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[url=http://www.brasilia.df.gov.br/]Brasília[/url], the capital of [wiki=42537f0fb56e31e20ab9c2305752087d]Brazil[/wiki] and the seat of government of the [wiki=8f928f32340f974d9fb2b64d73335cb0]Distrito Federal[/wiki], is a planned city. Inaugurated in 1960 in the Central Highlands of Brazil, it is a masterpiece of modernist architecture listed as a [wiki=46be294acde4971a1fa7d3d708a0890d]World Heritage Site[/wiki] by UNESCO and attracts architecture aficionados worldwide. Brasilia is also an important transportation hub for travel within Brazil.
Getting a grasp of Brasilia's addresses may be a little perplexing at first, as they are usually shortened to acronyms. Here are some useful tips:
The Monumental Axis divides the city into north and south sectors. Acronyms ended in N refer to sectors on the northern side, while those ended in S are on the south.
* SHS/SHN - Hotel sectors (Setor Hoteleiro)
* SCS/SCN - Commercial sectors (Setor Comercial)
* SQS/SQN - Residential sectors (Superquadras)
* CLS/CLN (or SCLS/SCLN) - Local commerce sectors (Comércio Local) along the wings.
* SES/SEN - Embassies sector (Setor de Embaixadas)
Temperatures seldom hit extremes. 17°C to 28°C (63 to 82°F) are the average lows and highs, but it can get as low as 1°C (34°F) in winter and get as hot as 34°C (92°F) in September/October. In dry season (August-September) the city's landscape, normally very green, becomes desert-like and everyone must drink lots of water to prevent the unpleasant effects of dehydration. On the other hand, during those months the city is blessed with a gorgeous sunset in spectacular shades of orange, pink and red. The best months to go are probably May and June - still green, but no longer so hot, with fewer chances of rainfall.
Official tourist info can be obtained from [url=http://www.setur.df.gov.br/]State Secretariat of Tourism of the Distrito Federal[/url] (in Portuguese).
There are also stands in the airport, the new rodoviaria and the Praça dos Três Poderes.
Due to long distances and falling prices in air travel, flying has become a practical way of getting to Brasilia. The city is a national air travel hub, and there should be plenty of flights. In fact you may find your plane touching down at Brasilia airport even if you're not starting or ending anywhere near, such as [wiki=b1dbcbd57e27e25b7b3cf6bbc16dd566]Salvador[/wiki] to [wiki=0164ddf9ddc99107b29e7107530e700b]Belém[/wiki]. On the other hand, despite being a major international capital, getting in directly from abroad is difficult in most cases. Most flights are domestic, and you will have to go through Brazilian customs and immigration elsewhere and re-board. However, there are currently several international non-stop flights from: [wiki=d4d2ea493b6a2460e9b9f00712e0a234]Orlando[/wiki] (TAM), [wiki=464f18360a31a99b8003db4c668244c0]Buenos Aires[/wiki] (Aerolineas Argentinas), [wiki=e20d37a5d7fcc4c35be6fc18a8e71bfa]Paris[/wiki] (Air France), [wiki=260b4e591e03de9750f965a30087ed5f]Lisbon[/wiki] (TAP Portugal), [wiki=0cb9cde516c38ed84dc1f3f2b5556ed3]Lima[/wiki] (Lan Peru) and (TACA), [wiki=8f354219c239d3445fd40b9561033eda]Bogotá[/wiki] (AviancaTaca) [url=http://www.taca.com],][[Miami[/url]] (TAM Brazil) and (American Airlines), [wiki=770aeea4e450b3fef97ba33dc5d1926c]Panama City[/wiki] (COPA), [wiki=f01ac1a04a0343a4b0d4ec3976fc7b83]Montevideo[/wiki] (Pluna), [wiki=93217d47bc50ee4a762d381d1fcb13b8]Santa Cruz, Bolivia[/wiki] (Amaszonas Airlines), [wiki=8b1c40ce6629723de95905617aaf5743]Atlanta[/wiki] (Delta Airlines), [wiki=6a8c1afd2d6e0e059127851db90c464b]Punta Cana[/wiki] (TAM), and seasonal to [wiki=b402b481bc0dbd51687430c586c7909a]Santiago[/wiki] and [wiki=4893b64051cf425047ddd8606dae25f4]Aruba[/wiki] (GOL).
Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek International Airport , Brasília's airport (phone:+55 61 3364-9000, fax: +55 61 3364-9251), is situated 11 km (7 mi) from the city center and has one of the few tourist information services in town (phone +55 61 3033.9488, from 7:30AM-10:30PM). It also has an exchange office at the arrivals area, another one at Banco do Brasil (open Mo-Fri 11:00-16:00, departures area) and several ATMs.
