The 2014 Wolrd Cup is here! Four long years of waiting are over, and some of you will be heading to Brazil for the big event. Before you go, or heck even if you’re there right now, there’s a few things you should know.
You can find all of the usual travel tips like best hotels (you can even stay in the favelas if you really want to), beaches and such elsewhere. Been there done that. We asked a Brazilian — who we’ll call “Damon” — to give us the scoop on his home country as to what you really need to know when traveling there for the World Cup.
1. ’Soccer’ is ‘football’ so don’t call it soccer
(Source: Reddit.com/r/soccer)
Don’t call it soccer in Brazil. Really, it wouldn’t be a very good idea.
2. Understand the current social tensions but don’t complain to Brazilians about it
(Source: Flickr/Bentavener)
Brazilians are very critical about the current situation, but they can get annoyed when people from the outside complains about Brazil. Damon tells us that “Everybody inside is complaining about it, but when foreigners come and start complaining, they [Brazilians] won’t accept it very well. It’s like family, you can complain about your siblings but when somebody else does they can get pissed.”
3. Football is truly a religion and everybody goes crazy (in a good way)
(Source: Flickr/felipequintanilha)
“The coast of each region in Brazil is very different from one another, but everybody shares a passion for football,” Damon tells us. “People get together, they paint the streets, they have parades… the whole community rallies together regardless of whether they’re rich or poor.” But he says that this year because of all the corruption people are very frustrated. “They are not doing this as much as they should. Everybody that I know is really frustrated.”
Regardless of the frustration Damon says people close down streets after Brazil games to party and that in general it’s a very good vibe. “They get together in the streets and the bars and celebrate.”
4. There will be riots and protests. Avoid them
(Source: Flickr/Bentavener)
Damon says, “There will definitely be riots there and the best thing is to avoid them. I’m 100% sure of this. The police are not prepared for this and they’re bringing in the army to help. It could get messy. I highly recommend to my friends who are going to Brazil that even if they think it’s only a small riot, things can change very quickly. You won’t know the police reaction.” Speaking of the police…
5. The police will act first and ask questions later
(Source: Flickr/Bentavener)
Even though Damon makes the police sound just a tad scary, he says that in general they are friendly and most will try to help you out if you need it. It’s when you get caught up in something like the protests or a riot that you should be cautious.
Damon says “You’ll see the mood of the people. If protesting, go in the other direction. If you see people celebrating in song, that’s fine.”
6. Tips for Northern Brazil
(Fortaleza, Brazil – Source: Flickr/gordon-s
Damon says you “Just need to take yellow fever vaccinations if you go to the north, apart from that if you’re not going there you don’t need to take vaccine.” If you’re already there and you didn’t get vaccinated, well, too bad for you, that’s unfortunate. He also says that “the more north you go the more open and friendly, in the south it’s a little bit more closed except for these big events like the World Cup or Carnival.”
7. Dress appropriately, it isn’t all tropics
(Porto Alegre, Brazil – Source: Flickr/manhattan104)
In the south it can be cold, and there will be games that will get really cold because it’s winter. Some games will be around 32F. But up in Rio it’s mild, between 60s and 70s and the Northeast and north is in the 80s.
8. Don’t drink the tap water and other useful eating and drinking tips
(Source: Flickr/eflon)
Some basics Damon says are to “Eat and drink in bars and restaurants, don’t drink water from the tap and don’t throw toilet paper in the toilet.”
Every state in Brazil has different cuisine. The national dish is black beans and pork, and the second national dish would be BBQ, but every state has it’s own cuisine. Damon tells us the food varies according to how the state was colonized, and you should definitely try the specialties of whatever state it is you’re in.
(Source: Flickr/andrewcurrie)
Damon says that the little corner bars are not to be missed. “In Brazil its very common to have little bars literally on the corner of every street. Some of them are more like for snacks, some of them just sell juices and finger food, its our version of fast food and its amazing. There’s also a really big trend of artisan beers.”
“Acai berry in Brazil is entirely different than what kind of Acai you can get in the US. I’ll have that for breakfast.” And the fruits! Can’t forget the fruits. “Exotic fruits are amazing as well and juice in restaurants is almost always fresh and not from a bottle.” Don’t miss out.
9. Don’t be the lost gringo
(Source: Flickr/yourdon)
For security, Damon says, “Don’t be the lost gringo with a camera around your neck. Don’t carry your original passport, carry a copy. Don’t pull wallets in the middle of the street. Keep money in two different pockets. Don’t walk around with anything flashy showing, keep the fancy jewelry off. If you feel something is wrong, just get into a restaurant or somewhere around other people. That said, there will be a lot of security so most probably it will be a very safe environment.”
10. If you get mugged, don’t react
Damon suggest not to react if you get robbed as “You never know who’s around. Usually they send a kid to rob you because if a kid gets caught they don’t go to jail. That also means the adult minder is nearby.”
11. Don’t try to bribe the cops
Damon advises against even trying. “This isn’t that kind of country. You have to treat them with respect, especially because they might not really be prepared for this.” Sage advice.
12. Enjoy the party!
(Source: Flickr/tym)
Especially if Brazil goes far. Damon says “Right now people are frustrated because of the government, but as soon as the team does well that mood will change.” So, hope Brazil doesn’t get knocked out in the first round. Luckily the chances of that happening are about the same as a black hole opening up in the center of the Earth and swallowing the planet.
The demand in Brazil is so high for tickets that everything is selling out, “even really shitty games,” says Damon. “Even a game you wouldn’t watch on TV is sold out. The sad part of it is that FIFA will get all the direct revenue from the World Cup, nothing will go to Brazil. Nothing will be taxable.” FIFA will take home $4 billion to be exact.
Fun Fact: Brazilian beer investors dominate the beer market. Damon reminds us that “A Brazilian group bought Heinz, Budweiser and Burger King. There’s a big business side to Brazil, it isn’t just football and Carnival. It is definitely a place of contrasts depending on where you go.”
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