In just over two months, the world’s sporting elite will converge in Rio de Janeiro for the Summer Olympic Games in what promises to be one of the most colourful and entertaining spectacles yet.
Taking place between 5 and 21 August, the elite sporting competition will see 206 nations compete in over 300 events across 42 different sports in 37 venues across the city.
Rio 2016 will be the first time the Summer Olympics will be hosted in a South American city, and also the first time it will be held in its host’s country’s winter season.
This year’s Olympic Games is also expected to bring in over half a million foreign tourists into Brazil during the games (including many, many Aussies), according to the Brazilian Tourism Institute.
(In 2014, Brazil attracted over 600,000 additional tourists to its shores during its hosting of the FIFA World Cup.)
If you’re heading over to Brazil this year for the games, here’s a little check-list you may want go through to make sure you’ve got everything sorted.
Do you have your Brazilian visa?
Just kidding!
This year, Australian passport holders will be exempt from having to obtain a Brazilian visa as long as they enter the country between 1 June and 18 September and leave within 90 days.
The same exemption rule applies to US, Canada and Japan passport holders. All other nationalities are advised to consult with their local Brazilian embassy for the latest visa information.
Are you up-to-date with your vaccinations?
Before heading over to Rio this year, visit your doctor and make sure you’re vaccinated for diseases such as measles, mumps, polio, rubella, tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, as these diseases are all found in Brazil.
It’s also a wise idea to take out travel insurance if you haven’t already. Just in the last five years, Australians have claimed over half a million dollars in health related claims from Brazil.
To avoid getting sick or injured while you’re out enjoying the games, play by these rules:
- Avoid tap water and ice cubes and stick to drinking bottled water – Brazil is still developing and many areas lack proper sanitation.
- Use insect repellent at all times – Brazil is experiencing ongoing transmission of the mosquito-borne Zika virus and malaria is present in some parts of the country. Wearing long, loose-fitting clothing and using a mosquito net and sprays at night will help provide protection.
- Carry an antidiarrheal drug – Diarrhea is the most common travel-related ailment and while most cases are mild, it is recommended that travellers carry an antidiarrheal drug for short-term remedy.
- Keep hydrated – Brazil is a tropical country with a varying climate and it’s easy to become dehydrated. In addition to bottled water, coconut water is a good source of hydration and is available at beaches as well as cities across Brazil.
- Practice safe sex – And remember that diseases such as hepatitis and HIV can be transmitted not only sexually but through a
Do you know what you’ll do in-between events?
Rio de Janeiro is definitely a city worth exploring. Indeed, the fact that the Olympic Games happens to be on during your visit should just be considered a bonus!
Check out our very own Rio de Janeiro City Guide for the best things to do while you’re in this amazing city.
If you’re into art, check out some of Rio’s best street art here.
Have you booked your accommodation yet?
If no, then you better move quick smart!
Getting a room in Rio is going to be tough during the games (about as tough as it is during the biggest carnival in the world – Rio Carnival, which promises to be even bigger and better in 2017).
Luckily, there are alternatives you may want to consider if you haven’t confirmed where you’ll be staying.
A number of travel companies are running package tours in Brazil that coincide with the Olympic Games, which includes accommodation. You may also want to look into staying local in Rio – over 25,000 AirBnb properties will be listed during the games.
Do you know who to call in an emergency?
Hopefully you won’t need to use these phone numbers. But just in case you find yourself in an emergency, here’s who to call:
Medical Emergency (ambulância) – Tel: 192
Fire Service (Corpo de Bombeiros) – Tel: 193
Rio de Janeiro Civil Police (Polícia Civil do Estado de Rio de Janiero) – Tel: 197