Safety in South America
 

My friends and I (all late 20's-early 30's, very adventurous, mix of male and female and singles and couples and all fairly well traveled-but not really in South America) take a trip each September. Last year, we spent a week in Costa Rica and absolutely loved it! This year, we are hoping to rent a house on the beach in Rio de Janeio. However, some of my friends have issues regarding the safety of American tourists in Brazil (one of our friends who's family is from Brazil even told us to avoid Sao Paulo). Does anyone else have any advice as to safety? Also, if we decide against Brazil, does anyone have any advice as to other great places to visit in South America? Thanks.

I'd suggest researching Buzios in Brazil or Argentina.

Buzios is a good sugestion and you may find a house on the beach. Rio is more lively but no houses. you can rent an apartment, 3 or 4 bedroom in Ipanema, there are many websites that offer apartment rentals, one that I have used in the past www.gringomanagement.com/

Rio just has a a petty theft problem , take normal precautions like in any city.

Argentina gets rave reviews, or if you want to go Central America, Belize might be nice.

Hello shormk2:

Last winter my wife and I travelled from southern Chile [Punta Arenas] to Santiago with many stops along the way.

Then on to Mendoza and San Juan province in Argentina and finally to Buenos Aires. Nine weeks in all.

Never a security problem.

I did have an experience once in Madrid Spain. I was standing at a round about taking a picture of a famous statue. A stranger approache me to ask directions. A palin clothes man acting as a "cop" came along to "warn" us of street crooks. The "cop" asked the other stranger if he was carrying any money. That person took out his wallet and showed the cop his money. The cop took the money, fanned the bills and handed it back. That man walked away without asking his directions of the "cop". Then the "cop" asked me if I was carrying any money. I said NO. He was not put off. He then pointed to one of my many pockets and said "What is that?"

I pulled out a pocket note book and told him that I used it to make notes of pictures and locations.

All the time we were talking, I kept speaking louder and louder and I can get pretty loud. Soon the "cop" gave me a friendly warning and took off.

He was not anxious for public attention.

My wife watched from a distance as I had moved to take my picture and she was very upset. Back at our hotel she mentioned it to the desk clerk who replied that real police never stop a tourist and that it was a scam. He advised that she carry her back pack in front.

I was very happy with my cargo pants and my loud voice.

Often when we arrive to a country desitnation, I will call on our embassy and have them photocopy our pasport ID page for security. I also photocopy any impotant documents that I have to take with me on our travels.

We wear no gold. I do not carry a wallet to bulge in my pocket. I use a flat plastic folder that auto insurance cards come in. I do not take any more credit cards than I must have which I generally only use in an emergency. In fact, I wear cargo pants with many pockets. I hope a pickpocket will not know which one to go after.

My watch is $ 22.00 Timex.

I do not want to look like a "prosperous" target.

We seldome use traveller cheques but get cash from a cash machine that is [as much as possible] INSIDE a bank. When we must use a street machine, my wife draws the cash and I watch the crowd. We then split up that cash between the two of us and I use several pockets. We avoid displaying large sums of cash in public. We do carry some money in traveller cheques as back up.

When we stood in a public crowd to watch street Tango or market vendors, my hand is in my pocket with my fist on my cash as much as possible.

We do not frequent dangerous areas at night.

We took remis [sort of taxi] that came via a telephone call and used a recommended service. When leaving a restaurant, if we wanted a taxi, we asked the restaurant to call one for us.

Even though I look very much the foreign tourist type [that I am] due top my grey beard, my ever present camera and my foreign manerisms, we had no problem what ever. My camera is a small digital that I keep in a case on my belt. I keep it out of sight as much as possible but still manage to take a lot of pictures. Would you believe 1100 this last trip?

Between Argentina and Chile, I liked Argentina much more. I look forward to a return visit.

Hope you have a good experience.

Woodie

Thanks so much for all the advice! I've traveled pretty extensively in europe-eastern europe, etc and am a conscientious traveler. However, South America is new for me. I appreciate all the advice.

As for Buzios, is it easy to venture out from there (and is it safe?)... our group tends to be pretty active...

Buzios is a great little town, an old fishing village. It has about 23 different beaches on it's peninsula, bars and restaurants on the beaches and in town. It is very safe and you can go anywhere from there. There is another little old fishing village near by called Cabo Frio that has also grown in recent years, that may be a good place to visit.

George, just email yourself a copy of your passport. That way you can access it anywhere in the world.

hills27

E-mail passport to myself.

Sounds like a pretty good idea.

Thanks

Woodie

the whole scanning and emailing the passport is brilliant! I've always just made photocopies etc... thanks for the idea.

Yeah, if you ever have to have it replaced overseas, you can go to the embassy or consulate, and they can just print it out there. I also leave an electronic copy with my assistant, just in case.

Yes having an electronic copy of your passport handy is a good thing. Also usually when I go to a place like Rio I take inventory of the credit cards I take with me, I make an electronic copy of the card, the numbers and the international number to call in case of theft or loss. I try to use just one card if I use one and I check it periodically online to see if it is being abused by someone else other than me.

Another thing is that in Brazil you can be stopped by Police and asked to see your papers, it is common depending on time of day and place. So a physical copy of your passport with you is a good thing too. If you don't have it and really look like an innocent tourist they will probably not make a big deal about it but if they wanted to they can cause a problem for you.

Sao Paulo is not really a tourist city. If you are in Paulista area you will not have to many problems. Buzios is very nice and Salvador in the state of Bahia is very nice as well.

I don't know why everyone always thinks Brazil, and esp. Rio is so dangerous. I believe it's like any other big city - just be aware of your surroundings, don't wear any flashy jewelry that may make you a target. The passport copy/scan is a great idea no matter where you're going. I spent two months in Brazil, with extensive time in Rio & had no problems with theft. have fun!

Rio is not "like any other big city." It's more dangerous, especially if you're a tourist who doesn't speak the language. Having said that, if you take commonsense precautions, you'll most likely be fine.

I've spent a lot of time in Rio, and I always get a kick out of people saying it's no more dangerous than any other big city. It's a marvelous city - I definitely recommend going. I also recommend leaving jewelry behind, dressing down, and staying alert to who's around you.