Brazil - it's a big, big place and if you want to 'do it all' you'd better be prepared for some long distance travel, whether that's by avioes, trens e automoveis is up to you, but here are some tips on getting around safely.
Domestic Flights
The sheer size of Brazil means if you’re on a short holiday
you’ll have to either severely limit the scope of your trip or resign yourself
to taking some internal flights.
Unfortunately even domestic flights in Brazil are quite
expensive. If you plan to visit a number of different cities, an air pass is
the most economical option. The country’s biggest airlines, Tam and Gol both
offer these multi-trip tickets, each with their own string of conditions
attached so make sure to read the fine print.
Most notably, both are only available to non-residents and
must be bought outside the country. To be eligible you also have to have an
international flight ticket into and out of Brazil, making it a thrifty but
complicated option.
Bus Travel Tips
Because of the high cost of domestic flights bus travel is
popular and easy in Brazil, servicing most areas of the country.
Brazil’s coach services aren’t quite as smooth running or
reliable as those in Chile or Argentina but they will get you there eventually.
The huge distances put a strain on the vehicles and breakdowns are not
uncommon, however if you choose one of the larger companies replacement buses
are usually not far off.
The distance may take a heavier toll on you personally, with
some trips stretching well over 40 hours. Although the buses will stop for food
and drink, some of the stops are at very odd hours and you may sleep through
them. Don’t rely on finding anything of real
nutritional value; bring water and snacks on the coach with you. Brazil’s truck
stop diners are nothing to write home about.
Sleep, Perchance to Dream
If you do manage to get to sleep, try to stay that way. There’s
nothing worse than arriving at a new and exciting destination only to waste a
day in a haze of fatigue. Sleeping pills can be a good idea but make sure to
take them early on through your journey. You don’t want to snooze through your
stop and you’ll need your wits about you when you arrive.
Jungle Travel
In the thick Amazon regions of Brazil’s northwest, boat is
the only efficient way to get around. From long and lean canoes to the bulky
ferries floating by, travel on the mighty Amazon can be equally relaxing and frustrating.
If you chose to chug upstream from Manaus or Belem, don’t
expect an exhilarating journey into the heart of darkness. If you have time and
patience, it can be a great adventure and a welcome chance to meet locals and
brush up on your Portuguese or Spanish, but for many the novelty wears off very
quickly. It’s best to have a speedier backup plan in case you find yourself
developing jungle fever.
The cramped quarters aboard these boats mean keeping
your possessions safe is difficult. If you’re sleeping in a hammock, keep your
bags locked and try to find a buddy to keep an eye on them. It may be worth the
extra money to shell out for a shared cabin. They can be stiflingly hot and
stuffy but serve, at the very least, as a place to lock up your belongings.
Amazon Crime
Despite being surrounded by nearly impenetrable jungle,
Brazil’s northern cities are far from the small, quiet communities you might
expect. Many have expanded into bustling metropolises, fuelled by trade and
transit along the Amazon. Unfortunately the isolation does provide an element
of the wild west and the river’s path along Colombia’s border makes it a
perfect avenue for the drug trade.
In Manaus, the starting point for many
Amazon journeys, crime is particularly high. Wandering at night is not
recommended.
Car Rental
Brazil’s planes, trains, buses and boats will be enough to
get you to all the major destinations, but could be frustrating if you feel
like exploring some of the less known nooks and crannies along the gorgeous
coastline or heading inland to some of the luscious jungle parks. Renting a car
in Brazil provides a little more freedom and could save you time and money but
be sure you know what you’re signing up for.
Brazil’s roads are very good along the well-travelled routes,
although they deteriorate as you get towards some of the more remote inland or
northern communities.
The country’s drivers, however, are consistently erratic.
Brazil has a very high road toll, largely due to reckless driving behaviour.
The left lanes of Brazil’s highways are somewhat competitive, with speed limits
seeming to hold very little meaning. Spend just a few minutes in the left lane
and you’re likely to be flashed, honked, tailgated or worse. Stick to the
calmer inner lanes if you want an uneventful drive.
If you’re driving in the city, be aware that Brazilian
traffic is rather undisciplined, so expect the unexpected. The swarms of
motorcycles weaving through traffic are a major concern. Mototaxis and riders
are incredibly audacious, swerving around oncoming traffic, while São Paolo’s
motorcycle couriers or “motoboys” often put their lives on the line to deliver
the message.
Car Jacking
There is a
significant risk of car jacking and violent crime in Brazil’s bigger cities.
Although many hire cars come without air conditioning, we recommend keeping the
windows up and sticking to the less conspicuous inner lanes while you’re
driving through the city to minimize the risk of losing your car or its
contents.
If you feel threatened at a red light at night you’re allowed to
drive on.
Smash and grabs are also common, so try to find a secure
carpark and never leave anything of value in the vehicle.
Beware Speedbumps
As you get into Brazil’s remote areas road quality goes
downhill. The well-maintained highways give way to huge potholes, crumbling
tarmac and gravel. Road signs also become less frequent and you may find yourself
having to stop for directions, so try and pick up a few key Portuguese phrases.
Just to get you started, “estou perdido” means “I’m lost”.
Enormous speedbumps called lombadas are used to slow down traffic and ease pressure on the
police force in some smaller towns. They should be painted with stripes and be
preceded by warning signs but keep your eyes peeled. Hitting one of these at
speed will be hell on your suspension.
Do You Have a License?
If you are in Brazil for less than 6 months your national
driver’s license is valid, however we recommend getting an International
Driving Permit just to avoid confusion and annoyances.
Some hire companies will incorrectly demand an IDP, while
police have been known to target tourists without an international license and
threaten huge fines in the hopes of scoring a bribe.
Brazil has very strict drink driving rules and even a few
sips of alcohol could put you over the limit. If you are caught, you can expect
to be prosecuted or at least have to shell out a huge
bribe, so if you intend to drive, stay off the drink.
Related Articles
Staying safe in Rio
A guide to Rio's favelas
Tips for surviving carnival
About WorldNomads.com
WorldNomads.com keeps our members travelling safely by offering a range of travel services such as Travel Insurance to residents from over 140 countries, the latest travel safety advice, free travel blogs and language guides for your iPhone/ Ipods.
We also offer a range of exciting travel scholarships.
Whether you’re heading off for a long weekend, seeking the ultimate adventure or travelling around the world, we’re there with you, helping to keep you safe, covered and getting the most from your travel experience.
