Rio June 12 or 13?
 

Einar and I and two friends will arrive Rio June 11 but probably will be in better condition to party on the 12th or 13th.

Karen2,
I am Brazilian and from Rio, where I live (most of the time).
Have e-mailed you my contact info, if you need any tips or something.

I was recently considering visiting Rio on a MR/mini-vacation. However, I surprised by the high visa fee and the difficulty of obtaining a visa on short notice. Any one with some better experiences or advice?

SGT Clair

The Brazilians have 3 posters in the San Fran office explaining that their visa fee matches the one charged by the U.S. So there. You do not have your location listed so I cannot speak to the difficulty in getting a visa. We are driving distance to SF and are making the trip twice. I did not check the price of a visa outfit but I suspect driving twice and parking ($3/15 min) may not have been the cheapest way to go! We brought our passports in Friday and will pick them up Tuesday. One optimistic soul waiting next to me was flying last Sunday. He had no chance of getting same day service - certainly not for a mere $100!

This visa requirement generates a lot of complaints by the tourism industry in Brazil. They say that requiring visa just because the US does, can make all sense in the world from a diplomatic perspective, but it certainly does not, from a business perspective.
The industry representatives say that Brazil needs to sell its destinations more aggresively overseas and harassing tourists even before they start coming is not a clever way to conduct sales.

[This message has been edited by MIMB020 (edited 05-13-2003).]

SGT Clair, if you need it shortly, I advise you to go to the local consulate and tell them you should have it for a certain date or you will not be able to go at all. It may work.

If you do try his suggestion, bring all kinds of paperwork, inc air ticket, etc proving your need for a rush. We just discussed this issue today when we picked ours up.

Next topic: We want to go to one of the many barbeque places in Rio for a sumptuous non-vegetarian meal! Can you recommend a place near the Excelsior Copacabana where we are staying? Thanks. Maybe a few interested parties in Rio could join us...

Try MARIUS CHURRASCARIA on the far left side (looking from the sidewalk towards the ocean) of Copacabanda beach. They have a barbeque restaurant and a seafood restaurant just beside. Both great! I am sure you'll find interested parties... that is what Rio is all about!

MARIUS' website: http://www.marius.com.br/novo/index3.htm

[This message has been edited by MIMB020 (edited 05-14-2003).]

[This message has been edited by MIMB020 (edited 05-14-2003).]

Good idea.

[This message has been edited by MIMB020 (edited 05-14-2003).]

MIMB020 - you are a gem! We love the look of this restaurant. How hard is it to get a reservation? We would like to go there. Will you be coming along, I hope? Maybe Tony Naro will want to join us also. We would be happy for any advice. Itinerary: Rio, Manaus, Iguassau, Salvador, and Brazilia in 2 weeks. Some stuff is cast in concrete but not meals and we do have quite a bit of free time.

Marious or we call it Marios is a great really nice beachfront place. It is as nice or nicer than similar establishments in the U.S. and I think it is about 17-18 dollars per person tax, tip, drinks, everything, have been there twice and am sure I will be there again at the end of the month.

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dallasflyer

Seems like a good itinerary. Brasilia is somewhat impressive, if you think there was nothing there before 1960. I keep hearing only good things about Salvador. But don't expect too many english speakers there.
A friend just came back from Iguassu and told me is fantastic too. I've never been there myself though.
Regarding reservations to Marius, just call early on the same day or ask hotel front desk to do it for you. I would be delighted to join your party if I am there!!!

Bump up time! Marius for dinner at - what?? - 9 PM? Hopefully, not too early for locals! Choose the 12th or 13th and four of us will be there. We can ask the hotel to get us reservations unless someone else living in Rio wants to do it. Looking forward to meeting some way south Flyertalkers!

Marius Copacabana 9 PM, Friday, June 13. Tentative attendees

Karen2 plus 3
Tony Naro plus 1
??

Looking forward to picking the brains of all the natives since Rio is the first stop.

Marius - (have only tried the seafood part of it) is VERY nice. Was there a few weeks back. I think the "buffét" is R$70. An amazing value!! Supernice beer was R$4,50.

Enjoy it - wish I could be there, but have to wait a couple of months before I return.