Academic Mobility
Student Handbook
Information about: Porto Alegre.
Porto Alegre
The capital of Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Porto
Alegre is in a privileged location. A strategic point
for Mercosur, it is at equal distance from Buenos
Aires and Montevideo, as well as from São Paulo
and Rio de Janeiro.
The capital of RS provides easy access to the BR290 and BR-116 federal highways, which connect
the city to other Brazilian states, Uruguay and
Argentina.
The city was founded in 1772 by Azorean
Portuguese couples. Along the following centuries,
the city welcomed immigrants from several
nations, particularly German, Italian, Spanish,
African, Polish and Lebanese nationals, following
Catholic, Jewish, Protestant and Muslim religions.
The city has an excellent hotel network, modern
shopping malls, theaters, universities and a range
of international cuisine restaurants.
Academic Mobility Student Handbook - Porto Alegre
Weather
The climate in Porto Alegre is considered
subtropical, meaning the weather can change
quickly and unexpectedly in short periods of time.
The city has four well-defined seasons. Summers
are very hot and winters can get very cold. In
the fall, days are shorter and the temperature
becomes milder, bringing some days of chilly
weather. In the spring, days get longer and the
temperature starts rising, announcing that the
summer is approaching.
Winter June 21 – September 23 / between 2º C and 20º C
Spring: September 23 – December 21 / between 15º C and 28º C
Summer: December 21 – March 21 / between 25º C and 40º C
Fall: March 21 – June 21 / between 10º C and 25º C
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Quality of Life
Porto Alegre has been awarded more than 80
prizes and titles, and it is characterized as one of
the best Brazilian capitals to live, study, work, do
business and have fun. The capital of RS is one
of the greenest cities in the Brazil and it holds one
of the highest literacy rates in the country as well.
Porto Alegre has been one of the first host cities
of the World Social Forum. Besides, it has been
selected as one of the host cities for the 2014
FIFA Soccer World Cup.
Safety
As in most large cities, you should be cautious
when out on the streets. Avoid walking alone,
especially at night.
Be mindful of any expensive items you carry and
avoid carrying large sums of money. Be especially
careful with your purse, wallet, and backpack in all
public places, particularly when going out at night.
Academic Mobility Student Handbook - Porto Alegre
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Transportation
Urban Mobility in Porto Alegre
PUCRS has two main entrances: one on Ipiranga
Avenue and another on Bento Gonçalves Avenue.
Apps
You can get to the University by two means:
Lotação (red and blue minibus)
Bento Gonçalves Ave.
Line 30.2 - Partenon/Pinheiro
Line 30.21 - Partenon/Pinheiro/Campus
Services
• Moovit
• Moobly
Websites
• www.poatransporte.com.br
• www.poaemtransito.com.br
• www.trafeguebem.com.br
Ipiranga Ave. Line 03.1 - Ipiranga PUC/Borges
Line 03.11 - Ipiranga PUC/Osvaldo Aranha
BikePOA
Fare: R$4,50*
Bike rental.
* Fare in November 2013.
Bus – CARRIS Company
(http://www.carris.com.br/)
Ipiranga Ave.
Bus – STS Company
(http://www.sts.com.br/)
Bento Gonçalves Ave.
Bus – CONORTE Company
(http://www.conorte.com.br)
Av. Ipiranga
Bus – UNIBUS Company
(http://www.unibus.com.br/)
Bento Gonçalves Ave.
Ipiranga Ave.
Fare: R$2,80*
http://www.mobilicidade.com.br/bikepoa.asp
Intermunicipal Train – Trensurb
www.trensurb.br
Taxi
There is a taxi stop in front of PUCRS main
entrance, on Ipiranga Avenue.
Payment for taxi services can be made in cash
(Reais, Brazilian currency) or using a credit or debit
card. However, to pay with a card, users must
make a phone call to a taxi service accepting that
form of payment.
Apps
Easytaxi - Used to call taxi services from a mobile
phone
* Fares in November 2013. Students holding a
student bus pass pay 50% of that amount.
