SAFETY
Rio de Janeiro is safer than what i though before coming here. Anyway this is not Pattaya. Copacabana it is very degraded, full of homeless and hallucinated drug addicts. Probably Centro is safer than Copacabana.
Anyway some advice.
1. do not wear gold necklaces. Never! This is the first thing they tear and run away from you. Even during the day, on the beach, along the Copacabana seafront.
2. smartphone. you can use in the street without much problem, but keep an eyes looking around you and hold it firmly. Smartphone like gold necklaces is one easy thing to steal and run
3. when you sit at the restaurant in the table along the sidewalk and have people walking next to your table, never leave your smartphone/wallet on the table.
4. when you walk alone, no matter if is 7pm and you are in Copa, keep an eye around you. Gangs of guys who will try to rob you are always around, so be ready to run. Happen to me twice, possibly dangerous situations where I preferred to take a run rather than risk the assault. Both times in Copa, one time in Avenida Princesa Isabela after midnight, and another one in Rua Barao da Ipanema at 8pm.
Barra de Tijuca is probably the best neighborhood for safety, then Leblon. But in Barra you must stay near Jardim Oceanico metro station and Rua Olegario Maciel, so this is mean Barra posto 1 e 2. Barra is a huge neighborhood. | |
