Rio de Janeiro Reports

[TeddyT6969]

My plan is to move to Rio and May or June of next year. To be honest I'm working at Thailand also but I absolutely love the beaches of Rio and the all over vibe of the city. In Thailand for $1000 a month I can find an 80 m apartment modern with nice furniture facing the ocean. And a few websites I found for Rio I really can't find much for $1000 it looks like a 50 year-old apartment that's never been remodeled and furniture that's almost as old. If I'm looking in the Copacabana and surrounding areas what's a realistic budget for a decent apartment? Are there any websites and if you can suggest? I'll be going on a student visa so I get everything lined up so I have the Proper documentation to rent.

On a sidenote on the topic of safety since it was brought up I must've had beginners luck because I was stupid and walked around centro late at night on my own and never had any trouble but I'll just chalk that up to beginners luck. I'm American but I could definitely pass his Brazilian so I don't think I stick out like a gringo. And on both trips I would walk around Copacabana and Ipanema very late at night a total of almost 6 weeks combined and never once had an issue.

I think $1000 per month is a realistic budget for an apartment in Copa or Zona Sul. But it might not be furnished or facing the ocean. You can buy decent cheap furniture in places like toqueacampainha.com.br. Rent is one thing, but then there are condomínio fees and IPTU you'll have to add on top, but all for $1000 is still possible if you shop around. It's not really a cheap place, especially compared to Thailand. You could try sites like zapimoveis.com.br, vivareal.com.br or quintoandar.com.br. Or call into one of the many imovel / I'móveis agencies dotted around the city and tell them what you're looking for. Make a list and be sure to see the apartments in person before deciding anything. Go with a Brazilian friend if possible. Personally, I think living in Ipanema or Arpoador is the best option. Leblon is good too, but generally a bit more expensive. Don't rule out Flamengo either. It's a good location and good deals can be had.

On the topic of safety and walking around Centro at night. I wouldn't recommend it, especially if you're drunk. Don't carry what you can't afford to lose. If you're drunk, get a taxi. There are guys hanging about, looking for easy prey, in Copa too. Just keep your wits about you and you'll be fine as you've already experienced. If you're leaving 4 x4 in the early hours and full of drink and one of the last ones out, it can be a bit of a walk to get a taxi. Have them call you one. Good luck with your search and moving there.

[UniversalX]

My plan is to move to Rio and May or June of next year. To be honest I'm working at Thailand also but I absolutely love the beaches of Rio and the all over vibe of the city. In Thailand for $1000 a month I can find an 80 m apartment modern with nice furniture facing the ocean. And a few websites I found for Rio I really can't find much for $1000 it looks like a 50 year-old apartment that's never been remodeled and furniture that's almost as old. If I'm looking in the Copacabana and surrounding areas what's a realistic budget for a decent apartment? Are there any websites and if you can suggest? I'll be going on a student visa so I get everything lined up so I have the Proper documentation to rent.

On a sidenote on the topic of safety since it was brought up I must've had beginners luck because I was stupid and walked around centro late at night on my own and never had any trouble but I'll just chalk that up to beginners luck. I'm American but I could definitely pass his Brazilian so I don't think I stick out like a gringo. And on both trips I would walk around Copacabana and Ipanema very late at night a total of almost 6 weeks combined and never once had an issue.

Personally in this day an age of the internet, I wonder why people don't take a few minutes to "Research" sometimes before asking questions. Then ask a more informed question. "Copacabana and surrounding areas" is so large its ridiculous, since you been there for 6 weeks you should know better. It would be better to either find or PM the expats on this forum like Vagabundo or look at Airbnb (https://www.airbnb.com/rio-de-janeiro-brazil/stays)/VRBO like sites and ask if they would take $1000 USD per month for a longterm rental or contact local real estate agents or web sites like https://www.expatexchange.com/ctrygu...ving-in-Brazil may help.