Academic Mobility Student Handbook - Porto Alegre
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Shopping Malls
Catamaran
The crossing of passengers between Porto Alegre
and Guaíba in a Catamaran is a fast, economical
and pleasant ride. Passengers get off in Guaíba
near Casa Gomes Jardim, which honors an
important historical figure of the Farroupilha
Revolution. In Porto Alegre, passengers get on
and off the Catamaran at Warehouse B3 of Pier
Cais do Porto (Av. Mauá, 1050 – Centro)
Each ride (one way) takes approximately 22
minutes.
Hours:
• From Monday to Friday, from POA to Guaíba,
from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., at 1-hour intervals. On
Saturdays, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Sundays
and holidays, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., always at
1-hour intervals.
• From Monday to Friday, from Guaíba to POA,
from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., at 1-hour intervals.
On Saturdays, from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. On
Sundays and holidays, from 9:30 a.m. to 7:20
p.m., always at 1-hour intervals.
Supermarkets
Most supermarkets are open from early morning
until 10 p.m. The units in shopping malls generally
have different opening hours, often until 12 p.m.
For more information, go to: http://www.agas.com.br
Academic Mobility Student Handbook - Porto Alegre
Besides several small shopping centers, Porto
Alegre has 18 shopping malls, which are generally
open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., from Monday to
Saturday, and from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., on Sundays
and holidays (on these days, store opening
is optional). Food courts, movie theaters and
supermarkets have different opening hours, which
may vary according to the mall.
Drugstores
Drugstores in Porto Alegre basically sell medications
and hygiene and beauty products. They can be
found on streets, as well as in supermarkets and
shopping malls.
Some are open 24/7, whereas others usually open
from around 7 a.m. to around 11 p.m. Drugstore
delivery services are also available.
Hospitals
Hospital de Pronto Socorro (HPS)
Largo Teodoro Herzl, s/n° - Bom Fim - Porto
Alegre/RS. Phone: (51) 3289-7999
Hospital São Lucas da PUCRS
Avenida Ipiranga, 6690 - Jardim Botânico - Porto
Alegre/RS - Phone: (51) 3320-3000
Hospital de Clínicas
Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2350 - Santa Cecília, Porto
Alegre/RS - Phone: (51) 3359-8000
Hospital Conceição
Avenida Francisco Trein, 596 - Cristo Redentor,
Porto Alegre/RS - Phone: (51) 3357-2000
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Culture and
Tourism
Main Cultural Attractions
Memorial do Rio Grande do Sul (www.memorial.rs.gov.br) Rua Sete de Setembro, 1020 - Pça. da Alfândega
- Centro Histórico. Phone: (51) 3224.1724. From
Tuesday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free
admission.
Centro Cultural Usina do Gasômetro
Av. Presidente João Goulart, 551 - Centro
Histórico. Phone: (51) 3289.8100. From Tuesday
to Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Free admission.
Museu de Arte do Rio Grande do Sul Ado
Malagoli - MARGS
(www.margs.rs.gov.br)
Pça. da Alfândega, s/n° - Centro Histórico. Phone:
(51) 3227.2311. From Tuesday to Sunday, from 10
a.m. to 7 p.m. Free admission.
Academic Mobility Student Handbook - Porto Alegre
Fundação Iberê Camargo (www.iberecamargo.org.br)
Av. Padre Cacique, 2000 - Praia de Belas. Phone:
(51) 3247.8000. From Tuesday to Sunday, from
12 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Thursday from 12 a.m. to 9
p.m. Free admission.
Santander Cultural
(www.santandercultural.com.br)
Rua Sete de Setembro, 1028 - Centro Histórico.
Phone: (51) 3287.5500. From Tuesday to Friday,
from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays
and holidays from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Free
admission.
Theatro São Pedro
(www.teatrosaopedro.com.br)
Praça Marechal Deodoro, s/n - Centro Histórico.
Phone: (51) 3227.5100. From Tuesday to Friday,
from 12 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Source: http://www2.portoalegre.rs.gov.br/turismo/
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Public Market
Casa de Cultura Mário Quintana
(www.portoalegre.rs.gov.br/mercadopublico)
Largo Glênio Peres s/nº - Centro Histórico. Phone:
(51) 3289.4800. From Monday to Friday, from
7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, from 7:30 a.m.
to 6:30 p.m.
