Health - The first thing you should do before leaving home is get an Assist Card at the airport. Brazil is wonderful and unforgettable but the health service can be almost non-existent in some places, or very expensive in others. If you are planning on staying long, get a Brazilian health plan (like, Unimed). You can take yellow fever vaccines if you are planning on visiting the North but it is not generally necessary for other regions.

Money - Forget traveller's checks. They can only be changed in Banco do Brasil and they charge absurd rates (it was 20U$ the last time I changed some). If you need to transfer money, use a worldwide service like Western Union (to collect at any Banco do Brasil) or Money Gram (to collect at any Itaú bank but you will need proof of residence or stay). The best way to manage money is to use credit cards. You can withdraw money at almost any HSBC bank or any other international bank with cash machines that have the correct card logo and they are readily accepted in loads of places, even some handicraft stalls. They are safer, too. If you must carry money around, take only the minimum for cabs and snacks and keep the rest in the pousada safe, never in the room. Brazilians are incredibly honest but some tourist unfortunately come to Brazil to steal from other tourists, so be careful with what you leave in your hotel room.

Getting about

In Bahia the cheapest way to get around is by bus. You may need to get boats to get to places like Itaparica, Valença and Morro de São Paulo. Every town or city has a bus terminal and there are always plenty of buses in all directions. Just ask for the nearest Rodoviaria (bus station) and start from there.

Almost all mayor cities have airports with daily departures. However, beware of travel agents that try and sell you tickets with absurd itineraries that take you half way around Bahia before you get where you’re heading. If in doubt, write to us for help on planning your itinerary.

Guides - Are they necessary?

Guides are common and abundant in some towns and cities in Bahia. They can be useful to carry luggage (don’t forget to tip if there is no fixed price) and always know where all the pousadas are but not all of them are actually good guides when it comes to sight-seeing.

A good guide is priceless and can even be considered a security measure. Some tourists simply visit Brazil and stay in their groups or wander around alone, unaware of just how much they are missing and just how much easier it would be if they invested in a guide. We strongly recommend you consider a guide and make the most of him while you are here.

There is no fixed price for guides and they only expect what you think they deserve. Tip them generously after a day out and you will have a loyal friend for the rest of your stay. Be sure to mark your limits with them and bid them farewell when you are through, or you run the risk of having a guide follow you around 24 hours a day. They consider it rude to leave you alone so don't hesitate to let him know when he can go home.

Whichever guide you choose, remember they live off tips they receive from tourists, which can be paid at anytime. They do not usually expect you to pay anything other than a tip (food, drinks, etc.) so anything extra depends on you.

We recommend our guide, who is a favourite among foreign tourists and knows the island of Tinharé and the Valença municipality like noone. For more information, click here.

FAQ

Q: Are there any dangerous animals or insects I should worry about?

A: I would be lying if I said there weren't any but the probability of actually encountering a dangerous animal is far less than any accident in a regular city. However, there are some things you should watch out for. One of them is the notorious "bicho-do-pé" (chigger or larvae mite) which lives in the hot sand or earth. They sometimes find there way into your toes and can itch terribly, leaving a little black spot surrounded by pus. If they are not removed, they lay their larvae in the wound and can cause infection or other problems. All locals know how to remove them so don't be afraid to ask someone if you think you have been bitten. If, however, you can´t face a needle poking your toes, go to nearest pharmacy (or drugstore) and buy Foldan (apply twice a day on bite for about 10 days). You can avoid them by always using shoes or sandals that cover your feet as much as possible.

You should also avoid mosquitos. Buy an effective repellent lotion or cream here or at home and buy a repellent plug-in gadget at the supermarket here in Brazil (Raid or similar). You can plug it into a socket in your hotel room.

Another problem can be snakes that are usually found in the grassy areas surrounding rivers and waterfalls. Always look where you walk (guides are experts so invest in one to avoid problems of this nature) and avoid walking around barefoot. If you are bitten, go to the hospital immediately. Remember, Brazilians are used to these things and know exactly what to do, so do not hesitate to ask for help.

Q: Is the water safe?

A: The quality of Brazilian water depends on the region and is usually very good. Some tourists have slight problems because they are unaccustomed to the tap water here but some food usually causes more problems than the water. There is abundant natural water that is quite safe (fountains, etc.) but you should check general sanitary conditions when you drink tap water in certain establishments like beach bars, etc. The water itself is not a problem but the containers or water tanks are sometimes not cleaned often enough. If in doubt, drink bottled water. I have never had any problems with water.

