MIGUEL SCHINCARIOL/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
As the World Cup's June 12 opening day approaches, frustration over the country’sunfinished stadiums and the rising tab for hosting the games has spilled over into street protests. If you're heading to Brazil for the games, here's what you need to know to deal with the crowds and any possible chaos.
Bruce McIndoe, CEO of Maryland-based firm iJet, which consults on security and risk management for the travel industry, will have a team on the ground during the games to assist clients with travel emergencies. In a recent chat with CN Traveler, McIndoe shared some advice for those flying down to Rio or Sao Paulo during the matches:
Make sure your documents are in order
U.S. visitors to Brazil need a visa, and under normal circumstances, you’d want to allow three weeks for processing. Now that the games are only two weeks away, you’ll likely have to fork over a hefty fee for expedited processing. Check in with your local Brazilian consulate for more information.
U.S. visitors to Brazil need a visa, and under normal circumstances, you’d want to allow three weeks for processing. Now that the games are only two weeks away, you’ll likely have to fork over a hefty fee for expedited processing. Check in with your local Brazilian consulate for more information.
Keep your antennae up
"Petty theft will be rampant in this environment," McIndoe says. Pickpocketing is likely to be rife, he adds, "because for [thieves], it’s a great opportunity to make a buck…and you’re going to see more fleecing of tourists, jacking up of prices, and theft." He hastened to add he doesn't see violent crime being a big problem, but "the chances of someone going there and being a victim of petty crime is very high." Travelers should protect themselves by taking these precautions:
"Petty theft will be rampant in this environment," McIndoe says. Pickpocketing is likely to be rife, he adds, "because for [thieves], it’s a great opportunity to make a buck…and you’re going to see more fleecing of tourists, jacking up of prices, and theft." He hastened to add he doesn't see violent crime being a big problem, but "the chances of someone going there and being a victim of petty crime is very high." Travelers should protect themselves by taking these precautions:
• Minimize what you carry on your person
• Don’t wear flashy jewelry, or, indeed, any jewelry
• Avoid carrying a lot of money, and use a money belt
• Use ATMs only at secure, indoor locations, such as your hotel or the airport
• Be careful about getting into taxis that weren’t arranged for you by a hotel or a restaurant; refrain from hailing cabs on the street.
"If someone backs you in a corner and says, 'Give me your money,' don’t hesitate" to hand it over, McIndoe says.
Avoid street crowds
Protests will likely continue during the games, and if you see large groups of people gathering, "Don’t gawk—just move away," says McIndoe. "You don’t need to be in the middle of this." While Brazil’s government has insisted it’s prepared and will have extra police and security on the job, crowds have already clashed with authorities in recent weeks.
Protests will likely continue during the games, and if you see large groups of people gathering, "Don’t gawk—just move away," says McIndoe. "You don’t need to be in the middle of this." While Brazil’s government has insisted it’s prepared and will have extra police and security on the job, crowds have already clashed with authorities in recent weeks.
Stay healthy
"Be careful of what I call the 'the micro terrorists,' such as bacteria and other invisible threats," says McIndoe. If you want to grab a snack off the street, make sure it’s peeled or cooked, and stay away from anything else. And review your medical coverage before leaving home; Consider purchasing extra coverage under a travel insurance policy. Get an international access number; an 800 number won’t work in Brazil. If all else fails, work with your hotel to get help; any reputable lodging should have access to a house physician. And make sure any medications you bring with you are properly labeled in case your bag is inspected upon arrival.
"Be careful of what I call the 'the micro terrorists,' such as bacteria and other invisible threats," says McIndoe. If you want to grab a snack off the street, make sure it’s peeled or cooked, and stay away from anything else. And review your medical coverage before leaving home; Consider purchasing extra coverage under a travel insurance policy. Get an international access number; an 800 number won’t work in Brazil. If all else fails, work with your hotel to get help; any reputable lodging should have access to a house physician. And make sure any medications you bring with you are properly labeled in case your bag is inspected upon arrival.
Getting around
If you have tickets to a match, allow lots of time to get to the venue. Expect congestion on the road as well as on public transportation. Airports in major cities are still undergoing a lot of construction, along with many of the stadiums. But still, McIndoe says, "If you are going to be moving around the country, we definitely recommend you fly on domestic airlines rather than trying to get there by road," he says. Among other things, motorists face additional threats, such as bands of robbers posing as police.
Contributed by Barbara Peterson, www.cntraveler.com
Follow us on Twitter:@TraveloreReport
If you have tickets to a match, allow lots of time to get to the venue. Expect congestion on the road as well as on public transportation. Airports in major cities are still undergoing a lot of construction, along with many of the stadiums. But still, McIndoe says, "If you are going to be moving around the country, we definitely recommend you fly on domestic airlines rather than trying to get there by road," he says. Among other things, motorists face additional threats, such as bands of robbers posing as police.
Contributed by Barbara Peterson, www.cntraveler.com
Follow us on Twitter:@TraveloreReport
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