Frequently Asked Questions
G&S is a premier travel & event company celebrating 23 years of creating unique travel opportunities around the world. Keith Jones, the man behind the Grown & Sexy Cruise phenomenon is first and foremost an entertainer. His accomplishments include being one of the pioneers of Miami Bass Music, a successful radio personality, and a restaurateur. As founder of Grown & Sexy Cruises, Keith “DJ KJ” Jones’ objective was to provide people a safe & affordable way to travel the world. Today G&S curates over 20+ trips per year including cruises, hotel takeovers/buyouts and travel to international bucket list destinations such as Dubai, Cairo, Bangkok & Cartagena. G&S is now one of the fastest-growing Black travel groups in America. The cruises offer incredible value where you can enjoy private nightly theme parties, celebrity DJ’s, comedy shows, seminars, networking, ‘Praise at Sea’ and more. International trips including VIP experiences such as yacht charters, restaurant buyouts & local entertainment with open bar.
Sustainable travel: G&S strives to make a positive impact on the places we visit and the planet we call home. The people and the communities who call our travel destinations home are very generous in sharing their cultures and locales with us. It’s important for us to return the favor by supporting our local communities and improving the individual lives within them. Over the years we have donated hundreds of sun dresses throughout the Caribbean in partnership with local churches. A palette of water, food and other supplies were sent to the Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian. We also sponsor a child annually in South Africa in some of the poorest and most disadvantaged areas. Children are provided a computer, meals and education….to educate, equip and empower with the goal of breaking the cycle of poverty.
Travel with us and leave with amazing memories, newfound friendships, inspiration & motivation.
Four years after Brazil waived visa requirements for some travelers, including those from the USA, the South American country announced it is changing course. Starting January 10, 2024, nationals from the United States, Canada, and Australia will be required to come equipped with an e-visa to enter Brazil.
The new e-visa will cost $80.90 per person and is available online at brazil.vfsevisa.com. Once obtained, the electronic visa will be valid for 2 years for U.S. citizens.
According to Brazilian authorities, the processing time for the new e-visa will be up to five business days. However, “we strongly recommend that you apply for your e-visa two months before your travel to Brazil,” authorities advise in the FAQ portion of the e-visa website, noting that applying two months in advance will allow for adequate time to complete the application and correct it, if needed.
To obtain the e-visa, you simply go to the website from your laptop or smartphone and register. You will need to provide the required personal information and passport details.
You will need to scan or take photos and upload the following to complete the online application:
- Passport Bio Page: A high-quality color scan of the inside cover of your passport with your photo, name and signature.
- Passport Type Photo: Most applications are rejected by the Brazilian Government only due to low-quality photographs. Please ensure you upload a high-quality photograph to prevent delays. We recommend that you visit a professional photo studio or a local pharmacy or UPS that offers it to have your passport photo taken. There is a company called TravelDocs for $12 that can process a general photo that you send to them and adjust so that it meets the digital requirements. Just follow their online tips when taking an image. https://www.traveldocs.com/travel-services/visa-photos
File Format: JPG/JPEG only, PDF format will not be accepted by the Brazilian Government.
File Size: No more than 1MB.
The height and width of the photo must be equal and be at least 600x600 pixels in size. - Itinerary showing your entry and exit from Brazil (this can be an airline ticket or the land itinerary we provide for you in your profile)
- Bank statement or credit card statement showing $2,000 available for travel. You CAN and SHOULD redact/strike out your address and account number. They only need the name and available balance so your personal information is protected at all times. (this requirement could change prior to this summer but there is no guarantee so please plan accordingly)
- The cost is currently $80.50
WHEN SHOULD I APPLY FOR THE Evisa?
3 to 4 months prior to travel is the recommended time frame (so June or July 2024)
How LONG IS THE VISA VALID FOR?
2 years
Please let us know if you have any questions.
In general, the tourist areas of Rio are quite safe. You should follow the general rules of not wearing a lot of expensive jewelry and pay attention to your surroundings for pickpockets. Stay out of the favelas, particularly at night. Take a cab versus walking and we recommend being in groups versus alone.
