The Shuttles
Through the weekend, if you don’t want to worry about driving, we will hire a van shuttle service that will drive guest to and from the wedding activities and airport. You can request the van as an add-on to our travel agent when you are making your reservation after RSVPing. That will include:
Ride from the GRU Airport to the Hotel on August 7th. Shuttle times will depend on flight arrival times with the most guests. (ride lasts 2-2.5 hours)
Ride from the Hotel to and from the church and to the reception venue on August 8th.
Ride to and from Ubatuba on August 9th, leaving early morning and returning at 6pm. (ride lasts 1.5 - 2 hours)
Ride back to the GRU Airport on August 10th.
Renting a car in Brazil
Part of the fun is experiencing the road, making your own schedule and exploring at your own pace.
If you are planning on flying in early, leaving later, or just want the freedom to go wherever whenever, there are plenty or car rental options at the GRU Airport. Here are some links for the most popular ones:
Driving in Brazil
If you are going to drive yourself around there are a few pointers you should know before exploring the Brazilian roads. Here are the main ones:
MAIN DIFFERENCES ABOUT BRAZIL’S TRAFFIC LAWS
Can you drive in Brazil?? Yes! Foreigners can drive in Brazil for up to 180 days with their valid license and passport from their home country, but you can get an IDP. Check with your car rental place if they require an IDP or what documents they need from you before leaving the US.
Right-hand Driving and Passing Lanes: Brazil follows the right-hand driving rule, similar to the US. Highways will also often only have 2 lanes going in one direction. Because of this, cars will normally drive in the right lane, leaving the left lane for faster vehicles for passing. It is common that, if you are driving in the left lane, a car will come behind you and flash their headlights to ask you to pass.
Drinking and Driving is a BIG DEAL: Brazil has a strict ZERO TOLERANCE policy for drinking and driving. In the state of São Paulo they follow the Lei Seca, or Dry Law, where ANY amount of alcohol is enough for vehicle apprehension, fines, and even jail. DUIs are a big problem in Brazil so the police do not mess around and you will often see police check points in highway exits to towns and near event venues where they do conduct breathalyzer tests. If you are planning on having any drinks, do not drive. Instead you can leave the rental car behind and take the wedding shuttle.
Watch out for Motorcycles splitting lanes: There are A LOT of motorcycles in Brazil. Food delivery and carrier services will often use motorcycles as a way to get around traffic, especially in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. When stuck in traffic, remember to leave space between the slower and faster lane in the road so bikers can drive through it. You will often hear them honking their horns before appearing in your mirrors, they are normally going faster than you expect, and they can take off your side view mirror if it’s in their path.
Free right turns are not a thing: They should be, I agree. But if you are at a red light, it doesn’t matter where or if you are turning, you have to wait for it to turn green.
Headlights: Headlights must be on at all times on highways, even during the day.
Speed traps and Radars: Expect to encounter speed radars and occasional police speed checks on various roads. There might be permanent traffic camera setups or speed traps set on the side of highways. You can normally notice the latter because there will be a car parked next to them. Police Officers will not normally pursue, they will just send the ticket to the rental company who will then send it to you once you are back home.
Roundabouts: Give way to vehicles already in the roundabout when entering.
Road Tolls: Toll prices range a lot from route to route and the pay booths are often in the middle of the road, not in on and off ramps. There are multiple tolls between São Paulo and Taubaté, they accept cash or a Speed Pass type device that you can purchase ahead of time and link to your credit card account for quicker passage. Check with the rental company for that option. These tolls do add up quite a bit. Booth Attendants do not speak English; please be prepared with Real (Brazilian Currency) before getting on the road.
SAFETY POINTERS FOR DRIVERS
Never leave your stuff in the car! Theft is a real problem in Brazil and criminals will often wait for the right opportunity. An unattended vehicle with anything of worth in sight is an easy target. Avoid coming back to a smashed window.
Expect the Flanelinhas to approach you: Roughly translated to “little microfiber”. These people will often be posted around public, free parking spots and once you are leaving your car they will ask you “Pode olhar o carro chefe?” (“Can I watch your car boss?”). If you nod yes they will approach you again once you return to your car expecting a tip. They do not work for anyone and you are not obliged to utilize their services.
Have a GPS but know what areas to avoid: Google Maps and Apple Maps will help you a lot, both by guiding you to your destination and letting you know what the speed limits are. Be aware: Brazilian cities, especially São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, have both areas that are perfectly safe and communities (or favelas) that are very dangerous for outsiders. Do not use Waze. It has been known to be used as a way to reroute unsuspecting tourists into more dangerous parts of town since the app’s system is based on user reports. Always double check your route and keep to major avenues, highways, and central or touristic areas.
Driving late at night? Try to keep moving: Some places change their traffic lights to flashing yellow late at night. Treat these like stop signs. If you come to a red light late at night with no other cars around, it is common to stop, look around, and then go before it turns green. Although not technically legal, this helps keep you moving and deters robbers from targeting your cars.
Keep your windows up in traffic: Mugging in Brazil happens when thieves see a chance. If your car window is open while stopped, they may quickly grab anything they can reach, especially since bikes move fast through traffic lanes.