Rio de Janeiro Warning or Danger Tips by besbel

To tell you the truth, the only thing I lost in Rio was my heart :-) No doubt that poverty and violence are issues in Rio de Janeiro. However, it is not a matter that should stop you to go. In most cases imprudence rather than Rio's unsafety iself is the reason that makes you a victim of crime there.
Generally follow the same safety guidelines you follow at ANY city in the world:
1) don't go out too late at night, much less alone.
2) check out your bags and belongings while going around Rio. Never leave them unattended.
3) don't carry unnecesary stuff like flashy jewelry, too much cash or fancy/expensive clothing.
4) more importantly, don't boast about your belongings to strangers. It always amazed me how easily foreigners start talking about the money they brought, or the history of their jewelry, or their plans to buy this and that...
4) Always carry a map, in case you get lost.

Leave a Comment

Once in Rio I found out that favelas are a part of the city you cannot ignore. They are not located surrounding the town, like slums in other big cities in the world. You could spot them even in the middle of residential areas, like Ipanema or Leblon.
However, don't panick. Been lodged in Arpoador, an area relatively near to favela do Pavaozinho, and nothing happened to me. Being around doesn`t mean something wrong will happen. However, if not having any social-related purpose (e.g. carrying out a research/social aid sponsored by any institution), don't get into one of them. You could get into serious trouble, plus there is nothing touristic about violence or poverty. At least don't treat slums' inhabitants like animals in a zoo to watch.

Leave a Comment

A) Public Transportation
Before going I was told that Rio buses were dangerous. Well, at least in the routes covering Ipanema, Copacabana, Botafogo, Flamengo, the airports, downtown, Cosme Velho and the rodoviaria, I had no problem, didn't see any problem and never knew that any of my 35 colleagues had any problem using them. The only rule you have to follow: don't use them alone very late at night. Better take a taxi, which are much safer and are also cheap.
B) Taxis
Also heard stories about getting a taxi in Rio, that you could be mugged in one of them or the driver could take a longer route to reach your destiny in order to make more money.
The truth was.... I used taxis EVERYDAY and never had a problem. Don't fear it, I used it day at night, alone and with company, for short and long distances. It's comfortable, it's available (they are in the street, no need to call them like in Europe), and it's cheap.

Leave a Comment

Also was told that Copacabana was unsafe, especially for a woman by herself as I was. Well, if you go alone at midnight, of course Copacabana is not the nicest place, because there are several mendicants and drunken people wandering or sleeping in the streets, especially in the Barata Ribeiro areas. Needless to mention the Help disco... even the taxi cabs warns you not to approach that place!!
But, apart from that, never felt uncomfortable being around there. I used to jog in the Atlantica avenue, do my shopping nearby, and not only I was OK, but also never felt unsafe.
During the day Copacabana is a commercial area, with lots of movement and very improved security system, and a nice place to lodge in the area between Nossa Senhora de Copacabana avenue and the beach. The closer to Ipanema, the better the area.

Leave a Comment