Venues
Brasil 21 Complex Center
The main events of GB23 will be held at the Brasil 21 Convention Center.
Located in the political heart of Brazil's capital close to the National Congress, the Planalto Palace and the Ministries, Brasil 21 is a mixed-use complex in the Setor Hoteleiro Sul (South Hotel Sector). The venue comprises the convention center, three hotels, services, leisure facilities, gastronomy and business towers.
Brasil 21 is 16 km from the Brasília International Airport.
Address:
Brasil 21 Convention Center
Brasil 21 Complex Center
SHS Quadra 06 Bloco G
Setor Hoteleiro Sul - Brasília
Brazil
convencoesbrasil21.com.br
The following events will take place at the Brasil 21:
- GBIF committee meetings - Budget, Science and Executive (24 October)
- Nodes Steering Group (24 October)
- Governing Board meeting (25-26 October)
- GBIF Symposium (26 October)
Other venues
Welcome cocktail (24 October)
Restaurant Bierfass
Pontão do Lago Sul
76.820-749 - Lago Sul - Brasilia
Brazil
See http://gb23.gbif.org/en/programme/ for more information.
SiBBr Symposium (27 October)
CNPq Auditorium (National Council for Scientific and Technological Development - CNPq)
SHIS QI 1 Conjunto B
Blocos A, B, C e D
Lago Sul - Brasília
Brazil
See http://gb23.gbif.org/en/programme/ for more information.
Hotels
Brasília hotels are divided in two sectors, South (SHS) and North (SHN). They are right in the city center and around 20-30 minutes from the airport by car. Visitors can also take the Airport Bus Service from the airport, which stops near by most of the hotels and takes about one hour.
Hotels at the Brasil 21 Complex Center
The meeting venue, Brasil 21 Convention Center, is located at the SHS and the complex has three hotels towers: the superior Meliã Brasil 21 and the more affordable Brasil 21 Suites and Brasil 21 Convention.
For your convenience, the local organizers recommend booking a room in one of these hotels. They have obtained a special rate for the GB23 attendees, and attendees can make reservations via email. It is recommended also to look at the hotels website as they sometimes have promotions with rates that are lower than the obtained special rate.
Meliã Brasil 21
Rate: 409,00 BRL
Breakfast and Internet included.
5% Service + 3,00 BRL Tourism Tax
Booking: email Meliã Brasil 21 and refer to booking code SiBBr or book via their online booking service
Brasil 21 Convention
Rate: 309,00 BRL
Includes breakfast and Internet. Additional fees: 5% service + 3,00 BRL tourism tax.
Booking: email Brasil 21 Convention and refer to booking code SiBBr
Brasil 21 Suites
Rate: 309 BRL
Includes breakfast and Internet. Additional fees: 5% service + 3,00 BRL tourism tax.
Booking: email Brasil 21 Suites and refer to booking code SiBBr
Address for all three Brasil 21 Hotels
Setor Hoteleiro Sul Quadra 6 - Bl. B
D e F Brasilia
Phone: +55 (61) 32184700
brasil21hoteis.com.br/home.php
Other hotels in walking distance of the meeting venue
Windsor Plaza Brasília Hotel
Setor Hoteleiro Sul Quadra 5 Bloco H
Brasília
Rates
• Superior Single/Double: 380,00 BRL
• Superior Executive Single/Double: 402,00 BRL
• Superior Executive Club Single/Double: 515,00 BRL
• Suíte Club Single/Double: 692,00 BRL
Phone: +55 (61) 21951100
email | website | booking
Grand Bittar
Setor Hoteleiro Sul Quadra 5 Bloco A
Brasília
Rates: no information
Phone: +55 (61) 3704-5000
email | website | booking
Naoum Hotel
Setor Hoteleiro Sul Quadra 3, Bloco J
Brasília
Rates
• Single: 362,00 BRL + 10%
• Double: 442,00 BRL + 10%
• Triple: 482,00 BRL +10%
Phone: +55 (61) 32124545
email | website | booking
San Marco Hotel
Setor Hoteleiro Sul Quadra 5 Bloco C
Brasília
Rates: no information
Phone: +55 (61) 21038441
Toll Free: 0800618484
website | booking
Phenícia Bittar Hotel
Setor Hoteleiro Sul Quadra 5 Bloco J
Brasília
Rates
• Single: 240,00 BRL
• Double: 260,00 BRL
Phone: +55 (61) 37046000
email | website | booking
America Bittar Hotel
Setor Hoteleiro Sul Quadra 4 Bloco D
Brasília
Rates
• Single: 230,00 BRL + 10%
• Double: 290,00 BRL + 10%
Phone: +55 (61) 30343355
email | website | booking
Getting to Brasília
