Fast Facts

American Express -- In The Copacabana Palace Hotel at Av. Atlântica 1702, loja 1, Copacabana (tel. 021/2548-2148); open Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm. At the international airport, in the arrivals hall of Terminal 2 (tel. 0800/7020-777); open daily from 6:30am to 10:30pm.

Area Code -- The area code for Rio de Janeiro is 021.

Banks & Currency Exchange -- Banco do Brasil has branches at Rua Joana Angelica, Ipanema (tel. 021/2522-1442), Av. N.S. de Copacabana 594, Copacabana (tel. 021/2548-8992), and international airport, Terminal 1, third floor (tel. 021/3398-3652); all have 24-hour ATMs. For currency exchange try Bank Boston, Av. Rio Branco 110, Centro (tel. 021/2508-2700); Citibank, Rua da Assambleia 100, Centro (tel. 021/2291-1232); and Imatur, Rua Visconde de Pirajá 281, loja A, Ipanema (tel. 021/2219-4205).

Camera Repair -- Foto Cantarino, Largo de São Francisco de Paulo 23, 1st floor (tel. 021/2221-4918; Metrô: Uruguaiana), is one of the best repair shops in town. It's open Monday to Friday 9am to 4:30pm.

Car Rentals -- At Antônio Carlos Jobim International Airport there are Hertz (tel. 021/3398-4421), Interlocadora (tel. 021/3398-3181), and Unidas (tel. 021/3398-3452). At Santos Dumont Airport there are Hertz (tel. 021/2262-0612), Interlocadora (tel. 021/2240-0754), and Unidas (tel. 021/2240-6715). In Copacabana there are Hertz, Av. Princesa Isabel 500 (tel. 021/2275-7440), and Localiza Rent a Car, Av. Princesa Isabel 150 (tel. 021/2275-3340). Rates start at R$100 (US$42) per day for a compact car with air-conditioning. Insurance adds R$30 (US$13) per day.

Cellular Phones -- To rent a phone while in Brazil contact Presscell (tel. 021/3322-2692, or 021/9617-2000 after-hours; www.presscell.com). They will deliver to your hotel. Call for an estimate.

Consulates -- Australia, Av. Presidente Wilson 231, Suite 23, Centro (tel. 021/3824-4624). Canada, Av. Atlântica 1130, 5th floor, Copacabana (tel. 21/2543-3004). U.S., Av. Presidente Wilson 147, Centro (tel. 021/2292-7117). Great Britain, Praia do Flamengo 284, 2nd floor, Flamengo (tel. 021/2555-9600).

Dentist: -- Sorriclin, Rua Visconde de Pirajá 207/209, Ipanema (tel. 021/2522-1220).

Doctor -- Medtur, Av. N.S. de Copacabana 647, Suite 85, Copacabana (tel. 021/2235-3339). Ask your hotel for further recommendations, as they may have an arrangement with a doctor nearby.

Electricity -- 110V. Some hotels have plugs for both 110 and 220 volts.

Emergencies -- Police tel. 190; fire and ambulance tel. 193; tourist police, Av. Afrânio de Melo Franco 159, Leblon (contact line tel. 021/3399-7170).

Hospitals -- Public hospital emergency rooms can be found at Miguel Couto, Rua Bartolemeu Mitre 1108, Leblon (tel. 021/3111-3800) or at Souza Aguiar, Praça da Republica 111, Centro (tel. 021/3111-2629). Private emergency rooms can be found at the Cardio Trauma Ipanema, Rua Farme de Amoedo 86, Ipanema (tel. 021/2525-1900) and at the city's best hospital, Copa D'or, Rua Figueiredo de Magalhães 875, Copacabana (tel. 021/2545-3600).

Internet Access -- A Telerede Internet Cafe, Rua N.S. de Copacabana 209, Copacabana (tel. 021/2275-3148; Metrô: Arcoverde), charges R$2.50 (US$1.05) for the first 15 minutes (minimum amount) and R$5 (US$2.10) for an hour. It's open daily 8am to midnight.

Laundry & Dry Cleaning -- Lavanderia Ipanema, Rua Farme de Amoedo 55, Ipanema (tel. 021/2267-2377), is open Monday to Saturday 8am to 8pm. A medium load, washing and drying, costs R$19 (US$7.70). For an extra R$6 (US$2.50) the attendants wash, fold, and pack your laundry. Lavakilo, Rua Almirante Gonçalves 50, loja A, Copacabana (tel. 021/2521-5089), is open Monday to Friday 7:30am to 7:30pm and Saturday from 8am to 5pm. Charged by the kilo, a 1-kilogram load costs R$7 (US$2.90) for washing and drying and an extra R$8 (US$1.90) for ironing. Dry cleaning starts at R$6.50 (US$2.70) per item.

Mail -- Look for the yellow-and-blue sign saying CORREIOS. Downtown: Rua Primeira de Março 64, Centro (tel. 021/2503-8331); Copacabana: Av. N.S. de Copacabana 540, Copacabana (tel. 021/2503-8398); Ipanema: Rua Visconde de Pirajá 452, Ipanema (tel. 021/2563-8568). The international airport also has a post office, open 24 hours.

Maps -- Riotur (Av. Princesa Isabel 183, Copacabana) has helpful small maps of the main tourist areas.

Newspapers -- Your best bet for international papers are the newsstands along Visconde de Pirajá in Ipanema, and the bookstore Letras e Expressões, Visconde de Pirajá 276, Ipanema (tel. 021/2521-6110).

Pharmacies -- In Ipanema, City Farma, Rua Gomes Carneiro 144 A (tel. 021/2247-3000 or 021/2523-2020), is open 24 hours. They also deliver. All credit cards accepted. Also open 24 hours is Drogaria Pacheco, Av. N.S. de Copacabana 115, Copacabana (tel. 021/2295-7555).

Safety -- Though Rio once had an unsavory reputation for street violence, in the early 1990s governments began to pour money back into policing and there have since been significant improvements. That said, there are still several things to keep in mind. It's a bad idea to wander unaccompanied into any of the favelas (shantytowns) found in and around the city; this is where most of the crime in Rio takes place. In the ritzy areas like the Zona Sul, favelas cling to steep hillsides and ridge tops. It's also best to avoid the city center (Centro) on weekends, particularly Sundays. Centro on the weekends remains mostly empty, and more than a little eerie. Avoid the beaches at night, which are dark and mostly deserted (stick to the brightly lit and police-patrolled pedestrian walkway that borders the beach). At night, traveling by taxi is recommended -- don't rely on public transportation. Finally, as in any large metropolitan area, it's wise to observe common-sense precautions: Don't flash jewelry and large amounts of cash, and stick to well-lit and well-traveled thoroughfares.

Taxes -- The city of Rio charges a 5% accommodations tax, collected by the hotel operators. This amount will be added to your bill. Hotels may also add a 10% service charge to your bill. There are no taxes on retail items.

Time Zones -- Rio de Janeiro is 3 hours behind GMT. During daylight saving Rio's time difference changes to 2 hours behind GMT.

Visa Renewal -- If you need to extend your visa, go to the Policia Federal, Av. Venezuela 2, Centro (just behind the Praça Mauá), tel. 021/3213-1400, open Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm. The fee is R$65 (US$27), and you may need to show evidence of sufficient funds for your stay and a return ticket.

Weather -- Rio's summers, from December to March, are hot and humid. Temperatures rise routinely above 105°F (40°C). In the spring and fall, the temperatures stay between the high 70s and low 90s (high 20s to low 30s Celsius). In the winter, June to Aug, it can cool off at night to as low as 59°F (15°C), but during the day temperatures range from the 70s to the mid-80s (20s Celsius). Most rain tends to fall in the summer in short intense tropical showers, or in the winter in longer drizzly showers.