A Travellers Guide to Brazil

The weather is usually wonderful, and there are countless of activities to do for everyone. To ensure that you have a great travelling experience in Brazil check out these handy hints:

Make sure that you are vaccinated against Yellow Fever. If you have not done so, you will not be allowed to enter the country.

Don’t carry loads of cash around with you. Carry only what you actually require for the activities you are planning for each day.

Don’t take anything around with you that you that you don’t really need, as it will weigh you down and increase the risk of your being a victim of crime.

It's a good idea to make photocopies of your passport and Brazilian visa and use these, rather than the originals as ID when you’re in Brazil. You do not want to try to replace a stolen or lost passport.

Carry your wallet in a money belt or front pocket so that it’s harder for pickpockets to get at it.

Don’t wear expensive looking jewellery and watches, as this can be a magnet for muggers. Leave your expensive jewellery at home, just buy an inexpensive digital watch before you leave and use that instead.

Wear handbags or strapped purses across your body rather than just on one shoulder, as this will make bag snatching more difficult.

Always avoid very congested places, as these are popular hunting grounds for pickpockets.

Never walk alone at night on empty streets. Even if it takes you a little while longer to get to your destination, there is nothing so important as your safety.

Be sure to hire a real taxi, especially in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Some unlicensed drivers have been known to portray themselves as real taxis, when they are anything but. If in doubt, ask a street cigarette vendor as to which taxis are genuine. Also, real taxis have red or maroon license plates, although these can easily be faked.

Stay away from favelas, as they can sometimes be very violent places swarming with criminals.

Only drink water from sealed bottles, as the tap water in Brazil isn’t always that clean.

Brazil is a hot place, so be sure to stay hydrated by drinking at least two litres of mineral water or coconut water per day.

Don’t stay too long in the sun, and wear sun lotion with the highest SPF you can find.

You may come across some nasty biting insects on your Brazilian adventure, so carry around a can or bottle of insect repellent at all times.

About The Author: Derek Lakes
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