Getting There By Water
Water: The Cais do Porto do Rio de Janeiro (tel: (21) 2291 2122) regulates all water traffic in Guanabara Bay. Cruise ships anchor in the port during the summer and during Carnival. Ferry, hydrofoil and catamaran services depart from Estação das Barcas, beside the Praça XV de Novembro in the Centro. Tickets are available for purchase here. The ferry terminal is very basic and tourist services are limited. Nevertheless, there are many banks (with ATMs), shops and restaurants in the immediate area.
Ferry and boat services: Boat and yacht hire is available from Marina da Glória (tel: (21) 2205 6716). Ferries, hydrofoils and catamarans depart from the Estação das Barcas for the commuter route across the Guanabara Bay to Niterói and Paquetá island – both are popular as day trips from Rio. Cheap, regular and scenic, the route is plied by a number of companies. Barcas S A (tel: (21) 2533 6661) and Telebarcas (tel: (21) 2533 7524) operate daily ferry services, which are cheaper, slower and better for taking in the scenery. Transtur (tel: (21) 2533 4343) and Aerobarcos do Brasil (tel: (21) 2533 4343) provide daily hydrofoil and catamaran services.
Transport to the city: Regular public buses (see Public Transport) run to the Centro, Copacabana and Ipanema. Taxis are also readily available. The Centro is a short walk from the Estação das Barcas and Barcas Metrô station is situated nearby.
|
