Brazil is a vast country offering a diverse culture with friendly people. Depending on which country you are travelling from you may need to get a visa for Brazil.
It is always good to ensure that you apply for these well ahead of time, as there may be delays. Some countries will not require their citizens to get a visa, but it is always good to check.
1. Medical Advice
Before planning any trip it is vital to find out if any vaccines are needed. Some parts of Brazil may require Hepatitis A and B vaccines, Typhoid and Yellow Fever.
There is also the risk of Dengue fever that is spread by a certain type of mosquito and although there is no vaccine, travellers to this country must take precautions.
2. Brazil is Noisy
The noise in Brazil takes some getting used to. This is especially true in the cities that have a bustling nightlife. The countryside is quieter, but you may be woken up at the crack of dawn by roosters.
Many of the hotels will have insulated windows that will block out most of the sound, but for those who are not used to noise earplugs may be an option to consider.
3. Money Matters
Some people have had problems using the ATM’s in Brazil, as many of them do not accept the usual types of debit and credit cards. Before travelling to Brazil it is important to let your bank know that you will be travelling out of the country.
ATM’s in Brazil are particularly busy at the beginning of the month, so best to avoid them that time of the year. Some ATM’s may also not be open 24 hours. It can also be expensive, so planning your trip well is important, even if you’ve recently won big playing online pokies.
Always check the back of your card to ensure that the networks match, if it does not, do not try and use the ATM.
4. Language
Language is sometimes a problem when travelling and trying to learn a few basic phrases in Portuguese is a good strategy. Some people do try and speak Spanish, but Portuguese is the language spoken so it may be a problem.
Some people may understand Spanish in some parts, but it would be preferable to learn some basic Portuguese.
The younger generations will all be well versed in English though. Portuguese is not difficult to learn, although the pronunciation may be tricky.
5. Safety Matters
Generally speaking Brazil is safe, but there are some safety tips that may be useful. Safety of food and water will vary from region to region, so it would be good to do some research with regard to that.
For example in Sao Paulo the water is safe, but in other parts the risk of illness is a problem.
It is best to avoid ice, uncooked veggies, make sure fresh fruit is peeled and rather stick to bottled water. Another safety concern is driving.
This may be quite intimidating and taking shorter domestic flights is a good option. Always ensure that you are vigilant with regard to valuables.