DO NOT BRING FLASHY JEWELRY, GOLD OR PLATINUM WATCHES. IF YOU GOT IT-RIO IS NOT THE PLACE TO FLAUNT IT.

DO NOT LOOSE YOUR PASSPORT. ALWAYS CARRY A PHOTOCOPY OF YOUR PASSPORT. LEAVE YOUR ORIGINAL IN THE SAFE IN YOUR HOTEL ROOM.

DO NOT SHOW ANY SIGNS OF WEALTH.

DO NOT TRAVEL TO THE FAVELAS UNESCORTED BY A TRAVEL SERVICE.

DO NOT WALK ON COPACABANA BEACH AT NIGHT ALONE. MANY TOURIST HAVE BEEN ROBBED.

DO NOT  BE SWAYED BY A PRETTY FACE. THE NEXT ONE WILL BE BETTER.

DO NOT EXPECT AMERICAN EXPRESS, BANKS, OR WESTERN UNION TO ARRANGE ANY TYPE OF FINANCIAL EXCHANGE ON THE WEEKENDS.

DO NOT TAKE PICTURES OF BRAZILIAN WITHOUT ASKING. ALWAYS ASK -A SIGN OF RESPECT IN BRAZIL.

DO NOT ARRIVE AT THE AIRPORT WITHIN 30 MINUTES (ARRIVE 2-HOUR PRIOR) OF YOUR DEPARTURE FLIGHT. YOU MAY NOT LEAVE. ALWAYS CONFIRM YOUR FLIGHT ONE OR TWO DAYS IN ADVANCE AND ARRIVE AT THE AIRPORT AT LEAST ONE HOUR IN ADVANCE.

DO NOT LEAVE ANY BABIES IN BRAZIL. IF YOU MAKE IT-MAKE ARRANGEMENTS.

DO NOT LOOSE YOUR CREDIT CARD. CARRY AN EMERGENCY CARD AND LEAVE IT IN THE SAFE IN YOUR ROOM.

DO NOT TAKE PUBLIC BUSES. BUSES ARE DANGEROUS EVEN FOR LOCAL. WE RECOMMEND A TAXI FOR SAFETY; HOWEVER, WE SUGGEST THAT IF YOU TAKE PUBLIC BUSES BE ON GUARD.

DO NOT STAY IN A RENTAL APARTMENT ALONE.

DO NOT FLASH YOUR CASH. ONLY CARRY THE MINIMUM AMOUNT  NEEDED FOR THE DAY. ADDITIONALLY KEEP DOLLARS AND REAL SEPARATED.

DO NOT HAVE UNPROTECTED SEX-USE A CONDOM.

DO NOT DRINK TAP WATER.

DO NOT BRUSH YOUR TEETH WITH  TAP WATER.

DO NOT STOP AT RED LIGHTS AT NIGHT, IN ORDER TO AVOID THEFT.

DO NOT STAND CLOSE TO CURBS, YOU MIGHT GET HIT!!

DO NOT SWIM FAR OUT, THE UNDERTOW IS FIERCE.

DO NOT LEAVE VALUABLES THROWN AROUND YOUR HOTEL ROOM.

SPECIAL PRECAUTION: UNDER BRAZILIAN LAW, MINORS UNDER 18 CANNOT BE PROSECUTED, EVEN FOR CRIMES AS SERIOUS AS MURDER, SO THERE IS VERY LITTLE DETERRENT.

IN RIO, WATCH OUT WHEN YOU'RE ON THE CURB. YOU MAY BECOME PART OF AN ACCIDENT.