Portugal is renowned for its wine. Although the port is produced in several other countries, a real port wine only comes from Porto. Portuguese can brag about some of the finest custard tarts or in Portuguese pastel de natas in the world but they are not made like they are anywhere else in the world but in Pasteis de Belem in Lisbon. Portugal has its share of influence on the world. The 15th and 16th-century Portuguese exploration left a lasting footprint in South America, Asia, and Africa spreading the Catholic religion and Portuguese culture. 10 countries use Portuguese as their official language with over 260 million speakers worldwide. Portugal offers a variety of attractions however there are hazards and important information all visitors should beware of.

Traveling info

Because Portugal is a member of the Schengen convention all members of this agreement may move freely to Portugal for tourist, business, starting a new life or any other purposes without the requirement to obtain any sort of a visa document. The only document required to cross the border is an ID card. There are several countries who are outside of the European Union however they are a part of the Schengen convention. These are Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland, and Switzerland. Nationals of countries who are not part of this convention are required to obtain a Schengen visa that will allow them to move freely within the boundaries of the Schengen convention nations. (list of countries in sources). Schengen visa is normally admitted once per half a year for a duration of 90 days. Schengen visa holders can not work or study during their stay within the Schengen boundaries. Visitors who choose to drive in Portugal are required to have their domestic driving license, vehicle registration and certificate of insurance at all time whilst driving. If the domestic driving permit does not have a photo of its owner on it, an international driving permit will be required to drive. Portuguese police often insist on other forms of ID, therefore, citizens of the EU should have their national ID cards with them whilst citizens of countries outside of the EU should carry their passports with them.

Traveling hazards

Portugal is generally a safe country to drive in. The extensive highway and secondary road network is well paved and maintained. Although due to the extension of infrastructure Portugal has severely decreased its road fatalities, it is still above the EU average according to Eurostat however this is still relatively low comparing to the rest of the world. Aggressive drivers majorly contribute to the Portuguese deaths on the roads by speeding and breaking various traffic laws. Tourists who are fined for breaking the traffic rules may be either asked to pay their fine on the spot or the fine will be forwarded to them via post. To facilitate an immediate payment, most Portuguese squad cars are fitted with portable ATMs. Driving in the Azores may differ from continental Portugal. Although the road network is well developed, the roads around the island may be very narrow and steep in certain places. This can be very dangerous particularly when driving at night.

Environmental hazards

Portugal has few land animals which pose a threat to people. Wolves inhabit the northern part of Portugal. Encountering these large canines can be very dangerous however encounters are rare. These animals usually avoid contact with humans. There are two dangerous snakes inhabiting Portugal which have venom potent enough to kill a grown adult. The Lataste viper can be found throughout all of Portugal and most of the Iberian peninsula. The Portuguese viper, however, can be found only in the far north of the country even though the name suggests otherwise. Bite of any of these should be immediately directed to a hospital to seek help. Portugal has a vast coast that covers the entire south and west of the country. The beautiful beaches and waters may be deceiving as dangers lurk from under the water. Sea urchins are common along the Portuguese coast. These are harmless unless being stepped on. Their spikes may easily pierce the skin and trying to remove them usually results in the spike being shattered into many pieces which may cause infection. It is best to seek medical help in case of stepping on one of these. Shark attacks in Portugal are very rare however it is important to stay cautious in water as even unprovoked attack may happen anytime. It is advised to stick to guarded beaches only, and to avoid swimming with bleeding wounds, cuts, etc. and to avoid swimming after dusk as these creatures tend to be most active around that time. Guarded beaches in Portugal provide extra safety for beachgoers by indicating whether it is safe to swim or not by colored flags with each color representing certain conditions. The Portuguese coast experiences heavy currents all along its coast which may be very dangerous and carry even experienced swimmers far away very quickly.
There are no active volcanoes in Portugal or the Azores however both the mainland and the islands experience earthquakes regularly. Although most of this score relatively low on the Richter scale and pose no threat, significant earthquakes are a possibility such as the earthquake of 1775 which killed a quarter of the cities population and almost razed it to the ground being the most severe earthquake ever recorded in Europe. Floods and storms in Portugal are common. Floods mostly occur in mainland Portugal which often result in damage to urban areas and infrastructure. Storms are also a problem however these are more serious on the Azores as opposed to the mainland.

Health hazards

There are no outbreaks of any diseases in Portugal or any sort of required vaccinations however there are several vaccines which are strongly recommended. These are the routine vaccines, hepatitis A and B and the rabies vaccine. Portuguese healthcare is on a modern European standard. Both the public and private facilities are in excellent condition and deliver a very high quality of service. The public healthcare is free for the citizens of Portugal however expats are expected to pay for service. It is best to purchase medical insurance like medical expenses for treatment can be very expensive both in public and private facilities. The holders of European health insurance card will be treated in all public facilities without the requirement of payment and are also entitled to a temporary stay at any of these facilities.
In case of an emergency dial 112.

Crime

Portugal is ranked among the top 15 safest countries in the world and experiences low levels of crime. Petty crime, however, is alive, particularly in the tourist areas. To keep safe it is best to stay vigilant and thieves often use elaborate tactics and pick their targets beforehand often following them. Victims are often chosen on the perception of their wealth. It is best to stay low key and avoid exposing signs of wealth by wearing flashy jewelry or handling cash in visible places. It is also advised to wear money belts. These greatly reduce the risks of being pickpocketed and help to keep money out of sight. Exploring Portugal at night is generally safe however in major cities it is best to stick to popular tourist areas and preferably travel by a registered taxi from the hotel to another. There is a popular misconception about the legality of all drugs in Portugal. Drugs are not legal however all of them have been decriminalized and are punishable by either a warning, small fine or a demand to appear in the local court for usually a verdict of addiction treatment.

Summary

Portugal is certainly one of the most interesting places to visit in Europe. Old cities of Lisbon, Porto or Braga have beautiful architecture and various attractions inviting tourists at every step. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visa)
https://portugal.com/portugal/travel-tips/entering-portugal
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/portugal
(EHIC)
http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=559