This page was written specifically about Rio De Janeiro but is still relevant for other Brazilian cities.   

You may have seen the media reports about the terrible violence that supposedly exists in Rio De Janeiro. It probably makes you very wary of coming here. But it needn't. The first thing to know is that the vast majority of the violence occurs in the shanty towns on the hillsides around the city. Commonly known as Favelas this is where the poorest people of Rio live. Also in these Favalas are well organised gangs of criminals who deal in drugs, robbery and any other crime you can think of. However most of their activities take place in and around these Favelas. And it is in these areas that they have running battles with the police. In most other areas of the city the general level of crime is no worse than any other large city (8 million plus people). That means it exists but you should not worry unduly.

  Some people find these Favelas fascinating and there are even tours for holiday makers to go and visit them. Our advice is DON'T take the tour. They are lawless places and one day one of those tours is going to turn ugly. And if you are foolish enough to go in on your own then you probably won't come back out. Even in a box.

What needs to concern the tourist is the mainly petty crime that can occur in the well known tourist haunts, especially Copacabana and Ipanema. There is a large police presence in these areas at night. Do not get the impression that the area is swarming with muggers, it isn't, but it only needs one to spoil it for you.

Follow a few simple rules and there need be no problem. Rule number one - On a hot tropical night you may be tempted to walk along the sea shore, there are even floodlights on the beach, what can possibly go wrong? Quite a lot! This is one of the favourite haunts of muggers because it is far enough away from the police that are stationed along the road to make it possible to mug someone and then escape. So never walk along the beach at night. In fact we advise that after about 8 pm you stay on the sidewalk across the road from the beach, where all the bars and restaurants are. This area is generally fine. On the sidewalk near the beach there is still a possibility of being accosted.

Until you get accustomed to Copacabana the Copacabana Palace hotel is a good landmark and useful for figuring out where you are day or night.

Youwill sometimes find young steet urchins on the beaches and they will look for tourists sleeping or leaving their valubles unguarded whilst they swim or take a wander, So first don't take anything of major value to the beach, eg your Rolex, large amounts of cash etc and secondly don't leave what you do take unattended. This is not difficult if there are two or more of you. If you are on your own it's more of a problem.

You can buy and rent most things on the beach, food, drink, sunshades, chairs etc etc. Just make sure you agree a price before hand otherwise they will charge you an exorbitant one and feel justified in doing so!   

Tipping. It is worth remembering that the majority of the people you come into contact with are not earning very much money at all.Tipping waiters, taxi drivers etc is the norm as in the west. Here however it assists them even more as the average wage is very low.

 

The following items apply to any country and are mainly common sense, but worth repeating anyway :-

• Put all valubles and documents in a safe. Hotels will have one and many apartments have them too.
• Carry only the minimum cash you require and avoid wearing too much jewelry and an expensive watch in public.
• If you have a lot of cash on you, keep most of it in a safe place but leave some to satisfy any potential mugger
• Never resist violent crime.
• Dont accept any offer to change money on the street - there is no need in Brazil - the best rates are in the "cambios"