ABOUT THE PROGRAM:

• What is the period of the Program?

Fellows may apply to stay in Rio de Janeiro for a maximum of 1 (one) month; (excluding the following months: December/2012 and January-February/2013).

• How much is the stipend for the Program?

 BRICS Policy Center offers a R$ 7,500 stipend for the selected Fellows. This amount should cover expenses related to accommodation, local transportation, and food throughout the length of the Program.

• When will the Fellow receive the stipend?

The stipend will be granted during the first week of the program. It cannot be granted before the fellow begins the program.

• What activities do Fellows carry out during the program?  

During the program, fellows are expected to:

Ø  Give lectures at the Center (themes and formats will be defined after the fellows arrival, based on their suggestions as well as BPC’s requests) and other events;

Ø   Produce, in collaboration with the chosen research group, Policy Briefs and/or academic papers;

Participate in interviews and other media activities.

Ø  Fellows must dedicate themselves exclusively to BPC research projects during this period.  Final versions of papers and briefs are due one month after the completion of residency. 

AIR TICKET:

• Will BPC purchase the air ticket to/from Rio?

Yes. As explained below, once approved, fellows may suggest dates of departure/arrival as well as preferred airports.

• Can the Fellow choose the itinerary?

Fellows may suggest dates of departure/arrival as well as preferred airports. BPC will try to meet Fellows’ suggestions. However, prices and others will be taken into account before issuing the air ticket. As BPC is not a private institution, it’s budget must follow a public bidding process in which lower air fares will be chosen.

• What is The Brazilian Currency?

The currency in Brazil is the Real [R$]. On August 07, 2012 the exchange rate was U$ 1 = R$ 2,028. Updated information can be found at: http://www.oanda.com/lang/pt/currency/converter/

Note: In Brazilian Portuguese, a comma is used instead of a decimal point, so that the correct way of writing two reais is R$2,00 rather than R$2.00.

ACCOMMODATION IN RIO:

• How can Fellows find accommodation in Rio?

Ø  Renting a small apartment next to BPC:

Fellows are responsible for finding their own lodging. However, renting an apartment can be a very bureaucratic process as most of the rental company staff do  not speak English. Therefore, the process of arranging housing must be started in advance. Before arranging this type of accommodation, we strongly recommend that the Fellow check out the intended apartment at the company’s website to make sure that it is suitable. In order to facilitate this process, BPC suggests following options the:

Ø  Contacting the apartment’s owners on your own through these websites:

-          AIRBNB: https://www.airbnb.com.br/

-          VRBO: http://www.vrbo.com/

These websites will provide you with a list of flats/apartments in the city and will put you directly in touch with their owners. Money transactions will also be carried out through the website. More information on payment can be found down below at the topic: “What is the cost of accommodation in Rio?”

Ø  Contacting rental companies: If necessary, BPC can provide fellows with a couple of options of rental companies in Rio. Fellows are expected to contact them directly. BPC may be CC’d in emails if assistance is needed.

Ø  Renting an en-suite room with cooking facilities in a hotel (apart-hotel) :

There are several apart-hotels in Rio. Prices are much higher than all the other options. On the other hand, this type of accommodation can be more comfortable, since it offers guests laundry and cleaning services.

Average prices: from R$ 3,500 to R$ 6,000 per person / per month (depending on the classification of the hotel, its location, and number of guests per room).

Ø  Renting an individual or a shared room in a private pension or hall next to the BPC :

Although these places tend to be no-frills, they usually offer a lower price. This may be considered as a temporary option for those who arrive in Rio and have not yet guaranteed a permanent place for their entire stay. Pensions are very similar to homestay, offering rooms for rent inside a family’s apartment. Service providers frequently ask for payment in advance.

Average prices: To be confirmed.

• What is the best location to stay in Rio?

 BPC is located in Botafogo, a dynamic neighborhood and major transportation hub in Rio’s South Zone. However, Botafogo is not a very touristy (in contrast to neighborhoods like Copacabana and Ipanema). For this reason, living close to BPC may not be possible as there are relatively few flat options in the neighborhood.

