How dangerous is Sao Paolo?
 

I'll spend a few days in Sao Paolo soon, and I've been warned by some people to not go out when it's dark, to always leave everything valuable in hotel, to not take taxis etc., basically to be very, very cautious.

Now, I've been told the same about a lot of foreign cities (including infamous Barcelona, Guangdong, Bangkok..) and it was never ever a problem to be there at night, but I do understand that Brasil is a different matter.

How carefully do I really have to be? Is there anything on wearing clothes which helps NOT to be robbed/attacked? Any other hints? I certainly want to keep my "never robbed" statistics :) Maybe have only very little cash with you, and pay almost everything in credit cards? (Is that possible in restaurants/stores there?)

Thank you very much and I hope those questions haven't been asked before (did a quick search but couldn't find anything)

You just need to take normal precautinary measures as you would do anywhere else.

A major consultancy conducted a study of the most dangerous cities in the world and Sao Paulo is not even mentioned, while London is the world's no. 10 most dangerous city and Detroit no. 5.

http://www.realclearworld.com/lists/...ies_intro.html

Rgs,

It's one of the most regularly recurring topics :)

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...paulo-rio.html

Thanks for the answers... I've seen the threads about Rio (and Sao Paolo) but as the answers in there did mostly cover Rio (which seems more dangerous, apparently) I just wanted to make sure that Sao Paolo is a bit more safe.

Will still take maximum pre-caution, but feel a bit more safe now. Sorry for asking, and hope I'll be able to post some positive report in a bit more than a week :D

Everytime I have been to Sao Paulo, I find it very safe. I stay at the IC which is in the finanacial district and walk around with no issues and just kinda hang out. As long as you stay away from the follwoing areas, you are ok:

the favelas (slums)
the red light area

I have been robbed once in my life and it was in South Beach and I go to HKG, SAO, BOM all the time without ever being robbed..

(knocking on wood)

I am from there, so I have a few suggestions:
- do not wear jewelry, except for maybe a wedding ring if it's not too flashy.
- if you have a nice/expensive watch, buy a Swatch or something obviously inexpensive to wear there.
- do not use your cell phone while walking on the street.
- never, ever use a street ATM.
- carry one credit card only. Visa or Mastercard (Amex is not as widely accepted)
- always have some cash... if you get robbed, just give them the money and they'll probably take it and leave (as in.. you won't get hurt).
- have the emergency number of your credit card stored somewhere other than your wallet.
- carry a copy of your passport and leave the original in a safe place. You may need to show an ID when using a credit card.
- don't open your wallet in a way other people can easily see your cash. And never open your wallet on the street.
- try not to call the attention by looking like a typical "gringo" (foreigner) or like a tourist (map and camera).

@annagie: I really don't know where the "red light area" is. I mean, a long time ago, it was somewhere downtown, but nowadays I am not sure.

I travel to Sao Paulo many times per year on business and do not have anything to report. It is a developing city like any other, you just need to use common sense and normal precaution.

Rgs,

I'm sure you will be fine. The statistics driving concern about personal security are generated in areas of the city you are very unlikely to visit. SP doesn't have the natural attractions of Rio, but that means it doesn't have Rio's tourism crush and the criminal focus that generates.

Petty crime in the metro, and around tourist spots, suggests you should be just as careful as you are in any other city. But please don't let over-caution spoil your visit: SP is a fabulous city, with world-class restaurants and entertainment venues as well as lots of day-time sights to see.

Just to let all the very helpfull persons know:

I've had a very good trip, including OP-UP me into F on the flight back.

SP is indeed huge, but I didn't felt that dangerous. Yes, certainly, I took precaution, but I never felt in danger. Thanks very much for all the advise, it certainly helped a lot. Looking forward to visit again ^

Pleased to hear it worked out - and I hope you'll now be a voice of reason when you hear the "horror stories" about Sao Paulo.

BTW, feel I shouldn't take too much crredit for your upgrade :D

so well said.. I always follow these principles (as taught by my Carioca wife) and have never had a problem in Rio or SP.

While on the subject of safety... Rio has been in the midst of a drug gang war (with police intervention) with at least 33 people killed. The area to avoid is in Zona Norte, anywhere beyond Maracana (the violence being 2 or 3 miles beyond).... Fortunately not so many foreigners venture in that direction, but there are a couple of attractions (Maracana stadium, a Zoo...) nearby, so it's possible to stray or get lost...