HINTS 2.0   

Cell Phones
For those of you who can't live without them, this site rents cell phones - http://www.presscell.com/html/english.html. I've heard good things about the service, reliable, honest, etc... We've rented "international" cellphones here that didn't work down there. Just make sure that if they're meeting you at the airport, that they know you're with a group, who won't wait around for them to show up!

Mosquitoes
*Skedaddle and Avon's Skin So Soft both work well for some kids. Neither these nor the stronger repellents stop mosquitoes from landing -- only from biting.
*Some studies suggest that taking thiamine (vitamin B1) 25mg to 50 mg three times per day is effective in reducing mosquito bites. This safe vitamin apparently produces a skin odor that is not detectable by humans, but is disagreeable to pregnant mosquitoes (Pediatric Clinics of North America, 16:191, 1969). It seems to be especially effective for those people with large allergic reactions. Thiamine takes about 2 weeks before the odor fully saturates the skin.

(Both texts are from a website called dr. green). I'll be taking Vitamin B for sure.

Electricity
120 volts, same as here. Bring an adapter for 3 pronged to 2 round prongs, from 2 "straight" prongs to 2 round prongs. Some places will have the 2 straight prongs, but some might not.

Hour Difference
By the time we go, there'll be 6 hours difference - ahead. So if it's 7 am here, it'll be 1 pm there. And if you're reading Brazilian sites regarding hours, be aware that it's done in the military way - 1 pm is 13:00. When in doubt, ask, you don't want to miss out on things.

Public Restrooms
It's been a while since I used them in Brazil, but usually it's hard to find clean and stocked public bathrooms - no toilet paper. I'd make sure I had some with me. Of course, better establishments will have it, but on the road, I'm not sure. I remember why all Brazilian women go to the bathroom with a friend - so someone can hold the door closed.

Security
They've just graduated a whole bunch of new policemen, and in Rio the city is patrolled by the city police and by the military police (in the high season and popular tourist places). Hints from the Police in Rio:
Do not go out with jewelry, leave your original documents at the hotel, carry no more than R$50, take few items to the beach. Keep your camera out of site (meaning, don't hang it around your neck). At the beach, stay close to the police kiosk (usually light blue and white). Hints from Steve:
Once you land in Rio, change US$50 - the exchange rate there will be better than here. Also, think ATMs. They're all over the place, and it's better than carrying cash. Most places will accept credit cards (Visa is the most accepted) and travelers' checks are ok too. Make sure you have a Xerox copy of your passaport with you, so you don't have to take it with you the whole time. Since the Brazilian population is so diverse, you won't look like Americans - as long as you don't shout.

Local currency
It's spelled REAL, and you say it HEH-al. Use your throat, the E sound should be the E sound of hem. The dollar is not very strong now, it'll be about 1 US Dollar to 2 Reais (HEH-eyes)

Airport - Returning
Make sure you allow plenty of time for the check-in, etc. I'd arrive at the airport 4 to 5 hours before the flight. They're known for overbooking and the word efficiency doesn't seem to exist in the Brazilian vocabulary - lines are horrible. The gift shops, although expensive, are nice, and we can always have a last caipirinha or two before leaving.

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