Copacabana Beach in the very end of the afternoon — time to leave it.
How safe is Copacabana is a common question prospective visitors ask before booking a hotel in the most popular beach neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro. Copacabana beach safety rules should be learned before heading to Brazil.
In Copacabana live more than 150,000 inhabitants — the majority of them is made of Brazilians born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, plus a considerable number of Brazilians from other cities in Brazil, and finally a small minority of foreigners who have chosen the sunny and lively Copacabana as their new home.
Copacabana Beach seen from rooftop of a hotel
It is perfectly possible to stay safe in Copacabana during your whole stay in Rio de Janeiro. In fact, most tourists who choose Copacabana as their base (either in a hostel, hotel, bed and breakfast, or catering apartment) have a wonderful time in the neighborhood, on the beach, on its wide and long beach sidewalk, at its cafés, and in its surrounding areas.
Copacabana has more than a 100 hotels! However, locals are by far the majority in the neighborhood.
Copacabana is actually safe, but bear in mind that mugging does happen in this large neighborhood. However, it happens to a small minority of tourists that were unlucky or that have not followed basic safety rules. In fact, the overwhelming majority of locals who live in Copacanaba as well as most tourists who have stayed in Copacabana have never been robbed.
Copacabana Cafe on the beach sidewalk at daytime — lots of locals enjoying a typical Sunday.
Here are a couple of basic rules to stay safer in Copacabana:
1 – Walk on the Copacabana sidewalk, lounge on Copacabana Beach, and explore Copacabana main commercial avenue (Avenida Nossa Senhora de Copacanana) all during the day. Limit your walk at night.
2 – At night, prefer the bars, cafés, and the dining options near your hotel, otherwise take a taxi to those farther away.
3 – If going for a walk on Copacabana beach sidewalk at night (very popular activity among tourists), prefer the busiest time (5-8 p.m.) when locals are out jogging, walking, bicycling, and involved in other activities.
Note: Many locals and tourists don’t follow any of these basic rules, and have not been a victim of mugging.
A beach sidewalk cafe at peak time — with lots of locals and tourists.
Not only Copacabana but Rio de Janeiro in general is becoming safer. If Rio was really dangerous the city would not have been chosen to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. The fact that the city has been elected grants it automatically a stamp of overall quality in service, infrastructure, and of course, safety.
Visit and/or stay in Copacabana and it is unlikely that you will regret. But before coming, arm yourself with important and updated information on how to visit Rio de Janeiro the best way. Find how-to info in THE guide to Rio de Janeiro — My Rio Travel Guide.
Click below to get your copy and plan a great time in Brazil!