There is an Executive Bus from airport to hotel zone and the central region for R$8.
Taxis are annother convenient means of getting from the airport into the city. They are relatively expensive for Brazilian standards and the 20-minute drive to the hotel zone should cost about R$30-40. Regular buses number 102 and 102.1 are frequent and significantly cheaper. They link the airport to the main bus terminal at Rodoviária, from where you can catch buses or the subway to other parts of the city.
Due to its central location, Brasilia is well served by a bus network that connects it with the rest of Brazil. Travel times are about 15 hours from [wiki=ea76c0ae9dd817eb448fd1b3db6253bb]São Paulo[/wiki], 18 hours from [wiki=5cfd5837c67e04c1d6f52c1b42c11f10]Rio[/wiki], 10 hours from [wiki=bdaa8e686a0605b54ff44fdb9417fdc8]Belo Horizonte[/wiki] and 3 hours from [wiki=497d39d74d2e00fe469b0bc32618f6bb]Goiânia[/wiki]. Buses from other states arrive at a dedicated bus station called rodoviária (phone:+55 61 3234-2185), that is located at the central road (EPIA) and is connected to the city center by bus (number 131, frequency each 10-20 minutes, from 5AM to midnight) and taxis.
Drivers coming from southern and Center-west states will arrive by the Saída Sul entrance. From other states, you'll enter Brasilia by Saída Norte. After you're inside the Federal District, keep following the Brasília indicating traffic signs and Zona Central if you're staying at the hotel sector.
The Eixo Rodoviário Road, that crosses the city's south, central, and north sectors, can be identified by the characteristics double strip of yellow raised pavement markers (Cat's eye) separating the two lanes of the road.
Most local buses start from or go through the rodoviária, at the precise center of the city, and run along the "wings" - serving the residential zones - or through the Monumental Axis.
Some bus lines are very useful for moving around, as they link the central area of Brasilia (Setor Comercial, Setor de Diversões etc.) to Esplanada dos Ministérios, the airport and some of the main avenues (L2 and W3). These used to be stripped red-and-white buses called "zebrinhas" (little zebras) but now they are only distinguished from other bus lines by their numbers.
Unlike many other Brazilian cities, passengers in Brasilia board buses by the front door. Buses must be flagged, otherwise they will only stop when a passenger requests to hop off.
Single fares are R$2.00 for travel within Brasília. There is no advance sale of tickets, pay as you board.
Taxis are relatively expensive in Brasilia and usually cannot be hailed on the streets. Taxi stands, however, are close to all tourist attractions and any hotel will be able to call a cab or provide the phone number of the best known dispatch offices. All taxis must have taximeters and can start charging only after the passenger has boarded. When arriving at Brasilia airport, taxis are located immediately outside the arrival terminal. Although the airport is not far from downtown Brasilia, taxi prices are expensive compared to other cities in Brazil, and often there can be a long wait before a taxi become available. Pre-booking taxis or airport transfers is possible, although somewhat limited, through companies such as [url=http://www.brazilairporttransfers.com]Brazil Airport Transfers[/url].
The [url=http://www.metro.df.gov.br/]Metrô[/url] subway system started operating in 2001. Its Y-shaped line starts in the main bus station (Rodoviária de Brasília - "Central" station) and makes its first stop at Setor Comercial Sul ("Galeria" station), which is fairly near some hotels South of Monumental Axis. It runs along the south wing, stopping at blocks 102, 108, 112 and 114, then going through suburbs. The subway uses to operate 6AM-11:30PM from Monday to Friday (some stations stop selling tickets at 10:30PM), and from 7AM-7PM on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Its common to be offered special timelines on some holidays, like New Year's Eve and the April 21st (city's anniversary).
It's not particularly useful for tourists, as it does not visit the main attractions but does stop at attractions such as the Buddhist Temple (EQS 115/116, access by "114 Sul" Station). Single fare: R$3.00, R$2.00 on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
Before going on the subway remember to have pocket money in small bills or coins - the Metro doesn't accept credit cards and won't give change above R$20.
If you are not using "city tour" services, it would be a good idea to have a car available. The urbanistic plan of Brasilia was highly based on individual motorized transportation, so it is not surprising that a visit to the city will be much more pleasing having a car.
Unlike other Brazilian big cities, traffic in Brasilia is not a major problem, although there are some jams during rush hours.
