Anyone Here Been To Brazil? What Are The Dos and Donts For An American Traveling There?

Question

Going to Rio in December-January. Just want to get some advise from people from North America or elsewhere who have traveled there.

Answer 1

The people of  South America are WONDERFUL.   The following tips are good for anywhere in the world.  Don't be a demanding, ugly American. Go with the pace of the culture.  Enjoy yourself and the people.   Avoid flashy jewelry, flashing bankrolls, etc.  Dress appropriately.  Take your clue from the citizenry of where ever you are visiting.   That usually means no b***s flopping out of skimpy halter tops or butt cheeks peaking from a way too short miniskirt, etc.   Save that for the delightful clubs in the evening.

Be respectful to the authorities.   They don't take any guff like our police do here in the states.   But they are polite and helpful.  Just don't "assert your rights"--You are in their country---therefore you have the "rights" that country affords you.

Just be yourself--- if being yourself is a "jerk"---either don't go or fake being a nice normal person.

I've found in my travels that if you get into trouble, YOU usually are at fault.   Don't be a tourist---Be a "traveller".

Answer 2

I'm jealous! I went to Brasil in 2003 (to Rio de Janeiro.)

I have a few points to make / suggestions:

A. It will be HOT in December/January, like 40 C (over 100 F.)

B. Don't walk around with a bunch of fancy jewelry or a very expensive camera.

C.Get traveller's cheques, don't bring USD Cash. Bring "reals" if you can find somewhere that has Brazilian currency. There are places you can cash in your traveller's cheques for brazilian currency in Rio de Janeiro.

D. Bring comfortable walking shoes!

E. See Copacabana beach, Ipanema beach, the Sugarloaf, the Corcovado (the Jesus statue thing.) The little train to get to the corcovado is awesome!

F. Go to the Rio zoo (you can take the Metro subway to get there)

G. Take Brazilian Portuguese lessons starting NOW hardly anyone speaks / understands English there and they don't speak Spanish either! If you can't take classes hit the book store and get Brazilian Portuguese books.

H. Botafogo is a nice neighbourhood. Not really dangerous. Steer clear of more dangerous areas. Don't go downtown on weekends by yourself...I found that place real scary on weekends.

I. See if you can visit a place outside of Rio called Buzios. It's beautiful and you can stay in a Pousada there for fairly cheap. Great beaches and neat little shops there.

J. Bring mosquito repellant! I got eaten alive!

K. Get RXs for tylenol 3 (codeine) and antibiotics. I got an infection from a cracked nipple (sorry for the TMI) and I had antibiotics from my Dr already so which was awesome. The T3 is for if you get a sunburn or something, to help you sleep.

L. Make sure you have your visa and passport in order. You need a visa to travel to Brasil.

M. Have Fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 3

Okay, first of all, people exadurate the violance in so much Rio that is not even funny.

   Look, I'm born in Rio.  Since kid used to walk to school by myself (with my backpack, watch, nice clothes and all) and nothing ever happended to me.

  

   I'm living in Florida for 8 years and I know tons of americans that had visited Brazil and they were glad they did.  Nothing ever happended to them, besides having lots of fun and hanging out with great people (see, brazilian are very friendly and they welcome people into their hearts).

  My best friend Robson met his wife in Brazil. She went to Rio to visit and she said she never wantet to come back. They got married and now they can spend couple years here and there, and thats what they do.

   Places and people are pretty much the same in the whole world. You must know where are you going and who to trust.

   Like everywhere in every contry of the world, there are bad and good areas... places that you should and should not go.

   I'm sure if you are going with someone that knows the area it would help. If not, don't just "try" and "think" that you know were are you going, because just like anybody elese in a different country could end up getting lost and get to places that you shouldn't go.

   My advice, GOOO!  It's beautiful, people are verryyyyy nice... food is amazing.... and h**l, don't be scared. Do you think I'm scared to go to Miami even thought is very dirty and crazy? with poor people sleeping in every side walk you see? That will beg you for money at the light? No, I go there every once in a while. Watch some NBA game or even hangout in Bayside!!!

   Just like here, don't take a bunch of stuff that you don't need out in the street with you. Some type of ID.. or even copies.

    Beer is like $50 cents (us dollar) .. haha... food about $10, 15 ( us dollar) for a loooottttt offf food!

    The beach, beautiful and amazing.. FREE! =)

  

    If there is anything else you need to know, let me know. My bro lives there and works for the government with tourism and I can get some more tips for ya.

    Good luck and have fun.

    RioGuy.

Answer 4

DON'T DRINK THE WATER.    OH, NO, THAT'S MEXICO.   GO AHEAD, TAKE A CHANCE.  DRINK THE WATER.  SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

Answer 5

Was there 27 years ago.  A thumbs up is a good sign there.  Putting your thumb and finger tips together in a circle means perfect up here.  Down there it will get you punched out.

Protect your wallet.  Not in your back pocket.  Lots of pick pockets back then.  One guy called for help from police that were near by and they shot a 9 or 10 year old boy dead and gave him back his wallet.

Answer 6

I went to Rio in 2004 and can say it truly is an amazing place.  Some things you shouldn't do is go out alone at night especially on the beach (very dangerous), Just as Meg said don't go there expecting everyone to think you're all that because you're from the U. S.  Be modest and you will get much respect.  Don't use private taxis or cars to do tours of the city.  Go with an established tour company.  I stayed at a hotel and one of the gentlemen operating a car service offered to take me on a tour of all the popular places and gave me a good deal.  He took me to the popular places alright, but gave no information at all.  We went to a historic church and he simply let me go on my own to take pictures. When I asked questions, he didn't have answers.  There was a tour going on at the same time there and the operator was talking a mile a minute about everything in the church.  So I guess you get what you pay for.  Be prepared to always be hassled for money by the poor and people trying to sell you stuff and also for crazy drivers. Pedestrians definitely don't have the right of way there.  Rio is a city of contrasts.  Pitbulls and poodles, rich and poor, beautiful landscapes and shanty towns. Bring only enough money for your outings and most of all Have Fun!