Rio, Perigoso

My trip to Brazil is getting closer and closer and I'm getting so excited I cant stand it!

I want to thank everyone conveying their 'friend of friend who was almost or indeed mugged in Rio' stories, I know you are concerned and it comes from a good place. But, I think there may be a few key pieces of information you're missing.

Yes, Rio is dangerous, perigoso. Short of any city in Columbia it has the highest murder rate in the world.

But, and this is a big but, if you look at the crime statistics, the bulk of the crime, 80%, and almost all of the murders are in the 'favelas' of the north section of the city. This area is unimaginably poor by anyone's standards, it is also the home of drug trade. Most of the crime is related to the drug trade. In the south part of the city, where I will be, the crime resembles any other dense urban city in the world. Looking at the city as a whole is misleading, much like looking at the crime stats of your city as a whole would be misleading for a particular area.

Also I have been talking to Brazilians in the US who have lived in Sao Paulo and Rio. They laugh when they hear the Rio is dangerous warning because Sao Paulo is infinitely more violent and crime is not confined to poor areas or nightime. The trend for Sao Paulo residents is to work in Sao Paulo and play in Rio, since in their words 'it is much safer'.

I know a group of people going to Rio later in the year and some for Carnival next year, so here were the suggestions from the Brazilians.

• Know some Portuguese (Rio dialect)
• Dont wear jewelry, particularly watches or anything shiny.
• Dont carry an expensive camera, buy disposables.
• Dont dress up. Rio is a beach city - shorts, jeans and flip flops are standard.
• Dont take public transport, period. This seemed particularly important.
• Dont go to the financial district or anywhere in the north section. Also Copacabana can be sketchy, if only for the pickpockets.
• Take a small travel wallet, take only what you need that day, keep it in your front pocket.
• Its better to stay in the Ipanema or Leblon areas.
• Dont fall for the helpful Carioca routine, noone in Rio will offer to help you if you look lost. If you need directions go into a business.
• Dont fall for someone spilling something on you then offering to clean it up. Jusy say 'Obrigado' and keep moving.
• After 10pm, much like other dense urban areas, Rio is more prone to crime.
• Dont walk on the beach at night. This also seemed particulary important.
• Dont get too friendly with people in bars unless you are comfortable with Portuguese, the Rio dialect, you may miss the part about them wanting money for services.
• Crime is exponentially worse during Carnival.
• Dont even think of taking a 'favela' tour (and they do offer them).