Quote:
Originally Posted by VidaNaPraia
I would not "avoid wandering around at night" at all. The lively street life after dark in Brazil is very pleasant. The warning about beach areas (this is the sand part of the beach, not neccessarily the sidewalk along the main beaches in Rio) is because they are unpopulated after dark.
What? If he means night more in the sense of late night, I would most certainly agree. Do not wander around around at night.

C010T3, you’ve either never had a young kid or it’s been so long you’ve forgotten. There is no late night wandering with a toddler. ;-)
But strolling around on the main streets of Av.NS de Copacabana in Copacabana or Visconde de Piraja in Ipanema or Ataulfo de Paiva in Leblon is certainly a pleasure of an evening. No need to stay locked in a hotel room out of fear.

Do avoid the boardwalks after dark. In the summer, they become a bit safer in the dark, but you're coming after the beach activity high season. Locals only go to the boardwalk area at night in order to exercise. That's why pickpockets can spot their victims effortless.

Quote:
Originally Posted by VidaNaPraia
I advise to stay off ANY unpopulated area or street, even if it looks to you to be middle-class and safe, especially after dark.
Well, he should only be dogmatic about it because he doesn't know the city, but I know plenty of neighbourhoods which are safe even deserted at night.
IMO there is no such thing as a safe neighborhood anywhere in Brazil.
A quiet, deserted street is a place where someone with bad intensions can hide and no one is around to help.

Quote:
Originally Posted by VidaNaPraia
The historic center in Rio is a business area and after business hours does tend to get somewhat deserted.
It does not get necessarily dangerous, but it's quite disturbing to walk in that mighty emptiness. It gives out the impression that the city has been evacuated.
Again, deserted=risky

Quote:
Originally Posted by VidaNaPraia
The ice cream in S.P. is the best in the world (Italian immigrant skill meets tropical fruit.)
Overrating much?
Nope. THE BEST!

Quote:
Originally Posted by VidaNaPraia
(Few Brazilians use strollers.)
Seriously? Where did you get that idea? If you need the stroller, do bring it. Every Brazilian baby whose parents can afford one, do own one. Exceptions are though found in cities where people use cars even to go to the bakery. That's not the case in Rio de Janeiro, whose inhabitants can be compared to New Yorkers in terms of how they use public transportation in comparison to the rest of the country.

I got that idea from living in a Brazil where the minimum monthly salary (which many people are very lucky if they even make, to support an entire family) is about R$600 and a flimsy stroller at Lojas Americanas department store costs well over R$100. And from getting out of some chic Rio neighborhood to see how the majority live in Brazil. From knowing that it is sufficiently difficult to manage a stroller on a crowded bus, folded or unfolded or transitioning from one to the other, that female friends who are not muscular have chosen to leave donated ones at home, preferring to shlep around even a heavy toddler in their arms. And from ruining several on the sidewalks where I live. Few Brazilians use strollers. Seriously.

And of course, a tourist used to using a stroller for their toddler should bring or buy one.

Again, to the OP, have a great trip.