Chances of trouble depend, to an extent, on where you are: the stereotype of free-and-easy cities and of small towns and rural areas that are formal to the point of prudishness often holds good - but not always. Many interior Amazon towns have a frontier feel and a bad, machista atmosphere. Also bear in mind that in any town of any size the area around the RodoviA?ria or train station is likely to be a red-light district at night - not somewhere to hang around. The transport terminals themselves, though, are usually policed and fairly safe at all hours.

Women travelling alone will arouse curiosity, especially outside the cities, but the fact that you're a crazy foreigner explains why you do it in most Brazilian eyes; it shouldn't make you a target.

There is no national women's movement in Brazil, but there are loosely linked organizations in big cities and some university campuses, and a growing awareness of the issues; the more important or accessible groups are listed in the Guide. Mulherio is a national feminist paper.