Yes, a visa certainly SHOULD be good for multiple years. I've never gotten one, however. When you pay $130+ each time you travel there because they only give you 90 day ones, it gets old quickly.

The scams in Rio are pretty bad. The throw crap on your shoes, and then try to overcharge you for cleaning it off, or rip you off, while getting it cleaned. This has happened to many tourists who spend much time near the beach.

I actually enjoy Brazil a lot, and have found most of the people to be very nice. Personal safety is important, and I know quite a few people who have been robbed there. I don't blame other people for not getting in the middle of it, but a call to the police would be nice.

I find it very hard to believe that every tourist you met had been robbed.In fact, unless you met only one or two, its absolutely impossible. We have been a couple of times and only heard from one tourist who had been robbed. Both he and his wife ignored any advice they had had and wore all their jewellery. His gold chain was taken.
Being robbed by gunpoint must have been terrifying. If it had happened to me I would post here as well and warn everyone. I would also tell everyone exactly what and where it happened and what I did afterwards, and how the police reacted.

there's a snag with the logic in there ....

I have always wanted to visit Rio and my traveling companion did back in the early 80s and had no problem, but I'm now 58 and he's 69 and while I'm 6'3" and weigh 240, what is that against a knife, gun or surrounded by punks?!

I was thinking of flying to Rio mid-December this year for 4 nights with him, but now not so sure about doing it for fear of being mugged, robbed or worse. I had been thinking in the past might be better to fly to Rio or Buenos Aires and do a cruise and take the cruise excusions to the see the sights. Might be a lot safer. I'm now leaning toward that option. Too bad, because I thought 4 nights in Rio might be fun (and cheaper) and relaxing but who wants to feel like a prisoner in your hotel? No thanks, so thanks for all the input. It's much appreicated.

The reciprocal USA-BRA visas just went to 10 years each, according to the news.

There are no extra fees for certain, non-tourist visas (education, etc. ) as well.

Sorry to hear about the robbery experience, but when in Rio at night I carry the minimal R$, no watch, and no phone. Even in a group.

Things started getting a lttle rough on the beach at night back in the 1970's, and not only for Tourists. Don't take it personally: It remains a beautiful place to visit.

You should go to Rio and spend your 4 nights in the city. This is my opinion. Although I live in Amsterdam and go to Rio at least 6 x a year I can tell you that my only encounter with criminality was in Amsterdam (where I go my laptop and wallet robbed) and not in Rio. The world has changed, and I read in the news last week that Rio's criminality index (based on data such as homicide rates) has been the lowest ever since data started to be collected in 1980.

Rgs,

Location, luck and behavior have everything to do with whether you will be a victim of Rio's "dark" side.

I am in Brazil often and have never been robbed after nearly sixty trips to Brazil.

The only thing ever stolen from me was a cell phone that I had in my pocket while I was on a crowded Metro.

Although the idea of walking on the beach at night is tempting and/or pleasant, a tourist in Brazil should realize there is a good probability of getting robbed if you choose to walk on the beach or boardwalk, particularly at night.

I enjoy Brazil a lot and at the same time, I am cautious of my surroundings and do not go out walking at night.

Rio (Brazil) is a wonderful place to enjoy. Unfortunately, being the victim of a robbery will forever influence your feelings about this country.

By the way, I do not agree with the poster who equates danger with Rio.

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I wouldn't tell anyone not to go to Brazil. I would encourage people to be familiar with the scams out there, and severely limit what valuables they bring with them in public.

I've had many attempted scams, robberies and such in the 50+ countries I've been to. I am traveling much of the time, and don't shy away from going to countries that do have some problems. 99% of the time the nefarious plots are avoided, you've just got to keep your eyes open.

If the 10 year visas are fact, that's a big plus for me. I already have a 72 page passport, and the time and cost of getting new ones all the time is a big hassle.

I don't wear any jewelry, I try to keep cash to a minimum. I carry a $10 cellphone, and a fairly inexpensive digital camera. If the area is too dangerous, I take a taxi home.

I remember reading similar stories about Buenos Aires...."don't go walking along Avenida 9 de Julio as you'll get mustard sprayed in your face and robbed even in daylight". " Under no circumstances stop and look at a map....you'll be jumped on and left for dead". Enough to make the nervous tourist cancel any plans they ever had of visiting the place. I find BA no different from any other large city in the world.....be careful and you'll be fine.
Truth is crime happens everywhere from Rio to Rothesay (that'll have you Googling) and if you believe everything you read you wouldn't venture further than the end of your road.
For every one unlucky tourist there will be many thousands more who only have happy tales to tell you about Rio I'm sure.

Definitely agree with the OP -- Rio...and Salvador & Sao Paulo are dangerous cities. They are incredible cities -- but you do have to weigh the risk that something like this could happen to you. OP -- I'm glad you're OK, and I'm sorry you had to go through that. I've never had any negative experiences (I speak Portuguese/am usually with locals) -- but all the locals I know have been robbed at least once in their lives.

