We are considering going to Rio in Jan or Feb - when I have mentioned this to people they tell me about the kidnapping problems and all the dangers in Rio. Any insight on travel there, and safety concerns with a child would be appreciated.

You would be very, very, unlikely to get kidnapped. You are far more likely to get run over by a taxi or a bus in Rio.<BR><BR>Rio is no more dangerous that New York, Paris or London. Be sensible, exercise caution, don't go down deserted streets, only take taxis which your hotel organises for you (although I have never had a problem with a taxi in Rio other than them driving a longer route than necessary and overcharging) and do not wear expensive clothes, jewellery etc. Don't get out a camera unless you feel it is OK too. You can buy disposable cameras with ease so these are good to use if worried. <BR><BR>Lastly look confident. Nervous people who look lost are the most likely people to get mugged. If you look confident and appear to know what you are doing most of the young hoodlums will look for someone else to rob, mug etc.<BR><BR>

Hi Czim,<BR><BR>you will be fine in Rio with your baby like john says Rio is no diffrent then New York or Paris just go with caution. As for Mary, you need to seek help a parent has every right to bring there child on a plane they pay for it just like you do. Why is this considered selfish and how do you know that her child is a brat let alone a screaming one lots of babies like to fly it's like riding in a car for them. Get a grip lady and be a little more positive in life you might go a little further with a better attitude.

You would be better off in Rio staying at a resort type hotel like the Sheraton or The Intercontinental. Both are a little off the beaten path and have big private pool area for your child to relax and play. Most hotels on Copacabana and Ipanema have small pools on the roof of the hotel. The attraction is the beach there but the water is rough and not always that clean and you would always have to have your eye on the child to prevent him/her from wandering. At those hotels I mentioned you can relax more and not worry, very private, safe and they have children pools and the Sheraton has a kid program too. Check out www.blameitonrio4travel.com for reservations.

What I always worry about when someone mentions taking a very young child to a tropical country is the possibility of illness. I've been to Rio five times and eaten all the food (salads, ice cubes, etc.), and I've had minor intestinal troubles about two or three times, and I was able to take care of myself with medication.. A sick child, however, would be worrisome and could ruin a vacation. Maybe other people have done this successfully ...

There are a number of books about travelling with children and staying healthy.<BR><BR>I would agree it is a bit of a concern until they are a toddler. However, travelling with children can bring you much closer to the people in the country you are visiting and can be a tremendous icebreaker. There are many pleasures to be had by travelling with children and I think the hardships, complications and headaches are easily outweighed by benefits.

Also, what are you doing eating salads and ice cubes? If you want to stay healthy and don't have a strong stomach these are two things you should avoid unless the salad is very well washed or the ice cubes are made from bottled water.

Well, John, I think that getting sick a few times in all those visits (which included several other areas in Brazil, including Manaus, Ouro Preto, and Bahia) isn't bad. I have gone in Jan/Feb to escape the winters in my northern U.S. city. I loooooove salads with sweet, fresh tomatoes when all the produce at home is not at its tasty prime. It's part of my escape-from-winter experience. I don't eat at &quot;dives&quot; but it's to be expected that my system will sometimes react to &quot;foreign&quot; bacteria, etc. The one time I faced a serious problem was when I had a bad problem on the day of our departure. I doubted my ability to stand in lines for hours at the airport. I went to the hotel nurse, who gave me some pills containing morphine. Worked like a charm, and I floated through airport customs.<BR>The only time I've had a very serious illness was in Peru. But you can get salmonella and other diseases in the U.S. also. But I ate at an out-of-the way place in Peru (it looked nice and clean) and I should have been more careful.<BR>One of my favorite stories involves eating at Marius's, the famous churrascaria in Rio, about 10 years ago. I was chomping my way through a delicious salad (mouth-watering tomatoes) when I encountered a 1.5-inch green worm also chomping at the lettuce. My husband signaled the waiter, expecting that he'd take the salad away and bring a new one. Instead, he just plucked the worm off the lettuce and took it away. It must have been organic produce, and the experience didn't stop me from returning to Mariu's.

Good morning from Rio. I live in Rio and it is like any other big city in the world. I am from New York but live here. It is great. The Brazilian people are the best. All the rumors you have heard about Rio are different than facts. You will see for yourself. It is a beautiful place with great people. You and your baby will love it. Please call me on my cellular phone 55 21 9698-9030. I will be glad to help you. I also own www.blameitonrio4travel.com we are here to help you as a friend. Ask anyone. My wife just had a baby boy. He is two months old. When we walk down the street or in a resturnat it is a wonderful thing the way the brazilians react to my baby. With love and smiles. You will see. <BR><BR>See you in Rio,<BR><BR>Bobby

All these people who compare the safety of Rio to New York are crazy. New York is one of the safest large cities in America. Check the crime statistics. I live there and never feel threatened at night. Rio is among the most dangerous cities in the world. Many people I met there were mugged at knife point right on the Avenida Atlantica. Don't stray far from your hotel at night. My advice is to stay in Ipanema which seems a little safer. One block from the beach in Copacabana is bad neighborhood. Rio is far, far, more dangerous than London, Paris, Rome, or any other &quot;western&quot; city. It is very poor and has high crime rates. Anyone who tells you differently must be in the travel business.

Laura,<BR><BR>I live in New York City and Rio and NYC are pretty much the same. Rio is just as safe i have been there over 20 times and i have never had any problems. I don't know were the people go that you know that have all these problems but i don't think it is Rio.<BR>

I have never had a problem anywhere in Rio and I have been to many of the neighbourhoods.<BR><BR>I have had encountered problems in the Bronx and Queens - there is a lot of poverty up there you know too, Laura. I guess I got in trouble for letting down my guard in these boroughs. Both cities are potentially dangerous - I guess you are just talking about strolling around the upper east side?

Laura: You don't really believe US crime statistics, do you??? And what do you consider to be a &quot;bad neighborhood&quot;?? I've never heard of a bad neighborhood off Copacabana...neighborhoods with prostitutes yes, but I call that seedy, not bad or dangerous. Rio is a living, breathing city and yes there are criminals like every other place on this earth. If you want a sterile beach environment, perhaps Cancun would be more to your liking.

I second the consensus that Rio will be fine with your little one. You just need to be aware of your surroundings and you will know where you should and shouldn't be. In the south zone where the main tourist areas are violent crime is really not a concern for you at all. I would worry a bit about petty theft, don't leave things out because they will dissappear. As much as I love Rio, the general respect for private property and possession is not as strong as it is in America.<BR><BR>As for health, Rio is not a tropical city but there is a danger of dengue (a very very bad flu-like illness) from the mosquitoes. Bring mosquito repellent, use it every day on your entire body.<BR><BR>Water is ok to drink there, but overtreated and chemical-tasting. All restaurants have bottled water, don't worry about the ice or veggies being washed, etc. I've been there several times and eat and drink everything and have never gotten sick.<BR><BR>Happy travels

Agree completely with Hal. The touristy Zona Sul part of Rio is about as dangerous as Miami. Simple common sense and everything is fine. General restaurant hygiene in urban Rio is much closer to US expectations, tap water is treated to Western standards, and your only concern is to make sure that any buffet food you eat has not been sitting out too long. Rio has its rough edges, but it is much more comparable to, say, downtown LA than it does with, say, Mexico.<BR><BR>In fact, I think my downtown LA comparison fits well... some areas are gorgeous and industrialized... some areas within a few blocks are obviously struggling badly, but overall you should feel quite safe.