Can those like Don and other people that give advice on Brazil answer me? I've heard from a friend who lives in Brazil but not in Rio that Rio is turning more dangerous than it was before. He says even Leblon and Ipanema aren't safe areas anymore and that he won't travel to Rio soon. Is it true? I'm going to Rio next month and I'm begining to get worried. Thanks a lot in advance.

Oi Tere, voce vai bem? Tere, Rio has always had a petty crime problem just like any other big city in the world. Just use common sense about your belongings, don't walk down dark streets at night, don't leave anything on your towel while you go swimming in Rio or it will be gone. You are spending most of your time in Buzios anyway and in Buzios there is no crime problem. The other problems in Rio now are the problems between the authorities and the drug lords in the favelas, yes they are burning buses and people are getting hurt but this seldom spills over to the tourist areas. I just spoke to a friend who spent a month in Rio and yes the petty crime is there but no one saw anything else that the press is always talking about. Go to Rio, keep your ears and eyes open for the petty theft (My Mother was robbed twice in Rome) and you should be all right and have fun on the beach in Buzios and don't worry about whats going on in the favelas in Rio.

Hi Don , tudo bem obrigada e você?
I also heard about Rio being a dangerous city and I was there 2 years ago and had no problems, taking the right precautions but it seems now it's getting worse and that friend told me even the Cariocas were renting a lot of DVDs and avoiding geting out of the houses due to crime.
But you're right, like your Mother I was robbed in Rome and in London and I was robbed in my hotel room in Budapest. In Rio I had no problems. And I hope I don't have them also this time. I'm staying there the last 4 days of my trip.
Thanks again for your input Don. Muito obrigada

Tere, Eu esta muito legal, obrigado. Of course when you are in your room in Rio and Buzios use the cofre(safe) to store your belongings. When you go out at night only take enough money with you that you will use for that evening. Take photo copies of your passports, leave some money in your pockets for the theives and the rest hidden in a money belt or a hidden pocket, give them something so that they are satisfied. The petty crime is not too violent, one time 2 men asked me for my money and they had a knife, I told them to get lost and used some strong words, I was lucky they did, my heart was beating 200 beats per minute but they goy lost and didn't bother me. Yes there are some desperate people there but take taxis at night and you should be all right. When you are in Rio try Don Camilios Italian restaurant which has the strolling Italian opera singers inside and the food is great too. Its near the Rio Othon Palace hotel near Rua Bolivar next to the cafe Cabrall 1500.

Don, obrigada novamente, thanks again for the tips and the restaurant recomendation. I'll make sure I don't miss it.You were very daring to put those thieves to run. I would give them all my money if they had some knife or gun! The problem there is that they kill for some bucks. And you were also lucky

Tere, since you speak the language you may try reading O Globo http://www.oglobo.com.br/ as they will give you the local news everyday for Rio and you can see for yourself how the environment is for you. As far as I can see yes there are stories about crime in it but so does the NY times or the NY News have stories about crime but I live in NY and I never see it.