Practical Information - World Environmental Law Congress 2016

Practical Information
2016 World Environmental Law Congress
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
27-29 April 2016
Thank you for your interest in the 2016 WELC that will be held in the Supreme Court of the
State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from 27-29 April 2016. This is a packet of important practical
information for attending the Congress and traveling to Rio de Janeiro.
Please review the details carefully. If you have any further questions or concerns, please
contact the Congress organizers at: info.2016welc@gmail.com
Contents
Registration … pg. 2
Booking your travel … pg. 2
Arrival in Rio … pg. 3
Important travel reminders … pg. 5
Congress venues … pg. 6
Hotels … pg. 8
Transportation … pg. 10
About Rio de Janeiro … pg. 11
Safety… pg. 13
Contacts … pg. 14
Registration reminder
2016 World Environmental Law Congress General Pre-Registration
For those who are not invited speakers, this is a reminder that if you have not yet
completed the general pre-registration form, you must do so in order to be accepted as a
Congress participant. Please note that due to limited seats, the Congress organizers will
review the general pre-registration applications and send you a confirmation.
While there is no fee to register for the event, general participants are responsible for their
own travel and Congress attendance costs and logistics. This Congress is only made
possible through the generosity and support of the Brazilian hosts and partner
organizations. There is no funding available for participation. As such, we encourage
participants to seek financial assistance or sponsorship from supporting institutions.
*If additional documentation is needed for funding- or visa-acquisition, please contact
the Congress organizers.
This information packet is intended to serve as a guide and reference for any questions
participants may have regarding travel and attendance.
Booking your travel
It is recommended that participants book their travel as soon as possible. Be sure to
double-check the dates you book your tickets for, keeping in mind the days of the official
Congress (27-29 April 2016) and the pre- and post-Congress events if you plan to attend
these.
**Travel requirements for entering Brazil**
Congress participants are responsible for preparing their own travel documentation
requirements for entering Brazil (this includes visas, vaccinations, etc). Please make sure to
verify what the requirements are with your nearest Brazilian Embassy or Brazilian
Consulate.
Click on this link to locate your nearest Brazilian Embassy or Consulate:
http://embassy.goabroad.com/embassies-of/brazil
IMPORTANT:
Please be aware that Brazilian visa requirements are very stringent in many
countries, and visas can take several weeks to obtain. In addition, the online visa
application form can be difficult to negotiate in some countries. We recommend that
you apply for your Brazilian visa as soon as possible. If you encounter any
problems, please contact us immediately.
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There is no option for visa upon arrival for entry in Brazil. Visas MUST be arranged
before travelling.
Vaccines and health requirements

For a number of countries and if you are travelling to certain regions in the
country, Brazil also requires proof of the yellow fever vaccine. Make sure that
you verify the requirements.

Congress organizers are NOT responsible for any health emergencies or
problems. It is imperative that participants travel with international health
insurance.
Airports
Most international flights will arrive to the Rio Galeão Airport (GIG), otherwise known as
the “Aeroporto Tom Jobim”, located about 30 minutes away from the smaller Santos
Dumont Airport (SDU) downtown where other flights (mostly domestic) will arrive. See
map below for reference, which contains a GPS link to view the map online.
The Santos Dumont Airport is next to the hotels downtown and to the Congress venue, so
while it does not make a huge difference, if you have the option to select which airport you
arrive to and leave from it may be more convenient to select SDU.
Arrival in Rio
Changing money *it is best to change some money before travelling!
If you do not change money before travelling, it is possible to change or take out money in
local Brazilian Reais (BRL) at both airports. You can do this at a money exchange desk or
take out money from the bank ATMs in the airport – many will accept international cards
like Visa or MasterCard. This is strongly recommended as most taxis only accept cash.
Transportation to and from airport *if your transportation has not been pre-arranged (For
more information see pg. 7)
Taxi – There are taxis in front of the airport exits. Show or tell the driver the address of
your hotel and they will know where to take you. In normal traffic, from GIG, the drive
downtown should take around 30-40 minutes. From SDU, if your hotel is also downtown,
around 5 minutes. Est. cost – $40 – 50 BRL from GIG.
Uber – Uber is a great and dependable way to get around in Rio. If you have the Uber app
on your cell phone, you can request a driver and they will arrive to you in just a few
minutes. The service is usually better, slightly cheaper and more comfortable than a regular
taxi. Est. cost - $30 – 40 BRL from GIG. Download the app here.
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Bus – It is also possible to take the bus from both airports to your hotel. From Galeão to
downtown, the bus will take around 1h 40min. If you are arriving at Santos Dumont and
your hotel is downtown, taxi or Uber is recommended as it is a very short distance.
For bus schedules and routes it is best to refer to Google Maps as the bus numbers may change
depending on the time and location.
Important Congress Locations in Rio:
View map on your
computer or mobile
device here:
2016 WELC Locations
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Important Travel Reminders

International health and traveler’s insurance
Check to make sure you have international health and / or travelers insurance before
traveling.