Besides Botafogo, there are other areas with reasonable accommodation rates and that are recommended for fellows: Humaitá, Flamengo, Leme, and Copacabana.

Please keep in mind that neighborhoods such as Lagoa, Ipanema, and Leblon are very expensive areas; renting an apartment in these areas may cost R$ 5,000/month.

• What is the cost of accommodation in Rio?

The monthly rent for the five main neighborhoods listed above --  Botafogo, Humaitá, Flamengo, Leme, and Copacabana -- usually rent for around R$ 2,700 – R$ 3,500 depending on the season (high season: November to February).

Lagoa, Ipanema, and Leblon are more expensive areas; in those neighborhoods,  the rent is about R$ 5,000/month.

• What are the apartment’s payment conditions?

-          Usually a 50% deposit fee is required in advance in order to guarantee the reservation of the apartment. This money will be deducted from the balance and can be sent directly to the owner and/or the rental company through Western Union or Paypal (depending on the rental company’s policy). Please keep in mind that the BPC cannot pay for this deposit with the stipend, since the stipend will only be given to Fellows AFTER their arrival, during the first week of the program.

-          The balance (remaining 50%) is asked to be paid upon the fellow’s arrival, during the check-in at the apartment. Rental companies do not accept USD. Therefore, is very important that fellows exchange their money into reais before leaving the airport in Rio.

-          A refundable deposit fee of approx. USD 1,000 is also required when the Fellow arrives at the apartment. This money will be fully reimbursed at the check-out, provided that there is no damage to the apartment.

TRANSPORTATION:

• How do Rio’s  public and private transportation systems work?

The Rio de Janeiro transportation system consists of buses, trains, subway, and taxis. Each type is explained below.

§  Metro

Rio de Janeiro’s subway consists of two lines. With 19 stations, the first one connects Ipanema district, in the south zone, to Saens Peña, located in Tijuca district, in the north zone. The second line has 25 stations and links Botafogo, where the BPC in established, and Pavuna, in the north zone. 

There are some advantages to using the subway, such as faster locomotion, since it avoids you from getting into a car traffic or any other unexpected situation. Besides that, some types of train tickets give passengers  the right to take a bus for free after disembarking.

The subway trains are  usually on time, and the subway stays open  from Monday to Saturday, from 5am to 12am, and on Sundays and holidays, from 7am to 11pm. For more detailed  information about schedules, please take a look at panels in each station to see the exact time the train will pass.

The destination of the train will be indicated according to its last  station, so before embarking be sure to find outthe direction of the station where you will disembark.

Some buses and trains’ seats are reserved for elder people, pregnant women,  those with any kind of disability. It is customary (and highly appreciated) to  offer one’s seat to these special passengers whenever there are no seats available for them.

It is also very common that when you are standing up, someone who is  seated offers to hold  your personal belongings for you, such as your purse, notebook or suitcase. Feel free to accept it or not, it will not be considered rude not to.

If you need any information regarding the metro, call the following phone number. The line is available 24 for hours a day. 

•                   Phone number: 0800 595 1111 ou 4003-2111

•                   Website: http://www.metrorio.com.br/

•                   Map of the stations: http://www.metrorio.com.br/mapas.htm

•                   The simple ticket fare : R$ 3,10 (but there are other options)

§  Bus

Rio de Janeiro’s public transportation is fed by several bus companies that are managed by Fetranspor – Federation of Passenger Transport Company of the State of Rio de Janeiro-, which brings together ten unions of bus companies. The bus’ itinerary is defined by its number:

Source: http://www.fetranspor.com.br/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&layout=item&id=2&Itemid=3

Each bus number, according to its itinerary, has specifics stops, and there are signs on each bus stop. Some of these signs indicate which buses stop there. In this case, make sure your bus number is labelled on it; if not, that means the bus will not stop at this point.

