Brazil, the birthplace of bossa nova, has become a very popular place to visit for many tourists from all over the world. The weather is usually wonderful and there are countless activities for everyone. To ensure you have a great travel experience in Brazil, check out these handy tips:
It is a good idea not to wear expensive jewelry and watches. Leave your expensive jewelry at home, just buy an inexpensive digital watch before you go and wear it instead.
Use handbags or purses tied along your body rather than just on one shoulder, as this will make it harder for thieves to remove it.
Don’t carry a lot of cash with you. Bring only what you really need for the activities you are planning for each day.
Do yourself a favor and carry only a minimum of possessions with you.
Photocopy your passport and visa, and carry these copies with you instead of the originals and then only carry these copies with you for identification purposes. The last thing you want to do is try to get replacement papers if they are lost or stolen while on vacation.
Put your wallet in your front pocket, or better yet, a money belt under clothing to make it harder for people to steal it.
Always avoid crowded places, as these are popular hunting grounds for pickpockets.
If you are alone, avoid deserted streets and dark alleys. Even if it means your trip is getting longer, there is nothing as important as your safety.
Make sure to hire a real taxi as they can be dangerous. When in doubt, ask a traveling cigarette vendor which taxis are authentic. Also, real taxis have red or maroon license plates, although they can easily be faked.
Favelas may look nice, but they can be very dangerous for tourists.
Only drink water from sealed bottles, as tap water in Brazil is not always that clean.
Brazil is a hot place, so be sure to stay hydrated by drinking at least two liters of mineral water or coconut water a day.
Don’t stay in the sun too long and use sunscreen with the highest SPF you can find.
You might come across some nasty biting insects on your Brazilian adventure, so be sure to apply bug spray before they bite you.