Remote parts of Brazil. You’re at risk of getting lost or hurt when you’re trekking in remote parts of Brazil, so be careful. This includes the borders of the Amazon rainforest and the wetlands of the Pantanal.
Use someone who has been there before.
Getting a driver’s permit
To drive in Brazil, you need to have both:
A valid Australian driver’s licence and an International Driving Permit are required to get behind the wheel (IDP)
There are rules for leaving Australia. You must get your IDP before you leave.
A road trip
You are four times more likely to die in a car accident in Brazil than in Australia.
Hazards on the road:
A person who drives aggressively is a person who
poorly kept roads
There are a lot of trucks and slow cars on the main routes.
Many people don’t pay attention to stop lights, especially at night in big cities. Don’t think that cars will stop.
Carjacking and other crimes involving cars are very common.
Driving in Rio de Janeiro can be very dangerous. See Safety
If you’re going to drive:
Check to see if you have enough insurance to cover your needs.
get to know the traffic laws and practises in your area
The penalties for driving with a blood-alcohol level of more than 0% are very harsh in Rio de Janeiro. Don’t drive your own car, and don’t drink and drive. See Safety for more information.
If you have an accident:
193 should be called if someone is hurt.
No one was hurt, so you should call the police.
See the local contacts.
There is more:
Motorcycles
Check to see if your insurance policy covers you when you ride a motorbike, quad bike, or other type of vehicle.
Always use a helmet.
Taxis
Use only registered taxis and limousines, and if possible, have them set up through your hotel. This is because there is a lot of crime.
Don’t use taxis that aren’t official or hail a taxi from the street. This is a bad idea.
It’s possible to use ride-sharing apps to get around.
Most airports have licenced taxi desks in the areas where people are getting their luggage.
To pay for your taxi, you can use your credit card or cash at the airport to pay for it now.
People use public transportation to get to and from work and
Brazil has a very good system of inter-city buses.
Traveling can be dangerous because of poor vehicle maintenance, bad driving habits in the area, and small crimes.
The most dangerous times to use public transportation are when it’s crowded and at night.
Criminals often work in groups to rob people who are all in the same place at the same time. A place where people go to get on public transportation can be a good place to meet people.
People say that tour buses have been hijacked and robbed in the last few years.
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When you’re on a boat, you can
International cruise ships come to Brazil.
Commercial riverboats can be found in some places. Keep your things close to you.
Tourist operators often use simple boats for river trips in the jungle.
Always wear a life vest.
Piracy is most common in the north-east. Pirates have also tried to steal cruise ships on the Amazon River.
The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) posts reports about piracy on its website.
Taking a flight is a way to get
Domestic and international flight delays happen all the time. Also, planes go down.
Ask your travel agent if your trip can be changed.
People should be ready for long lines at airports.
While in Brazil, check to see if your payment method will work there.
If you want to use a foreign credit card on LATAM’s international website, you can only do that if you live outside of Brazil.
Other airlines, like GOL and Azul, may not be able to accept credit cards from outside of the United States on their websites.
Agents who help people plan trips and tours may also have rules. To pay for your flight, you may need to pay in cash at the airline office or ask your Australian travel agent.
DFAT doesn’t give information about the safety of commercial airlines or flight paths.
Brazil’s air safety record can be checked with the Aviation Safety Network.
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