Brazil is certainly one of the most recognizable nations in the world. The country is recognizable for all the athletes it produces and variety of sports it takes first places in. Not only that but the Amazon jungle and the Amazon river are probably the most recognizable land formations on earth. Although Brazil is a very popular destination it has quite a lot of hazards visitors should beware of.

Traveling info

Every tourist visiting Brazil must have a valid passport. Certain nationals are exempt from obtaining a visa and are allowed for a stay of up to 90 days with a possibility of 30 days extension while others must obtain a visa prior to entering the county. Tourists who decide to drive in Brazil need to have their domestic driving permit with them. Although an international driving permit is not required it can be useful. The domestic driving permit allows tourists to drive in Brazil for a period of 6 months. After that period a Brazilian driving license must be obtained.

Traveling hazards

Road conditions vary greatly across Brazil. Highways in the eastern part of the country are generally well kept however heavy traffic and poor driving skills lead to many accidents on the roads. There are no regulations of stops and rests for truck drivers meaning these drive excessive hours and often cause traffic accidents due to exhaustion. Roads in the Amazon jungle are generally poorly kept and are impossible for most of the year mostly due to flooding. Traffic law violations are common. Public transport varies from poorly maintained to luxurious in major cities. Public transport is also dangerous due to crime. (see crime for more)

Environmental hazards

Brazil is one of the megadiverse nations and has an enormous amount of uninhabited land that is flourishing with fauna. Brazil is home to many dangerous animals which may easily kill humans. Jaguar is the largest of the cat family in the Americas. The vast rainforest of Brazil provides shelter for many of these creatures. Although these usually avoid humans, fatal attacks have been recorded. Brazilian Amazon hides many dangers in its murky waters and swamps surrounding it. These range from large black caimans which inhabit most of the Amazon rainforest and which may easily kill a human to electric eels which generate enough electricity to shock humans which usually end up drowning due to paralysis after the electrocution. Bull sharks often swim up to the Amazon and may survive in freshwater. These are the most aggressive of the shark family and often hunt in shallow water. Snakes are ever present in the jungle and there are several species which may kill humans. Among these are several species of pit viper including fer-de-lance and other snakes which include the coral snake or the South American rattlesnake. Poison dart frogs also inhabit the jungle, their venom is potent enough to kill many up to 10 men at once however these creatures do not harm unless touched. Coastal waters of Brazil are generally safe and safer than the Amazon river. For safety, however, it is advised to avoid swimming after dusk.
Although Brazil rarely suffers from earthquakes nor does it have any active volcanoes, it greatly suffers from floods and droughts. Every minute one Brazilian citizen is forced to leave their home due to flooding. These particularly affect the Amazon area of the country. Droughts in the southern part also greatly affect crop output and life of the locals.

Health hazards

Every visitor traveling from the countries with a risk of yellow fever must present proof of yellow fever vaccination. There is currently an outbreak of yellow fever in Brazil, therefore, vaccinations are strongly recommended for those who travel from non-risk zones also. There is also an outbreak of Zika virus and the risk of contracting malaria. There are no approved vaccines against either of these, therefore, visitors are advised to use mosquito nets and mosquito repellents. There is also medicine on prescription against malaria which should be available to anyone after consulting their local general practitioner. Pregnant women are advised to reconsider or cancel the travel. There are several other vaccines recommended. These are the routine vaccines, typhoid, hepatitis A and B and rabies vaccines. Healthcare quality in Brazil varies across the country. Generally, large cities provide good quality. Public healthcare in the country is free for everyone. This includes tourists. Public facilities in the Amazon part may be poorer however still free. Rural regions also receive poorer services than highly urbanized centers. Public facilities are often overcrowded. Private hospitals and clinics generally provide better service and have much shorter waiting times.
In case of an emergency dial 192.

Crime

Crime remains a serious problem in Brazil. Local police are underfunded and often does not enforce the law properly. Favelas in major cities are particularly a problem in the county. These giant slums are usually avoided by police and are run by gangs and drug cartels. It is advised to avoid these places as it is almost a certainty of kidnapping or robbery for tourists. Murder and armed robbery, kidnapping and other types of violent crime affect both locals and tourists. Exposing signs of wealth particularly attracts criminals. It is best to stay low key and do not expose any signs of wealth. It is advised to avoid public transportation as bus hijacking does occur. The safest way to travel is either taxis or rental cars however hiring a guide around cities may be useful just to minimize the risk of entering favelas. Wearing money belts prevents pickpocketing and helps to keep money out of visibility. Although Brazilian beaches are famous for their nightlife it is advised to avoid wandering around at night especially in secluded places. If deciding to explore after dark it is best to stick to tourist crowded areas. Brazilian drug law states that small amount for personal use is not a criminal offense however moving or possession large quantities will usually result in jail time.

Summary

Despite the dangers, Brazil has numerous and famous attractions. These include incredible landmarks, landscapes, festivals, and local culture. For the brave Amazon, the jungle will provide all the required adrenaline. 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://www.worldtravelguide.net/guides/south-america/brazil/passport-visa/
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/brazil
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2018/infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/yellow-fever-malaria-information-by-country/brazil#seldyfm879