Brazil Don’ts

• Do not ever bring excessive valuables and show it to public. Leave your necklaces, rings, expensive watches, bracelets, and other jewelries in a safe place as much as possible.
• Do not carry money and credit card for pickpocketers attack. Take just enough cash for the day as well as a Credit Card with you, and try to keep everything in your front pocket. Leave the rest in you hotel safe box.
• Do not eat street foods, drink only bottled water. Do not handle any animals.
• Do not bring any strangers you meet outside to your hotel room. The easiest way to become a victim of theft or violence is to take someone you do not know back to your room.
• Do not take public transportation. Take taxi instead of busses, and make sure the taxi driver turns the meter on. Bring money pouches strap around your neck. If you are driving, always keep the door locked.
• Do not walk around with your camcorder or your camera swinging from your limp hand. Wear shoulder straps. If you bring along expensive cameras or camcorders, consider an insurance plan.
• Do not do anything you would not do back home. You will not be tolerated if you breach the law.
• Do not leave your drink unattended at the bar or accept drinks from strangers.
• Do not make the ok sign with your hand which is considered a very rude gesture in Brazil. So unless you really want to make someone angry, avoid it!

Brazil Do’s

• Do dress down and conceal cameras, and avoid wearing jewellery and expensive watches.
• Do purchase the option of a safety deposit box, and do deposit valuables in hotel safes.
• Do aware of unofficial taxis and those with blacked-out windows and be particularly careful on public transport in Rio, Recife and Salvador, particularly at night.
• Do purchase the optional travel insurance. It is better to be safe than sorry.
• 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.
• Do shake hands for man, while women tend to kiss each other in greeting. Greetings are carried out with handshakes accompanied with touching of the forearm, elbows, and pats on the back.
• Do avoid dark and isolated places especially if you are alone. Where you do not see a single soul at night, such as the Flamengo Park or the Financial District, also, avoid going to the beach in the middle of night by yourself. Do not wander off by yourself. Anywhere around the mountains or hills should be avoided.
• Do carry only the basics to avoid the eyes of petty criminals. Keep anything valuable (cash, credit cards, passport, etc.) inside your safety deposit box.
• Do keep a map, and don‚t let anyone know you are lost if you‚re ever caught in such a situation.
• Do keep pursues close to your body. Watch out street kids, although they look cute and innocent, they are some of Rio‚s most elusive pickpocketers.
• Do bring long pants, long-sleeved shirt, eyeglasses, cap or hat to avoid mosquito bites. Do bring insect repellant for illnesses from dengue, leishmaniasis, and malaria. If you are planning to stay out overnight, do bring mosquito nets, insect sprays, and necessary prescription medications.
• Do act the same way as Brazilians in beach. Brazilian beachwear tends to be brief, but topless sunbathing tends to be foreigners act rather than the Brazilians. Brazilian males tend to wear Speedos or the equally figure-hugging hot pants so do the same if you want to fit in.