Brazil has been listed one of the most attractive destinations in South America, especially since in recent years it has hosted important events such as the World Cup in 2014 and the Summer Olympics in 2016. For this reason, the marvellous city of Rio de Janeiro has become an even more popular destination choice amongst tourists, particularly during the summer months. However, it is essential to know that although it offers a wide range of fantastic tourist attractions, as well as beautiful beaches and mountains, there are certain things that will undoubtedly drive you crazy about the city as well. Below we have listed five 'inconveniences' that you are likely to encounter during your perfect holiday in Rio de Janeiro and tips on how to overcome them.

  Summer in Rio on the beach
Prepare yourself for a hot summer in Rio / Photo:  Daytours4u
 

1) Heavy traffic

The traffic in Rio de Janeiro can be extremely frustrating at times, and will only worsen as the 2014 World Cup approaches. Drivers in the city are also incredibly exuberant, whizzing round corners at top speed and often refusing to stop at traffic lights if no vehicles are spotted. If you're arriving at the Galeão, use Google Maps to check the expected traffic by the time you’ll be leaving the airport and, if you want to avoid being ripped off, it may be worthwhile taking a ‘radio-taxi’, which cost a little more than regular taxis but you pay a fixed rate, meaning it’s the best option if there’s heavy traffic. Other than that, the best ways to avoid traffic are to travel by subway and choose a walking tour over sightseeing by bus.

  Be prepared for heavy traffic during your summer holiday in Rio de Janeiro
Be prepared for heavy traffic during your summer holiday in Rio de Janeiro / source
 

Travel Tip: Arrive safetly to your hotel booking in advance a roundtrip transfer service from Galeão!

 

2) Being ripped off

Foreigners, or ‘gringos’, will often be charged higher prices, particularly on the beach. You should be aware of this and make sure you always ask for the price of something before ordering. If you don’t believe it’s reasonable, you have every right to barter and if that doesn't work, start walking away; you’ll often find that many vendors will suddenly be more willing to negotiate. Naturally, it’s best to shop with a Carioca or know a bit of Portuguese so that you can haggle with them more easily.

3) Unpunctuality

It's very rare for things to start punctually and for people to show up on time in Rio. Don’t take it personally if locals are late for a rendez-vous as, for Cariocas, arriving half an hour late means being right on time! However, you’re on holiday so just embrace the laid-back pace of life and try not to get frustrated with having to wait upon people, public transport, etc as this will only end up ruining your summer holiday in Rio de Janeiro.

4) Communication difficulties

You should bear in mind that although many hotel workers and store managers in Rio speak a bit of English (and only a bit) many people don’t know any whatsoever. Before you go, try to learn at least a few basic words and phrases in Portuguese, as otherwise you might struggle to communicate with the locals.

 

5) Safety concerns

Although the security risk now is a lot lower than it used to be, it's still essential to be on guard when in Rio de Janeiro, as is the case in any big city. The most common forms of crime affecting tourists in Rio are pick pockets and street muggings, particularly after dark, so you should travel in groups and ensure that you opt for taxis over public transport at night. Stay away from the slum areas, known as favelas, but by all means carry out a favela tour as the operators pay a percentage of their profits to the criminal gangs to ensure the safety of the tour party.

 

For more tips on how to prepare for your perfect holiday in Rio de Janeiro, or to book tours and activities, visit our website.

 
By: Camilla Day - English Content Manager