Work with Vela Brasil

At a glance

Who we are

Vela Brasil plans trips to Rio de Janeiro and across Brazil for private travellers, groups and travel agencies. We do not run tours ourselves. For each part of a trip we pick a local provider we have checked, build the program and stay the client’s one contact before and during the trip. You deliver the service; we handle the planning and the conversation with the client.

Who we look for

• Guides in Rio de Janeiro and in other cities and regions of Brazil.
• Drivers and transfer companies, from cars to minibuses and coaches.
• Operators of multi-day tours around the country.
• Photographers and videographers.
• Boat and yacht operators.
• Activity operators: hiking, surfing, diving, paragliding, hang gliding, scenic flights.
• Venues, restaurants and event organisers for private dinners, weddings and celebrations.
• Receptive companies able to handle large groups.

What we check

Before we send anyone their first client, we go through five steps with them. These are the same steps we describe to travellers on how we vet providers.

Under the National Tourism Policy law (Law 11.771/2008), tourism service providers must register with the Ministry of Tourism, and the registration is valid for two years from the date of the certificate. The tour guide profession has its own law (Law 8.623/1993). Registration does not guarantee quality, so we run steps 2 to 5 for everyone.

Some services need more than the general registration. For scenic flights and helicopter transfers we check the operator’s aviation authorisation and the aircraft’s registration. For boats we check the vessel’s documents and the skipper’s licence. For paragliding and hang gliding we check the instructor’s qualification and insurance, and for private security the provider’s licence from the Federal Police.

How joining works

1. You write to us. We ask about your services, cities, languages and availability.
2. We run the checks above: registration where it is required, reviews, portfolio, language.
3. You run a trial service before the first client.
4. We agree the payment model, cancellation and replacement rules and working standards, and put them in writing.
5. When a request fits what you offer, we send it to you.

How a request works

1. We send you a request: dates, city, number of people and their wishes. It contains no client contacts.
2. You tell us whether the date is free and on what terms. The client gets our proposal within 24 hours, so your answer has to fit into that window.
3. We send the client a proposal in the name of Vela Brasil.
4. The client confirms and pays our deposit. You then get the confirmation with the client’s contacts and the balance the client pays you, as set out in the proposal.
5. Before the service we check in with you and with the client.
6. Afterwards we ask the client to rate the service and check with you that everything went as planned.

If a client cancels, we tell you right away. Our rules for clients: tours, transfers, photo shoots and boat trips can be cancelled free of charge up to 48 hours before; multi-day tours up to 14 days before. If a confirmed service cannot go ahead because of the provider, we look for a replacement of the same kind.

What we expect

• The service matches what the proposal promised the client.
• Punctuality.
• A quick answer to each request.
• The language agreed for the service. Our team speaks with clients in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German and Italian, and we confirm the guide’s language in every proposal.
• Registration in Cadastur where it is mandatory for your service.
• Care with client data. We share only what a provider needs to deliver the service, and only after the client confirms; use it for that service and nothing else.

What to send us

• Your name or company name.
• What you offer: tours, transfers, multi-day tours, photo or video, boats, activities, venues.
• Your city or region.
• The languages you work in with clients.
• Your Cadastur number, if you have one.
• Links to reviews and your portfolio.

You can write in Portuguese, English or Spanish. Our channels are on the contact page. How we deal with clients, deposits and cancellations is described on how we work, and the kinds of groups we arrange are on groups.