Green Toad Bus Brazil Bus Passes

Brazil by Bus

• Travel with something warm in case the driver runs the air conditioning too strong. Even if it is hot as hell outside!
• Distances between cities are big: don't forget to take your ipod (or something to read).
• It is always good to take overnight buses: you can save money and time as you skip a night in a hostel and you don't lose a day when traveling.
• They do not serve food on the buses in Brazil, but they usually stop every 2 to 4 hours at snack shops where you are able to buy something.
• When the bus does stop-off and you depart the bus, check with the driver how long you have before it departs again. Learning how to say the numbers in Portuguese will help you with this, and so will using hand gestures.
• Bus stations in Brazil are called Rodoviárias
• Rodoviarias offer many services. Consider having lunch or using the bathroom before leaving or when arriving to the terminals. In some places it may take a while to get to your hostel from the terminal so use the facilities while you can.
• When you arrive to a bus station (rodoviária) in Brazil by bus, try not to display your valuables (camera, cell phone, etc.).
• Don't get anxious if there's a lot of people offering taxis: find out first about a reasonable cost for your trip from the local people at vthe terminals and remember to arrange the payment beforehand with the taxi driver, or if it is a metered taxi then make sure they use it.
• Consider using the local bus services from the terminals. It's much cheaper than taxi's and also more fun!
• Before entering your bus, an attendant will be putting your big backpack under the bus in a storage compartment. Its best to give these employees a couple of coins as a tip, and this will ensure better treatment of your bag.
• When the employee takes your bag they will give you a small receipt which you must produce to collect your bag at your destination. Put it somewhere you will remember!
• Do not keep your valuables in your big backpack when you are traveling Brazil by bus as this bag will be out of your sight, instead keep your valuable in a dag bag you wil take on board with you. Locks for your bag are always good! Keep your passport and valuables with you in your carry-on bag.
• Although it happens rarely in Brazil, you are safer keeping your carry-on bag between your legs and not in the over-heads.
• Always be wary of your bags in the terminals!