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It is quite safe to walk around in Rio.
I was staying in Copacabana for 2 weeks
during the Carnival, went around Rio but
had no unfortunate incidents. Contrary
to what I have read, searched and
gathered from asking tourist forums Rio
is quite safe in my opinion. I blended
with the people in the street (the
Cariocas) so that
didn't separate me from the crowd.
 I
have my still camera in my pocket and my
video camera was wrapped in a thick
plastic bag then I put it inside a
grocery bag. I went around with the
grocery bag (you can see in the
picture at the right) and when I wanted to take a
picture or videotape I looked for a
crowded spot most of the time near,
beside or across from the police at the
street corner. Almost every corner in
town, on the beach side there is a
presence of police. Military police or
police in short, men and women. When I
need to take a picture I just quickly
snapshoot it or videotaped then put it
back into my pocket or bag.
Places like Corcovado,
Sugar Loaf where
there are a lot of tourists are good
places to expose camera. The day when
Bruno picked me at the airport, during
the trip to my apartment he advised me
to avoid videotaping for security
reasons. I encountered one tourist
standing in the street at dawn taking
pictures and changing lenses on his
camera. Either he ignored security
precautions or he is just enjoying his
time undisturbed by all the warnings.
Take this advise: do not carry a lot of
cash and be on constant watchful eye of
your belongings. I would say that in
Copacabana, Leblon and Ipanema, tourists
are safer than anywhere else, but there
is no guarantee that anywhere in Rio is
the same.
Try to use your credit card as often as
you could. Take note a cash advance from
the bank machine or any banks can cost
you hefty cash advance charges.
 For
cash advance I used HSBC as it carries
Cirrus, Visa and Master Card, Visa Plus
symbols. Local banks like Bradesco,
Banco do Brasil do not entertain foreign
debit and credit cards.
As much as possible use these machines
daytime to avoid any temptations from
muggers that lurk from the dark
(although I never encountered any of
this sort). Take precautions to cover
your fingers when keying PIN.
Keep your machine receipt and reconcile
with bank statements when you arrive
home from vacation. Your balance may not
be available right away after withdrawal
in the machine.
I read the safety tips from other sites
before I go so I just took their advises. As long as you will not flaunt
your belongings you will be OK.
Index •
Rio Carnival •
Rio Helicopter Sightseeing •
Botanical Garden
Sugar Loaf •
Corcovado •
Niteroi •
Ipanema •
Safety in Rio •
Danger in Rio
Fly to Rio •
Intl. Tel. Card, Internet •
Foods & Restaurants •
Busses transportation
Make friends •
Apartment/Flat •
Miscellaneous •
Join the parade •
Distance Chart
Fond memories •
Rio Carnival 2008 •
Venice Carnival 2009 •
Guestbook
Penthouse vacation
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