Brazil is such an amazing place to visit, yet be cautious, alert, and advised, that Brazil has one of the highest crime rates in the world. I urge you to exercise caution as serious crime runs rampant there, as does sea piracy, as well as high levels of violent attacks upon tourists who travel alone.

Thus you will need to pay close attention to your personal safety and security, as well as your personal belongings. Take note that identity theft is a big issue in Brazil. Therefore be cautious when attending celebrations, protests and demonstrations. Thieves simply love these as they can mingle, snatch purses etc and then mingle with the dense crowd. Most demonstrations unfortunately turn violent so don’t place yourself at risk.

Ensure that you have a high level of travel insurance, I advise you to invest in the comprehensive one, as these will usually cover everything. Be sure to read the fine print, as many policies do not cover credit card theft. Be a smart traveler and cover every aspect of traveling prior to the onset of your journey.

I strongly urge you to make sure that your insurance covers overseas medical costs. The insurance needs to cover you from the onset of your journey until your return home. Some activities may not be covered with your policy. Take into account also, that many incidents that can occur, are often deemed as “Acts of God” and are not covered by some policies. The old saying that “if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel” is so true. Don’t forget that you must carry identification with you at all times. This is a legal requirement.

Within large cities such as Campinas, Rio as well as Sao Paulo, the medical facilities are actually comparable to Australian standards. But outside of these large cities medical facilities can be appalling as well as extremely limited. Ensure that you’re immunization needs are up to date. The medical treatment costs in Brazil are sky high, so insurance is a must. In many cases cash payment is forced prior to medical services are issued. (This even applies to emergencies.) In the case of an accident or serious illness, this can involve thousands of dollars.

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