Rio Real Estate Agents

Example: https://remaxrio.com.br/vender/AP0573-GIO7

https://remaxrio.com.br/

https://www.rjardim.com.br/imoveis/p...-locacao=~5500 approx $1000 usd monthly rental.

10 minutes of search.

[TravelGuy79]

My plan is to move to Rio and May or June of next year. To be honest I'm working at Thailand also but I absolutely love the beaches of Rio and the all over vibe of the city. In Thailand for $1000 a month I can find an 80 m² apartment modern with nice furniture facing the ocean. And a few websites I found for Rio I really can't find much for $1000 it looks like a 50 year-old apartment that's never been remodeled and furniture that's almost as old. If I'm looking in the Copacabana and surrounding areas what's a realistic budget for a decent apartment? Are there any websites and if you can suggest? I'll be going on a student visa so I get everything lined up so I have the Proper documentation to rent.

On a sidenote on the topic of safety since it was brought up I must've had beginners luck because I was stupid and walked around centro late at night on my own and never had any trouble but I'll just chalk that up to beginners luck. I'm American but I could definitely pass his Brazilian so I don't think I stick out like a gringo. And on both trips I would walk around Copacabana and Ipanema very late at night a total of almost 6 weeks combined and never once had an issue.

[Xpartan]

Crime in Brazil. Is it really that bad?

https://youtu.be/1Wj1MvlvpYE

Vagabundo reports the facts. A ISG friend did use a stun gun to defend himself a month ago. The above youtuber is good.

Man, I don't doubt you report the facts. My apologies if it sounds like I do.

First, I think you can prevent like 90% of trouble in Rio by not being stupid.

But we've all been stupid, and that totally includes me. So let's say you find yourself on a street in Centro in the middle of the night like you friend.

Let me ask you a dumb question. What would happen if he just handed them the money?

Would they try to murder him or just let him go?

They would let him go, wouldn't they?

I never carry more than 100-150 reals and a shitty phone on me. They can have my cards, I'll cancel them and owe nothing.

So what's the point? To save 100 reals? To prove a low-life Brazilian thug that you're the Man?

Just admit that you love this shit, LOL.

[Vagabundo1]

Crime in Brazil. Is it really that bad?

https://youtu.be/1Wj1MvlvpYE

Vagabundo reports the facts. A ISG friend did use a stun gun to defend himself a month ago. The above youtuber is good.

People who haven't read this really great post should have their travel-to-Brazil license confiscated.

No, I won't say that Rio is as dangerous as any other big city. That's bullshit. Rio is more dangerous.

But none of us would be coming back year after year if it was as dangerous as some people feel.

[Xpartan]

I received some worthwhile help also, and I greatly appreciate it. However, after reading posts about muggings and stun guns etc. , I decided to switch gears and head back to Colombia instead. Was going to be my first time in Rio, but I have no interest in spending my vacation dodging physical harm. I realize some of the ISG members like to exaggerate the dangers to make themselves look like tough guys, but the reality is that many visitors get mugged, and some of them more than once. It would different if I had a wingman, but I'm traveling solo. I've been to Santa Fe in Bogota, so I know what grungy South America looks like. I've enjoyed visiting girls in dozens of developing countries around the world, but Rio still sounds like it is not worth the risk, when so many other options exist around the world. Someday, Venezuela will be safe to visit. That will be wonderful. Rio and Caracas remain at the bottom of my list for now. Medellin has moved to the top of the list.

Just an FYI. I've been to Bogota. It can get quite rough in some neighborhoods. I didn't feel at all that it was safer than Rio.

If you've been to dozens of developing countries like you claim, Rio will exceed your expectations by leaps and bounds. About muggings and stun guns, just laugh it off. I suspect that Vagabundo as an ex-commando or something just loves the lifestyle. No, you don't need a bombeiro t-shirt or tasers or water bottles, what you need is a simple t-shirt and shorts. That and not being drunk / wasted on public wouldn't hurt either.

Go to Rio and have more fun than you can imagine. You won't believe you were scared of this place.

[Xpartan]

THIS IS FOR THE NEWBIES.

