Come August 5th, Rio de Janeiro is going to be front and center on the world stage when they host the 2016 Olympics. Hundreds of millions of people will be watching the spectacle on television and computer screens all over the world, and government officials know they can’t afford to have any major incidents. With 500,000-plus expected visitors coming from practically every country in the world, security will be extra-tight all over the city. But that doesn’t mean travelers shouldn’t pay attention to keeping themselves and their belongings safe.
So what’s a traveler supposed to do—stay in their room and not visit the sites or eat the city’s delicious cuisine? Not a chance! To help make a trip to Rio as smooth as possible, here are a dozen ways to stay safe and return home healthy:
Closing ceremonies at 2012 London Summer Olympics
Photo Credit: Phillip Pryke
1. Leave jewelry at home
Don’t bring the bling! This includes watches and rings. Yes, ladies, even your engagement and wedding rings. You don’t want to draw attention and become a target. The crooks won’t know it’s a fake Rolex until they take it off your arm, but by then it’s too late. If you really must wear a ring, consider taking an imposter to use as a stand-in during your trip. Or at the very least, turn your rings around so the stones aren’t showing.
2. Use credit not cash
When I travel, I pay for pretty much everything with a credit card that doesn’t have foreign exchange fees (here are some to consider) and you should, too. Just be sure to pay off your credit card bill in full when you get home. That way, you’ll earn miles/points and don’t have to carry around a lot of cash. I usually withdraw a couple hundred dollars in local currency to use as petty cash from a reputable bank’s ATM (often at the airport). Tip: Call your bank/credit card company ahead of time and tell them you are going out of the country so they don’t put a block on your card. Also, set up alerts so that you get an email each time your card is used.
3. Carry small change
Carry small change and/or bank notes in a separate pocket so you don’t have to pull out a big wad of cash when you’re paying for a soda or coconut water on the beach.
4. Stay in tourist areas
I know stuffy travelers who say, “Don’t stay in the tourist areas, get out and explore!” But Rio is one of the places I’d recommend staying in heavily populated areas alongside other visitors, unless you’re with a local guide who knows his or her way around and can keep an eye out for you.
Copacabana Beach in Rio
5. Don’t bring valuables to the beach
Bring your towel, hat, sunscreen and some small notes for a drink, but that’s about it. If you really must take your phone or camera, invest in a Waterproof Caddy ($27). It’s the ideal accessory for stashing your valuables in because its waterproof so you can take it with you into the water.
6. Keep your mouth shut
Like sometimes happens here in the U.S., beaches in Brazil are prone to water-borne bacteria. Be sure you pay attention to any posted signs, and don’t go swimming or snorkeling in any of the areas you’re told to avoid. And always use a safe water source for brushing your teeth!
7. Protect yourself from the sun
Think of Rio’s weather like that of Los Angeles: some days, even in the middle of winter, it can be in the 90s—so you’ll still need sunscreen (SPF 35 or higher) and a hat.
8. Protect yourself from mosquitos
The good news is that there shouldn’t be too many mosquitoes in August; it’s not the season. But you should err on the side of caution. Because of Zika and other insect-borne viruses, use mosquito repellent and wear clothing that has bug repellent built in. Check out TravelSmith’s ExOfficio products.
9. Be aware and look both ways
Remember to always be aware of your surroundings, including crossing the street, as drivers in Brazil can be unpredictable! Even on a one-way street, you need to look both ways.
10. Food safety
So you don’t get sick while traveling, here are some tips from the CDC. They recommend travelers eat: Food that is cooked and served hot, hard-cooked eggs, fruits and vegetables you have washed in clean water or peeled yourself and pasteurized dairy products. On the flip side, don’t eat: Food served at room temperature, food from street vendors, raw or soft-cooked (runny) eggs, raw or undercooked (rare) meat or fish, unwashed or unpeeled raw fruits and vegetables, unpasteurized dairy products, “bushmeat” (monkeys, bats, or other wild game).
Sunrise on Ipanema Beach
11. Buy travel insurance
I highly recommend getting travel insurance. I use Allianz Travel Insurance (full disclosure: I’m one of their brand ambassadors) since they are the giant in the travel insurance business. Any time you buy a plane ticket online, there’s always a box to tick indicating if you want travel insurance or not. The insurance offered is almost always from Allianz because they are competitively priced and have offices in 34 countries that span six continents. Chances are they will have people on the ground no matter where you are in the world, including Brazil. It gives me peace of mind knowing that if I have to cancel my trip due to a sudden, unforeseen circumstance—a death in the family, losing my passport, getting sick or injured—I know I’m covered. Here’s more info on travel insurance.
12. Learn some basic Portuguese
Learn some basic Portuguese even though almost everyone speaks English; it will go a long way with the locals. If you are a man, “thank you” is obrigado and obrigada if you’re a woman. My favorite phrase is, tudo bom, which means, “it’s all good!”
Both times I’ve visited Rio, I loved it and didn’t have any unpleasant incidents. The food, beach, attractions, weather and lifestyle are all right up my alley, so it made for an enjoyable cultural experience. No doubt the same will be had by this year’s travelers to Brazil—whether they’re there to see the Summer Games or just want to experience the majesty of this amazing South American city.
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About the Author
Johnny Jet travels around 175,000 miles and visits over 20 countries each year. He and his website JohnnyJet.com have been featured over 10,000 times in major publications, including USA Today, Time, Fortune and The New York Times, and he has appeared on ABC, CBS, CNBC, CNN, FOX, MSNBC, NBC, PBS and hosted “Hot Spots 2012” on the Travel Channel. JohnnyJet.com has been named “one of the top best money-saving web sites for travel” by Budget Travel Magazine, while the L.A. Times calls it “one of the top 10 essential travel resources on the internet.” Sign up today for Johnny Jet’s free weekly travel newsletter at JohnnyJet.com and follow him live on Twitter.
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