Rio de Janeiro - Crime & Safety

[Doc Bill]

Thanks for the great advice, Charly! As a first-timer going in September it's very helpful. Could you elaborate a little bit on the tv's (=transexuals there?)? Are you saying that they are crooks/dangerous all around?

[Charly]

Excellent new posting area! Thanks J.D.R.!

I've been to Rio 5 times in my life - more than most of you and less than some of you WSG readers here. I've felt as secure or insecure in this city as in any other city I've lived so far for longer periods of time (in Europe and the U.S.A.).

Considering:

- the extreme poverty
- the relatively violent society
- the amount of drugs and gangs

That exist in RJ and surroundings (incl. the 'favelas'), it's almost amazing (!) to me how safe this city is!

HOWEVER: if you're not familiar with Rio, its society, its rules and its way of life, it ("a cidade maravillosa" - the wonderful city) may feel threatening to you at times - no doubt about that!

I've had only one, well let's put it that way, "dangerous" experience in RJ: One night, at about 3 am, walking down Avenida Atlantica from Hotel Meridian toward "Help", I was approached by a street vendor ("camelao") who insisted on selling me something (don't remember what it was - doesn't really matter). I refused and guess what? Yes: that guy almost broke the bones of my right hand/wrist and "requested" a "purchase" again. Since I knew the police guard was just 200 feet away (toward the "gringo open air bar"), I refused again and - to my surprise - a streetwalker came to my help and distracted the assailant. I was able to free myself and got a couple of feet away from that guy. The assailant wasn't chasing me nor the girl but kind of collapsed and cried. He just wanted to make a couple of Reales 'cause he didn't make any money selling his stuff. I felt much more sorry about him rather than being angry at him!

"We" westerners come to this country with wallets full of money to purchase p***y and stuff and therere are people in this country who aren't even able to decently feed themselves or their kids and wives.

So, to make my point, go to Rio íf you want to get to see a beautiful, fantastic city! You will have to worry less there about safety than in parts of NYC or East LA or downtown Miami or, well you name it as long (!) as you observe a couple of basic precautions:

Uno: Don't leave the tourist zone (i.e., Copacabana, Ipanema) without a taxi. Don't go to downtown or the harbor area by night with your rental car. Should I really extra mention not going to the favelas lile Rocinhas or Morro de Alemao? Forget about using city buses as long as you are not desperatly living on a shoestring.

Dos: don't carry more valuables with you than you actually might need that night. That will be a max. of 150 USD in most cases I would assume.

Tres: Shy the TVs ! Whatever your sexual orientation, forget getting involved in any way with them!

Quattro: Leave your passport, TC, Rolex etc. in the hotel safe.

Cinco: Don't attempt to play "Clint Eastwood" in RJ: You most probably will lose. If a serious attacker wants your money: give it to him. If you're smart, you'll have put before a couple of Reales somewhere where ad-hoc attacker won't be looking (e.g., your shoes).

Seis: Have fun! Enoy this wonderful city! And return to Rio ASAWP (or as soon as your wallet permits :=))))

Have a good night!

Charly

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