A shame that some newbies are getting turned away from the splendors of Brazil because like everywhere else in this world: CRIME EXISTS.

People who haven't read this really great post should have their travel-to-Brazil license confiscated.

No, I won't say that Rio is as dangerous as any other big city. That's bullshit. Rio is more dangerous.

But none of us would be coming back year after year if it was as dangerous as some people feel.

[TeddyT6969]

when they feel other reports, don't quite measure up to finding pussy,

For what it's worth Spidy, I didn't report you to admin. Maybe posting those police brutality etc reports in a different section would be a better idea though. Less scaremonger and more *****monger!

[WyattEarp]

Much respect dude! At least you had the decency and man enough to step-up and suggest considering something different, rather than running to the Admin, like a little "b.........". So kudos and give you credit where credit is due.

That said, truth is, I expected this was coming and prepared the following:

So it appears "someone", more than likely, complained to the Admin and had some of the reports on Brazilian police brutality, racist killings and discriminatory behavior moved to the General Info thread. IMHO, it may have been more appropriate to have had Admin, move it to the Crime & Safety, but I digress.

To be fair now, about a month or ago (more or less), there were pages on pages of reports about buying property in Rio (real estate is gonna do this or that, don't buy this, do this/don't do that, why'd ya wanna go and buy in Brazil...etc). Then came the investment reports (my money/my time is doing this/that and the other thing, markets are doing this and that, going up, going down...etc), all the while, nary (okay hardly) a pussy report to be found.

Honestly, I don't mind general info on RDJ being posted on this thread. I'm okay with the news items including violent police activities in the favelas. And I certainly hope newbies aren't scared away from going to Rio.

Where we have be careful is bringing personal editorializing to this thread. You can have strong feelings about the police shootings and local racism. That is certainly your prerogative. Many times these political comments trigger an argumentative back and forth debate that we don't need on this specific thread.

I've seen where we might be having a general discussion here on the Brazilian Real, the local economy and some BM starts a debate about Bolsonaro, Trump or Biden and their outlook on the global politics and life in general. So as strongly as one might feel about certain issues, we don't need to have those debates here.

[Spidy]

Spidy, I am not telling you not to post your thoughts and opinions on Brazilian politics, police brutality, ect ect, but I do agree with the OP that political discussions belong in a separate thread like the stupid shit in RJ thread or better yet, a new thread that you might want to create and call "Brazilian Politics". As with all ISG Reports threads the goal should be to keep things as on topic as possible otherwise the thread can get loaded down with a whole lot of wordy, irrelevant posts which makes it harder for BM's to search back through the forum and find the merit reports and posts on girls, bars, bordellos, prices and experiences both good and bad. This is the main reason there is a separate thread for RJ Hotels.

Of course, this is just a suggestion. Do what you like.

Much respect dude! At least you had the decency and man enough to step-up and suggest considering something different, rather than running to the Admin, like a little "b.........". So kudos and give you credit where credit is due.

That said, truth is, I expected this was coming and prepared the following:

So it appears "someone", more than likely, complained to the Admin and had some of the reports on Brazilian police brutality, racist killings and discriminatory behavior moved to the General Info thread. IMHO, it may have been more appropriate to have had Admin, move it to the Crime & Safety, but I digress.

To be fair now, about a month or ago (more or less), there were pages on pages of reports about buying property in Rio (real estate is gonna do this or that, don't buy this, do this/don't do that, why'd ya wanna go and buy in Brazil...etc). Then came the investment reports (my money/my time is doing this/that and the other thing, markets are doing this and that, going up, going down...etc), all the while, nary (okay hardly) a pussy report to be found.

Back then, I bit my tongue (and just let it pass), even though there were more appropriate threads like "General Info" or "Living in Brazil" for these sort of reports, BMs still continued to post in the "Rio de Janeiro" thread, just because it gets "the most eyeballs", as someone put it. And who can forget the shit-storm surround the visiting French/Paulistan woman and her cell phone/personal attack/robbery gone bad. Yet nary a report to Admin!

