Answers For the Questions You May Have 
How long is the flight to Rio? Are there nonstop flights?
A few nonstop flights are offered from the airports in New York (JFK and Newark), Florida (Miami and Orlando), Atlanta, Atlanta, Austin, and Los Angeles throughout the year. If a nonstop flight, it should take you about 10 hours to get there.
Do I need a visa to enter Brazil?
Starting April 10th, 2025, travelers holding passports from the United States and other nations will be required to acquire a visa for entry into Brazil. Since this visa requirement goes into effect nearly one month after the wedding date, obtaining a visa is not necessary for attendance. However, should you choose to do so for any reason, you can apply electronically through the Brazil E-Visa Website.
Is Rio safe?
Contrary to the popular belief, Rio is generally safe for tourists (remember, bad things make news). You do have to exercise increased caution, as you probably anticipated, but following our tips is a very good way to ensure a very enjoyable time in this amazing city (this is really the bulk of it).
What is the currency? Do they accept US dollars?
The local currency is the Brazilian Real (R$ or BRL) and foreign currencies are not accepted anywhere. The Dollar has been very strong against the Real and the currency has been hovering around 1 to 5 (US$1 is worth BRL 5). Your flight should be the most expensive item of the trip. Because of the exchange rate, this is a great time to visit South America in general.
Where should I really stay?
All the hotels we mentioned on this website are excellent, safe options and you could not go wrong with any. However, if we have to rank them, we would place the ones located in Ipanema or Leblon first. Emiliano, Copacabana Palace and Fairmont, while in Copacabana, are still excellent options. The only thing is that you should think of Copacabana as a 4.5 in terms of location, and Leblon and Ipanema as a 5.
What is the language spoken in Brazil? Can I get around easily in English?
The language spoken is Portuguese (same as the European, with a different accent) and English is not widely spoken. While the newest, more educated generation is generally able communicate in English, the people you are likely to interact with outside of hotels are not likely to do very well with foreign languages.
Will there be English-speaking people at the wedding and the other 02 events to assist me?
Yes! We will make sure to have a few English speaking individuals to assist you with anything.
Will the ceremony be handled in English?
The ceremony will be handled in both English and Portuguese, so you should be able to understand everything.
What should I wear?
Please, refer to our “The Week” page and if you have further questions, do not hesitate to contact us.
I received an RSVP via email, but did not receive a formal invitation. Should I expect one?
Absolutely! Physical invitations are in the making and will be mailed to you by the end of 2024.
Am I expected to attend all three events – Rehearsal Dinner, Wedding and Farewell Brunch?
We would love for you to, but we understand if you need to skip the Rehearsal Dinner and the Farewell Brunch for any reason. In any case, please be so kind as to RSVP and let us know which events you will be attending.
How is the weather in Rio?
Rio de Janeiro is hot, and we won’t tell you otherwise. However, the wedding will be held in the beginning of fall, and temperatures should be more comfortable at the time. Also, most places in Rio are well equipped to deal with high temperatures (AC is everywhere), and rest assured that the Wedding, the Rehearsal Dinner and Farewell Brunch will have indoor spaces with AC and everything you need to stay cool and comfortable.
What foods should I definitely try when in Brazil?
We are glad you asked! Drinks and foods we think you definitely shouldn’t miss include:
- Caipirinha, a cocktail made with cachaça (a Brazilian rum), lime or lemon juice, sugar, and crushed ice;
- Guaraná, a Brazilian soda (diet version available);
- Churrasco, the Brazilian barbecue;
- Pão de queijo, a light, fluffy baked cheese roll or bun made with cassava flour and queijo Minas, a Brazilian soft cheese. They can be eaten at any time of the day and are also popular for breakfast, served with cheese and jam;
- Açaí na tigela, a sweet dish made with the frozen and mashed fruit of the açaí palm (Amazonian fruit), described as having an “earthy” or “creamy” taste. It is served as a smoothie in a bowl, usually mixed with guaraná syrup and topped with granola and banana;
- Feijoada, a Brazil’s national dish, is a stew loaded with black beans and meats of every description: smoked pork loin, bacon and sausage such as chorizo;
- Moqueca de Peixe or Moqueca de Camarão, a tasty slow-cooked stew typically containing prawns (camarão) or fish (peixe), coconut oil and milk with added vegetables, tomatoes, onions, and coriander, and served piping hot in a clay pot;
- Pastel, a a typical Brazilian fast-food dish, consisting of half-circle or rectangle-shaped thin crust pies with assorted fillings, fried in vegetable oil, and resulting is a crispy, brownish fried pie;
- Coxinha, a Brazilian chicken croquette consisting of chopped or shredded chicken meat, covered in dough, molded into a shape resembling a teardrop, battered and fried;
- Farofa, a deliciously salty dish made from small pieces of bacon fried with cassava flour. It can be eaten as a main or as a side dish, which works particularly well at a churrasco.