Jul 30 2010
What Items To Bring And Tips For Traveling To Brazil
When traveling out of the United States, it is really imperative to be aware of some differences in that foreign country from culture in the United States. It is also important to be aware of some things about a foreign culture before traveling so as to lessen the culture shock that might be a potential problem. For example, in Brazil it is a good idea to keep any grocery or store bought items in paper sacks and any personal bags close to you for security. For this article, the tips will be focused on travel to Brazil specifically speaking. The tips listed include what to expect when you are actually in the country and how to prepare for the vacation or business trip to the country:
1. The most important thing to know about Brazil is that it is quite sweltering. No matter what time fall, winter, spring or summer you go, it will always be very humid because it is considered a tropical climate since it is near the equator. Pack clothes accordingly and be ready to change if you get to feeling very sticky walking around at night or during the day in the hot sun.
2. The second thing people are most concerned with is crime. Of course, in the more densely populated places there will probably be pick-pickets, so it is important for people to keep their wallets out of their pockets and either in a money belt (clipped around the waist and under the clothes) or in a money pouch worn under the clothes, but around the neck. Also, it is always a wise choice to be aware of your surroundings and do not go anywhere where there seem to be only a few people. Teenagers and young adults who are dependant on drugs get decent amount of cash or even drugs from drug dealers for stealing valuables from tourists, so it is really best to stay on the main roads or near people, especially at night.
3. The language barrier in the big cities should not be a major inconvience. A lot of Brazilians speak at least a little English, but when in doubt just point and most Brazilians will be eager to try to help you. It might be a good idea to know a few phrases in Brazilian Portuguese to show that you respect their language and that you are making an effort to speak in their native language. Doing this will get you much better service and pretty normally a good reaction from people who are trying to help you.
4. As of now, the dollar is up on the Real by 2:1, so U.S. Dollars do fairly well in this country. It a good idea to do any kind of money exchange at an actual bank, so you know they are credible. Also, people at a bank will usually be able to speak a little English and may be better able to help if you have any major issues. Also, in Brazil, banks are usually the best place to get the best exchange rate, since they give pretty near market value on the transaction.
Brazil is an excellent place for Americans to see because it has the charm of both a tropical island feel (on the coast) as well as large city feel all in one. Following these tips and guidelines will aid you in getting the most out of your trip to Brazil.