(www.ccmq.rs.gov.br)
Rua dos Andradas, 736 - Centro Histórico. Phone:
(51) 3221.7147. Monday, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.
From Tuesday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturdays and Sundays, from 12 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Praça da Matriz / Praça dos Poderes
Parques e Atrativos Naturais
Rua Marechal Deodoro, s/nº - Centro Histórico.
(51) 3289.7500
Public Library
(www.bibliotecapublica.rs.gov.br)
Rua dos Andradas, 736 (3º andar) - Centro
Histórico. Phone: (51) 3225.9411. From Tuesday
to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, from 2
p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Chalé da Praça XV
Praça XV de Novembro, s/nº - Centro Histórico.
Phone: (51) 3225.2667. Daily, from 11 a.m. to 11
p.m.
Guaíba Waterfront
Located in the Southern part of Porto Alegre, the
waterfront features a promenade with bars and
restaurants, Ipanema Beach, and the breathtaking
sunset in the Guaíba.
Parque Farroupilha (Redenção)
As well as the green lung of the bustling Bom
Fim neighborhood, near downtown Porto Alegre,
Redenção is a historical, natural, landscape and
cultural heritage site of the city. Av. João Pessoa,
s/nº - Farroupilha. Phone: (51) 3286.4458.
Palácio Piratini - Seat of the State
Executive Power
(www.palaciopiratini.rs.gov.br)
Praça Marechal Deodoro, s/nº - Centro Histórico.
Phone: (51) 3210.4100. From Monday to Friday,
from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5
p.m.
Metropolitan Cathedral
(www.catedralmetropolitana.org.br)
Rua Duque de Caxias, 1047 - Centro Histórico.
Phone: (51) 3228.6001. Daily, from 7:30 a.m. to
6:30 p.m.
Brique da Redenção
(www.briquedaredencao.com.br)
Flea market where you can find antiques and
handcrafts, every Sunday at Redenção. Very
traditional leisure activity in Porto Alegre. Av. José
Bonifácio – next to Parque Farroupilha. Sundays,
from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Source: Academic Mobility Student Handbook - Porto Alegre
http://www2.portoalegre.rs.gov.br/turismo/
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other attractions along the tour routes. Ticket
sales: Monday, from 8:30 a.m. to 12 a.m. and
from 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Travessa do Carmo, 84
– Cidade Baixa. Phone: (51) 32890176. Hours:
From Tuesday to Sunday, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tour 1 – Historical Center Includes historical and cultural attractions, with
the possibility to hop on and hop off at five different
points along the tour.
Parque Moinhos de Vento (Parcão)
A park that is frequently visited by the people of
Porto Alegre. Rua Comendador Caminha, s/nº Moinhos de Vento. Phone: (51) 3332.1021.
Tour 2 – South Zone
In an itinerary with no stops, this tour features
the scenic natural landscapes of the city’s South
Zone.
Tourism
Guided walks
Caminhos Rurais
(www.caminhosrurais.tur.br)
Small rural properties in 11 neighborhoods in the
South Zone of Porto Alegre open their doors to
show orchards, vineyards, production of juices,
wines, jellies, pastas, and other colonial products
made of chemical-free fruits and vegetables.
Domingo no Campo – Tour visiting the
properties that are not included in the Caminhos
Rurais tour. Every Sunday a bus leaves at 10
a.m. from Osvaldo Aranha Avenue, next to
Parque da Redenção, and returns at 5 p.m.
Tickets may be purchased on-site, before
taking the bus, or through reservation by e-mail.
[email protected].
Linha Turismo Bus Tour
The Linha Turismo city tour is a way to get to know
Porto Alegre and to learn historical information
and curiosities about important figures, streets,
neighborhoods, parks, squares, monuments and
Academic Mobility Student Handbook - Porto Alegre
Viva o Centro a Pé
Walks guided by history, architecture and art
teachers who tell the history of public spaces and
buildings in the city’s Historical Center.
Caminhadas Turísticas de Verão
In January and February, Tour Guides of the
Municipal Secretariat of Tourism tell the history
and curiosities about buildings, historical figures
and public spaces in the city.
