Day 58: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Thanks to those who expressed their sympathy and support regarding our recent robbery experience. We´re fine but just really, really angry. Anyway, today was another day of street parades and wandering through the drunken dancing masses so nothing really new to write about. So instead of boring you with all that we thought we would pass along some tips for Carnival in Rio and the city in general as there are many misconceptions about both.

Travel Tip:

Carnival has a bad rap in terms of security but here´s our experience. Saben was only wallet checked 2 or 3 times while we were in Rio and once was on the street, not in the Carnival celebrations. Just use common sense and don´t carry much of value, maybe just some small bills for drinks or a quick lunch or snack. Saben always carries his wallet in the front with his hand on it. Having your wallet in the back is always asking for it to be stolen no matter what city you are in.

If you want to take your camera, it´s probably best to take a normal point-and-shoot instead of a massive SLR and just keep it in your pocket with your hand on it and only take it out for a photo then back in the pocket it goes. Most people are not out to rob tourists and just want to have a good time but there are those there just to make a profit from your misfortune. There are times and places that you can get taken advantage of, like when you´re trashed out of your mind and stumbling all over the street. But you probably won´t be able to take many pictures then anyway! So if you plan on getting completely trashed (which we don´t recommend because a lot worse things than being robbed can happen) leave the camera in the hostel.

If you want to see the elaborate, fancy costumes like the Carnival brochures and posters, go to the Sambadrome for a parade. We were told repeatedly that you must buy tickets ahead of time if you wanted to go to the parade but this is simply not true! We actually saved 30 or 40 USD by buying our tickets right before the show and the scalpers had piles! We did go to the second division parade and tickets are probably harder to get a hold of for the first division parade. Take the metro to and from the Sambadrome since the buses in this area can be a little sketchy especially at night.

The “street parades“ are a blast,: massive groups of people extending over sometimes 5-6 city blocks dancing, drinking and hanging out with friends. There are lots of costumes, like men in pink panther costumes showing more skin than you might want to see but some people just wear a wig or funny glasses and feather boas so don´t feel pressured to go all out and buy some elaborate costume that will get ruined anyway.

There are tons and tons of guys with grungy looking coolers selling soft drinks, water, and beers for only a few Reals ($1-2 usually) and plenty of street vendors selling snacks or small masks or headbands with little springy ears if you aren´t already wearing some Carnival gear. There are Port-a-Potties here and there but you probably don´t want to use them, ever really. Most people pick a less populated side street and just pee right there, women too, so you might inadvertently see more than you bargained for.

It´s hot, hot, hot in Rio so be prepared to sweat a lot! As for the city in general, Rio is very casual and relaxed in dress and attitude. Lots of people walk around in workout clothing and there are plenty of old men wearing nothing but very tiny, tight Speedo and flip flops. Also, when you´re down around the beaches, as much as you want to, don´t stare at all the gorgeous voluptuous women. They don´t wear much in the way of swimwear but that doesn´t mean they´re easy or appreciate getting stared down (or mirror sunglasses are a must)! And ladies, there is plenty of man-candy to look at and, as we all know, men don´t mind to be looked at like a piece of meat! Both Copacabana and Ipanema beaches are nice but people really go there to be in the sun, not so much to swim. The water is usually fine but after a hard rain or when the tides switch the water can be toxic so do what the locals do, if everyone is in – no worries, but if no one else is swimming but the pastey white boy it`s probably best to stay out of the water.

Last but not least, Brazil is a land of Portuguese speakers, NOT Spanish! We couldn´t tell you how many people we saw bumble up to the bar or counter or shop and start blabbering on in Spanish. Some people understand Spanish as well but it´s rather impolite to go to another country and speak the wrong language to them! Also, the majority of people do not speak English, even in the touristy areas like Ipanema and Copacabana so it´s definitely worth learning just a few phrases of Portuguese. Locals appreciate it far more if you try to speak some of the language than if you just point and speak in your own language. Think of how you might feel if someone came to your country and expected you to use their language.