ElectricityBrazil has a variety of electrical voltages, sometimes
within the same city, The better hotels offer 220 volts. If not,
transformers are available in electrical stores. Outlets often
accept a variety of plug types but the two-pin type is
standard. LanguageThe spoken language in Brazil is Portuguese, however
Spanish and English are also used in the cities. TippingNearly all hotels add a service charge to the bill, usually 10
percent. Most restaurants also add 10 percent or more to the total
of the bill, but must make it clear that they have done so; waiters
appreciate another five percent if their service has been good.
Otherwise, a 10-15 percent tip is customary. Brazilians don't
normally tip taxi drivers, except if they handle bags, although
they may round up the total. Hotel staff expect small tips and most
other services, including barbers, shoe shiners, and petrol station
attendants, are usually rewarded with a 10-15 percent tip. Parking
attendants earn no wages and expect a tip of around two real. Safety InformationBrazil is politically stable with no natural enemies and no
terrorist activities. In metropolitan areas, however, petty crime
is a fact of life. Rio in particular is regarded as one of the most
crime-ridden cities in the world and, although violent crime is
generally limited to the slum areas, foreigners are advised to take
precautions. Visitors should not attempt to visit slum areas unless
on a guided tour. However violent crime is on the increase due to
the establishment of drug and criminal gangs around Rio and Sao
Paulo. Muggings, often involving firearms, are frequent and
visitors should dress down and conceal cameras, and avoid wearing
jewellery and expensive watches. Valuables should be deposited in
hotel safes. The threat of personal attack is lower outside the
main urban centres, but incidents do occur, and women should be
aware that sexual assaults have been reported in coastal holiday
destinations. Beware of unofficial
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