I will be going to Rio in Dec. and hear from my Brazilian friends crime is very bad in Rio. I read about the huge attack on the beach about a month ago. Anyone care to tell me whats happening in Rio these days? Thankyou! Johnnydel.

Do a google search if you want the news reports. Here you will get everybody's take...like mine for one.

You can go to your video store and rent oh at least a dozen docu-video's about some real serious crimes/tragedies that happened in RIO. They are riviting like Bus 190 or 170... City of God and other award winning TRUE crime in Rio docs.

Now, pause everybody...you can do the same for USA and in a lifetime you would not view them all...true.

I was their this year and yes, their was crime...it is a city. Yes, their are gangs and so on so forth. I would go back in a heartbeat and I did travel solo...woman, married etc.

We have lots happening in the USA today. Do you watch Basketball, music awards shows? I hope those things do not stop folks from visiting here.

You may also do a search here on this site for crime in Rio or South America. Plenty exist.

Enjoy your travels to Rio!

well said!

Like Oaktown Traveler said, Rio is dangerous as every big city is. The tourists that have been attached were really doing what they were not supposed to do: walking on the beach at midnight, carrying fancy cameras and watches. If you just follow the simple rules of international traveling I'm sure your trip to Rio will me memorable.

-Do not walk around Copacababa at night time. Better you know where you are going and take taxis, if you need to be in that area at night.
-Watch for young black guys in Copacabana, also during the day. They operate in little groups, one distract you, the other atack. One trick they do, somehow they spread dog excrement on your shoes, and later one pretends he is willing to help clean it... the one behind rip you off. Only if they can be exterminated.
- Do not ever go into the paid bathroom- showers along Copacabana. Had bad experience there. Even gate collector was in the deal with the young black guys inside.
Beside all that, still a beautiful country and will go there anytime...
In my opinion, Ipanema is much safer day and night...

I just got back from Rio, stayed on Copacabana, I walked around all times of the day and night and never saw or felt any danger but yes you must be very careful. The attack on the beach mentioned above was done by a gang of youths against tourists during the day on Leblon beach, the same thing can happen on Ipanema too but less of a chance on Copacabana because everybody is waiting for these thugs there. You must be careful in all neighborhoods just like all neighborhoods in New York city.Right now the police are all over the place as they are concerned about how the crime which is mostly petty theft will affect tourism, go and have a good time and no need to worry if you practice some smarts.

I just returned from a week in Rio. This was my second trip there in 18 months. We stayed at the Rio Othon Palace which is right on Copacabana Beach. We knew from our last trip about the safety precautions to take and didn't have any negative experiences but...
As we were walking a few blks off of Ave. Atlantica we noticed 2 youths following us-one on foot and the other on a bike. We entered a restaurant and as we were being served the waiter spoke to a man and then told us that the security man told him that the boys had been watching us and to be careful. They wait until you are distracted and then grab your purse. We were even more cautious after that. On Sun. evening-still light- we stopped in a store to inquire about directions to a restaurant. The 2 girls didn't speak English but made it very clear that we needed to leave and get out of the area. We were near Ipanema.
There were police cars parked on the median of Ave. Atlantica every night and most days. The hotel is very nice but a cafe next door is a hangout for the prostitutes and their pimps or johns. It was very embarassing because the men were all Americans.
It is a beautiful city but be aware of your surroundings at all times.
If you take any tours avoid "Tropical Tours"-long story. You get what you pay for when it comes to the tours.
Enjoy!

I am planning my first trip to Brazil and I am planning on staying at the Rio Othon Palace. Has anyone stayed there. Can someone give me a review. It is located in Copacobana.

Magnolia, I have stayed at the Rio Othon Palace several times throughout the years, they recently redid their loby and lobby bar area where I do still go to listen to their nightly guitar player and have a drink. They probably have redone the rooms too as the hotel is over 20 years old but it is a tower of a hotel new by Rio standards and in a prime location in the center of Copacabana. If you got a good price then it is a good choice as it is one of the biggest and secure locations there.

The staff at the Rio Othon have been very accomodating and helpful on my 2 stays there. When checking in request an upgrade and if possible they will try to accomodate you. The buffet breakfast is outstanding!!! We didn't realize it was included so that was a wonderful surprise. My sister and I felt very safe inside the hotel. There are taxis available right outside and the doorman will secure one for you. Most of the desk personnel spoke English so that was very helpful.The rooms haven't been updated but if you are in an oceanfront room the view is worth outdated decor. At night don't stray from Ave. Atlantica unless you are in a group or in a taxi. The safety issues are not being exaggerated! There is a night market that sets up in the median of Ave. Atlantica every night from 6-12.It is a block from the hotel.It has good prices(bargain) and some nice souvenirs.
Enjoy your stay!!!

Aaaahh, now I can post! I just returned from 2 weeks in Rio, where we stayed in an apartment on Rua Joaquim Nabuco, which joins Ipanema to Copacabana. I was with friends but often went out during the day by myself, and never felt unsafe (so long as I was alert and aware of my surroundings). We kept off the beach at night after Carnaval, although there were police everywhere. The hippie fair is also supposed to be a hotbed for pickpockets, but there are many police there as well.

The guy who organized the trip for us, ironically, was the one who was robbed. 3 of the guys were at the beach and he was making a big show of his iPod, dancing around with it and everything. Sure enough, he turned his back for a split second and lost his iPod, his digital camera, and his pants. He had to walk back to the apartment in his speedos.

On the way home, my friends met two girls who had gone to Salvador for Carnaval, and they had gotten robbed at gunpoint there! So I guess you could say we were lucky to have such an uneventful trip.

Melissa, too bad about your friend loosing his belongings but the advice always has been on this board to never bring anything to the beach or if you do then do not leave it unattented or you will loose it, period. Please tell us what beach this happened on so that the readers can be aware more of the situation.

Yes, Dondiega, and that was his advice to us, too! I can't believe he was so stupid. I guess he was over-confident in himself since he had been to Rio several times.

This happened on Ipanema near Posto 9, I believe--the gay beach with the rainbow flag.

Melissa, thanks for the reply, I knew you were going to say Ipanema and that is why I asked because so many people here are always saying how Ipanema is much safer than Copacabana, the truth is you need to be careful in both areas.