"Just Have Common Sense" Rio de Janeiro Warnings Or Dangers Tip by ChrisRJ

You can have someone be mugged in the middle of Park Avenue, New York and someone else can walk through a favela and be fine. The most important components are common sense, street smarts and demeanor.

You don't need to wear lots of jewelry, fancy watches and swinging your $500 camera loosely from your shoulder. The average monthly wage may only be between $100 - $200 so the temptation to grab that camera can be high.

Watch for the young kids walking closely behind you and just don't look like a target, same as anywhere else in the world.

When we were there the only potential situation that could have escalated into something unpleasant was at a police checkpoint near a favela on the way to Barra. (Note: The local police don't make that much money either.)