My apologies for beating a dead horse, since I know this has been addressed repeatedly over the years here. I've searched this Forum and read all the previous threads about safety in these 2 cities -- and despite all the reassurances, I'm still somewhat bothered by all the conflicting information I've gotten. Guide books (and posters here) for instance, say you need to use only telephone taxis in BA due to safety concerns. Posters write that there are gangs who assault people on the beaches in Rio, yet it's safe to take walks. Although my family is used to visiting cities like NYC, and various European and Asian cities, etc. -- and we're not naive -- I'm probably especially concerned because we'll be travelling with our two teenagers and we don't speak Spanish.

So, realistically -- how do these 2 cities compare to some of the others I've mentioned? If one must call special taxis in order to assure safety, how is it to go to the Theater in BA at night? Does the warning I've read mean that it would be unsafe to catch at taxi on the street after the show? Is it okay to take taxis to all the major tourist sites in these cities? How about buses or other public transport? If you go to a restaurant at night, can you do any walking at all in comfort, before or after?

I recall stories a number of years ago about tourists going to Rio and essentially feeling like prisoners, venturing out of their hotels only with guides. Also stories about fingers being cut off by thieves after rings.... And, with the economic problems in BA, it seems like there's more concern there now, as well. So, it this mostly myth? Can a family visit and have a relaxing time of it?

Thank you in advance for any advice you can give us, so we can decide whether to visit these cities this June.

wow, you make it sound like you are preparing to visit the Sudan. I was in BA last month and must have taken 25-30 taxi's off the street. No problems, actually they were some of the most helpful drivers I have ever encountered. There was some problems with "fake taxi's" in the past(stenciled info on doors were dead giveaways), but I didn't come across any. The main areas of BA are safe. Recoleta, Puerto Madero, Palermo, Las Canitas and Belgrano and are great to walk around in. San Telmo during the day is fine, I would just be a little careful at night. Although, the BBC reported yesterday, how that neighborhood is becoming fashionable at night . I preferred PAlermo Viejo for my nightlife. When you arrive, you will see what I mean, you will relax and get in the swing of things. It's akin(from a safety standard) of walking around San Francisco.Except that Sf's infrastructure is better maintained(there are a few broken sidewalks so be careful not to trip)

Now, I would say that in Rio, you need to be more cautious. Lock your valuables in a safe in your hotel, only carry what you need. Keep your wits about you and employ common sense.

Rio has no problem with taxis, I have got and ridden in taxis all over town with no problems whatsoever.
The beauty of Copacabana is during the day and you have to be careful but still safe, if you have no business there at night, stay away. beach walk in copacabana and ipanema are so iluminated that it looks like day time. It is true about gangs of young guys, but if you see them getting too close, just walk away, say something to them , even in English will do it.
Do not forget that NEWS are always exagerated and bet those that got in trouble where looking for it. Lots of older men look for the hookers, women for the young guys...so what is the end result, you know.
I asure you that you can walk up and down Ipanema and Copa with you family with no problem. Do not wear jewerly, simple watch will do, dress as locals do, shorts, t shirts, sneakers. RIO is extremely casual during the day...

Thanks for the responses, doledrums and miguel. I appreciate your reassurance! Do each of you speak Spanish or Portugese? Would it make a difference that we would obviously appear to be tourists because we know little Spanish and less Portugese? Also, Miguel, I wasn't clear about Rio -- if these gangs of young guys approach you, is the idea to tell them to "get lost", even if it's in English? Or not to say anything, to ignore them, and avoid them? I've been places where you do one or the other -- for instance, in Italy you tell them to get lost, but in San Francisco or New York, you try to look unconcerned and avoid any eye contact.

You're right, doledrums, my family would like to visit these places, and usually I'm the one who pushes them to visit someplace entirely exotic or foreign -- but in this case, for some reason, I've got this impression that it would be like visiting Sudan! Which is strange, because I've had friends in the States both from Argentina and Brazil, and in general their cultures are both very familiar and attractive to me.

Am I correct, then, that most of the concern is the same possibility of petty theft (purse snatchings, pocket picking, etc) that you'd want to guard against in any big city? Or is there in fact a real concern in BA and Rio that, if you're a simple tourist keeping to known areas, you could still wind up in the wrong place at the wrong time and become the victim of more violent crime?

Thanks again.

Don't be overly concerned about gangs of kids in Rio as the authorities have been taking them off the street lately. Even so I go there several times a year and they are not much of a bother, there just some 8 year olds looking to open the door of your taxi and get a tip. Sure they will try to rip something out of your hand so be carefull, they are just poor favela dwellers that have nothing. They all understand the word NO, so just say NO. Forget about Spanish or Portuguese you dont have time to learn enough anyway depending on how you look you will probably stick out like a sore thumb anyway, just be careful and dont bring and jewelry or flash cash.

