Originally Posted by
Eastbay1K
As others have said, essentially just be "street smart" and you'll be fine.
(1) no visible jewelry at all, except a plastic watch or such.
(2) nothing in back pockets, and nothing bulky in front pockets.
(3) the cash/credit card you'll need for the outing, and not much more.
(4) look like you know where you're going.
You should be fine on the main street(s) in Copacabana and Ipanema at night, and I can't imagine being cooped up in a hotel room eating room service when I should be out having a lovely dinner where piles of dead livestock keep coming to the table until you just can't take another bite ... but you do anyways.
All good advice.
Originally Posted by
sithjedi333
You should be fine as long as you don't dress flashy and stay within 2-3 blocks of the beach in Copacabana and Ipanema. Use your common sense, don't get stupid drunk and separated from your friends hitting on strangers at 4am.
I agree it's best to stay close to Ave. Atlantica as possible but the rest I do all the time and have to yet to come to grief. Even at night Carioca men dress very casually so it's easy to be flashy in comparison. I personally don't bother dressing down as there is no way I'll blend in. It's doubtful most tourists will be confused with a local even if they have a dark complexion, are in flip-flops and head to toe in Osklen.
IME there is relatively little petty tourist crime in Rio e.g. scamming by taxis, padded bils etc. What I would say is that if crime happens it can happen BIG. That means knives, guns and people willing to kill you. So don't bring out anything you don't want to lose and be 100% prepared to hand it all over without question. I usually go out with R$120 or so and by the end of the night might have R$20 or 30 left. Not worth playing tough guy and risking my life over.