Traveling to Brazil: A Guide

By L. Roberts on December 19, 2019

Traveling around the world isn’t an easy feat. It takes a lot of organization, pre-planning, and financial stability. If you’re planning on traveling to Brazil in particular, there are several things you should be aware of. Of course, there are the obvious things: never travel alone, make sure you aren’t just relying on a credit card (have some cash), always inform the US Embassy about your whereabouts (and probably some family members/friends), and be flexible. 

After you have your basic travel tips squared away, its’ time to start getting into the fun stuff. Traveling to Brazil means the possibilities of beauty are endless. This country has some of the most beautiful scenes, but it’s also known for its high crime rates, which might make you feel uneasy.

via Pexels.com

If you’re traveling to Brazil anytime soon, here are ten travel tips you should follow:

1. Sometimes it’s appropriate to run red-lights.

When driving in Brazil (should you be so brave), there are times when you should cautiously run red-lights in order to avoid being robbed or held at gunpoint. If you’re driving late at night and there isn’t much traffic, you can avoid the anxiety of something terrible happening to you by simply driving straight through the intersection.

This is the opposite of what you learned in driving school (I’m aware), but when you’re traveling in Brazil, you should take every precaution necessary to keep you and your party safe.

2. Bring bug repellent.

One of the worst parts of being in Brazil is the mosquitoes. There are several different viruses they can carry, and could potentially make you very sick. When you’re in Brazil, you should be sure to use repellent during the day and at night when you go to sleep. Mosquitoes can bite you at any time of day, so avoid a health scare and make sure you’re covered from head to toe.

3. Always carry identification.

While it’s not safe to carry your passport on your person, it’s a good idea to keep some sort of photo ID on you while you travel in Brazil. You can be asked for identification at any time, and this isn’t something you want to be caught without. Brazil is pretty serious about always having photo identification on you, and because you’re visiting, it’s even more likely that they’ll ask for it.

4. Make sure you have all the necessary vaccines before you go.

Before you travel overseas, it’s a good idea to see a doctor. But it’s especially important if you are going to Brazil. Some essential vaccines you should be sure to get are Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Yellow Fever. Getting medicine and discussing Malaria is also recommended. Being in Brazil is nothing like being in the United States, and because you’re coming from a different part of the world, you’re more susceptible to getting sick.

5. Be careful with taxis.

As soon as you’re spotted and identified as a tourist, you will more than likely be taken advantage of. Taxis know that you’re up a creek without a paddle if you don’t have transportation, so they’re likely to charge you much more than the fair price. You can get around this by being aware of the situation and only taking taxis that are licensed. Also, check Google maps to ensure you’re being taken in the most direct route instead of a longer way that’ll end up charging you more money.

via Pexels.com

6. Spanish is NOT the language that’ll keep you afloat.

While many people believe that Spanish will get them through their journey to Brazil, they are under the wrong impression. The official language of Brazil is Portuguese, which is similar to Spanish, but obviously not the same. So if you’re traveling to Brazil any time soon, you should try to learn some of the more common phrases in Portuguese.

7. Do not rely on traffic signals when walking.

Just because the signal is green for you to walk across a street doesn’t mean that you should. When you’re traveling on foot in Brazil, make sure cars have stopped completely before crossing the street. It’ll save you quite a few panic attacks while you’re there.

8. Some of the larger cities can be expensive.

If you’re planning to visit some of Brazil’s larger cities, be sure you bring more than enough money. Some people underestimate how expensive it is to eat, sleep, and travel once they get to Brazil. The last thing you want to be while you’re there is broke. 

9. Brazil is known as a tropical wonderland.

Rainforests, beautiful landscapes, and the Amazon are all some of Brazil’s beauties. While you’re there, make sure you check out what this country has to offer. After all, traveling to Brazil and seeing only the city centers is not the way to go.

10. If you visit a beach, don’t take any valuables.

While Brazil is mostly safe for tourists, if you head to the beach you should be extra protective of your items. Don’t take anything with you that’s of value. Just leave it in your hotel room.

Traveling to Brazil is a beautiful journey. You’ll see some of the most gorgeous views in the world. Be sure you take precautions while you’re there and keep you and your party safe. Remember basic travel tips as well as the ones specific to traveling to Brazil. You’ll be happy you did your research ahead of time and you knew what to do to keep yourself safe.

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