While I don't have specific statistics -- I believe in 99% of cases tourists are involved in muggings, so you'll end up out of some cash and a cell phone, but they are terrifying nonetheless. The recommendation from my Brazilian friends is to not carry things of value with you if you're going someplace risky (which anywhere on/near the beach at night, unfortunately, I would consider risky) -- but have enough cash to satisfy a thief (50-100 reais).

I never carry anything aside from cash, one credit card/atm, and a photocopy of my passport with me in Brazil.

It is, however, still one of my favorite places in the world -- and I'll be back in November.

Missed this thread in 2009. I go to Rio about 4-5 per year and always hang out in Ipanema. Here is my advise.

ALWAYS, ALWAYS be aware of EVERYONE around you. What occured to the OP is rare for the beach sidewalk so its very easy to get relaxed and forget about your surrondings. Walk like you have somewhere to be and are damned determined to be there on time. Leave the IPod and Camera home at night. Walk with a minimal amount of cash, one credit card, and a photo of your Passport.

Ipanema is no different than NYC. The police can't be everywhere and bag things do happen from time to time.

Very good advice. As I said, what was described in the post could have occurred anywhere, even in AMS. As a frequent visitor to Rio, I can tell you that you just need to be cautious, a normal precaution you are supposed to take when visiting any major city in the world. Rio is an international city, a major tourist gateway, and therefore it is normal that certain types of crimes could happen with higher incidence. This should by no means deter you from visiting this extraordinary city.

Rgs,

Not to beat this thing to death, but I can't stress enough always being visually aware of who is in front of you and to your sides. The thieves do not look like tourists, they are easy to spot, not to mention smell (talk about some bad hygiene). If you see someone shady, particularly a group, try to cross the street, turnaround, go to a more crowded area (like stopping at one of the many small catinas on the beach) or just slow down your walk towards them. To be quite honest, I don't like taking even friends from Manhattan with me to Rio because they very quickly become unaware of their surrondings.

Now the OP may have still done all of the right things. A suggestion would be to carry a $R10 or $R20 in your pocket and just hand it to them if you are approached. Normally, they just want cash and will gladly take that money and run.

By the way, one other place where the tossing crap on shoes and attempting to charge to clean it off is - Delhi. Must be a global conspiracy...

Seriously, a photocopy of one's passport, some small change and a cheap multiband GSM phone with a local or limited amount chip is probably the best way to hit the streets in many parts of the world. And as the old line goes "resistance is futile" - rather, stupid, as it can get you beaten or worse.

Yes, I have been robbed once or twice in different parts of the world (memorably in Seoul, Korea,) and have had a number of scammers try to put one over on me, ranging from mustard squirt to the "I'll bet you I can tell you where you got those shoes!" ("on your feet!" in New Orleans,) attempted pickpocketing to "I'm a refugee who needs help!" (translation "gimme money!" in Kenya, etc. etc.

If you are a travel novice, read and learn, act cautiously but not with paranoia; use common sense. If you have traveled, you have probably learned a lot of lore that is useful.

1. Brasil has KIOSQUE (Kiosk) along the beach, not cantinas.

2. There is some excellent advise above on how to enjoy Rio, smart and defensively. I've posted this elsewhere, using my Effective WHEN IN ROME technique in RIO, but it works.

Most tourists get nuked purple the first day in the sun, and the irradiated glow at night attracts thieves and con artists like a flame to moths. The smart ones stay in the Hotels, lathered in Lidocaine creme. But what about the young, stupid, or more daring ?

SOLUTION: Before going to the Beach at Leme, Ipanema, or Copacabana, TRY and at least 86x the IPOD, MACbook, MP3 player and 4 + headphone sets dangling out of your shirt, Levis and trousers rolled up to the knee, bareing ivory-white legs ( a navigation hazard to aircraft ), rock-climbing or Wing-tip shoes, a bulging giant fat wallet in the back pocket, bursting with Euros or Dollars.

Lock all these items away in your Hotel safe, stay in a group, take a Taxi, or as very wisely stated above, move quickly ( locally it's called COOPER as in a quick-stride jog ) and with purpose when walking.


As in any city, there is a mixture of sober, caffenated, and drugged individuals, all ready to relieve you of your materials goods and hard-earned cash. In fact, many sit in stores and restaurants, behind a cocked and ready cash register, safety off, just looking for your arrival. The thief in the street just doesn't have a business license. This element is found in Rio, London, New York, and yes, perhaps even one or two even in Johannesburg.

Unfortunately, that is how they make a living. Occasionally one gets to turn the table around, but this can be very dangerous. Travel has risks, so learn what, and where they are, and how to manage the situation to the best of your ability. No matter what some say, in the greater context, it happens to all of us, Switzerland included.

Those not physically victimized, have probably all suffered the famous 200-1000 %GRINGO TAX add-on, even if they don't want to admit it. That hurts too.