Travel Tips: What You Should and Should Not Do when Visiting Brazil

Brazil is the largest country and South America and offers many attractions for travelers. The diversity of attractions for both the urban tourist and the nature lover are incomparable.

Look through the list below for the most well-known destinations in Brazil.

-In Rio De Janeiro: Tijuca National Park, Pao de Acucar (Sugar Loaf Mountain) Corcovado, Copacabana Beach, Teatro Municipal and Ipanema Beach

-In Sao Paulo:Museu de Arte de Sao Paulo

-In Parana: visit Foz de Iguacu to see Iguacu Falls

-Mato Grosso: Pantanal Wetlands

-Bahia: Salvador,

Taking a trip to foreign lands, Brazil being no exception, can be the greatest adventure you will have, if prudence guides your steps. If you go in rashly without taking adequate steps to protect yourself and your treasures, you may live to regret your decision to travel.

Let the following be your guide during your much awaited visit.

What you should do:

- Do not flout the laws of the land. Laws are there for your protection.

- Lean to some Portuguese. It is not critical if you are going to spend your time in the much beaten paths of the urban areas. If you however wish to visit the country, you will need more than a smattering of Portuguese to see you through unless you take a guide.

- Do not venture into out-of-the-way places or unlit areas unless as part of a large company.

- Take a map with you and ensure that you have a clear destination in mind before leaving the hotel. If possible plan your itinerary and stick to it. Should you get lost do not look for help from just anyone: use your map.

- Give locals due deference.

- Take the necessary medication as there are chances of catching malaria, malaria and leishmaniasis. Include preventive measures like insect repellants, mosquito nets, etc, to keep from getting bitten by insects.

- During you sightseeing tours, carry the minimum you need. Even if you fall prey to small time criminals your losses will be small.

-Use your own car and keep all doors locked or take a taxi rather than a bus when visiting places. Keep the little money that you have in a small pouch preferably hidden or well camouflaged.

- Do not venture into out-of-the-way places or unlit areas unless as part of a large company.

- If you have been attacked or robbed report the case to the police post-haste.

What you should NOT do:

- Do not show off you valuables. If you have them, leave them in the hotel safe. Better yet do not bring them with you into the country.

- Avoid taking dips in local rivers and streams.

- Limit the amount of money you carry on your person to what you will need for the trip. You may carry a credit card. Everything else must be left at the hotel.

- Do not eat from street vendors.

- Do no pet any animal no matter how tame

- Use only bottled water for drinking

- Do not invite anyone into your hotel room.