Travellers Tips

Animals: 
The best advice is not to handle them at all, aside from other risks they may carry a variety of parasites and skin disease. Don’t feed wildlife it can encourage unnatural dependency and disease.

Responsible Tourism: 
Brazil’s resources are limited, please use as little water and power as possible. Carry rubbish away with you and decline plastic bags (buy or bring fabric ‘shoppers’), apart from being unsightly, wildlife can be injured or poisoned. Common sense and common courtesy should prevail in all your actions. Don’t buy animal products, and satisfy yourself that wooden items are from a sustainable source.

Inoculations and Malaria: 
Always seek the advice of your doctor at least two months before travel. Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Polio, Tetanus and Diphtheria are generally advised as in most of Asia and Africa, but you will also require a Yellow Fever jab and certificate. It makes sense to get a hepatitis booster within 6 months for long term cover. A range of anti-malarial drugs that reduce the risk of contracting malaria is available (please see your doctor/travel clinic), however avoidance of bites is the most effective prevention. In the evening opt for long sleeves and trousers, light coloured close woven material is ideal, avoid perfume or after-shave and protect yourself with a good insect repellent (we find the Jungle Fever brand effective).

Water and Diarrhoea
Bacteria multiply quickly in a hot climate, diarrhoea is commonly your stomachs reaction to the unfamiliar germs. When not accompanied by other symptoms it should pass within 24 hours, but it is essential to replace lost fluids and salts, so be sure to take re-hydration packs. Only bottled water should be used for drinking, and always check the seal. Pay particular attention to personal hygiene, wash hands often, especially before eating and after handling money, keep cuts clean and covered, use bottled water for tooth brushing. Be wary of salads, prepared fruit and ice.

First Aid and Medical Treatment
If in doubt concerning any medical issue you should always seek expert advice. It is sensible to carry with you an adequate supply of any regular medication in your cabin baggage, also antiseptic cream or wipes, plasters, a sealed bandage, diarrhoea treatment (always read instructions), re-hydration sachets, insect repellent and bite soothing cream, aspirin or paracetemol.

Clothing 
(see also On Safari) ‘beachwear’ away from the poolside or beach usually won’t cause offence but will make you the centre of attention, shorts and T-shirts are fine but even men shouldn’t go topless. Roads and tracks are often unsurfaced and uneven so trainers or all-terrain sandals are a good idea. When visiting temples women should keep legs, chest and shoulders covered, and men should wear trousers, always remove your shoes before entering. 

Laundry 
Most hotels and lodges offer a laundry service, cheapest out of the cities. This is often same-day and cheap but clothing will be vigorously washed, delicate items should not be handed over.

Communications
The ISD/STD phone booths will usually be cheaper than hotel rates and are open almost all hours in some areas. Internet facilities, sometimes broadband, are increasingly available in some larger hotels and cities. Mobile phone coverage is growing but in more remote rural areas network signals can be very variable. Post can take several weeks to reach its destination, put postcards inside envelopes and ensure that stamps are franked.

Cameras 
There is a small charge (~50Rs) for still cameras, and a larger one for video (~200Rs) in National Parks. In Bandhavgarh and Kanha the fee for 500mm lenses or above is now ~2000Rs. Colour print film is quite widely available (except APS) but check the use-by date and storage conditions before buying. More specialised supplies should be brought with you from home (remember to check your camera batteries). Lens cleaning materials are invaluable. Ask before taking photos of people or religious sites.

Money
A ‘reasonable sum’ of the Brazilian Real can be carried in or out of the country, a mixture of cash and a well know credit card provides the best degree of security and flexibility. US dollars are the easiest foreign currency to exchange. Exchange rate is approximately R$3.2/ £1. ATM’s are now quite common in Brazil towns and generally offer a reasonable exchange rate.

Time Difference
Brazil Standard Time is 3 hours behind GMT 

Visas
Are required if you are from the US, Canada, Australia or New Zealand and can be obtained from the Brazilian Consulate. Travellers from the UK, Ireland and many European countries do not require a Visa for stays under 90 days.

Electricity
The voltage in Brazil is 110 and they have two types of two pin plugs, round and flat; some sensitive equipment will need a surge protector. A European or American 2-pin fits so bring a universal adapter from home.

Useful Things to Take
Money Belt (worn on the inside of clothing), torch and batteries, insulated water bottle, mosquito net (if visiting more ‘basic’ camps), notebook and pens, adhesive tape, alarm clock, wet-wipes, small ruck-sack, universal sink plug, fabric shopping bags, bags for laundry.