The standard bus fare is around R$ 3.10. There are other options, such as micro-buses, the subway, and the subway bus. Micro-buses are more comfortable and safer; however, they are more expensive (around R$ 5).

§  Bus routes

Before leaving, be sure to check the bus number and itinerary. With your destination address in hand, you can look which bus number will best attend you and where can you catch it and stop.

You can also check information on bus numbers and itinerary at the website http://www.rioonibus.com/ (http://www.rioonibus.com/guia_de_itinerarios/index.asp) and http://200.201.145.30/vadeonibus/index.php, There, you can type down the origin and destination of the ride and the site indicates which buses should be taken.

§  Rio Card

The bus and metro tickets inside Rio de Janeiro can be paid by money or by an electronic card. All users of these modalities of transportation, including foreigners, can have a Rio Card.

Benefits of using the card include being able to go through the turnstile faster and thefact that you will not need to carry money. In case of theft or loss, the cards can be blocked; the remaining credits transferred to a new card.

After purchasing the card, you must register it at:  www.cartaoriocard.com.br

The load corresponding to the amount paid at the time of purchase will be available for use 48 hours after you register the card.

To register the card, the system will ask for your e-mail, ID, Brazilian Individual Taxpayer Registry (CPF), and address.

Each CPF allows only one registration. Therefore, only those who have not registered at the Rio Card Central can purchase  the rechargeable card.

Recharging can be done through the site and paid with a  bank bill or at the Rio Card charging stations.

The purchase, loading, and reloading of the card can be made at  Rio Card kiosks, such as:

Barra da Tijuca (Terminal Rodoviário Alvorada) - Avenida das Américas, s/nº.           Monday to Friday, from 9am to 7pm

Central do Brasil - subsolo: Rua Cristiano Otoni, s/nº - Centro.          Monday to Friday, from 9am to 7pm.

Centro: Rua da Assembleia, 10 - subsolo, loja C.      Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm.

For more information:

Visit the website:  www.cartaoriocard.com.br

Rio Card Customer Service by phone: 2127-4000

Addresses:

Itaú: Rua Voluntária da Pátria, 207; Praia de Botafogo 400;

Itaú: Rua Lauro Muller, 116; Rua São Clemente, 182

§  Taxi

Taxis are easily identified because they are painted bright yellow and carry a”TAXI” sign on the top.

Obviously, the price for this transportation is more expensive compared to the others, but it is worth taking a taxi in special cases, for example, when going out at night, when you are carrying luggage or a great amount of money and/or valuable objects, or when heading to the bus station or airport.

The best and safest option is to take a special taxi operated by licensed companies. Taxi stands are spread around the city and neighborhoods, and each one of them has a specific telephone number. You can also contact a taxi company using a toll-free telephone number. It’s usually a good idea to ask for the phone number of a taxi stand near your house or of a well-known taxi company and carry it with youat all times.  These taxis can pick you up at no extra fee. BPC can provide you a list of reliable taxi companies upon your arrival.

• How can I get to BPC?

The BPC is located in Botafogoneighborhood, in the southern part of the city (Zona Sul). If you choose to stay in another area, please find below an overview of the main routes to the BPC. As the information may seem a bit confusing, take some time during the first days in town to learn the best route from your accommodation to the Affonso Arinos House. Our staff will be able to provide you with assistance.

§  Metro

Drop off at “Botafogo” station. If you use the São Clemente Street’s exit, follow the flow of cars until the St. Inácio School and turn left at Dona Mariana street. If you use the Voluntários da Pátria Street’s exit, go to the opposite direction of the cars and turn right next to the Pão de Açúcar supermarket.

§  Bus

154 – Central/Ipanema

155 – Central/Ipanema

158 – Central/Gávea

170 – Central/Gávea

179 – Central/Alvorada

410 – Gávea/Saens Peña

435 – Grajaú/Gávea

438 – Vila Isabel/ Leblon

§  Taxi

Average price of taxi fares to Botafogo district

*The prices can be adjusted without prior notice by the time you arrive in Rio.