rio - ice?

[Guest 7Zach]

Anyone use ice in their drinks in Rio? Anyone actually tried the water and got away with it? Wondering just how 3rd world it is. Assume salads are out too, or not?

[Guest winstonmadison]

With apologies in advance for the mis-spellings: I was in Rio, San Paulo, Chapada Dos Guerimos, Cuiba, Falz do Igausu, Belo Horizonte, and Oro Preto over the course of a five week visit to Brazil. I, perhaps with a little too much bravado, swam in salt water and in freshwater streams. I came equipped with anti-biotics and lotrimen. I needed neither. Drank bottled water but ate salads whenever and wherever. I had no health problems my entire stay except I got a poison ivy like outbreak on my feet in the Pantanal. I traveled by bus once I got to Brazil, so I was not cocooned away in tourist enclaves. I did get hepatitis shots for all possible types as available before I left the USA. You may get the trots with the first bite of lettuce. Still, my impression was that to problem was overblown.

[vers7]

I lived in southern Brazil during the 70s and returned to Rio recently. While there, thirty years ago, I attempted to abstain from drinking tap water and from eating lettuce and strawberrys. However, I did on occassion partake of all those things without any health problems. When I returned recently, I also tried to do the same, but I did injest some water and ice without problem. I have been inoculated for Hepatits B and intend to get inoculated for Hepatitis A before I return. However, all in all, I don't think that you need to be too worried about these issues if you stick to the urban areas. If I were to visit the more rural areas of Brazil, I would be much more vigilant than I would in the cities.