Brasília International Airport Juscelino Kubitschek (BSB) is a major hub for travel within Brazil and services numerous flights every day. However, unlike other capital cities, only a few international airports offer non-stop flights travel directly to Brasília:
- Buenos Aires (Aerolineas Argentinas)
- Lisbon (TAP Portugal)
- Miami (LATAM and American Airlines)
- Orlando (TAM)
- Panama City (COPA)
- Paris (Air France)
Those not flying directly to Brasília will probably travel through São Paulo, Guarulhos Airport (GRU) or Rio de Janeiro, Galeão Airport (GIG), the main international entrances to Brazil. In both of these airports, travellers will have to pass through Brazilian customs and immigration on arrival and then re-board in a domestic flight to Brasília.
When booking flights to São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro, please make sure that your domestic flight to Brasilia departs from the same airport. Both cities have domestic airports, and traveling between the international and domestic ones will add unnecessary travel time.
Getting around in Brasília
Brasília International Airport Juscelino Kubitschek is situated 11 km (7 mi) from the city center.
Taxi
Taxis are available in front of the airport exits. Show or tell the driver the address of your hotel, and they will know where to take you. In normal traffic, the drive downtown from BSB should take between 20 and 30 minutes.
Estimated cost: 40–50 BRL
Uber
Uber is a great and dependable way to get around in Brasilia. Uber users can use their cell phones to request a driver, who typically arrive within just a few minutes. The pick-up area for Uber passengers at the airport is located on the second floor. Uber service tends to be better, slightly cheaper and more comfortable than a regular taxi.
Estimated cost: 25–45 BRL from BSB
Bus
It is also possible to take the Airport Bus Service to your hotel at Setor Hoteleiro Sul (SHS) or Setor Hoteleiro Norte (SHN). The buses departure every 30 minutes, from 6:30 am to 12:00pm. The service runs every day and the trip will take around 1 hour.
Cost: 10 BRL
Travel requirements for entering Brazil
GB23 participants are responsible for preparing their own travel documentation requirements for entering Brazil (this includes visas, vaccinations, etc). Please make sure to verify the requirements with your nearest Brazilian Embassy or Brazilian Consulate.
Visa
Brazil maintains a fully reciprocal visa policy. Holders of passports for around 90 countries, including the Schengen Area, do not require a visa to visit Brazil for up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes (unless otherwise noted). All other visitors to Brazil must obtain a visa from one of the Brazilian diplomatic missions.
Please be aware that Brazilian visa requirements are very stringent in many countries, and visas can take several weeks to obtain. If you need a visa, we recommend that you apply for your Brazilian visa as soon as possible. There is no option for visa upon arrival in Brazil. Visas MUST be arranged before travelling.
Official rules for each country regarding the Brazilian visa
Insurance
Attendees are advised to make sure what insurance is requested for travel to Brazil.
Health
A note on the Zika virus situation
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the United States recently issued a travel warning for women who are pregnant (in any trimester), advising them to avoid risk and consider postponing travel to Brazil, as the virus has been linked to cases of microcephaly in newborns.
Also please find the WHO Fact sheet on the Zika virus here.
It is recommended that travellers pack and use insect repellant during their visits to Brazil.
General travel information
Electricity
Brasilia standard voltage is 220 V. The standard frequency is 60 Hz.
- Converters and adaptors for electronics: The power sockets that are used are type N, although some venues also take US plugs.
Language
Portuguese is the official language of Brazil. Many Brazilians in the larger cities — especially those you encounter working at airports, hotels, better restaurants, tour companies and travel agencies — speak at least some English. Both English and Spanish are taught in many Brazilian schools.