There are public parking lots available at main sites, although it can be hard to find spots sometimes. As in other Brazilian towns, there usually are some "watchers", people that offers to watch your car (supposedly to protect it from robbers), expecting to get some money in return; they usually behave like beggars, although they can turn violent towards the cars if not paid, scratching or chipping the paint job, so it would avoid some trouble to just give a little money, something around 2 reais. If it bothers you, you can always park your car a little further from the main destinations, where there are no watchers, or in a paid garage, when available.
Also, drivers behave a little differently than in other places in Brazil:
* Stop at pedestrian crossings - pedestrians will wave a hand before crossing or usually simply start walking. Keep an eye on the sidewalks at all times. Policemen enforce this rule and you can get fined if you disrespect it. Other cities are beginning to enforce this law as well.
* Use of horns - do not honk unless you really need to for safety reasons. Brasilienses hate it and really appreciate their driving to be as silent as possible.
It is paramount to have a detailed map in hand when driving through the city, especially in the central area. It is far more convenient to have a good GPS system, because the access of some streets can be confusing, as there are lots of elevated interchanges and ramps. Do not expect the signs to be clear and ubiquitous, there are no signs telling you on what avenue you are on and streets rarely intersect. Smaller streets do not have names as they are defined by being between this and that square. This said, once you have understood the logic that rules ramps and intersections, theoretically you can throw your map away.
The Three Powers Square (Praça dos Três Poderes) at the eastern end of the Monumental Axis. Includes the seats of the country's 3 highest authorities: the Congress, the Presidential Palace (called Palácio do Planalto) and the Supreme Court. The axis itself is aligned such that on April 21 (Tiradentes Day, marking the death of the Brazilian independence martyr), the sun rises precisely between the two towers of Congress. The bronze statue of two abstract figures is named Os Candangos and represents the pioneering spirit of the workers who built the city. There's also a "blind justice" statue by the Supreme Court, a small museum about Juscelino Kubitschek, the Pantheon, the Eternal Flame monument, and a model, built to scale, of Brasilia itself, in an underground space.
* The façade of the Palace of Justice has waterfalls that contrast with its stern geometrical beauty.
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* Television Tower - In the middle of the Monumental axis, it used to be the best place for a sweeping panorama of the city, until the opening of the new Digital Tower. It's the second best now. There is also a crafts and typical food market at the base of the tower. Open tue-sun 08h-20h. Entrance is free.
* The Juscelino Kubitschek Memorial on the western part of the axis, the city's highest location, is a museum dedicated to the life and accomplishments of the president, and houses his remains as well. It's located underground and has a slightly spooky 1960's science-fiction feel to it.
* Palácio da Alvorada (Palace of Dawn) - The President's official residence, by the Paranoá lake. Not open to visitors. Its arches are icons of the capital.
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* National Theater Claudio Santoro - Brasilia's main theatre features 3 main halls for plays and concerts, art galleries and temporary art exhibitions. Tickets: +55 61 3325-6239 / 3325-6256, from 12h until 20h.
* Public works of art - Some of the finest Brazilian artists have created works in Brasilia: Burle Marx (landscape design), Athos Bulcão (geometric tile panels), Oscar Niemeyer (buildings and sculptures) Ceschiatti and Bruno Giorgio (sculptures). These can be seen on the streets, open air and for free.
Dom Bosco Church, Av. W3 sul, quadra 702. A beautiful modern church built on concrete and blue stained glass. Bosco was a 19th-century Italian priest whose writings, some say, prophesied the creation of Brasilia. It's impossible not to notice the huge crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling in the middle of the square church.
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* [url=http://www44.bb.com.br/appbb/portal/bb/ctr2/bsb/Eventos.jsp?data=semanal]Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil (CCBB)[/url] - SCES, Trecho 02, lote 22. Tel +55 61 33107087. Holds all kinds of exhibitions and cultural events. Russian paintings, musical concerts, documentaries, plays, thematic movie festivals, photography, you name it. There is no permanent exhibition or attraction so you've to check the programme before going or just go there and enjoy what's available. The easier way to reach it is through its own free bus line that runs from the city center and back. Check the [url=http://www44.bb.com.br/appbb/portal/bb/ctr2/bsb/Servicos.jsp#2]official bus schedule[/url] for an up-to-date information. Opens Thu-Sun from 9h until 21h. Entrance fees may vary greatly or even be free depending on what's going on. But one thing is certain: it's usually CHEAP!
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* Parque Olhos D'Água - A park in the northern wing of the city that is mainly used for jogging. It also has many springs, streams and a small pond. Many of its facilities include a playground and two outdoor gyms.
* Paranoá Lake - Pontão has lakeside restaurants and a park while the Ermida Dom Bosco (near SHIS QI 29, bus line 100/123) chapel provides gorgeous views of the city from across the Lake, an excellent place to watch Brasilia's famous sunsets. You can swim in the lake at the Ecological Park next to the Ermida.