Those pages and pages of property and investment reports (valued nonetheless, but just not pussy related), went on and on and was far worst than the one or two page of reported news about Brazilian police brutality (not opinions) , you now see here. Senior BMs as well as newbies, were both guilty of said offense.

Hey, I get it, we've all done it. Here's to a round of mea culpas!

Some of us in the past, have taken to posting a quick and brief report in the "Rio de Janeiro" thread with the link to the report in lesser frequented threads, like "Rio de Janeiro - Hotels &

Apartments" (as you've aptly noted), asking those interested to take a look see. But alas, this method often falls on deaf-ears and then BMs are once again back to being lazy and succumb to the "low hanging fruit" of posting non-pussy information in the RJ and SP threads, wanting "the most eyeballs".

Personally, I hope others including myself, take the initiative and report to the Admin, other "non-pussy" or "off-pussy" reports when they see it and have them moved to their respective threads, when they feel other reports, don't quite measure up to finding pussy, in the predominately more frequented forums like RJ or SP threads.

It's a slippery slope for the Admin (and perhaps a lots more work), but believe it or not I'm encouraged by this move. Hopefully, this will urge BMs to report/post in the appropriate threads and not just lazily post to the RJ and SP threads, simply to garner "the most eyeballs".

Naturally, I suggest, stepping up and making the suggestion or consideration to the other BMs (as Axel has done) before running to the Admin.

[Bearsi]

I received some worthwhile help also, and I greatly appreciate it. However, after reading posts about muggings and stun guns etc. , I decided to switch gears and head back to Colombia instead. Was going to be my first time in Rio, but I have no interest in spending my vacation dodging physical harm. I realize some of the ISG members like to exaggerate the dangers to make themselves look like tough guys, but the reality is that many visitors get mugged, and some of them more than once. It would different if I had a wingman, but I'm traveling solo. I've been to Santa Fe in Bogota, so I know what grungy South America looks like. I've enjoyed visiting girls in dozens of developing countries around the world, but Rio still sounds like it is not worth the risk, when so many other options exist around the world. Someday, Venezuela will be safe to visit. That will be wonderful. Rio and Caracas remain at the bottom of my list for now. Medellin has moved to the top of the list.

THIS IS FOR THE NEWBIES.

A shame that some newbies are getting turned away from the splendors of Brazil because like everywhere else in this world: CRIME EXISTS.

I live in Miami since birth and I can tell you it's pretty bad here too. Muggings, murders and drugs happen on the daily yet people still flock here especially during the 'Rona because unless you are a smooth brain you'll be ok.

So I'll just lay out some real simple tips to enjoy your time and stay safe since I've been to rio 4 times and will be doing my 5th round in 2 months:

1. CLOTHES.

No you don't need a special brazilin shirt or wardrobe to walk out in broad daylight or at night. Wearing a soccer Jersey doesn't grant you +10 camouflage and brazilian citizenship and passport just as much as wearing a Harvard shirt doesn't give you +10 IQ and a membership to the country club.

You can be wearing a huge sash stating that you are the president of Brazil and you'd still be attacked, probably more so.

Just wear plain clothes. Like a plain t shirt with shorts and sandals. It's hot as hell so that's really what you should wear anyways.

If you're wearing a shirt with the words GUCCI on it than you have some problems besides the obvious.

If you're wearing a tuxedo walking down the street then not even Jesus can save your dumbass.

Just wear casual clothes like you'd normally would. Just don't paint yourself as a target. The beaches of Copa and Ipanema are swarming with cops so unless you walk into some dark alley you're ok. You'll also be surprised to see that Brazil is not like mexico or Colombia where everyone is brown with black hair. In fact many people you'll see in Brazil and on the beaches of rio are all kinds of different shades. I saw some brazilians I would have thought were straight up europeans or americans. So you won't stand out.

2. LOCATION.

Like any other place in south america or even the world there are places you should stay and places you should just visit or avoid all together.

