Off to Brazil - any watchouts or recommendations?
Discussion
Eat at a churrascaria (barbecue restaurant).
Don't blow off the security issue. Things can go really bad, really fast. Just be smart on where you go, how you get there and don't flash cash, cameras etc.
If you arrive at ten pm on a Sunday night, with no hotel booking, don't question too hard why the only hotel with space has round beds and really noisy guests.
The beaches in Rio, not that far away, really are as good as they look.
Don't blow off the security issue. Things can go really bad, really fast. Just be smart on where you go, how you get there and don't flash cash, cameras etc.
If you arrive at ten pm on a Sunday night, with no hotel booking, don't question too hard why the only hotel with space has round beds and really noisy guests.
The beaches in Rio, not that far away, really are as good as they look.
rdjohn said:
NotBenny said:
Get your hotel to arrange all your cabs for you, safest way to do it.
Get to know how much the cab costs before you get in.As long as you're not in a budget hotel, where the front desk guy calls his brother in a dodgy unlicensed cab. Then it's just a fail.
Split your cash so you only have what you need that day and have your cards in more than one place so you don't leave yourself in dire straights, always keep your emergency contact and card contact info duplicated both on you and in a safe in the hotel. Same goes with your travel insurance, make sure you have a copy of your cover with you at all times and a copy at the hotel. Keep your passport in the safe.
I do this everywhere i travel, no matter how dangerous. I lost my wallet many years ago in Germany and learned the hard way!
If you do find yourself in a bad situation, give them everything they ask for and don't be the hero, its only a bit of inconvenience for you. If you don't you could find yourself dead.
I do this everywhere i travel, no matter how dangerous. I lost my wallet many years ago in Germany and learned the hard way!
If you do find yourself in a bad situation, give them everything they ask for and don't be the hero, its only a bit of inconvenience for you. If you don't you could find yourself dead.
Smitters said:
Did you survive? Reading the thread it seemed at the time it was laid on a bit thick, but the news reports really brings home just how dangerous Brazil can be. Hope you had an awesome time.
I'd love to go, but even my colleagues who are local to the city say it's dangerous...Vaud said:
I'd love to go, but even my colleagues who are local to the city say it's dangerous...
You should go, especially at carnival when it is all buzzing (and security is increased). It is a lovely place to relax and if worried internal flights can be taken instead of coaches.I went to Carnival and also went to the waterfalls as parter of a longer trip around S.America. For carnival, we were out all the time around Rio, in the evenings you would just end up on the streets with parties in random backstreet areas with zero police presence. No issues at all, just people being merry.
Basically have nothing valuable visible, cheap clothes and there will be no reason to be targeted.
There are some countries in South America I skipped, as they are genuinely dangerous but the F1 stuff I think was targeted as they know they may pickup an expensive watch and so on.
I think the most important things to take on board with countries like this (the USA is another, South Africa another) is you can go from a "good" area to a "bad" area very quickly and easily, and that robbery is often conducted with a gun and a total lack of concern for the welfare of the victim.
Not everywhere is awful and not everywhere is good - just like anywhere really.
Not everywhere is awful and not everywhere is good - just like anywhere really.
Smitters said:
I think the most important things to take on board with countries like this (the USA is another, South Africa another) is you can go from a "good" area to a "bad" area very quickly and easily, and that robbery is often conducted with a gun and a total lack of concern for the welfare of the victim.
Not everywhere is awful and not everywhere is good - just like anywhere really.
This is true. Not everywhere is awful and not everywhere is good - just like anywhere really.
Palo Alto in California - extreme wealth... to East Palo Alto across the rail tracks.
Vaud said:
Smitters said:
I think the most important things to take on board with countries like this (the USA is another, South Africa another) is you can go from a "good" area to a "bad" area very quickly and easily, and that robbery is often conducted with a gun and a total lack of concern for the welfare of the victim.
Not everywhere is awful and not everywhere is good - just like anywhere really.
This is true. Not everywhere is awful and not everywhere is good - just like anywhere really.
Palo Alto in California - extreme wealth... to East Palo Alto across the rail tracks.
Gassing Station | Formula 1 | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff