7 Things You Must Know Before Heading to Brazil for the World Cup

  Brazil is a place many see as a tourist paradise but for fans travelling for the World Cup, here are seven things you need to know: 1. Share your itinerary with family or a friend. Write down your itinerary, including flights, hotel information, contact numbers and dates of travel, and give it to a friend or family member who will be able to help if anything happens. Make copies of your passport and any credit cards you’ll be carrying also. 2. Set a budget. The average foreign tourist will spend $2,500 to attend the World Cup. A large part of the cost is the flight to Brazil. Once you’re there, you can save money by avoiding tourist restaurants and visiting a grocery store once or twice to pick up basic items. While saving money is always attractive, also know when it is better to spend a little more. For example, travelers should be wary of unmarked taxis — better to pay a standard and transparent rate than try to save a little and potentially end up in a jam. 3. Learn key phrases in Portuguese. It is assumed that many Nigerians generally don’t speak Portuguese, and aren’t going to learn Portuguese in the next three days. But learning a few words and phrases can make getting around much easier. Duo Lingo is a great app for practicing basic vocabulary, and the Portuguese course makes learning the language like a game. Rosetta Stone also released an app for iOS and Google Play for World Cup vocabulary. 4. Take care of your health. Travelers should be current on routine vaccines, including measles, tetanus, chicken pox, polio, and flu. Also, depending on where you are travelling, you should consider getting vaccinated against hepatitis A, typhoid, hepatitis B, yellow fever, rabies and malaria. In addition to learning how to ask where the stadium is, also practice or write down how to ask for medical assistance in Portuguese. 5. Pack strategically. The World Cup’s host cities are all across Brazil. Wherever you’re headed, you will probably have a long trek to get there, so packing light is key. Pack items that are good for multiple situations and that can easily be washed in your hotel bathroom. Any medications should be packed in your carry-on baggage, and not checked-in. Don’t forget to bring a first-aid kit, and be sure to leave room for souvenirs. 6. Stay safe. Be wary of pickpockets in crowded tourist areas, avoid taking unmarked taxis, and do not wear expensive jewellery or clothing that makes you stand out as a tourist. In other words, use common sense and take the usual precautions to stay safe while travelling abroad. Tourists are common in Brazil’s many cities, and many areas are safe. Being aware of what to watch out for is your best bet for avoiding any accidents. 7. Have an emergency plan. What would you do if your wallet were lost or stolen? Who can you call who will be able to help? What does your insurance cover if you are injured? Be sure to have an answer to these questions before you leave. Also, know what help is available to you while in Brazil: The emergency numbers in Brazil are 190 for the police, 192 for calling an ambulance, and 193 for calling the fire department. 8. Enjoy the journey. And we don’t just mean the games. Chances are that reaching your World Cup destinations will take many hours and cover thousands of miles. Don’t wait until you reach a stadium to have fun. Brazil is an amazing country and the World Cup games are sure to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for fans.