Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil

All Topics about Aracaju All Cities in Brazil

1. Tourist Taxi Scam

Avoid unofficial taxi drivers charging inflated prices. Always use registered taxis or apps like 99Taxis.

Inflated Prices: Unregistered taxi drivers often charge tourists higher prices.
Registered Taxis: Taxis with a license plate starting with 'Aracaju' are officially registered.
Apps like 99Taxis: Using taxi apps ensures fair pricing and safer rides.

Stay away from markets offering counterfeit goods. Support local artisans instead.

Counterfeit Goods: Goods sold at these markets are often low-quality imitations.
Local Artisans: Supporting local artisans helps their businesses and the community.
Quality Goods: Original goods made by local artisans are of higher quality than counterfeit items.

Only hire tour guides from registered agencies. Check their badges and ask for proper identification.

Registered Agencies: Guides working with registered agencies are properly trained.
Badge and Identification: Legitimate tour guides will have an identification badge.
Proper Training: Properly trained guides provide valuable information about Aracaju's attractions.

Exchange money only at licensed exchange houses or banks. Never accept offers from strangers on the street.

Licensed Exchange Houses: Licensed exchange houses have a government-issued license.
Banks: Banks offer competitive exchange rates and secure transactions.
Strangers on the Street: Deals offered by strangers can result in receiving less money than expected.

Use ATMs located at banks or well-lit areas. Cover the keypad when entering your PIN.

Banks: ATMs in banks are usually more secure.
Well-lit Areas: Well-lit areas reduce the risk of someone watching you enter your PIN.
Covering the Keypad: Covering the keypad prevents potential skimmers from capturing your PIN.

Avoid restaurants near tourist spots. Ask locals for recommendations instead.

Restaurants Near Tourist Spots: These restaurants often overcharge tourists.
Locals Recommendations: Locals know the best and most affordable places to eat.
Overpriced Food: Food at overpriced restaurants may not be as good as other options in Aracaju.

Keep your belongings with you at all times. If something is lost, report it immediately to the local police station.

Keeping Belongings: Leaving belongings unattended can lead to theft.
Local Police Station: Reporting lost items helps in recovery or insurance claims, if necessary.
Theft: Theft can cause significant inconvenience and financial loss.

Donate to recognized charities or local NGOs. Be wary of people asking for donations on the street.

Recognized Charities: Recognized charities are legitimate and can be verified.
Local NGOs: Local NGOs have a proven track record of helping the community.
Street Donation Requests: Donating to street solicitors may not reach intended recipients.

Book accommodation in advance to avoid being turned away. Check reviews on multiple platforms before booking.

Advance Booking: Advance bookings prevent the risk of accommodations being fully booked.
Multiple Platforms: Checking reviews on multiple platforms provides a more accurate view of the accommodation.
Being Turned Away: Being turned away can cause significant inconvenience, especially during peak travel seasons.

Book tours through reputable agencies. Check customer reviews before booking.

Reputable Agencies: Reputable agencies are reliable and offer quality tours.
Customer Reviews: Customer reviews help assess the quality of a tour before booking.
Fake Tours: Fake tours may not provide the advertised attractions or services.

Be cautious of overly friendly locals offering help or inviting you to their homes. Stick with organized group activities.

Overly Friendly Locals: These individuals may be trying to lure you into a scam.
Organized Group Activities: Group activities offer safety in numbers and are more secure.
Scams: Scams can result in financial loss or personal harm.

Avoid using internet cafés to access sensitive information. Use your mobile data instead.

Sensitive Information: Accessing sensitive information on public computers can lead to identity theft.
Mobile Data: Using your mobile data provides a more secure connection.
Identity Theft: Identity theft can result in financial loss and personal inconvenience.

Only connect to secure, password-protected Wi-Fi networks. Avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions.

Secure Wi-Fi Networks: Password-protected networks are more secure.
Public Wi-Fi: Public Wi-Fi is not encrypted and can be easily accessed by others.
Sensitive Transactions: Sensitive transactions, such as banking, should be done on secure connections.

Stay aware of your surroundings and avoid arguments or confrontations with locals. If accused of a crime, contact the nearest embassy or consulate.

Awareness: Being aware helps prevent unnecessary conflicts.
Embassy or Consulate: The embassy or consulate can provide assistance and support in case of an emergency.
Confrontations with Locals: Confrontations can escalate quickly and may lead to false accusations or arrests.

Keep your belongings close when using public transportation. Use the seat next to you for storing bags and other items.

Public Transportation: Public transportation can be crowded, making it easier for thieves to steal belongings.
Seat Storage: Storing bags and items in the seat next to you reduces the risk of theft.
Theft: Theft can cause significant inconvenience, especially if important documents or money are stolen.