Don’ts

Do not forget to use sunscreen, especially if your skin is white. The sun is powerful in Brazil.

Do not carry your cameras, money and wallets anywhere they can be easily  seen or taken. Pickpocketing is, unfortunately, a threat, particularly in bustling areas, full of locals and tourists making their way around the beautiful cities of Brazil. Therefore, when visiting a very busy area avoid wearing jewelry and expensive watches.

Do not get drunk. Brazilians are not often drunk and do not respect others who indulge in far too much alcohol.

Do not leave your drink unattended at the bar or accept drinks from strangers.

Do not use drugs. It is illegal to use or be in possession of drugs in Brazil

Avoid dark and isolated places especially if you are alone. Where you do not see a single soul at night,  avoid going to the beach in the middle of the night by yourself.

Do not do anything you would not do back home. You will not be tolerated if you breach the law.

Do not give money to beggars and street children. Although these people pose little or no physical danger to you, they should not be supported financially.

Do not make the ok sign with your hand, which is considered a very rude gesture in Brazil. Just an advice

Do not forget that even being a nice people, when the subject is soccer, Argentineans are our enemy! So if for some reason you think Maradona is better than Pelé, DON’T say it out loud, unless you really want to make someone angry.

Do not bring any strangers you meet outside to your hotel room.

 

Do

If you are visiting the Amazon area,  get vaccinated against yellow fever at least 30 days before the trip. This is obligatory if you haven’t been vaccinated in the last 9 years. Vaccinations against Tetanus and hepatitis are optional.

Do go to a Barbecue Restaurant. The amount and quality of meat served will surprise and amaze you.

When renting a car get informed if it is gasoline or alcohol, keep that in mind  when you need to fill the tank (look for the signs at the gas station), or get a FLEXI car which accepts both.

Do try to learn some Portuguese as you can, which will make your vacation more memorable. Although you can survive with English in large cities, most people living in rural areas would not be able to understand you.

If  you go to Salvador (Bahia), be careful with food prepared with azeite-de-dendê  (palm oil).  The food is delicious with this oil, but it can keep you in the toilet  all night.

If you are going to be visiting a busy area, wear your backpack backwards, so that it hangs on your chest, not behind you.

Do purchase the option of a safety deposit box, and do deposit valuables in hotel safes.

Leave the bulk of your money and important paperwork (passport, driver’s license, etc…) in a safe place at your accommodation. Carry only the money you need for the day with you.

Always check with your hotel if certain areas are safe,  If they advise that you do not visit them, take their advice to heart.

Ask the reception desk to get a taxi for you.

If you need to draw money, choose an ATM inside a mall or bank rather than one on the street.

Do act the same way as Brazilians on the beach. Brazilian beachwear tends to be brief, but topless sunbathing tends to be foreigners act rather than the Brazilians. Wear walking shoes, shorts and a plain T-shirt to fit in with the locals.

Do make eye contact with those around you, even as you walk through the streets and marketplaces, or travel on public transport. This is considered to be normal and polite. It is also a safety measure, as pickpocket thieves are known to prey on those who do not make eye contact (since they can, presumably, not identify the people around them and the perpetrator of the crime).

Do wear clothes with lots of pockets to confuse and discourage the thieves.

Always carry with you the hotel’s card, show it to the taxi driver, if you think you will not be able to pronounce the address. If the taxi driver “pretends” he doesn’t know where it is,  ask to stop and get another taxi.