Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Anápolis, Goiás, Brazil

Anápolis, Brazil, Anápolis, Local Insights & Practical Info, Common Scams & How to Avoid Them

Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Anápolis, Goiás, Brazil

1. Taxis de Anápolis

Official taxis in Anápolis have meters and are easily identified. Avoid unmarked vehicles or those without meters to avoid overcharging.
  • Official Taxis: Taxis with official badges, meters, and license plates
  • Unmarked Vehicles: Vehicles not displaying the official taxi sign or without a meter
  • Overcharging: Refusal to use the meter and attempting to negotiate a higher price

2. Feira da Lagoa

Avoid buying souvenirs or food from unlicensed vendors at the Feira da Lagoa to ensure quality and legitimacy.
  • Licensed Vendors: Vendors with official permits, displaying their ID or license
  • Unlicensed Vendors: Vendors without the proper authorization to sell goods at the Feira da Lagoa
  • Quality and Legitimacy: Buying from unlicensed vendors may result in low-quality or counterfeit products

3. Casas de Cambio

Avoid exchanging money at unofficial currency exchange offices (casas de câmbio) as they often offer unfavorable rates.
  • Unofficial Currency Exchange Offices: Small, unmarked stores or individuals offering to exchange money informally
  • Official Currency Exchange Offices: Banks, hotels, and authorized currency exchange offices with proper signage and licenses
  • Unfavorable Rates: Exchange rates that are significantly lower than the market rate

4. Aeroporto de Anápolis - João Pessoa

Be cautious of individuals offering assistance or asking for personal information at the airport to avoid identity theft and scams.
  • Official Airport Staff: Staff wearing uniforms, carrying official identification
  • Unauthorized Individuals: Individuals not in uniform or with no official identification attempting to assist or gather personal information
  • Identity Theft and Scams: Gathering personal information for illegal purposes or scamming travelers out of money

5. Rua da Matriz

Avoid street performers who demand payment or insist on buying their merchandise to avoid confrontations and unwanted obligations.
  • Street Performers: Artists, musicians, or magicians on the streets seeking donations or selling items
  • Confrontation and Obligation: Aggressive behavior when refused payment or buying merchandise
  • Donations: Refusing donations may be seen as rude in Brazilian culture, but it's important to only support performances you genuinely appreciate

6. Restaurantes Turísticos

Avoid restaurants that seem too touristy or have menus in multiple languages as they may offer low-quality food at inflated prices.
  • Quality Food: Restaurants offering authentic, well-prepared Brazilian cuisine
  • Touristy Restaurants: Restaurants catering mainly to tourists with English menus and higher prices
  • Inflated Prices: Prices significantly higher than local establishments for similar dishes

7. Viagens de Turismo

Avoid purchasing tours from unlicensed tour operators or street vendors to ensure safety and quality.
  • Licensed Tour Operators: Tour companies with official permits, proper signage, and a professional website
  • Unlicensed Tour Operators: Individuals or small groups offering tours without proper licensing or official credentials
  • Safety and Quality: Tours with experienced guides, comfortable transportation, and well-planned itineraries

8. Praia do Parque da Lagoa

Avoid leaving personal belongings unattended at the Praia do Parque da Lagoa to prevent theft.
  • Theft Prevention: Keeping a close eye on your belongings, securing them when possible
  • Unattended Belongings: Leaving personal items unattended or in plain sight
  • Security Measures: Using provided lockers, keeping valuable items concealed

9. Estacionamento de Anápolis

Avoid parking in unofficial parking lots or on the street to reduce the risk of vehicle break-ins and ticketing.
  • Unofficial Parking Lots: Parking areas without official signage, security cameras, or staff presence
  • Street Parking: Parking on the street without a designated space or proper permit
  • Vehicle Break-ins and Ticketing: Risk of theft, damage, or receiving tickets in unofficial parking areas

10. Banca de Avaliação

Avoid loan offers from individuals at the Banca de Avaliação as they may be scams or predatory lending practices.
  • Predatory Lending Practices: Individuals offering high-interest loans with unfavorable terms
  • Official Banking Services: Banks, credit unions, and official financial institutions for loan services
  • Scams: Individuals attempting to collect personal information or money under false pretenses

11. Igreja da Matriz

Avoid giving excessive donations or following guides around the church to ensure a peaceful and respectful visit.
  • Excessive Donations: Donating an amount you are comfortable with, not feeling pressured
  • Guides around the Church: Refusing to follow guides or listen to unsolicited information during your visit
  • Respectful Visit: Treating the church and its staff with respect, maintaining a quiet and prayerful atmosphere

12. Cine Teatro Anápolis

Avoid purchasing counterfeit tickets or entering the cinema without proper documentation to avoid legal issues and low-quality experiences.
  • Counterfeit Tickets: Tickets purchased from unauthorized vendors or individuals
  • Proper Documentation: Official tickets with a cinema stamp and valid identification
  • Legal Issues and Low-quality Experiences: Risk of being ejected from the cinema, or having a poor viewing experience due to low-quality or counterfeit tickets

13. Parque Estadual do Turvo

Avoid accepting help from strangers while hiking in the Parque Estadual do Turvo to prevent theft and potential danger.
  • Strangers: Individuals offering assistance or guidance without a clear connection to the park
  • Theft Prevention: Keeping personal belongings secure and avoiding showing valuable items openly
  • Potential Danger: Staying aware of your surroundings, not venturing off marked trails, and being cautious when interacting with strangers

14. Rio Verde

Avoid using unofficial ATMs in Rio Verde to prevent skimming and other fraudulent activities.
  • Unofficial ATMs: ATMs located in poorly lit areas, without proper branding or security cameras
  • Official ATMs: ATMs inside banks or well-lit, secure locations with official signage
  • Skimming and Fraudulent Activities: Risk of credit card information being stolen using skimmers or other means at unofficial ATMs

15. Caminho da Pedra Redonda

Avoid following strangers offering to guide you on the Caminho da Pedra Redonda for your safety and to ensure an authentic experience.
  • Strangers Offering Guidance: Individuals approaching you offering to guide you without a clear connection to the trail
  • Safety: Staying aware of your surroundings, not venturing off marked trails, and being cautious when interacting with strangers
  • Authentic Experience: Experiencing the trail at your own pace, without feeling pressured or guided by strangers