Caminhadas Turísticas – Acampamento Farroupilha
In September, during the Farroupilha Camp at
Parque da Harmonia, Tour Guides of the Municipal
Secretariat of Tourism invite visitors to take a walk
among the different tents and folkloric attractions
in order to learn more about the history and
customs of the gaúcho culture.
Source: http://www2.portoalegre.rs.gov.br/turismo/
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Tourist Offices
Historical Center Tourist Office
Mercado Público Central, Sala 99 – Centro
Histórico. Phone: (51) 0800 517686. From Sunday
to Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Linha Turismo Tourist Office
Travessa do Carmo, 84 – Cidade Baixa. Phone:
(51) 32890176. Daily, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Ticket sales for the Linha Turismo bus tour:
Monday, from 8:30 a.m. to 12 a.m. and from 1:30
p.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday to Sunday, from 8:30 a.m.
to 6 p.m.
Salgado Filho International Airport Tourist Office
Av. Severo Dulius, 90010 – São João. Phone: (51)
0800 517686. Daily, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Nightlife
Porto Alegre has a busy nightlife, with a varied
choice of bars, pubs and nightclubs in several
neighborhoods of the Capital. The Cidade Baixa
neighborhood is the most bohemian part of the
city, featuring different styles of bars, pubs and
nightclubs, especially on General Lima e Silva,
República, José do Patrocínio and João Alfredo
streets. In the sophisticated Moinhos de Vento
neighborhood, Padre Chagas Street, also known
as “Calçada da Fama” (Walk of Fame) is dotted by
pubs and nightclubs.
Bom Fim Market Tourist Office
Mercado do Bom Fim, loja 11 – Parque Farroupilha
(Redenção). Phone: (51) 0800 517686. Daily, from
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Usina do Gasômetro Tourist Office
Av. João Goulart, 551 – Centro Histórico. Phone:
(51) 0800 517686. From Tuesday to Sunday, from
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tourist Police Station:
Av. Severo Dullius, 90010 – Phone: (51) 3358-2000
Useful Links
City Hall of Porto Alegre:
www.portoalegre.rs.gov.br
Tourist Portal: http://www.portoalegre.travel/site/home.php
Source: http://vejabrasil.abril.com.br;
Archive - Photographer Lucas Uebel;
Academic Mobility Student Handbook - Porto Alegre
Secretariat of Tourism of Porto Alegre:
http://www2.portoalegre.rs.gov.br/turismo/
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Outlets and electricity
Since 2011, the official outlet model adopted in
Brazil is as presented in Figure 1.A, and the sale
of other outlet models has been forbidden since
then.
General
Information
Voltage in Brazil may be 110v (standard) or 220v,
depending on the location. In Porto Alegre, voltage
is 110v.
Useful Telephone Numbers
Salgado Filho International Airport:
(55 51) 3358-2000
Figure 1 – Official outlet model in Brazil
Fire department: 193
Brigada Militar (Military Police): 190
Making Phone Calls
To buy a card and place a local or
international call:
Instructions on how to use public telephones are
posted beside each phone. You can buy a phone
card to place national or international calls.
Local calls: dial the number you wish to call,
without the area code.
Long-distance calls: dial 0 + telephone carrier
code + area code (DDD) + phone number.
International calls: dial 00 + telephone carrier code
+ country code (DDI) + city code + phone number.
Correios (Brazilian Post and
Corporation): 0800 570-0100
Telegraph
Ministry of Foreign Relations:
(55 51) 3228-6326 / 3288-1036
Federal Police: (55 51) 3235-9000
Emergency (Mobile Emergency Care Service
- SAMU): 192
Central Bus Station: (55 51) 3210-0101
Traffic and Transportation: 118
Cell Phones
Students who own an “unlocked cell phone” may
buy a SIM card for a pre-paid number. A SIM card
costs from R$ 10.00 to R$ 20.00.
For more information on mobile phone carriers, go
to: http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anexo:Lista_de_
operadoras_de_telefonia_no_Brasil
Academic Mobility Student Handbook - Porto Alegre
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