Ipanema and Copa are fairly safe since there are pretty much cops everywhere. You can clearly tell when the favelas begin because there will be police cars and officers standing and guarding the entrances. If not the local brazilians will warn you pretty much. It's very obvious though.

Centro is pretty scummy and it's far from the beaches but it's close to the termas like 4 x4 but I would avoid getting a hotel or airbnb since it's high in crime and you only need to go to centro at 5 pm for the termas and you can easily schedule your time. Reminds me of a shitty part of NYC.

For the really anxious I would suggest barra. Its the suburbs and where the high end brazilians live. Places are pretty cheap since it's a 40 min drive to copa or ipa beach but you can always just go to the barra beaches and they are really nice as well.

AGAIN Colombia suffers from the same thing like everywhere else in the world. There are places you go to and places you rather avoid. Really nothing different.

3. SAFETY AWARENESS.

Your best tool is not a gun, knife or stun gun. It's your fucking eyes. Just like driving a vehicle, you should always be looking around to be well aware of your surroundings. Always be looking to see if you are being followed or looked at strangely. Robbers and muggers, which are the biggest threat most tourists will encounter anywhere on this green earth, happens most often than not because you aren't paying attention. Do not have your eyes glued to your phone while walking down the street. Always have a lanyard that's hooked to your phone and strapped around your wrist so if someones tries to steal your phone they won't (its the most common type of theft that most will encounter and has happened to me twice but I always had my phone on a lanyard strapped to my wrist and the robbers would just keep running as soon as they felt the strap stop them).

Keep your phone away when out and about if not necessary.

Keep you ass to the wall. No one can sneak behind you or blindside.

If you see some guy trying to eye you then look back at them and let them know you are watching them. That you are aware of their presence. Thieves like an easy target not someone that can see them coming and might put up a fight. They are cowards that prey on the unaware.

Even if you are strapped to the T like you are going into battle that all means nothing if you are unfocused and let your guard down. Like how people who buy security alarms / services or buy the best locks get too comfortable and end up forgetting to lock the door.

I'd highly recommend you watch this YouTube channel.

https://www.youtube.com/c/ActiveSelf...rt=p&flow=grid

This guy shows you real world examples of active self protection from surveillance cameras and our friend the "off duty brazilin cop" makes a couple of appearances.

End of the day if you choose to come then OTIMO! If not then it's not my loss.

I've walked around in the day time and at 5 am on the streets and beaches of Copa and Ipa and never had an issue.

If the president of the United States can be in a moving vehicle in broad daylight and can be shot from over 81 meters by a rifle then you can rest assure that safety is guaranteed no where on this rock we call earth.

[HiddenEye]

No man, the shootings are only in the Morros (the favela mountains), the tourist areas are still safe. But of course, going with a wingman would be very helpful indeed. Are you planning to go unscorted to the morros? LOL, that is very high level of knowledge of Rio.

Guys from ISG will help you, no doubt.

Medellin downtown is hot and quite grungy if you take a street you don't know, right there in downtown. I remember I was in one of those bars downtown and soldiers closed the entire street and asked IDs to everyone, including me, an average Latino that looks like any Colombian.

The entire world is crazy these days.

I received some worthwhile help also, and I greatly appreciate it. However, after reading posts about muggings and stun guns etc. , I decided to switch gears and head back to Colombia instead. Was going to be my first time in Rio, but I have no interest in spending my vacation dodging physical harm. I realize some of the ISG members like to exaggerate the dangers to make themselves look like tough guys, but the reality is that many visitors get mugged, and some of them more than once. It would different if I had a wingman, but I'm traveling solo. I've been to Santa Fe in Bogota, so I know what grungy South America looks like. I've enjoyed visiting girls in dozens of developing countries around the world, but Rio still sounds like it is not worth the risk, when so many other options exist around the world. Someday, Venezuela will be safe to visit. That will be wonderful. Rio and Caracas remain at the bottom of my list for now. Medellin has moved to the top of the list.

