Safety Travel Tips in Brazil

Find out about the region and don't be afraid to ask questions, Brazilians love to talk. Use trusted and smart individuals for advice on safety. Many people who don't know the answer and will tell you the wrong one. In general, taxi drivers are a good source or the place you are staying at. Don't ever walk alone in Brazil at night. Walk in groups, do activities in groups, and stick together. If you have to travel or go somewhere alone at night use a taxi or car.

Photocopy important documents and carry the copies with you. Leave the actual document in a safe place. If you are staying a long period of time you should go authenticate your photo copy (at the Cartorios) and this runs about $2.50. Always carry emergency contacts, including the emergency telephone numbers of Brazil (police and ambulance) and the American Embassy 24-hour contact number. If it is an emergency, sometimes services are slow at responding. Much sure to call the emergency service immediately.

Register your trip with the U.S. Embassy in the U.S.. Then send an email to the U.S. Embassy in Brazil with your contact information, travel dates, where and who you will be with. Be ware of some police in Brazil. They are underpaid and prone to corruption. It's better to find out what agencies are more trustworthy. Don't do illegal things in Brazil it will put in you a bad situation.

Don't have extra cash in your wallet. Plan out cash you are going to need and only take that. Never take your money out and count it in public. If you are taking the bus keep change in your pocket. Then you need don't take out your wallet. But keep extra cash in your pockets or a save place, in case of your wallet being taken. It's better to buy a wallet chain, which is a wallet that goes around your neck and then place it under your shirt.

Don't drink too much. If you plan on going out wear less expensive clothing and jewelry. Know how the night is going to end and where you are sleeping. Don't drink alone and drink with trusted friends. Don't buy a lot of people drinks, they will never leave once you start. Don't leave objects at the table when you go to the bathroom or somewhere else. Many times when you come back, everything will be gone. Purses are not a good idea in Brazil.

Banks and ATM's are very dangerous at night. Try to never make cash withdrawals at night. But be sure if you go to a bar or restaurant you ask what methods of payment are accepted. Sometimes people have fake wallets. With old credit cards that have been canceled, an old I.D. and some money. That way you don't lose your documents or credit cards on vacation. If something were to happen, then you could hand over the fake wallet instead of your real wallet.

But this has some risk too. If the robber realized the wallet is fake, they could use force or become violent. It is important to put enough money for the robber to stay content. And to have a clear mind if this risk is worth losing some documents. Most of the time materials can be replaced, but loss of life can not.