flight to Rio, Brazil

[winterbride1220]

Hello, ladies.
any last minute flight tips or packing advice. I'm bringing jeans as it's Fall there but I'm stumped about shoes! it will likely rain and the highs are in the 70's but I don't want to take too much.

any thoughts will be so utterly appreciated!! I leave on Wednesday PM and fly all night.

TIA

[MissusTexas]

I don't care what the weather says, take sunscreen and wear it. Also, take a watch/phone- I feel like we could never find a clock anywhere.

Go to Copacabana beach at dusk and stop in at a beach cafe to watch people dance to the sounds of the guitar... SO romantic! I can't wait to go back!

[GilliC]

I would choose whatever shoes you would normally wear in the rain. If you can fit them in, I'd definitely grab your sandals in case there's a break in the weather. Or you can just buy some there. In Copacabana you can't turn around without seeing a place that sells Havaianas.



TAM isn't a bad airline, though I'm not a huge fan of their food. They do still give you a little amenity kit on overnight flights that has earbuds and socks and ... maybe a comb? I remember thinking that it's a weird assortment. I would definitely pack earplugs and an eyemask, because those are the top two things that help me sleep on a plane.

I've never gone through immigration at Saõ Paulo, because I've always flown directly to Rio, but immigration is pretty painless. You have a little bit of paperwork to do on the plane (bring a pen in your carry-on, and have your passport accessible unless you know the number and expiration by heart). In Rio, the foreign line seems to take forever, since they have to check everyone's visas, but once you get to the counter it's fairly routine.

[winterbride1220]

Thanks! I can't wait!! I leave tonight-

[iammalcolmx]

You were given good advice. If you have a diamond engagement ring, I encourage you to leave it at home.

[GilliC]

May 17, 2012 12:53:00 GMT -5 iammalcolmx said:

You were given good advice. If you have a diamond engagement ring, I encourage you to leave it at home.

Because Brazilian men are awesome! :heart:
(I kid. Mostly.)

PS - winterbride, I just booked my next flight to Rio, and I have a stop in Saõ Paulo for the first time, so when you get back I'm curious to hear about your connection and experience at immigration!

[iammalcolmx]

May 18, 2012 9:59:03 GMT -5 GilliC said:

May 17, 2012 12:53:00 GMT -5 iammalcolmx said:

You were given good advice. If you have a diamond engagement ring, I encourage you to leave it at home.

Because Brazilian men are awesome!
(I kid. Mostly.)

PS - winterbride, I just booked my next flight to Rio, and I have a stop in Saõ Paulo for the first time, so when you get back I'm curious to hear about your connection and experience at immigration!

Girl you KNOW I thought I was be skinned alive for saying that right? However I have seen so much with my very own eyes on Copacabana( my family isn't wealthy enough to live in the NICE part of Ipanema LOL) which totally backs up my advice!!

[winterbride1220]

Just returned today! LOVED IT!! I write a full report later, Thanks again-

[GilliC]

Looking forward to it! I booked my ticket for this Christmas, and I'm flying through São Paulo on the way there, so I'm definitely interested to hear about your connection.

[MommaK]

May 18, 2012 9:59:03 GMT -5 GilliC said:

PS - winterbride, I just booked my next flight to Rio, and I have a stop in Saõ Paulo for the first time, so when you get back I'm curious to hear about your connection and experience at immigration!

FYI: I fly into Sao Paulo regularly and have never had an experience that was any different than immigration in any other airport/country. In fact, I don't even remember going through (but then, I may be sleep walking by that time!)!

[GilliC]

May 29, 2012 13:32:30 GMT -5 MommaK said:

May 18, 2012 9:59:03 GMT -5 GilliC said:

PS - winterbride, I just booked my next flight to Rio, and I have a stop in Saõ Paulo for the first time, so when you get back I'm curious to hear about your connection and experience at immigration!

FYI: I fly into Sao Paulo regularly and have never had an experience that was any different than immigration in any other airport/country. In fact, I don't even remember going through (but then, I may be sleep walking by that time!)!

Was it faster or slower than at GIG in Rio? I've dealt with some pretty long waits at Rio, since they only have a few counters handling non-Brasileiros, but it's never been a big deal since I've never had a connecting flight.

Also, is it like a lot of European countries where you clear immigration, but only collect your bags and clear customs at your final destination? Or is it like the US or Norway, where you have to collect your bags, clear customs, and then recheck them before your domestic flight?

[winterbride1220]

I felt like it was a long walk, but that might have been exhaustion! Not too crowded, pretty easy. I carried everything on so no idea if I would have needed to claim my checked bags. Overall very easy to navigate w/ english signs and plenty of TAM reps.

[lo]

I also thought the immigration process was extremely long in Sao Paulo. I seem to remember we had to go through security again, even though we never left the secure area. We picked up our luggage at our final destination, Rio.

[MommaK]

May 29, 2012 14:49:25 GMT -5 GilliC said:

May 29, 2012 13:32:30 GMT -5 MommaK said:

FYI: I fly into Sao Paulo regularly and have never had an experience that was any different than immigration in any other airport/country. In fact, I don't even remember going through (but then, I may be sleep walking by that time!)!

Was it faster or slower than at GIG in Rio? I've dealt with some pretty long waits at Rio, since they only have a few counters handling non-Brasileiros, but it's never been a big deal since I've never had a connecting flight.

Also, is it like a lot of European countries where you clear immigration, but only collect your bags and clear customs at your final destination? Or is it like the US or Norway, where you have to collect your bags, clear customs, and then recheck them before your domestic flight?

I've never flown direct to Rio; I've only come in from somewhere else, so I didn't go through immigration there (at least I don't think; it's been quite a few years). We always enter Brasil through Sao Paulo and we never connect (we stay a few days and then move on).

Geez, that didn't help, did it?

[MommaK]

May 29, 2012 14:49:25 GMT -5 GilliC said:

Also, is it like a lot of European countries where you clear immigration, but only collect your bags and clear customs at your final destination? Or is it like the US or Norway, where you have to collect your bags, clear customs, and then recheck them before your domestic flight?

DH reminded me...you DO have to collect your bags, clear customs, and recheck sorry!

[winterbride1220]

I feel like the Sao Paolo thing was answered but my last two cents worth of advice is grab a cart if you have heavy bags b/c is was a walk. the wait wasn't long at all! easy peasy.

Not a lot of power outlets to charge your stuff so if you need one grab it quick. same for chairs.

decent Duty Free. Ferragamo, Hermes scarves, Mont Blanc Pens...if your into that kind of stuff.