Changing money
As mentioned above, it is best to change money before traveling. The currency used in
Brazil is the Brazilian Real (BRL).

Packing and weather
Pack formal dress and business attire clothing for the Congress keeping in mind the event
will be held in the Supreme Court. Also pack casual or active-wear for day-to-day activities,
and if you plan to go to the beach, pack a bathing suit, beach towel, and comfortable
walking shoes and / or sandals.
Rio’s climate is humid and tropical. Average temperatures for April and May in Rio de
Janeiro range from moderate to warm: Highs in mid 20s (average 26) Celcius and lows
in the low 20s (average 20) Celcius.
Sporadic rains and thunderstorms are common. Check Accuweather for forecast before
traveling: Weather in Rio de Janeiro
Other important things to pack:
o Sunscreen
o Insect repellant
o Personal care products
o Converters and adaptors for electronics: standard voltage is 127/220 V. The
standard frequency is 60 Hz. The power sockets that are used are type N,
although some venues also take US plugs.
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Congress Venues
Most of the Congress events will take place in various auditoriums in the Supreme Court of
the State of Rio de Janeiro building in downtown Rio.
Some events will also be hosted in the Rio de Janeiro State Assembly and in the Office of the
Attorney General of the State of Rio de Janeiro. All of the Congress venues are within
walking distance of each other in downtown Rio, close to the Santos Dumont airport and to
the recommended hotels. Locations are also included in the map on pg. 4
1. Supreme Court of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Tribunal de Justiça do Estado do
Rio de Janeiro) – Downtown, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Lâmina 5 - Av. Erasmo Braga,
115
2. State Attorney General Office (Procuradoria Geral do Estado do Rio de Janeiro
Forum) – Downtown, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – R. Dom Manuel
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3. State Legislative Assembly (Assembleia Legislativa do Estado do Rio de
Janeiro) – Downtown, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Palácio Tirandentes - R. Primeiro de
Março
.
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Hotels
Congress organizers advise that participants make reservations in hotels in or near
downtown Rio that are close to the Congress venues and to the SDU airport.
Here is a list of hotels in downtown Rio:
Downtown
Most participants will stay at one of these suggested hotels, within walking distance to the
venues (5 - 10 minutes in taxi and walking):

Hotel IBIS Santos Dumont
AV MARECHAL CAMARA 280
CENTRO,
20020 080 - RIO DE JANEIRO
http://www.ibis.com/gb/hotel-5691-ibis-rio-de-janeiro-santosdumont/index.shtml

Novotel Santos Dumont
AV MARECHAL CAMARA 300
CENTRO
20020 080 RIO DE JANEIRO - BRAZIL
http://www.novotel.com/gb/hotel-6522-novotel-rio-de-janeiro-santosdumont/index.shtml

Prodigy Hotel Santos Dumont - Located in the Santos Dumont Airport
(a little bit further than two above - about 15 minutes taxi or walking)
http://prodigysantosdumont-px.rtrk.com.br/
Other downtown hotels near venues (5 - 15 minutes in taxi or walking):




Hotel Atlântico Business - http://www.atlanticobusiness.com.br/
Windsor Austrias Hotel - http://windsorhoteis.com/hotels/windsorasturias/presentation/?lang=en
Hotel Via Galé - http://www.vilagale.com/en/hotels/brazil/vila-gale-rio-dejaneiro/
Hotel IBIS Budget Centro - http://www.ibis.com/gb/hotel-5534-ibis-rio-dejaneiro-centro/index.shtml
Other
It is also possible to stay in a hotel, bed and breakfast or other accommodation in
surrounding neighborhoods like Santa Teresa, Glória, Catete or Flamengo. The popular
neighborhoods that are common for visitors but further away are Copacabana and
Ipanema.
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Neighborhoods and landmarks of Rio de Janeiro:
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Transportation in Rio
There are several ways to get around in the urban metropolis of Rio. Here are the options:
Taxi
The streets of Rio de Janeiro are bustling with taxis. When you need a taxi, it is easy to
signal one to stop for you in the street. Just know what your destination is so that you can
show or tell the taxi driver.
There is also a popular app that is used to call taxis if needed. It is called “99 Taxis” and
you can download it here: http://www.99taxis.com/en/
**Important: many taxis do not accept cards and only accept cash.
Uber
Uber has recently become a popular app used for transportation in Rio. Using the app on
your mobile phone, you can call a driver to your exact location and they will arrive within
minutes. The Uber cars are typically priced the same and are more comfortable than taxis.
You can download the app here: https://get.uber.com/
Public transportation (bus & metro)
Public transport is another way for getting around in the city. The buses and metro rails
will get you nearly everywhere. If you have never used public transportation in a large
Latin American city it can feel overwhelming. Nonetheless, it is fairly straightforward:

