When to Carry US Passport

@jasonlovesdogs You do not have to carry your passport everywhere you go. As for the crime element, different places are safer than others so you need to check with people who work and live there. As a general rule, don't walk the streets alone when it's dark. If you have to, then use the pouch (I use a money belt), and don't wear nice jewelry or a watch and keep your phone hidden. I carry a second wallet with a minimal amount of cash that I could hand over if accosted. I have female friends and relative who have had necklaces ripped off of them and phones stolen.

@rraypo Agree.  You can also get a passport card and carry that around for ID.  That is what I do...

05/31/22  be cautious of using ATM machines. 

- @EricPau

So let's say my if I were to get robbed and one of my credit cards got stolen and I was staying at a hotel, how would I be able to have a new credit card sent to me?

- @jasonlovesdogs

06/02/22 Also, is there any need to bring much cash to Brazil being that it can be withdrawal at an ATM, which I assume is in Reais. Also any dollars would have to be exchanged upon entry to be usable anyway right?

- @jasonlovesdogs

Also, is there any need to bring much cash to Brazil being that it can be withdrawal at an ATM, which I assume is in Reais. Also any dollars would have to be exchanged upon entry to be usable anyway right?

- @jasonlovesdogs

@jasonlovesdogs I went to brazil many times, I bring copy of my passport if going outside but if you will travel to one place to another using plane you have to bring your passport. Cards are okay , but for me I bring my cash and exchange to Brazilian reas.  So far I don't experience being rob but you have to be alert.

@jasonlovesdogs When out and about in Salvador, like shopping or Ubering, I carry a color, laminated copy of my RNE Card. It has been accepted as ID anywhere without question. I carry minimal cash in my wallet and leave the debit cards at home. Many years ago, I stopped putting the wallet in my back pocket, shifting to the front, right pocket for greater security.

@jasonlovesdogs To save my fingers from typing, I agree with everything @abthree has posted. I would only add that for Passports, if I know I am going to the Federal Police or the Hospital I carry the original. If I am just going out I carry a copy under the "who am I " rule in case something like an accident etc. happens.

As far as the phone goes i have an "Ottor Box" heavy duty clip which I clip onto my belt and usually my t-shirt is long enough to cover it, so no one knows I have my I Phone with me. I do have ear buds, so if there is a call I can answer the phone without touching my phone. Of course I adhere to safety precautions, so unlike the young lady who complained about crime on a You Tube video I do NOT go to the Big New Years Eve Celebration and wave my expensive I Phone in the air when New Years comes and then is suprised when it is stolen.

As far as cash goes I try not to use my card if possible and use my Reiss instead. (much easier to replace than your cc or what is in your account).   This is personal. Due  to a long ago financial challenge i only have my PayPal  card until I officially become a Permanent Resident and can officially use my Banco Do Brazil Bank Account. I live in North Eastern Brazil and somewhere (gas station or grocery store) someone copied my credit card.  Because my billing address is my former american address in MD. to get a replacement I had to have it forwarded to R.I. where I was previously staying and all the mail was automatically forwarded to my younger brother in San Francisco. I then had to wait until my only child visited my younger brother for Thanksgiving got my card and weeks later came to Brazil on a planned vacation.   Needless to say replacing my credit card in case of fraud, not to mention missing money from my account, is hell.

Roddie in Retirement