To Know Before You Go

Safety & Security

We asked a experienced Brazilian traveler if he thought traveling in Brazil was dangerous. He responded without hesitation, "only if you do something stupid!" Just as it's not a good idea to walk around a poor neighborhood in any large North American or European city at night, alone, with your pockets stuffed with cash, wearing a Rolex and an expensive camera slung around your neck, it's not a good idea to do it in any large Brazilian city either. Think!

The vast majority of all Brazilians are honest, forthright, hard working people and, in the smaller cities of Brazil, life is less hectic, dangerous and, quite frankly, safer. But there are also poor people in Brazil. Like any society, especially in the larger urban areas, there are also muggers, pickpockets and other criminals who make their living preying on easy targets. For them, there's no better or easier target than a foreign tourist. There are, however, a few simple things you can do to avoid being an easy target:

* Don't carry large amounts of cash with you on the street. Pulling out a wad of cash may be impressive in some places in the world but in most large Brazilian cities you might as well paint a target on yourself. Carry only what you need for the activities you plan for the day or the individual trip you are making.

* Don't carry what you're not going to need. If you don't need your credit cards, don't carry them. If you won't use your camera, don't bring it.

* Make xerox copies of your passport picture/information page(s) and Brazilian visa page and carry only these with you for identification. Replacing a lost or stolen passport can be a huge hassle and, for American citizens, only accomplished at the US Embassy in Brasília or the US Consulates in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro or Recife. If you don't happen to be in one of these cities when your passport turns up lost or stolen, then that's where you'll have to go. The same goes for travelers from other countries.

* Carry your wallet with minimal contents in a front pocket. This makes it more difficult for pickpockets to grab and run. Some experienced travelers use a small, business card wallet to carry their credit card(s) and ID. Some travelers carry a "fake" wallet in their back pocket. It's only stuffed with paper and a couple reais but provides a pickpocket or mugger with a "conquest" if one should be encountered.

* Don't wear expensive jewelry or watches. This is a situation where less is best. Leave your expensive jewelry and watches at home and buy a cheap $20 watch before you leave home. You won't cry too much if it's ever lost or stolen.

* Many Brazilians carry their valuables, cameras, etc., in small belly packs firmly strapped around their waists with the pack in front. If you think this is something that could work for you, get one and use it.

* Many Brazilian women use backpack style purses and often wear them in the front. If you carry a handbag or purse with a strap, it's best to wear it laterally across your shoulders rather than merely slung over a single shoulder.

* Avoid highly congested areas as they are often a haven for pickpockets.

* Don't walk on empty streets at night alone because you become a muggers dream. Stay in well-lit areas where there are other people around.

* Especially in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, make sure you always use a legitimate (real) taxi because some thieves have been know to disguise themselves as taxis and ... well, you fill in the blank. It's pretty easy to determine a real, legitimate taxi. Have your hotel doorman or the restaurant you're leaving call or hail a taxi for you (they'll know), only use taxis that are lined up at a ponto de taxi (taxi stand), call a radio taxi service or use your hotel's car service. Legitimate taxis also have red or maroon license plates (denoting that the car is registered as a commercial vehicle) while those on private cars are silver gray. The red or maroon colored commercial license plate should include the name of the city you are in.

* Avoid using any taxi driver who attempts to "befriend" you upon your arrival at the airport—especially in Rio. They will often charge far over the going rate for a ride into town.

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