Rio de Janeiro - Prepare

Pack your Brazil essentials: beachwear, flip-flops, sun protection, mosquito repellent, umbrella, and a comfortable pair of shoes. Bring an open mind, curiosity, a certain degree of critical observation, and lots of dance in your feet.

Be one of the two million people at the New Year's celebration in Copacabana. Party for a week during the Carnival in February. Watch religious processions and theatre plays during the Easter Week in Santa Teresa. Dance Forró and Quadrilha at the Festas Juninas at the end of June, see and buy art at the Open Doors in Santa Teresa in July, and go cinema-mad at the Festival do Rio BR in September.

New Year's Day (1 Jan), São Sebastião – Patron Saint of Rio (20 Jan), Carnival (Feb), Good Friday (Mar/Apr), Tiradentes – Martyr of Independence (21 Apr), São Jorge (23 Apr), International Workers' Day (1 May), Corpus Christi (May), Independence Day (7 Sep), Nossa Senhora de Aparecida – Patron Saint of Brazil (12 Oct), All Souls' Day (2 Nov), Proclamation of the Republic (15 Nov), Zumbi of Palmares – Day of Black Consciousness (20 Nov), Christmas Day (25 Dec).

Rio de Janeiro has sun – and tropical rain - all year round. Summer days are hot and humid with temperatures reaching up to 40°C. In winter, the air can cool down to 15°C at night. December, January, and March are the rainiest months when it can pour down for days – this is the best time to hit the shops. During the rest of the year, rain is more sporadic, although sudden downpours are quite common at any time of year.

110V or 120V, AC, 60 Hz, European plugs with two circular pins, or Japanese-style plugs with two perpendicular flat blades. Some hotels may have 220V outlets.

+55 (national), (0) 21 + eight-figure number (Rio de Janeiro).

Brazilian Real (R$) is the currency.

GMT -3.

RIOTUR - City of Rio de Janeiro Tourism Authority website

Dress down, keep it simple, be yourself. Get yourself some havaianas (flip-flops). Ladies, pack skirts and dresses. The Cariocan man likes his beach shorts, and feels comfortable in jeans even on the hottest summer nights.