Expert: Sandra - 5/27/2009

Question
Hi Sandra,

I am 25 and the girl i am travelling with is 23, i would just like some insight on what you think about the two of us travelling to brazil by ourselves... where we should or should not go.  Thanks for your time  

Brandi

Answer
Hi Brandi.
Brazil is a marvelous country to visit, with lovely beaches, great music, a rich culture and interesting cities. Brazilians generally are very friendly, welcoming, and helpful. If you are asking about whether you should travel there, I suspect the underlying question is actually about safety issues, since this gets wide press. Are you experienced travellers? Do you consider yourself to have "street smarts" in your home country while in big cities? As females, you should not attract any added attention, nor as young travellers, or really even as travellers who have a distinctly non-Brazilian appearance. You should follow the oft-printed safety rules about not carrying large sums of money, not flashing your valuables, not walking in deserted places and other such "common" sense suggestions. Smaller cities and beachside towns are generally more tranquil than big cities like Rio. For more info on Brazil, take a look at some of the forums for young/budget travellers such as Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree Brazil forums, look at a number of guidebooks in the library or bookstore, and check such excellent sites as www.ipanema.com for Rio and www.bahia-online.net for Salvador. If you have specific questions once your trip starts shaping up, please let me know. Enjoy your travels.