It’s hard to believe that four years have passed since the London Olympics, which saw record-breaking coverage; more than 219 million people viewed the awesome sporting events many of them in person. If you haven’t marked your calendars yet, take note. August 5 is the opening ceremony and Rio 2016 will continue until August 21. If you are one of the lucky ones jockeying for last minute travel deals and are dead set on attending, here are a few things you should know.
Brazilian Visa Requirements and Currency
Citizens of the US, Canada, Australia and Japan are not required to obtain travel visas for travel between now and September 18. If you’ll be traveling alone with a child under the age of 16, you must obtain a “statement of consent,” signed by the other parent. If you have sole legal custody of your child, you’ll need a notarized copy of your custody decree.
Due to Brazil’s current economic recession and political instability, the local currency (the Brazilian Real) is not as strong as it was during the World Cup and your money will go further.
Alternative Lodging
Rio’s hotels are nothing to shout about and even worse, there’s not that many. Regardless of that, one thing’s certain; all are bound to be fully booked at this point. And if not, be prepared to hand over your life savings because prices will be through the roof (welcome to South America!).
Airbnb happens to be one of the 2016 Olympic Games’ sponsors, and is promoting a lot of information around the 25,000 accommodations it has listed. There is also a home-share site called AlltheRooms.com, that provides information from a number of similar sites, including Flipkey, HomeAway and VRBO.
Health Concerns and Health Insurance
Only a handful of athletes have backed out of the games due to Zika-related health issues. Other athletes not attending are blaming physical fatigue, rather than any health concerns. The official message is that pregnant women and those considering pregnancy should avoid traveling to countries with ongoing Zika virus outbreaks, including Brazil. That said, the games are taking place in Brazil’s winter months, reducing the risk of contracting the disease.
In terms of health coverage and general health safety, here are a few tips:
- Check your health insurance coverage before you go to make sure it covers healthcare expenses and medical evacuation. Travel medical insurance coverage might be the way to go
- Find out what medical facilities or services are available in more remote locations where you are attending certain events. Medical capacity and infrastructure in certain areas of Brazil are not prepared for high-volume emergencies
- Look into online services and apps that are available, such as the International SOS service, Assistance App. It offers support for unexpected emergencies
An Olympic Playlist and Discounts?
It’s hard to mention Rio without thinking about the rich musical traditions of samba and bossa nova. To get you into the spirit of the games, the Rio 2016 website provides a playlist of fabulous music. If you do luck out and score your passage and Games itinerary, a Rio Cultural Passport is available for 15 Reals. It provides discounts, and in some cases, free admission to more than 700 cultural attractions and events.
Ready, Set, Go!
The Olympics has always been a symbol of international community – an opportunity for athletes from around the world to promote international cooperation, inclusion and relationship building. While this year’s games will see the return of golf, which has been absent for 112 years, one of the most exciting additions is a Refugee Team. The Olympic committee has selected ten world-class athletes with refugee status, and no home team to represent. They will stand with the Olympic flag and compete among their peers – an example of an event with community at its heart.
Hats off to Rio 2016 and your chance to experience a life changing experience!
For more info visit: www.rio2016.com