Travel in rio?

Question

I'm planning on traveling to Rio de Janeiro and SP in Dec. and I'm wondering is it possible to travel around by yourself and sightsee if you can't speak portugese?

Answer 1

Yes, of course you can. However, fewer people speak English than you might imagine.

Answer 2

I'm brazilian and I would advice you to have somebody who speaks some portuguese with you or another brazilian who speaks english.  Check this website http://www.brazilmiami.org/eng/tourism_l...

They have some useful phrases in portuguese.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

I am Brazilian and I think if you don't speak Portuguese it could be very difficult go by yourself. Try find a good and safe translater (a person speaking Portuguese and English to help you).

Answer 4

That depends on yourself as much as on others. If you are willing to make an effort to learn a few words of Portuguese, people will be much more helpful than normal. And "normal" is already pretty friendly for Brazilians.

I arrived in Rio without speaking any Portuguese and had a great time. A few words of quickly learnt Portuguese, a few of English and a lot of impromptu sign language and good intentions on both sides did the trick.

Answer 5

u can travel alone for sight seen in Brazil,but for sorry most people in Brazil couldn't speak other language except Portuguese and Spanish

Answer 6

if you're not going until december, you should invest in one of those language cds with the book - it's only about $25 and it'll help you a lot. otherwise, it'll be extremely difficult for you to get by in brazil.  plus, spend some time learning the brazilian look and culture - mugging is very common when ppl stand out as tourists.  since december is summer in brazil, take/wear as little clothing as possible - otherwise you'll stick out like a sore thumb.  have a blast!

Answer 7

Yes you can. Brazilians are very nice. Just use your common sense and avoid dangerous areas.

Answer 8

Im brazilian ;speak for you very hard;here no travel!

beatiful;very hard travel;

ok!

Answer 9

Watch Turistas lol. No, it just reminded me of Rio. You're really lucky, the pictures are beautiful. I hope you have a really great time, sorry I couldn't answer though.

Answer 10

Oh sure.. in Rio and Sampa you should find enough people that speak and even want to practice their English, although you can't walk up to anybody in the street and start talking to them in English.. alot of students-young people speak at least a little..

if you are considering going somewhere a little more rugged, like the amazon, it would be a bit more tricky without some Portuguese knowledge :)

If you meet some other foreigner at a hostel, maybe you can tag along with them, its always easier in numbers

Answer 11

You can most certainly get around without knowing portuguese but an inexpensive compact tourist language book would help. It would be useful to know some key words just in case you need to use them in an emergency.