Useful Tips

Vaccines

All tourists arriving from, or who during the past three months have been in transit through, the following countries require an international certificate of vaccination against yellow fever:

List of countries with risk of yellow fever transmission:

Angola, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil , Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Congo, Congo Democratic Republic of, Côte d'Ivoire, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, French Guyana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Níger, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Rwanda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Suriname, Tanzania United Republic of , Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Venezuela.

Remember: Vaccines must be applied at least 10 days prior to the date of travel.

The yellow fever vaccine is also recommended for all national and international tourists who intend to visit the following Brazilian areas: North (Acre, Amazonas, Rondônia, Roraima, Amapá, Pará, Tocantins States) and Mid-west (Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Goiás e Distrito Federal States) Regions of Brazil, to all municipalities of Maranhão and Minas Gerais, to the municipalities located in the South of Piauí, West and South of Bahia, North of Espírito Santo, Northwest of São Paulo and West of the states of Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul.

Sources:

Brazilian National Agency of Sanitary Control (Anvisa):
http://www.anvisa.gov.br/paf/viajantes/RE%201492.2007.jpg http://www.anvisa.gov.br/paf/controle.htm#civ

World Health Organization (WHO):
http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2007/9789241580397_11_eng.pdf

Taxis

Transport from the international airport Deputado Luís Eduardo Magalhães International Airport (SSA) in Salvador -Bahía.

Special rates for LACNIC XI attendees from the airport to the hotels:
Fiesta Bahía, Web e Iguatemi: R$58,00 (Local currency)

The companies that provide this service with discount are:

• COMTAS
• COOMETAS

In order to benefit from the discount you should mention the event name:
LACNIC XI in the company stand.

Additionally they consider a discount from the hotels Fiesta Bahía, Web, Iguatemi to any direction within Salvador, in this case will be 10% on the prices to be paid.

Web site of the company: www.taxicomtas.com.br

Currency

Brazil's unit of currency is the Real (R$). U.S. dollars and travelers cheques can be easily exchanged or cashed at hotels, banks, or travel agencies. Most local shops and businesses will accept credit cards.

Language

Portuguese − Brazil’s official language − is different from Portuguese spoken in Portugal.

Standard time zone in Salvador, Bahia

UTC/GMT -3 hours
(No daylight saving time in 2008)

more information

Electricity

Electricity in Brazil varies from state to state, but is generally 110 V. Plug Adapters and Outlet Shapes

For further information you can check out the following links:

http://treehouse.ofb.net/go/en/voltage/Brazil

http://users.pandora.be/worldstandards/electricity.htm#voltage

Tipping

The majority of bars and restaurants include a 10% service charge in their bills. It is common practice to leave a higher tip if the service is satisfactory. If not included in the bill, the general rule is to leave a 10 - 15% tip.

Communications

In order to make an international call you must dial: 00 + operator code * + country code + area code + telephone number. To make an international collect call you must dial 0800 7032111

Operators:

• Brasil Telecom 14
• Embratel 21
• CTBC 34
• GVT 25
• Intelig 23
• Telefónica 15
• Telemar 31

Restaurants and Entertainment in Salvador, Bahia:

• Boite Dolce
  located inside Boulevard shopping center, chosen by Veja Salvador magazine as the city’s best nightclub.
• Bar Caminho de Casa
  also located inside Boulevard shopping center. Very popular spot from “happy tour” until dawn (24hs.); well known for its excellent regional dishes.

Miscellaneous

Within the Pituba neighborhood, 10 minutes drive from the hotel, there are excellent bars and restaurants for all tastes:

• Restaurante Baby Beff - Steak and international cuisine

Specialty Bars

• Las tapas - Mexican
• Jóia e Aice - Sushi – Japanese
• DOC - Bar and restaurant
• Porto Brasil
• Carangueijo de Sergipe e Santo Antônio - Bar specializing in carangueijos and other regional dishes.

Beaches near Hotel Fiesta Bahia

• Hotel Fiesta Bahia is located one thousand meters from the Pituba coast, which is very popular for morning and late afternoon walks (4 km).
• Aleluia and Flamenco Beaches: Popular beaches located 30 km from the hotel. Approximately 20 minutes by taxi.

For more information about Salvador, Bahia, and Brazil, you can check out the following websites:

http://www.emtursa.salvador.ba.gov.br/template.asp

http://www.braziltour.com/site/br/home/index.php

http://www.e-destinos.com.ar/Salvador_de_Bahia.htm

http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/central-and-south
-america/brazil/bahia/salvador/overview.html

Safety measures

As in any other big city, it is important to consider personal safety. For this reason:

• Keep an eye on your luggage. Use large and colourful labels to identify them easily on airport conveyor belts or delivery balconies.
• Change your money only in exchange houses at airports or authorized bank agencies. Do not accept help from strangers like luggage porters and agents in airports.
• Only use official taxi stands or taxis from the cooperatives indicated by the event organization. Keep the windows of your vehicle always rolled up, specially at night and always ask the driver of your cab to keep valuable belongings, like laptops, in the car's trunk.
• Always keep your belongings in sight, specially in open areas, like restaurants, snack bars, parks, and even in the event's venue. Don't let purses, bags, photo or video cameras hanging on chairs or on the floor.
• Don't wear expensive looking jewelry and watches.
• The same applies to large amounts of money; try to separate previously the amount you need for small expenses.
• Don't disclose your personal data to unknown persons and avoid carrying passports and travel checks when you go for a walk or a drive. In case of loss, theft or robbery, report the fact immediately to the local police.
• For your peace of mind, use the hotel's safe to keep valuable objects, your documents, passport and airplane tickets, and use photocopies of your documents when you go out.
• If you go out for a walk or to public and open areas, keep your belongings near to your body and avoid going out alone. It's recommended to avoid going out carrying your notebook or other electronic devices.
• If you need to go to an ATM machine, preferably use those located in malls (shopping centers) or banks. Avoid cash machines on streets or dark places. If you need help, always ask an employee of the bank.