Bus – There are bus stops all over the city. Depending on where you wish to
go and the time, it is possible that the bus line number may change. It is best
to refer to Google Maps for instruction before you take the bus to know
which line to take.
Cost (single ticket): $3.80 BRL (you pay when you get on the bus)

Metro – The metro is another public transportation option in the city. There
are metro stations in every neighborhood, and Google Maps will also indicate
whether it is appropriate to take to take the metro or not, as well as which
line to take, time, and cost.
Cost (single ticket): $3.40 BRL (purchase ticket at desk and use that to get in to
metro rail area)
https://www.metrorio.com.br/
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About Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro, also known as the “Cidade Maravilhosa” (“Marvelous City”), is renowned
internationally for its sights, beaches, cultural festivities and natural and outdoors life. Each
neighborhood of the city is known for different attractions and sights.
Ipanema Beach
Rio’s Mata Atlântica (Atlantic Forest)
Downtown
Christ the Redeemer statue (Corcovado)
Downtown “Centro”
The Congress will be held in the historic “Centro” or downtown Rio, which has the largest
assortment of museums, historic and cultural centers, in addition to being the political and
financial heart of the city.
Some worthwhile attractions include: The Municipal Theatre, The National Library, and the
National Museum of Fine Arts
Lapa
Also in the downtown district, Lapa is famous for its bohemian culture, architecture, arts
and musical nightlife. There are many restaurants and bars in Lapa where you can go to eat
Brazilian food and listen to samba. The Arcos of Lapa, Rio’s historic aqueduct, is another big
attraction in the area.
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Santa Teresa
This is one of Rio’s more traditional neighborhoods, characterized by its hills and winding
colorful streets. It is a popular tourist area with many restaurants and cultural centers and
attractions. One popular attraction is the Escadaria Selarón.
Copacabana & Ipanema
These are the famous vibrant and lively beach neighborhoods of Rio de Janeiro. The
beaches are next to each other and both have ample walking and bike lanes where people
often exercise, walk down the beach and do other activities. Along both beaches there are
various restaurants and places to shop.
Lagoa
The Rodrigo de Freitas Lake is another great place to walk and enjoy the sights of Rio, read
a book or go eat at a lakeside restaurant.
Tijuca National Park
The Tijuca Forest is a tropical rainforest (claimed to be the world’s largest urban forest)
located within the city limits of Rio, containing several trails, recreation areas and beautiful
waterfalls and views. The park’s website offers information about different activities:
Parque da Tijuca
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Safety
Urban street crime rates have dropped significantly in recent years in Rio, and most of it is
concentrated in the favelas and other parts of the city, not affecting the neighborhoods
mentioned above. Moreover, due to the upcoming Olympic games that will be held in Rio,
the city has made a strong effort to make security a priority in the urban center.
You should not feel worried about safety in Rio, however it is important to always think
smart and stay alert. Here are a few tips:
-
Know where you are and where you are going
Don’t wear a lot of flashy jewelry – the more low-key the better!
Keep your cell phone and wallet secure and try not to have them out
Never leave any valuables alone
***A note on the Zika virus***
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued a travel warning for
women who are pregnant (in any trimester), advising them to avoid risk and consider
postponing travel to Brazil, as the virus has been linked to cases of microcephaly in
newborns.
For others, Zika is much less of a concern being a nearly asymptomatic virus that may cause
mild symptoms, if any. These symptoms can include joint pain, fever, a rash and/or red
eyes, and the illness goes away in a few days.
While the large majority of Zika cases have been concentrated in the more northern states
of Brazil, as always, it is better to take precautions. Pack insect repellant and use it when in
Rio!
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Contacts
Emergency numbers in Rio
(+55) is the country code for Brazil
Medical emergency (ambulance) – Tel: 192
Rio de Janeiro Civil Police – Tel: 197
Rio de Janeiro Military Police – Tel: 190
Fire Department – Tel: 193
Congress Organizers
For questions, concerns or any further information about the Congress or traveling to Rio
de Janeiro, please contact the Congress organizers at: info.2016welc@gmail.com
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