[ShinyCrazy]

Newbie here, just want to say thanks to everyone in this thread for all the incredible and useful information! Reading this convinced me to book my first trip to Rio. I'll be there for 2 weeks in September. Looking forward to the adventure and will definitely report back here with my experience!

I received some worthwhile help also, and I greatly appreciate it. However, after reading posts about muggings and stun guns etc. , I decided to switch gears and head back to Colombia instead. Was going to be my first time in Rio, but I have no interest in spending my vacation dodging physical harm. I realize some of the ISG members like to exaggerate the dangers to make themselves look like tough guys, but the reality is that many visitors get mugged, and some of them more than once. It would different if I had a wingman, but I'm traveling solo. I've been to Santa Fe in Bogota, so I know what grungy South America looks like. I've enjoyed visiting girls in dozens of developing countries around the world, but Rio still sounds like it is not worth the risk, when so many other options exist around the world. Someday, Venezuela will be safe to visit. That will be wonderful. Rio and Caracas remain at the bottom of my list for now. Medellin has moved to the top of the list.

[Spidy]

Huh? You totally missed my point. And on purpose it seems. The point is this is hardly about race because it also happens in places where the entire population is homogeneous. ...

If I missed "your point", it was because, as I said...wacky! So nothing to miss. I think it is you that is missing the point.

Please note, I am ONLY saying, this particular "take/conjecture" of yours was wacky.

Arrrrh...here we go again, as I try to unpack more wackiness.

As usually, you provide a few outlaying examples, that aren't the norm and then you miraculously think, this explains everything that IS REALLY happening to an entire group people that number in the millions. In this case specifically when it comes to summing up all the experiences of "Black" Brazilians and Favela dwellers, dealing with police brutality. Hence my reasons for saying "wacky"

... You guys act like mfs in the Congo, where everyone is the same, are not doing the same thing to each other ...

Is this where we're at now, "The Congo"....really? And you wonder why I say wacky.

57% of Brazilians are Black or mixed, but they make up 80% of the people killed by police.

... Sure it is racial in some cases, but in the vast majority it is not. ...

Not true, totally false information! We are taking about Brazilian police brutality, dude. NOT the Congo! The Brazilian police brutality and killing numbers, disproportionately fall on the side of racist police behavior and bears truth and lay claim to what ten of thousands of people are protesting across Brazil.

I would ask, if you could provide data, facts or actually evidence, where as you say, it is NOT "...the vast majority". Surely if it's as "vast" as you claim, there should be lots of reports, data and information, that lay claim to your statement, w/r to vast majority of Brazilian police brutality and killings not being racist. Now, we're talking about Brazil, we aren't taking about The Congo!

Because as it stands, your comments, make-out the tens of thousands of Brazilians protesting against police Brutality and killings and predominately to a specific group of people, to be delusional and don't have claim to be protesting what their protesting. Looking forward to that data.

For every one of those outlying examples you present (incl ones from your own experience), there are hundreds, thousand of other deadly examples, where that's not the case.

Sure different groups of people do stupid shit everyday. However, it seems only certain groups of people get killed for it, even when following orders, obeying the law, have registered gun licenses or failing to meet some minor traffic violation, that really only warrants a ticket at best. This I am applying to the US mostly, but seems to apply in the case of Genivaldo de Jesus Santos.

[Axel Heyst]

Spidy, I am not telling you not to post your thoughts and opinions on Brazilian politics, police brutality, ect ect, but I do agree with the OP that political discussions belong in a separate thread like the stupid shit in RJ thread or better yet, a new thread that you might want to create and call "Brazilian Politics". As with all ISG Reports threads the goal should be to keep things as on topic as possible otherwise the thread can get loaded down with a whole lot of wordy, irrelevant posts which makes it harder for BM's to search back through the forum and find the merit reports and posts on girls, bars, bordellos, prices and experiences both good and bad. This is the main reason there is a separate thread for RJ Hotels.

Of course, this is just a suggestion. Do what you like.