 2–4 days exploring, including visits to the Argentinean side and possibly Paraguay for shopping or a quick border hop. Lençóis Maranhenses: Lençóis is perfect to visit between June and September. It’s a top-rated national park with stunning sand dunes and natural pools. Though getting there takes effort (flight, transfer, and boat), it’s well worth it. Plan for at least 4 days, and check JGT’s Instagram Highlights for Nechama’s tips. Amazon: Fly to Manaus. River tours, indigenous villages, jungle and tropical animals. There is a small chabad house there. Florianópolis: Island city, sand dunes, snorkeling. You can pair it up with a few hour drive to the Brazilian Canyons (Praia Grande, 5h drive). Maragogi: the Caribbean of Brazil - stunning beaches. The entire northeast coast is stunning, down to Morro de Sao Paulo and the coast of Bahia. Road Trips from Rio: Búzios: Beach town with chic vibe Paraty: Colonial charm + waterfalls (Near Ilha Grande/Angra) Ilha Grande: Paradise island Angra dos Reis: Islands & boat tours Arraial do Cabo: Beach + whale-watching season Itatiaia National Park: Mountains, waterfalls, forest hikes