Q: Which other health risks should I look out for?

A: Brazilians love air-conditioning and tend to overdo it. This may seem absurd but you might encounter more problems with air-conditioned restaurants, etc. than with anything else. I once went to MacDonalds in Salvador and the air conditioning was so high that most customers were shivering! After eating we all walked out into the 40 degree heat and walked around in the blazing heat all day. By nighttime, my husband was in the hospital because of the digestive problems brought on by the sudden temperature change.

Q: Is the local food safe to eat?

A: It depends on what you are used to eating back home. Most places are quite safe and they do follow pretty strict health standards. The most important thing to watch out for is the heat, which can cause digestion problems. Try not to eat in places with air conditioning and take a nap or rest after a big meal, especially if you are not used to tropical climates.

Some tourists are paranoid when it comes to food. Brazilian food is sometimes spicy or has some ingredients that might need some getting used to, but generally speaking food in Brazil is quite safe. If you rent a house, you can go to the supermarket and find almost anything you would find back home. If you depend on restaurants, you can always eat pizza, hamburgers or simple meals like steak and rice. Fish is an excellent option and is always fresh in Bahia.

When you eat typically Brazilian food, tell the waiter or cook you are unaccustomed to spicy food (even if it’s untrue) and ask them to make a lighter version for you. If you just can’t muster the courage, try things like Beirute (pitta bread sandwiches), X-salada (hamburgers with cheese, lettuce and tomato), barbequed/baked chicken (frango assado) or oven-baked snacks (salgadinho de forno).

Food like feijoada and acarajé (ask for sem pimenta or frio, if you want acarajé without hot pepper) should be eaten moderately at first. They taste great but are usually heavy foods and the heat can get in the way of digestion. Fruit juices are wonderful. Try new flavours like umbu, acerola (high vitamin C content), etc. If you don’t trust the water, pay a little more and ask them to use chilled mineral water and no ice.

A guide can, again, help you to look for the right food for you. They know tourists sometimes have sensitive stomachs and know how to ask for lighter food for you. They can also introduce you to very energizing fruit and foods like acai, guaraná, etc. that help you support the heat.

Q: What is the crime rate in Bahia?

A: Just about the same as any state anywhere in the world that is intensly visited by tourists. The best way to protect yourself is to stay away from dangerous neighbourhoods, usually located in the suburbs (especially in places like Salvador and Ilheus) and not attract too much attention. Is is virtually impossible to not look like a tourist but try not to carry too much money around with you, avoid flashing expensive equipment about like digital cameras or cell phones in public places (parties, markets, etc.) and generally be discreet. In Bahia, people are used to seeing foreigners and do not pay much attention to them but sometimes thieves looking for loot will go to more touristic places to steal or rob tourists. Here again, a guide will protect you and you are less likely to have problems if you are accompanied by a local.

Q: What about tipping?

A: Brazilians are notoriously bad tippers. All restaurants and bars add 10% service tax to your bill, which is supposedly later passed on to the workers, so you do not need to tip waiters unless you want to. On the other hand. valets, guides, doormen, bellboys, petrol/gas station attendants, taxi drivers, etc. are never tipped in Brazil, which I personally find appalling. Tip generously if you want people to rembember you, that is my advice.

Q: Should I give money to beggers or street kids?

A: No, never. Street kids are exploited by their parents or generally use the money for drugs (mostly, glue), so try to avoid giving them money. If you really want to help, offer them food.

A lot of ill-intentioned people take advantage of tourists and ask them for money, cigarettes, etc. in bars and restaurants. They have a particularly unpleasant way of asking and you might feel forced to give them what they want but always glance at the owner of the establishment for support before doing anything. Owners or workers usually know them and ward them off, but if they do not I advise you not to return to that particular place as they are supposed to protect the clients. If you can, complain and tell them you will not return.

Feel free to contact us if you have any more questions and we will publish them on the website.

If you would like more information on investing, traveling and living in Brazil, we suggest you join the following groups and visit the following websites. Please don´t forget to mention us!

Americans Living in Brazil (Yahoo Group)
Brazilian Travel Club (Yahoo Group)
Brazilian Travel Club (website and membership)
Gringoes

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