Money procedures
The unit of currency in Brazil is the real and the plural is reais. The real further divides into 100 centavos. The symbol for real is "R$" and the currency code is BRL. Other currencies, such as USD, are barely accepted in Brazil. So you need to have Reais in your wallet!
- Change Money: You can exchange money in banks or in currency exchanges located at the Brasilia Airport. Hotels and travel agencies may also exchange money for you;
- Credit and Debit Cards: Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted in Brazil. American Express and Diners Club, are often accepted as well;
- ATMs: ATM’s are located all over the country, including Brasilia Airport. However, there may be limits to the daily amount that you can withdraw from an ATM, specially from 10:00pm to 6:00 am.
Personal security
According to Brazilian security authorities, Brasília’s “Plano Piloto” (central area of town) is considered as a safe area. Nevertheless precautions should be taken and it is advisable to practice the same caution you would practice when visiting a major metropolitan destination in any country. Consider the caution you take at night in any major city and use the same caution when in Brasília:
- Expensive cameras and jewelry should be worn discreetly;
- Purses and wallets can attract attention:
- Only carry small amounts of cash and a copy of your passport. Carry only the credit cards you are going to need, not all you have.
- When using ATMs do it at commercial hours and prefer the ATMs located inside banks, shopping malls or supermarkets.
Telecommunication and internet
Brazil has an extensive fixed and mobile phone systems which will allow you to call anywhere in the world. All hotels have a telephone in the room where you can make local, intercity, interstate or international calls. If you need a local mobile SIM Card it is possible to get one in one of the majors mobile company shops in Brazil: Claro, Tim or Vivo.
Internet services are available everywhere in Brazil. Most hotels include high speed Internet access in the room. Additionally, most cafes, restaurants and shopping malls offer free wi-fi services.
Tips and service gratuities
In Brazil, tips are usually added in 10% over bills involving servers such as bars and restaurants. Although a 10% service charge is automatically placed in the final bill, it is not mandatory.
In hotels, you should tip the bell boy on an average of 5,00 BRL per bag. For others services, such as cab drivers and barber shops you don’t need to tip.
Weather
Brasília has a subtropical climate. Its dry season runs from April to September, while the wet season increases humidity from October to March. The average temperature is 20.5 ºC (68.9 F).
Tourist information
The City
Open in 1960, Brasília and the Federal District were created to house the new capital of Brazil replacing Rio de Janeiro. Under the visionary leadership of President Juscelino Kubitschek, architect Oscar Niemeyer, urban planner Lucio Costa and landscape architect Burle Marx, Brasilia was conceived as a workable, utopic answer to modern, urban chaos.
Many have lauded the purpose-built city for its futuristic architecture and avant-garde design, and it is the first city constructed in the 20th century to achieve a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage designation.
Its modern architecture and harmonious contrast between green vegetation and concrete make Brasilia a unique city and destination. The main Niemeyer´s attractions are the National Congress, the Planalto Palace, the Justice Palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral of Brasilia and the TV Tower. Other prominent places in the city are the Lady Sarah Kubitschek City Park and the Paranoá Lake.
The Nature
Located in the heart of Brazil, Brasilia is surrounded by the Cerrado biome, which guards unbelievable natural beauties. The Cerrado is the world’s most biologically rich savanna, containing more than 10,000 species of plants, 45% of which are endemic. The Cerrado stretches across nearly 500 million acres of Brazil—an area nearly three times the size of Texas. The Cerrado also feeds three of the major water basins in South America: the Amazon, Paraguay and São Francisco Rivers.
The Cerrado is home to 935 species of birds and nearly 300 mammals, including such endangered species as cerrado fox, giant anteater, jaguar and maned wolf.
The climate is dry, and the trees are twisted. During the day, it’s hot, but at night, the cold weather is pleasant. The Cerrado is without doubt one of the most beautiful Brazilian biomes. For those who like to be in contact with nature, the Chapada dos Veadeiros and the city of Pirenópolis are two must-see refuges near Brasília.
The excursion on 28 October will visit the bioma Cerrado.