I am taking a RTW trip by myself (for the most part) from NYC. My first stop - Rio. I'm currently holding a RTW SkyTeam reward. After telling a few people about my Rio stop, they strongly discouraged me from going for safety reasons. I just wanted to get the thoughts of fellow FTers who may have made this trip solo.

I am trying to see if I can switch to Buenos Aires but the availability is extremely limited getting there as well as getting to my next stop (AMS) from there.


Thanks!

Be "street smart", look like you know where you are going, don't have ANY valuables in view (including back pockets, ears, wrists, neck or anywhere), stay in tourist or central areas, and you will be fine. Carry your ID and money/credit cards you will need on the particular outing in your front pocket, and you should be fine. It is a beautiful city. It has a billion problems, but this is no reason not to go.

Thanks, I'm usually like that to begin with. People have just been trying to scare me out of going.

I have traveled to GIG numerous times solo and have never had problems. But it's like any big city; you have to watch your back. Walk with a sense of purpose. Don't stand around for a long time taking pictures, looking like a tourist. Don't carry a backpack or fanny pack; these will ID you as a tourist right away. Take a taxi if you must go out late at night. Avoid the street kids. Walk to the other side of the street if you have to.

Go and have a wonderful time. I did and will continue to do so. It is one of the most beautiful places on earth.

You live in NEW JERSEY (and so do probably most of the people trying to scare you). This is only Rio

We took our two children to Rio a couple of times and never once felt threatened. Take the advice outlined above. Skip the jewelry, large cameras and the like. City smarts go a long way. Yes, there is more crime in Rio than in many other places but, much is in areas you will never visit and otherwise just pay attention to your surroundings.

Have fun. Rio is terrific and the people are great. Get a beach chair on Ipanema and watch the world go by.

Thanks everyone, I appreciate it (especially that Jersey comment ). I think I'll stick with Rio based on the advice given here.

Just don't forget to duck on the highway to/from the airport if there is a shootout between the favelas on opposite sides of it

Rio is fine as long as you keep your wits about you. Don't be under any illusions though, it is a violent city and you should take extra care. If it was your first trip overseas I wouldn't suggest it as the first place to go. Having said that Rio is a beautiful city and as long as you are careful it does have a lot to offer.

Stick with Rio. Buenos Aires is also a great city (I'm going there on Thursday), but Rio is awesome. Just be street smart and don't wander off. When I went there the first time, I made a couple of friends the first day (one local, one from NY), and we hung out during my whole trip there. It was fantastic.

I've been to Rio over 20 times and have stayed there in my apartment for months on end.

IMHO it is no more dangerous than any other big city. The murders you hear about that make the news, are 90% in the favelas and are shootings between rival drug gangs. As you won't be going to those areas.....you're pretty much OK.

re not having valuables on show- don't even wear costume jewellery. I left all my rings etc in the hotel safe for the entire holiday. Keep your camera out of sight- preferrably on your belt under a t-shirt. We have been twice and never felt threatened. A fellow countryman on our journey home regaled us with the street robbery he experienced. Stupid so and so had worn a heavy gold necklace.

Rio and BA are both nice cities, but I would pick Rio. It's nowhere near as bad as what some people make it out to be. I heard the same warnings as you, but was actually surprised that it really wasn't anything like that.

That being said, you've got the favelas to avoid. Other than that, it's like any big city.

Good advice. You won't, in all likelyhood, be able to not look like a tourist, but you can move about with confidence. This isnt just Rio advice ... its the same everywhere. If they dont see anything worth stealing, and you don't look like a scared puppy, they will, in all likelyhood look for another target. In the unlikely event you are mugged, just give it all up (if you follow the advice it wont be much of a loss anyway ... not to mention you probably wont get mugged in the first place).

Edit to add: I would say leave all of your ID in the hotel safe, and carry a photocopy of your passport main page and visa page with you. Technically this copy should be notarized inside Brazil to be "valid" but Ive never bothered.

Be careful and have fun!

We're back from 2 trips this fall and felt safer now than we have in the past--didn't see a single machine gun toted by the local or federal polizia. Agree w/the assessment of most of the other posters--it's a city, so do what you normally do in NY and elsewhere.

Sundays are one of the best times to enjoy the beach and people watch--the main road along Copacabana & Ipanema closes to traffic and all the locals come out to sun and stroll. More on this and some photos of the 'Cow Parade' in my recent blog article:

http://dogmom11.typepad.com/dogmoms_...arade-rio.html

There's also a great book (you can get on Amazon) called 'How To Be A Carioca'...kind of cheeky, but lots of useful info on body language and gestures. Enjoy your trip!!