Hi All,

I am thinking about a trip to Rio next year in February, before the start of Carnival (to coincide with the President's Day holiday in thye U.S.). To be honest, the reports on the secuirty situation in Rio has me a bit worried. I heard much the same talk about the situation in Buenos Aires, but went last February and did not find it to be any less safe than any other major city.

I am wondering, how much more dnagerous do you percieve Rio to be than Buenos Aires?

Also, is going in the week leading-up to Carnival a good tiome to go? I am not particularly interested in Carnival.

I have been to each lately. BA is generally much safer than Rio. You need to watch yourself in Rio. Ipanema is much safer than Copacabana. But I would not avoid Rio - just pay attention.

Although I haven't been to Rio in a long time, and not to BsAs since the currency crisis, the difference is as follows: In Rio, you are always looking behind your back, and always need to be - my guard was up almost all the time (and I was definitely followed once). In BsAs, you just take the normal precautions you would in any major world city.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Eastbay1K:
Although I haven't been to Rio in a long time, and not to BsAs since the currency crisis, the difference is as follows: In Rio, you are always looking behind your back, and always need to be - my guard was up almost all the time (and I was definitely followed once). In BsAs, you just take the normal precautions you would in any major world city. </font>
An excellent assessment. I completely agree. I always said that "The girl from Ipanema" was able to walk that walk because she wasn't carrying a purse.

I haven't been to Rio though having been a foreigner in BA until last January, the city is as safe as any major city. I love the city and am always on the lookout for specials to take me down there.. though don't forgot to visit Iguazu if you get a chance!!

and of course shopping there is great!!!

let me know if you want specific info on BA

EZE is relativly less violent than GIG. I was at both these places past January; and in the past two years, folks I know were mugged right on Copacabana Beach during daylight http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/frown.gif