Basics - The Rough Guide to Brazil - page 48

For example, access even to recently constructed
buildings may be impossible, as lifts are often too
narrow to accept wheelchairs or there may be no
lift at all. In general, though, you'll find that hotel
and restaurant staff are helpful and will do their
utmost to be of assistance to try to make up for the
deficiencies in access and facilities.
Buses in cities are really only suitable for the agile;
taxis , however, are plentiful, and most can accom-
modate wheelchairs. Long-distance buses are
generally quite comfortable, with the special leito
services offering fully reclining seats. Internal
airlines are helpful, and wheelchairs are available at
all the main airports.
The IBDD ( W ibdd.org.br), Centro de Vida
Independente ( W cvi.org.br) and Turismo Adaptado
( W turismoadaptado.wordpress.com) campaign for
disabled rights in Brazil, but their websites are in
Portuguese only - English-speakers are better off
visiting sites such as W disabilitytravel.com for tips
on Brazil travel.

sleep more than three, but larger hotels
sometimes have rooms with an interlinking door.
Hotels will sometimes offer discounts, especially if
children share rooms, and even beds, with
siblings or parents; the lower- to mid-range hotels
are probably the most flexible in this regard. If
you're planning on staying more than a few days
in a city, you may find it cheaper and more
convenient to stay in an apartment-hotel , which
will sleep several people and comes with basic
cooking facilities.
Many of the mid- and upper-range hotels have
swimming pools, gardens and even games rooms,
which are often useful in entertaining kids. Most
large towns also have cinemas, the best often being
the new multiplexes found in shopping centres.

Food and health
Food shouldn't be a problem as familiar dishes are
always available and there's also the ubiquitous
comida por quilo option. Portions tend to be huge,
often su cient for two large appetites, and it's
perfectly acceptable to request additional plates
and cutlery. Most hotels and restaurants provide
high chairs ( cadeira alta ) as well. Commercial baby
food is sold in Brazilian supermarkets. Remember to
avoid tap water and use only mineral water when
preparing formula and washing out bottles.
Mid-range hotels and upwards have a minibar
( frigobar ) in the rooms where you can store bottles
and baby food, but where there isn't one you will
be able to store things in the hotel's refrigerator. A
small cool box or insulated bag is a good idea.
In general, Brazilian infants don't use disposable
nappies/diapers ( fraldas ), due to the high cost. As
brands such as Pampers are sold in pharmacies
and supermarkets, however, it's worth only
bringing the minimum with you until you can
make it to a shop.
Health shouldn't be a problem, but before
planning your itinerary check which areas entail
taking anti-malarial tablets (the state of Rondônia
other than Porto Velho, rural Acre and Amapá and
southern Pará are rife with malaria and should be
avoided), and make enquiries as to whether the
vaccines recommended or required in some parts
of Brazil (in particular the Amazon) are likely to have
any unpleasant side effects. For most of Brazil, the
only likely problem will be the strength of the
tropical sun and the viciousness of the mosquitoes:
bring plenty of sunscreen and an easy-to-apply
non-toxic insect repellent .

Travelling with children

Travelling with children is relatively easy in Brazil.
They are made to feel welcome in hotels and
restaurants in a way that's not always so in Europe
or North America. In fact, it is also more secure:
even thieves and assaltantes seem to respect
families with children and leave them alone.
Travelling around Brazil takes time, so try not to
be too ambitious in terms of how much you aim to
cover. Long bus journeys are scheduled overnight
and can be exhausting. Children pay full fare on
buses if they take up a seat, ten percent on planes if
under 2 years old, half-fare between 2 and 12 years
old, and full fare thereafter. Newer airports have a
nursery ( berçário ) where you can change or nurse
your baby and where an attendant will run your
baby a bath, which is great on a hot day or if your
plane's delayed. If you plan on renting a car , bring
your own child or baby seat as rental companies
rarely supply them and they are very expensive in
Brazil. Cars are fitted with three-point shoulder
seatbelts in the front, but many only have lap
seatbelts in the back.

Accommodation
In hotels , kids are generally free up to the age of
5, and double rooms often include both a double
and a single bed; a baby's cot may be available,
but don't count on it. It's rare that a room will