All the travel warnings and alerts you have heard about Rio de Janeiro before are not as valid as they used to be. Rio has changed, for the better, and became safer.
The main warning now is…travel to Rio de Janeiro before it becomes too popular, too crowded and too expensive — and that will happen as the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games approach. WARNING: Plan ahead your budget and book your hotel in advance since Rio’s hotels are already among the most expensive in the world!
Rio Is Becoming Even Safer – Do Disregard Most of the Warnings and Alerts You Have Heard in the Past
Planning for the 2016 Olympics, the government of Rio de Janeiro has undertaken multifaceted efforts to make the city even safer. Drug lords and their troops have been removed from twenty eight of the city’s major slums, dramatically decreasing crime in these areas and throughout the city in general.
The slums (called favelas) adjacent to areas where most hotels are located (Leme, Leblon, Ipanema, and Copacabana) are now monitored by the police, making it safer than ever to hang out in these neighborhoods. As a result, there is an increasing influx of Brazilians tourists from all over Brazil as well as foreigners travelling to Rio de Janeiro as never before. Cariocas (Rio’s locals) rarely warn tourists as they used to do.
Beware that travelers rarely sees street people begging on the sidewalks and, although poverty still exists, you hardly see it in the upscale neighborhoods where tourists stay.
It’s Still Wise to Be Street-Wise – Keep in Mind the Common-Sense Travel Warnings
The fact that Rio is becoming ever safer does not suggest that you can ignore basic codes of safe conduct. On the contrary, you should exercise common-sense caution on the streets of Rio, just as you would in any of the world’s large urban areas.
Every big city has streets (or areas) that may be unsafe at certain times. Rather than list every city street or neighborhood that may be potentially unsafe at certain times of day or night, it is simpler to specify three basic rules of personal safety in Rio, which will serve you well as a warning in any location:
- Rule 1 – Walk on the sidewalks, streets and areas where (and when) the locals walk. Where the local foot traffic is greatest, you will be safest. Just as you wouldn’t wander down an abandoned alley or deserted area in any other major city, you want to steer clear of areas in Rio where there is no one (or few people) to be seen. “Safety in numbers” is a wise maxim the world over.
- Rule 2 – After dark, limit your walk to areas that are obviously safe, well-lit, and rather busy with pedestrians. When in doubt, take a taxi from door to door.
- Rule 3 – Carry only what you can afford to lose, so that in the highly unlikely event that you encounter a mugger intent on robbing you, you will give him what he wants without resisting.
By following these rules and warnings, you will enhance your safety.
Note: violent crime against tourists is almost unheard of in Rio. The city’s millions of visitors rarely have reason to report a theft to the police. The tiny minority of travelers who suffer any losses do so mainly because they failed to respect these simple safety rules.
Other Tips and Travel Warnings
When strolling down the street by yourself, try not to be a caricature of the clueless tourist with photographic equipment dangling from neck and arms! Don’t make yourself a walking target for urban thieves and pickpockets.
Ready to travel to Rio de Janeiro? Read all the secrets, tips and the essential how-to practical information in My Rio Travel Guide – Rio de Janeiro Travel Guide e-Book in PDF.
Read related article: Travel Info on Rio