The city of Rio de Janiero has become a lot safer for tourists since the drug dealers were expelled from the slums that surround the city. These days, the police can be seen patrolling the city as well as the beach. While this means that tourists are much safer, it also means that they cannot go totally vacation crazy as well. Here are a few do’s and don’ts that you need to remember to make your trip to Rio an affair to remember.
Do’s:
Keep in touch with the tourism police
The city of Rio employs a Special Police Unit for Tourism Support or Delegacia Especial de Apoio ao Turismo (DEAT) that specializes in provide support to tourists. Officers in this unit are usually equipped with foreign language skills. For problems like theft, pick pocketing, harassment etc., this unit can be contact for immediate help.
Respect the locals
Most tourists visiting Rio often forget that while it is a major tourist destination, it is also a home for the locals. Hence, remembering your manners, not being too loud or disruptive, smiling at people and asking permission before you photograph them should be a top priority for you.
Plan your sightseeing route well
Rio is rather large and is does still have all the same problems that large beach vacation destinations face. However, all the hassles and troubles can simply be avoided by planning your sightseeing tour of Rio well. If you don’t speak the language, bring flash cards with directions and queries written in Spanish and only carry enough cash to last you through the day excluding fare.
Don’ts
Don’t forget to pack mosquito repellent and sunscreen
Rio lies so close to the equator that you can get a very nice tan by just hanging out in the shade through the duration of the trip. The fabulous sun, unfortunately, also bring other warm weather problems with it like sunburns and mosquitoes. Carrying both sunscreen as well as mosquito repellent in your bag would thus be a no-brainer.
Avoid street food
Vendors that dot Rio’s streets sell food that looks and smells heavenly. However, it isn’t always hygienically prepared and you’d do well to remember to only eat at restaurants and cafes no matter how tempting the roasted meat being sold by the street side may smell.
Don’t get too pally with strangers too soon
While Rio is generally considered safe for tourists, going walkabout with strangers you just bumped into at the beach in an effort to make friends on your trip could land you in trouble. If you must hang out with strangers, stick to well-lit, well-populated destinations like the beach or restaurants.