Practical information
Language
The official language of the Workshop is English.
Brazilian Currency
The Brazilian Monetary Unit is the Real (R$ local currency). One Real is 2.50 U.S. dollars (August 17, 2001). Major international credit cards are accepted at hotels, as well as at most restaurants, shops and car rental agencies. It is easy to exchange U.S dollars with Reais, either in cash or traveler’s checks mainly at banks and travel agencies.
Electricity
Electricity in São José dos Campos is 220 Volts, frequency is 60 Hz nationwide, and plugs have two round prongs.
Weather
The climate of São José dos Campos is wet and warm in the spring season (from September to December) with the monthly amount of 180 mm. On December, (rainy summer), the maximum temperature can reach 29ºC and the minimum temperature 19ºC. It rains an average of 17 days in December. Light clothes are strongly recommended during this season.
Formalities
Every person entering Brazil should be in possession of a valid passport or identity card . For residents of some countries a visa is required. Please contact the nearest Brazilian embassy or consulate nearest to your home for further information.
Shopping
Shops are open during the week, from Monday through Saturday, 08:00 am to 07:00 pm In the malls the shops are open during the week, from Monday to Saturday, 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, most are open on Sunday, 12:00 am 08:00 pm.
The Guarulhos International Airport, located in Guarulhos city, São Paulo Metropolitan area, is the São Paulo International Airport. If you arrive at this airport do not take a flight to São José dos Campos, because this city is located just 60km far from this airport.
When you first get to the airport, before you take the bus to São José dos Campos, make sure you exchange some money in one of the exchange desks located at both Terminals 1 and 2, inside or outside the arrival area. Fifty dollars is enough to buy your ticket to São José dos Campos and to pay a taxi from the Bus Station in São José dos Campos to the hotel you made your reservation.
The bus to São José dos Campos, (Pássaro Marrom company, in white and red) stops in front of the Terminal 2 sidewalk of the Guarulhos International Airport. This bus always arrives 15 minutes before its departure. You need to buy your bus ticket directly with the bus driver - it costs R$7,50 (around US$3.50). The trip to São José dos Campos will take around one hour.
Buses departure timetable to São José dos Campos is:
8:00, 10:00, 12:10, 14:00, 16:15, 17:15, 18:30, 20:30, and 23:30.Please do not stop in any place before reaching the São José dos Campos Bus Station. There you will find many taxis, in white color, in front of the bus station, which will drive you to your hotel.
In case of doubt, please contact us by telephone - Office: (021) 12 3945 6862 (Tania Sausen); or (021) 12 3945 6864 (João Ávila) (these code numbers are necessary for long distance calls)
Enjoy your trip!