Brazil - Your Opinions

karaokeman

I'm currently doing my Leaving Cert now. Some of my friends will still be in school next year but I really want to visit Brazil for a trip abroad when I'm older. Preferably for two or more months, I know I would probably need a whil because its such a big country.

Most of my family would think I'm mad, really I'm the only one who ever considered travelling to South America.

Thing is that everyone else I know goes to Australia and places like that, I would like to go somewhere different.

I would like to get people's opinions if anyone has been there. I'm planning some years ahead for when my best friends are also allowed to travel on their own, maybe book it months in advance to get cheap flights and so fort.

namurt

I would definitely reccommend it. I went for three weeks so didn't travel around much but it was still a brilliant experience. I went as part of a volunteer group because I was travelling on my own and felt it gave some security. But if you're going with friends I would say it will be even better.

The only big thing to keep in mind is that if you travel to certain areas you may need anti-malaria medication. I had heard such bad things about people's reactions to the medication that I made the decision not to travel to the affected areas.

karaokeman

Well I'm planning to get injections to protect myself from malaria. This is still a few years in planning but I would like to do it even if I'm visiting places for a few days.

I'd imagine I wouldn't need to spend too long in places like the Amazon Basin. I'm actually more worried about places like Rio De Janiero. Sure thy are massive tourist attractions but seemingly urban areas in Brazil are very dangerous. I'm still considering going though.

namurt

I stayed in a place called Olinda and travelled to a few places around the area. I also went to Rio for a weekend. Had absolutely no problems anywhere I went. Even left stuff (nothing valuable of course) on the beach in Rio when I went for a dip in the sea and nothing was taken. Shortly after I got back my mam was telling me about a friend of hers who'd had stuff stolen in Rio but sure that happens everywhere.

The most used phrase I had was "no thank you" because you will meet a lot of people trying to sell you things or be your guide, but if you just say "no thank you" and keep walking they won't hassle you.

BuffyBot

I'm actually more worried about places like Rio De Janiero. Sure thy are massive tourist attractions but seemingly urban areas in Brazil are very dangerous. I'm still considering going though.

In the central areas there are generally no problems. Obviously avoid going to the shanty town/favelas out the outskirts, and in the centre take care not to flash expensive items around. The one good thing about Brazil is that it's so racially diverse, it's pretty hard to look like a tourist if you're not being flashy. I've walked around various parts of Sao Paulo and Rio at night and felt less threathened than I have in O'Connell Street.

miketv

This might help if your in Rio,
http://www.bbc.com/travel/feature/20110222-the-top-10-attractions-in-rio-de-janeiro