Contact & FAQs
Mobile phone: +55 21 9395-3537 (UTC/GMT – 4 hours)
Check my availability and make your inquiries preferably through madson@tourguiderio.com . I reply insanely fast!
FAQs
(Frequently Asked Questions)
Can you also do the transfer from the airport to the hotel upon my arrival?
Usually not, but if that is important to you I can do it. Otherwise, just take a taxi at the airport (which is cheaper than my transfer service). Aerocoop (yellow cab, the cheapest), Transcootur, Transcoopass and Cootramo are the companies which operate and have booths just outside the luggage claim area. These are 100% safe. Either the taxi driver will approach you once you collect your luggage or you can go to one of the taxi booths close by where payment is made in advance either in cash (USD, Euros or Reais) or credicard. The first company charges on the meter and the other three charge a fixed fare which costs approximately 50 USD depending on your hotel location. NOTE: If a taxi driver approaches you tell him that you want to pay by credicard. If he accepts it means that he belongs to one of the companies mentioned above and he will walk you to the booth to make the payment.
What time does the tour start?
The tours start usually at 9 am or 10 am. You may request another start time though.
Do I need to walk?
There will be several moments to get off the car, take pictures and even do short walks at the tourist attractions. If, however, you choose to take the cultural tour a 30-minute walk (or less or none if you wish) is expected in downtown.
Which days are the tours available?
Every day, all year around.
Is there any time when some specific places are closed?
Museums are closed on Mondays. The 19th century Colombo confectioner (coffee shop) is closed on Sundays. The Maracaña Football Stadium is closed on Sundays and/or Saturdays afternoons.
Are there worse or better days for some tours?
Visit of the downtown (business district and old town) is not recommended on Sundays neither Saturdays for safety reasons. If you choose to do a cultural tour those days, there will be no stroll.
Can I post-pone the tour in case it is raining?
No. What you can do is to choose any “good for rainy days” tours described on page “Tour Options”. By the way, in Rio is not unusual that the day starts cloudy or raining and ends sunny or vice-versa.
Will there be other people in the car with us?
No. Once you book and pay the deposit, the car and the personal tour guide (me) will be exclusively for you during that time period.
Are the tours conducted in English only?
I speak English, French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese fluently and clear ly.
What if I have only some basic knowledge of English or one of these languages?
No problem, you will still benefit from the tour. In a way, the tour is also pretty much visual. The places visited speak for themselves.
Can I book the tour once I am in Rio?
You can, but since the great majority of the people make reservations and pay the deposit in advance, you are likely to find me booked. Besides I also work as a free lance uide for travel agencies who book my services months in advance. The great advantages for you to book ahead are:
It reduces your stress (you know that everything is arranged); You save vacation time (start enjoying your vacation upon arrival); No risk of spending time making hasty arrangements with an uknown guide.
Can I book with no deposit?
No.
Do you get to know my credit card number?
No, payment is processed through a secured on line payment system called PayPal (read more at http://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=p/gen/about-outside). PayPal is owned by E-Bay. As the payment recipient, I never see your credit card information.
Can the pick up be outside the city of Rio?
Yes, pick up can also be in Paraty, Buzios, Angra dos Reis or Mangaratiba. In this case, a long-distance transfer price will apply.
What time does it get dark in Rio?
From April to October it gets dark around 5:30/6 p.m. and from November to March around 7/8 p.m.
How much history information do you give during the tours?
Generally, just an overview. If I sense that you are interested in history, then I am happy to provide more historical information. However, the tour focuses more on how is Rio and its people nowadays.
Any other questions or suggestions? Please send me a message.
Check this video about Rio de Janeiro