I speak a little Spanish, my wife speaks it perfectly. However, That will not be a problem as many in BA speak some English. They will appreciate any attempt at Spanish. As far as sticking out like a tourist, many in BA are from European heritage, so you will stick out only like you would in European or other North American cities. As far as BA, you are correct, if you experience any crime, and the odds are extremely small, it would be of the petty nature. Actually, the areas I mentioned have lots of police, because they are the areas frequented by tourists. If it makes you feel better, Recoleta is the safest area and you could stay there.

I would love to hear your trip report when you return, because I think that you will fall in love with BA. The people, food and culture are magnificent.

I have only been to Rio once and I was fine, although there I had heard stories from other travellers and was more aware of my surroundings.

I found Buenos Aires very safe and never saw gang kids. We were warned to stay away from La Boca (artists area)after sunset. Truly, nothing to see there...ugly houses painted in bright colors, tango dancers ,trashy souvenir stores and ugly paintings.
RIO, you are exagerating too much. These young kids, teenagers, are all over, THEY WILL NOT ATTACK YOU, but be careful cause they are ready to run away with purse/ wallet if they have a chance.
NO is same in Portuguese and English, so a strong NO will do it.
DO NOT GO INTO THE TOILETS - SHOWERS ALONG COPACABANA ALONE. IF YOU NEED TO GO, WALK IN WITH SOMEONE ELSE IN YOUR GROUP.
Both are wonderful cities, very different from each other...RIO is magic
Buenos Aires has a more European flair.

Safety in BA. Stay in the main tourist sections and you should be fine, particularly in the daytime. At night, avoid La Boca and take a Radio Taxi if you visit San Telmo. Always take cabs from the stands at the airport, never from the curb....If you take a cab in the city, look for the designation Radio Taxi...those that do not say Radio TAxi are less likely to be safe....

We just returned from BA. It is a beautiful city and we loved it. We had a private guide for most of our trip and she immediately told my husband at the airport to remove his gold watch as it would make him a target. We never really felt unsafe but were always on guard. There are police and private security guards everywhere. We saw police and/or guards at the restaurants, in stores, and posted on every block in Recoletta where we stayed. We took radio taxis everywhere and either had a hotel or restaurant call one for us. One night we took a taxi to dinner in Recoletta and walked about 10 blocks back to our hotel. When we told our guide the next day she was upset that we chose to walk back instead of taking a taxi. Maybe we had a false sense of security. Enjoy yourself. Just be aware of your surroundings as you would in any large city.

If we go, I'll be attending a meeting at the Sheraton Libertador, in the heart of Microcenter. How does that area compare in safety to Recoleta? Of for that matter, in any other respects, like convenience, restaurants, pleasantness of area, etc? We could stay elsewhere and then I'd take a taxi to and from the Sheraton each day for my meetings. Thanks.

Topping, with a further safety question: How are the subways in both cities? Also, am still interested in my last question, about the safety specifically of Microcenter. Thanks.

The Sheraton is a very nice hotel. The area immediately surrounding it is ok. But you are on the wrong side of town for everything you will want to do. Microcenter is pretty dead at night. You could stay there and take taxis to do things or stay in Recoleta and taxi there for your conference. Based on your previous posts , staying in Recoleta might be more convenient for your family, although the Sheraton is a truly nice hotel.

My boys (22 & 18) and I stayed in a wonderful apartment in Recoleta see apartmentsba.com (Mike) is the American living in BA who made sure everything was attended to promptly, etc. I felt very safe even at 2am walking back from the icecream parlor. We speak pretty good spanish but simple words and phrases would get you around etc. Your shoes will give you away as American, mine did. I will go back next year and take my wife and the daughters this time. We spent over a week in Uruguay, totally different experience, traveled via bus to several cities and a few smaller towns. Made new friends in both places.

All things considered--safety, proximity to restaurants, not too distant from your conference--my choice would be the Four Seasons. Lots of restaurants nearby, a short taxi ride from the Sheraton Libertador.

The Libertador fronts on Cordoba, about a block or two from AVe Florida pedestrian street and Gallerias Pacifico mall...great during the day, but not as desireable at night when business people go home and the shops close.

Linea D on the subte is fast, efficient, modern.

Subway in RIO is more limited to downtown.... not the touristy areas of COPA and IPANEMA.
I have never seen a single station in this two areas. Taxis are very cheap and safe, also public transportation is good.

This is just for readers who need to know this. It has been at least a year now tha the metro station on Rua Siquiera Compos has been open so there is now access all the way to the middle of Copacabana as opposed to the beginning of Copacabana which has had a station for years. They are now I believe working on the next stop to Ipanema.