Sao Paulo - World Cup information from RPS consultant on the ground

Posted: 29/05/2014

This is the second update from RPS"s consultant on the ground in Brazil. They have sent the following thoughts for your security and to assist you if you are going to Brazil for the World Cup or for business travel.

The airport in Sao Paulo is very new and big and there are lots of people to sign post you in the right direction to get out. There are staff everywhere with some are doing reports on who you are and why are you travelling to the region. If you don't want to answer then be prepared to by-pass them.

Once you have cleared passport control (RPS counted about 50 booths) you are directed through immigration where you have your bags X rayed and checked. This only seemed to happen to foreign travellers but once you are cleared, you go through duty free, which is like a maze. Watch out about half way through, there is a small exit sign to the right which will lead you to the arrival area. If you miss it, you will be walking round duty free for a while!

There are lots of taxis and buses the outside of the airport, but it is new and still being built in some areas. Overall it is clean and just missing those finishing touches. You can almost smell the paint drying.....

Travel from the airport to the city centre is around 40 minutes on a clear run, during rush hour it could take up to 2 hours...so the local driver informed RPS.

The local attitude is good and in general people are looking forward to the World Cup in Soa Paulo but as RPS mentioned in our last news update, they do not understand why it has to cost so much.

The police attitude is one of doing their job and they will not tolerate drunken behaviour in public. RPS spoke with several police offices who all said the same. They are being over worked and under paid. 

The police also said that people do not understand that there are two types of police; the day to day police officers and the riot police. If the riot police get deployed, their attitude is very different. They ask people to leave an area and expect everyone to do so when told. If you chose not to, you could find yourself being arrested.

Crime is an issue and gangs do operate in the region and normal travel advice is being given and people are being told to be more aware at night and never to walk the streets alone. Hotel staff are aware and are giving good advice to poeple visiting.

Please contact RPS for more travel information and we will continue to give you updates as they come in. [email protected]

Photo: RPS

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