Originally Posted by RafKa

I work in that part of town, and therefore know it very well. Well enough to know that 2 gringoes with luggage are just too tempting for a mugger. If you want to dispute "local knowledge" and not do like "those posh people", be my guest, but don't advise it to people who are totally unfamiliar with the area. And we don't know what time of the day they are arriving. Has it occured to you that they may be on the BA flight from London which arrives at 10:00PM? I've seen people get mugged for their Timex after dark downtown, why parade with a treasure trove of items?

Just get in the queue for the taxi, give him BRL 20 for his hassle, and ask to be taken to the hotel. Beats getting mugged/run over by a bus.