Although Brazil is one of the most marvelous places you can see anywhere in the world, it is still best to practice caution and take safety precautions to keep yourself protected at all times when you travel to Brazil. As a matter of fact, Brazil ranks high on crime rates, along with sea piracy, and it would be wise for visitors to know what measures they can take to stay safe during their visit. When it comes to personal security, theft (including identity theft) is something that everyone should watch out for. For this reason, it is best to stay alert and cautious especially when participating in the many celebrations that happen all over the country. Thieves take this opportunity to snatch purses and other belongings before getting lost in the huge crowd. You may also want to think twice about taking a look or even participating in any protests or demonstrations as they can turn nasty and you could end up getting hurt.A travel insurance that covers just about everything is one thing that you should get before you travel to Brazil, and that the coverage starts at the beginning of your trip to the time you get back home. Check to make sure that it has a comprehensive medical insurance package. It will not hurt if you inquire if it will also cover property losses from theft. Do check for other inclusions that may be beneficial to you when you travel to Brazil, which may not be offered by other travel insurance companies.

Another thing you must be sure to get before traveling to Brazil is immunizations. This is because medical facilities are very limited especially outside of the city limits of the country. Check with your doctor what kind of immunizations you will require before you travel to Brazil, as well as update your vaccination requirements. Although there are big cities such as Rio and São Paulo that can offer high standard medical services, other areas of Brazil do not share the same standards. Additionally, medical treatment in the country is terribly expensive, which is why insurance is absolutely necessary. Patients are generally required to pay cash even before treatment can be administered. Emergency situations are no exception.

If you are under medication be sure to take enough of your prescription medicine to last until you get back home from your vacation in Brazil. Keep your medication in their original packaging and include the original prescriptions from your doctor. Keep your medicine in your carry-on bag and have another set tucked away in your luggage. Although you may be able to buy your prescription medicine in Brazil, it is best to stay on the safe side by filling your prescription before you travel.

There are also a number of insect-related illnesses to watch out for while in Brazil. Malarial infection, dengue fever, as well as “leishmanias” are diseases that are a big risk to visitors in Brazil. It is essential that you bring insect repellents and prophylactics with you during your trip. Another disease that can affect tourists is Yellow fever, which can be acquired from contaminated water and food. Also included are hepatitis and typhoid fever. You must be very careful about the food you eat and water that you drink. Drinking tap water is strongly discouraged, as you may also get schistosomiasis, a parasite infection related to the water in Brazil. Instead, take only bottled mineral water to stay safe. It is always best to be cautious at all times of the type of activities you would like to engage yourself in that could increase the risk of exposure to various types of infections. Seeking your doctor’s advice as to precautionary measures to take before going on a trip to Brazil would be your best course of action.

Expect major delays if you are traveling on domestic flights in Brazil, as they are quite well known for that. This means that you will have to wait for sometime within the airport grounds. Always have your passport ready but make sure it is secure. While in Brazil, it is not a very good idea to drive yourself around. Driving here can be very dangerous, especially if you are not used to the aggressive style of driving. A lot of the roads are unmaintained and trucks are abundant on main thoroughfares, which could also spell out long hours on the road.

Other Important Things to Remember While in Brazil

The local laws of Brazil can be rather severe compared to the laws in other countries, so why take a chance? If you follow the law, there is no reason why you should have any problem. Drug trafficking is a crime that carries an extremely long sentence of imprisonment. Don’t even think about it. You can also get a prison sentence if you do not carry your identification with you at anytime. Make sure that you do.

Since most tourists travel to Brazil for wildlife watching apart from the festivals, it is best to stay safe while you are at it. There are rules within the wildlife parks that you need to follow strictly. You must not approach any of the wild animals if you do not have a guide with you. These rules are designed for your safety so it would be wise not to ignore them. Should you be caught at a time when natural disasters occur in Brazil, such as landslides and flash floods, your best move would be to follow all of the instructions set out by the local government.

Make sure that all of your ATM and credit cards as well as traveler’s checks are up-to-date. You would also want to ensure that the ATM cards you have with you will be accepted wherever you choose to go and that they are with you all the time. Keep them away from the eyes of others. It would be a good idea to have important documents such as your passport, visa, etc., photocopied. Take along your own copy whenever you go out so that you can make use of them should the situations arise, such as theft or other emergencies. You may be required to present them at your particular embassy. Keep your original documents in the hotel safe.

Should you go shopping at any of the establishments or market places in Brazil, try to avoid flashing your cash or jewellery in public. Refrain from using expensive jewellery that could be tempting for thieves and other undesirable elements. Keep all your valuables safe by locking them up and keeping the key with you. Should you lose either your passport or visa accidentally, make sure that you get in touch with your embassy right away.