In the Northern Hemisphere, October is the month of Pumpkin Spice and crackling leaves. In Rio de Janeiro, summer starts to heat up, with high temperatures consistently in the mid 80s. December is the warmest month but also the wettest. February and March are also great months to travel to see be a part of the annual Carnaval.
The official language of Brazil is Portuguese, with a variety of different dialects that can be heard throughout the country. Portuguese is the main language spoken in more rural areas. Some English is spoken in more touristy areas but is not widely spoken by residents, especially outside major cities.
Rio is not as cheap as it used to be but there are plenty of things you can do for free (Floresta de Tijuca, Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, Parque de Flamengo and museums on certain days of the week,) and of course, we have included all of the must see sites in Rio in our itinerary.
The currency used throughout is the Brazilian real. US dollars are accepted in most places. Credit cards are accepted in well-established businesses although smaller shops may only accept cash. ATMs are common in larger cities, with smaller towns maybe only having one or two.
In Brazil, the common voltage is 127/220 V. The frequency is 60 Hz. The plugs and sockets are type N.
It is customary to leave a 10% tip in Brazil and it is much appreciated by hotel and restaurant staff. This 10% is sometimes included on your bill (bars, restaurants, and tourist spots) so be sure to check. Leaving an extra tip is always at your own discretion but will always be appreciated.
Yes you certainly can. Additional nights are available before or after our Rio trip. Simply call us at 866-475-7023 or email [email protected] for more information.
Pricing for pre- or post-night stays:
Classic Room: Single: $266 | Double: $154 per person | Triple: $144 per person
Club Level Partial Ocean View: Single: $359 | Double: $205 per person | Triple: $193 per person
4x4 Jeep Tour to the Tijuca Forest and Santa Teresa (4 hours)
Price is $95.00 per person | 8 people per jeep
Leave the hotel in a convertible Jeep and drive along the southern beaches to Santa Teresa, a district where tradition and a relaxed atmosphere blend perfectly. Admire the beautiful street art, galleries, and handicraft shops. Then, stop at one of the city's top attractions: the Seraron Steps. Made by Jose Selaron, the 215 colorful steps are covered in bright ceramic mosaics. Afterwards. hit the trails in the Tijuca rainforest and alk 1.2km (0.8mi.) to the beautiful Cascatinha Waterfall. Along the way, keep your eyes open for monkeys. birds and beautiful flora. After the tour return to hotel.
4 Hour Shopping Tour
Price is $32.00 per person | Based on coach with 30 people
If you have a late flight back home on October 27, 2024, we have this optional tour for you.
Each Sunday General Osorio Square in Ipanema transforms into one of Rio's most popular open-air markets, the Ipanema Hippie Fair (Feira Hippie de Ipanema). This particular market began in 1968 when a group of hippies hanging out in Rio got together to sell and swap their belongings. Today, the market comprises more than 700 vendors selling Brazilian folk art, jewelry, clothing and souvenirs. It's one of the best places in town to find bargains on authentic Brazilian crafts and couvenir items especially embroidered items, lace and ceramic figurines.
Hungry shoppers will find food stalls at the corners of the markets seling local favorites like bacalhau (an omelet make from salted codfish), acaraje (mashed black-eyed pea croquettes stuffed with shirmp) and coconut candy.
The distance is 35.0 km or 22 miles. It takes about 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic.
Yes you may book your own airfare, but in order to purchase transfers you need to purchase your airfare at least 30 days prior to travel.
The check-in time at Sheraton Grand Rio Hotel & Resort is 3:00 pm and the check-out time is 12:00 pm.
The property amenities at Sheraton Grand Rio Hotel & Resort are:
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Fitness Center
- Spa
- Outdoor Pool
- Meeting Space
- Free Wifi
- Activities for Kids
- Bicycle Rental:$20
- Laundry
- Kitchen
- Room Service
- 24 Hour Room Service
- Kitchenette
- Service Request
Yes, Sheraton Grand Rio Hotel & Resort has free Wi-Fi available to hotel guests.
Avenida Niemeyer 121 - Leblon,
Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 22450-220
Toll Free:+0-800-7031512
Fax: +55 21-22395643