Other Cities: Salvador, Florianópolis, Fortaleza, Manaus, Recife: how it works in Brazil — first-hand
Short answer
Prioritize reducing living expenses, such as housing and food costs, while focusing on survival jobs and avoiding risky areas. Always maintain high situational awareness, use ride-sharing apps like Uber after dark, and stick to well-populated or tourist-heavy zones to ensure personal safety.
From real experience
A young immigrant (19 years old) found himself in Brazil with refugee status, no job, and limited funds after a failed immigration plan with a partner.
He was paying 700 USD/month for rent in Recife, which is considered very high for his situation. Advice from the community includes: prioritize survival jobs (construction, delivery), reduce housing costs significantly (aim for under 1500 BRL/month), utilize social restaurants for cheap/free food, and avoid risky 'job opportunities' in favelas. Remote work from Russia was suggested but access to equipment was a concern. The importance of realistic financial planning and avoiding high-cost living without stable income is highlighted.
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Salvador, Bahia, requires vigilance regarding personal safety.
While general safety can be good for long-term residents, opportunistic crime, including armed robbery, can occur, even from a vehicle in non-upscale areas. Tourists should avoid walking alone late at night, stay in well-populated areas, and use ride-sharing services (e.g., Uber) after dark. Tourist zones like the promenade and Pelourinho (historical center) are generally safer due to police presence and crowds, even in the evening.
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Fortaleza is a highly recommended winter destination in Brazil, featuring daytime temperatures of 30°C, night temperatures of 27°C, and ocean water at 27-28°C.
Beach vendors sell coconuts for around 5 BRL (significantly cheaper than in Rio de Janeiro). Safety warning: while the beachfront promenade is well-policed and secure, walking into the inner streets block-depth away from the beach at night is dangerous.
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Recommended residential/tourist areas in Salvador, Bahia for safety: Rio Vermelho (popular, police presence), Pituba (residential), and Barra (tourist-heavy).
General advice: avoid walking in small, empty alleys at night and use ride-sharing services like Uber.
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Florianópolis is generally considered safer than northern coastal cities, though it experiences cooler temperatures during the spring months.
Northeastern cities like Recife and João Pessoa offer year-round tropical temperatures but require higher vigilance regarding personal belongings on beaches.
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Provide recommendations for safe and convenient transportation from Manaus Airport to the city center upon late-night arrival.
Advise on available taxi services (e.g., Uber, 99, official taxis) and general safety considerations.