Brasilia National Park - Cerrado vegetation and fauna, plus natural swimming pools.
* Poço Azul - A waterfall forming beautiful blue pools on a quartz rock.
Basketball - If you happen to be in Brasilia between January and June, you should not miss the games of Brasilia's home team Universo BRB for the national league of basketball. Runner-up of the 2009 season, Universo is well known for playing great games and drawing a big audience (for Brazilian standards), which peaked 11.000 people during the 2009 finals. The season games happens in 'Clube da CEB' (CEB's club), at SGAS 904. Ticket costs R$10.00. If you actually want to play basketball, the city's park has plenty of courts available for public use. Your best chance to catch some locals playing is going on the weekends.
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* Jogging - Brasilia's most popular sport by far. There are running tracks in the National Park and in the City's Park. The Eixo Rodoviario road is closed to traffic on Sundays (8h-18h) and can be also used for jogging, cycling and skating. Jogging on weekends in the City's Park is one the most popular activities among locals. Don't miss the coconut water vendors. Besides that, 5 km and 10 km races happens almost bi-monthly.
* Wakeboard - Wakescola de Brasília. The only wakeboard school in the city. Tel +55 61 3380-2171 / +55 61 9982-3562. Expensive.
A convenient place for finding reasonably priced food is the food court of the Conjunto Nacional mall (also see Buy, above). The mall is located right beside the main bus terminal (rodoviaria) and at walking distance from many hotels and of the main attractions such as the Three Powers Square.
* SCLS 201. Right beside Banco Central's main building, this street is packed with cheap self-service restaurants and a few ranging from mid-range to splurge.
* Local chain Giraffas (several locations around town) rivals McDonalds in the fast food market by serving sandwiches and cheap beef/chicken + rice-and-beans set meals.
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* Green's has lots of options for vegetarians or people craving healthy food. Imagine, sprouts! They also have fish and meat. (That is definitely not a cheap place)
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* Velha Guarda 302 Norte, Bloco D - It may be the most Brazilian experience a foreign visitor could have, a cheap and totally "out of the beaten path" reataurant. Very simple profile and accommodations, but very well served in what matters, the food. They have "menu of the day", which varies along the week but always with a huge portion of beef/poultry/pork plus salad, egg and rice & beans. Price: R$9.00
Don Durica - SCLN 201, Bloco A, +55 61 3326-1045. (Mo-Sat 11:30AM-3PM/6PM-midnight). This all-you-can-eat buffet offers more than 50 dishes for lunch, mainly from [wiki=c249a545f156d7612d3f22566ed65b2a]Minas Gerais[/wiki] cuisine.
* Vegetarians may try and escape ubiquitous meat dishes of Brazilian cuisine at Bardana - SCLS 405 bloco A, +55 61 3242-3532. Try the tropical juices too.
Bottarga Ristorante - SHIS QI 05 conjunto 09 - +55 61 3248-4828 - Tue-Sat 12:30-15:00 and 20:00-00:00. Sun 12:30-16:30. French-Italian inspired cuisine. Main dishes from R$49 (simple risotto) to R$99. Good selection of wines (for Brasilia).
Designed by Oscar Neimeyer and inaugurated in 1958, this hotel completes the Brasilia/Neimeyer experience. It was the first hotel in the city. Recently revamped maintaining the strict modernist 60's style.
Always remember though, never show off any of your 'splurging'. Not only will this be considered as an insult to less fortunate citizens, you will be an advertising for a mugging.
Neon Lights cybercafe [url=http://www.neonlights.com.br/],]SRTVS, Patio Brasil mall - 2nd Floor, +55 61 3322-8060, [mailto:webmaster@neonlights.com.br webmaster@neonlights.com.br[/url]- Conveniently located inside a large shopping mall next to the South Hotel Sector. Opens Mo-Sat 10AM-10PM. R$6/hour.
* [url=http://www.mediacyber.com.br/]Media Cyber[/url] - Brasilia Shopping mall, G1 floor. +55 61 3201-7300. Next to the North Hotel Sector. Has printing and scanning services and sells disks and recordable CDs. Most expensive Cyber ever R$8/hour.
* [url=http://www.redshot.com.br/]RedShot[/url], SCLS 409 Bloco D Loja 30 (from rodoviaria, take bus 114). +55 61 3443-4359 - This lan house is aimed primarily at gamers, but has cheaper connections. Opens daily from 10AM. R$3-4/hour
There are also many Wi-fi hotspots scattered around town, including the food court of the airport and various hotels.
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