Your information is correct - expect anything! (Except temperatures below about 6C.) Winter is the rainy season but obviously it doesn't rain non-stop. If you hit a sunny spell the weather could be glorious. Our weather is famously changeable (often within one day, as yesterday and today bear witness). As a result we are probably second only to the Brits in discussing weather as a topic of conversation.

The safety advice is pretty generic for any city in a country with large disparities of income. Don't make yourself a target. (E.g. don't wander around with a camera swinging from your neck.) If you do get good weather and get to walk on the mountains take special care and leave all valuables at home. Sadly there have been many muggings on the mountain lately. They are not aimed specifically at tourists (my accountant had his mountain bike stolen) but that is no consolation if you are the target.