I'm thinking of going to Rio alone. Is it safe as an American female travelling alone? <BR> <BR>

I would be very careful - I went with my husband last yr. We did not stroll leisurely on the Copacabana - it was always on an alert state. We both had the feeling very strongly, I have traveled the world, I've been to several South American countries alone with just us young girls (as well as Egypt, Turkey etc) and this felt by far the most scary. You would think it would be safer w/ my husband but I was actually blatantly exposed by a creepy man sitting at the next table at our sidewalk cafe! The waiter saw the look on my face and moved him along but that was pretty bad. It is a tragedy - aside from the tension the place gives off I can't think of a destination that has more going for it. I can't even imagine relaxing and playing on the beach there. There are places with a lot of high pressure attention to buy things which has been fine, it was just weird here. To the other extreme we made a side trip Iguazzu Falls and it was incredibly normal and relaxing but probably slow for a single.

Hi Kerri- I was curious when you are headed to Brazil- I am a single female and was planning on heading down end of November- I am then meeting up w/other friends after about Dec. 9th- if you are interested in eco-tours/possible travel buddy- e-mail me. thanks.

If you are used to travelling in major cities throughout the world, then Rio is safe. Just like any city, some areas within the city are safer than others. <BR> <BR>Copacabana no more represents Rio, than Times Square represents New York City. And to judge Rio based on one aspect, does the city a disservice. Personally, I never hang out in Copacabana. It's the place where the hustlers hang out looking for their prey (tourists). In fact, locals have told me not to eat at the sidewalk cafes in Copacabana because of the prostitution (either you will see them in action at the cafe or someone will think you are one). The other problem with the sidewalk cafes is that the street vendors are very aggressive and will not hestitate to interrupt your meal to sell you t-shirts and baseball caps. This can be very annoying if all you want to do is relax and enjoy your meal. <BR> <BR>I prefer to hang out in Ipanema or Leblon because it's safer, more upscale and family-oriented than Copa. You can visit Copa during the day, but as a single woman travelling alone, I would not hang out there at night. My last trip to Rio was 8 months ago and we were a group of 7 women between the ages of 25 and 53. We had a blast and my mother can't wait to go back. Feel free to contact me if you have other questions.

Hi Kerri, <BR> <BR>I can't tell you enough of how many horror stories I've heard of Rio, and how unfounded they are. I've been there before and I'm going back in January, and I found it to be possibly the nicest city I have ever been to. It is gorgeous. Realmente a Cidade Maravilhosa. <BR>But let me tell you what I didn't do: <BR> <BR>1) wear anything that said "I have money" <BR>2) carry around a camera (only a disposable in my bag) <BR>3) walk into seedy looking areas <BR>4) hang out late at night <BR> <BR>Even my friends from Recife told me not to ride the buses, I'd be killed, etc. Ha. I rode them and walked the whole Zona Sul and had no problems. I have no experience with Zona Norte, that I'm sure is a different story. <BR> <BR>But if you hang out in Copacabana, Ipanema, downtown, etc. you should have no problems. But being a female anywhere puts you at a disadvantage, even in Chicago or Paris. My viewpoint may be a little skewed as a male. <BR> <BR>Danny

Do not go to Rio alone! If you can't find a friend (or many preferably) then get in touch with a tour group and be with a guide. The person who said that all of the horror stories about Rio are "unfounded" either A) travelled in a group, B) are male, C) did not move past the beach or other very touristy sites, or D)are damn lucky. As well, as for the comment to stay away from "seedy areas", that applies to most of Rio- just walk a few blocks away from the beach (even from the best hotels) and you will see what I mean. Taxis are not safe- they will drive around in circles (including through the slums) and you have no idea if they are doing it to add to the fare or to figure out some place where to mug you. I have a friend who was attacked in Brazil and spent four months in the hospital recovering- there is nothing "unfounded" about that. (How many friends in North America do any of us have that have gone through such an experience back home or travelling in Europe for example?!). It's a real shame because Rio does have a lot to offer- music (superb jazz), ethnic diversity, unique landmarks, etc. My husband and I do not regret our trip but we are quite honestly simply happy to have come home alive from Rio. And we are seasoned travellers. We were very disappointed in the Fodor's "glossy" and "packaged" depiction of Rio. Even without the inherent dangers of the city, seeing the extreme poverty right in the hear of El Centro (eg. four year old children begging for the food you have leftover on your cafe table)will leave any tourist (and should leave any sensitive human being) disillusioned.

ok. yes, i'm a male, and i know it is much more difficult for females, an unfortunate fact in this world. <BR> <BR>but let's look at rio de janeiro as a city. it is not a murderous haven and you should not worry about barely escaping with your life. i mean, common sense would tell you where not to go, what not to carry around, etc. <BR> <BR>tania, i hear you. my best friend was killed in recife in march and it just devastated me. but i've still gone back to brazil since then and i love it every time. he just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and the guy was high on drugs and was simply a bad seed, but in no way representative of the brazilian people. <BR> <BR>shit, i mean look at the rough parts of chicago. i would never in my life walk through them, let alone even DRIVE through them. you'd be shot just for being the wrong color, wrong clothing, whatever. in brazil it's more economically motivated for bad people to bug you. <BR> <BR>well, i would consider the entire zona sul (minus all the damn favelas) to be considerably safe. we walked all around and had no problems. we took the bus and had no problems. i mean it's a large, cosmpolitan city, for christ sake. <BR> <BR>kerri, if you simply stayed in copacabana, ipanema, and hung out there in the day, took a hike up pao de acucar (which you MUST do if you go), and did the touristy things, you should have no problems. but please be smart. no need to be paranoid, just smart. <BR> <BR>just as in anywhere else in the world. <BR> <BR>danny <BR> <BR>ps rio is called the cidade maravilhosa "the marvelous city" and it is completely true. i've never been to a more gorgeous city.

Thank you Danny! I am female and I agree with you. My mother and I hailed cabs off the street, took the public busses, rode the subway, we even got on one of the those "gypsy minivans" to go to the Barra shopping area. We had no problems and only got ripped off once (we got in a cab and forgot to check to see if he had a meter. He didn't and overcharged us 5 reais...big deal). It's a shame that Rio gets such a bad rap... <BR>

exactly. but hey, if people are too afraid to go to rio, then it filters out all the non-cool people. so that way, when we go, only cool and adventurous people will be there. <BR> <BR>i mean, come on. i wanna MOVE there for god's sake. <BR> <BR>to me, rio is just as unsafe as chicago, new york, etc. detroit makes me suffocate from being uneasy. <BR> <BR>it's all about comfort. people are comfortable with where they're from, but their cities can be even more dangerous than international cities. i remember how people had me all paranoid about thieves and pickpockets in paris. PLEASE. i can't imagine a more safe city, besides montreal. <BR> <BR>danny

I am travelling alone to rio 12/25 for the first time. Is any one else thinking of going? please let me know and we can meet up!

bob, how long are you staying there? <BR> <BR>danny <BR> <BR>ps and where are you from, age, etc.

i will be in rio jan 13-21 , traveling alone... will be staytin at the botafogo hostel. would like to hang with some other travelers so that i can feel ok going to clubs at night. we can take a taxi there and back. but ive heard from someone who has live d there that you definitely dont want to miss the music. kerri let me know when you will be there!

raquel, <BR> <BR>i am leaving for rio on the 16th. if you wanna hang out write me back. i would love to check out the clubs as last time i did not. i plan on going to the rock in rio concert. <BR> <BR>danny