Local and Practical Information
Visa information
- Citizens from South America: No visa is required.
- Citizens from the European Union: No visa are required for Brazil or Argentina for touristic purposes.
- American Citizens
- For Brazil: Brazil requires U.S. citizens to carry a valid U.S. passport and a visa when traveling to Brazil for any purpose. You must obtain your Brazilian visa in advance from the Brazilian Embassy or consulate nearest to your place of residence. There are no "airport visas" and immigration authorities will refuse entry to Brazil to anyone not possessing a valid visa.
- For more information: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1072.html#entry_requirements
- For Argentina: A valid passport is required for U.S. citizens to enter Argentina. U.S. citizens do not need a visa for visits of up to 90 days for tourism or business.
- For more information: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1130.html#entry_requirements
- For Brazil: Brazil requires U.S. citizens to carry a valid U.S. passport and a visa when traveling to Brazil for any purpose. You must obtain your Brazilian visa in advance from the Brazilian Embassy or consulate nearest to your place of residence. There are no "airport visas" and immigration authorities will refuse entry to Brazil to anyone not possessing a valid visa.
Workshop venue
The workshop will take place in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, close to the magnificent Iguaçu Waterfalls, a network of 275 waterfalls in the Iguaçu River that lies in the border of Brazil and Argentina. The site was designated World Heritage by UNESCO. Tourist attractions include visits to both the Brazilian and Argentinian sides of the Falls, natural parks, and the dam of the Itaipu Hydroeletric Facility. In 1994, the American Society of Civil Engineers elected the Itaipu Dam as one of the seven modern Wonders of the World.
The Meeting will take place in the Rafain Hotel and Convention Centers
(http://www.rafainpalace.com.br/v2/home/). Special rates are available for the period of the conference. Hotel costs are 274 BRL (170 USD) for single occupancy and 171 BRL (106 USD) per person for double occupancy. Those rates include full board (breakfast, morning coffebreak, lunch, afternoon coffebreak and dinner).
IMPORTANT NOTE: all participants are encouraged to register in this hotel for two reasons. First, those low rates will only be secured if a minimum of 50 rooms is booked. Second, the hotel is far from the city (10km) and there are no restaurants nearby.
Airport
The Foz do Iguaçu International Airport (IGU) is close to the Foz do Iguaçu city, but about 20 km away from the Rafain Palace Hotel.
There will be transportation available from the airport to the hotel on the Sunday (Feb. 26th) and from the hotel to the airport on Friday (Mar. 2nd).
Touristic attractions
- Visit to the Brazilian side of the Iguaçu Waterfalls
Date: February 28th
Departure time: 1:30 pm
Arrival time: 2 pm
Return time: about 8pm
Attractions include the Iguaçu National Park and the Bird Park.
Price: 20 USD (transportation from hotel to the National Park in Brazil)
NOTE: in addition to this fee there is an entrance fee of 40.70 BRL (about 24 USD) to be paid at the park.
- Visit to the Argentinian side of the Iguaçu Waterfalls
Date: March 1st
Departure time: 12:15 pm
Arrival time: 2 pm
Return time: about 8pm
The 55,500 hectares National Park in Argentina hosts many attractions such as a trail do the "Garganta do Diabo" (Devil's Throat).
The Lower and upper walkways allows for a closer look at the waterfalls and the San Martin Island.
Price: 30 USD (transportation from hotel to the National Park in Argentina)
NOTE: in addition to this fee there is an entrance fee of 100 ARS (about 24 USD) to be paid at the park.
Workshop Dinner
The conference banquet will be held at the Churrascaria Rafain. Click here for more information.
Price: 56 USD (includes transportation to the restaurant)
