Agree 110%

I have a good view over part of Rocinha from my 17th floor suite at the Intercontinental but I check out tomorrow. So unless jbcarioca's
report of immediate engagement in Rocinha really is immediate I won't be able to provide any Flyertalk live commentary

Edit - sorry for misquoting, the word used was imminently, which is somewhat different from immediate - something can be imminent for months

The quote, BTW, was of Minister of Security Beltrame saying they are prepared for immediate action, but not actually saying it would be immediate. The definition of "imminent" is the issue. Either way the Intercontinental and the Shopping Center next door are certainly very well protected.

It is oddly quiet just now, is it not? I hear and see many helicopters but nothing else.

Just coming back from Rio. Ipanema seems fine, maybe a few more police around. But stay aware. A guy next to me on the beach fell asleep and his bag was taken right from under him. I believe it was one of the people that pass out flyers on the beach because they were the only ones around at the time. If you are going to nap stick your bag under your chair.

That's a classic. If you're alone, don't take any belongings to the beach unless you're going to a hotel reserved area. When there are two people or more, you should take turns of who stays and pays attention to the belongings. Everything can be stolen, including flip flops and T-shirts. Do never fall asleep at the beach, it's unhealthy and dangerous.

Would you care to describe to us what happened?

sure, you have PM

The ultra cautious recommendations of the few days are mostly removed now. There are major contingents of augmented policing and the trip from GIG to Zona Sul is now safer than it has been for years, because the adjoining favelas along the route have been pacified.

With all the attention now given to security tourists probably have nothing to fear now any more than any other large city. It will take months, maybe years, to institutionalize the new secure Rio, but people are very excited and very positive now.

...and I have my ticket for Rio's splendid New Year's eve booked cool:

Anyway, if anything, I only expect that the bad publicity generated recently could help in driving the floods of tourists that keep flocking to Rio away, and perhaps prices that do not stop rising in Rio for the last couple of years could at least stabilise :rolleyes: although I am rather hopeless with both assumptions; anyone who has been to Rio know about the security in the city; this is why they keep flying back.

Rgs,

Caution Always Advisable
 

Unfortunately, caution is always needed in major/capital cities (Rio, Caracas, Mexico City, San Jose or New York City for that matter)-- especially if you are out at night, alone, look out of place or have been seen with technology (phones, cameras, etc). On the other hand, I have never felt safer than I was while traveling in Yemen, Qatar or Bahrain . . .

I lived in both Yemen and Bahrain as well as a few other countries. I have never felt safer than I did in Bahrain. Realistically I have felt least safe in some fairly major US cities such as Detroit, Newark and Houston. Rio is nowhere near those in which I feel safest, but with recent improvements i do not feel at particular risk either. I do take more caution in Rio than I do in Paris, London or New York. Still the basic point that caution is always in order in any major city applies in Rio too.

Paranoia is not wise but neither is myopic optimism. Life has risks.

Danger in Rio. Take precautions and enjoy
 

My brother and his family live in the Barra neighborhood of Rio. They moved from Lagoa about 6 years ago because of the crime. The crime is bad. I have been robbed twice, once on Arpoador Beach (betw Copacabana and Ipanema) at 2pm on Christmas Day (it was packed) and another while walking along the inland side of Avenida Atlantida at sunset with a knife to my throat. My sister in law was robbed along with 35 other bus passengers by a gang. Lots of these FT folks will tell you that its not bad...but it is. That said, it is still worth going since Rio is so beautiful and you can be safe.
Stay in a good neighborhood. Ipanema is fine. When strolling about or siteseeing, Never carry anything that will ruin your trip if it is stolen such as wallet or passport. Never carry more than about US$30 in cash. Never wear an expensive watch or jewelry or expensive sneakers. Take taxis after dark. Always give up what the robbers want. It sounds scary, but if you take precautions, you will enjoy it.

Just got back, and I must admit it things are really terrible. With the strong Real, the prices at the restaurants are really expensive these days in Sampa and Rio !

Europeans and North Americans staill have a pretty decent exchange, but I don't see how the locals can afford to eat out at Porcao, Mariu's, or Rubiyat.

Oh yes, the subject here was safety. No problems to report.

I agree with this 100%, particulary as a New Yorker. In Rio, you must always be aware of who is around you. NEVER fall asleep on the beach. Leave the camera behind. And don't ever text while walking.

Well, it's exactly because locals pay up that it's so expensive nowadays.

I slept on the beach countless times in Ipanema... Just one tip: instead of carrying your fancy RL bag bring your items on a supermarket plastic bag or backpack to appear less pretentious ;) Anyway, I never go to any beach with valuables, only exact amount of cash and items such as newspaper, book, sunscreen... you can easily sleep with peace of mind...

I disagree. dining out is still considerable cheaper in Rio/Sao Paulo as compared to restaurants in Europa/North America. The same goes for things such as taxi rides. What I do find expensive in Rio is hotels, and the quality is also bad. In places such as Ipanema you dont have much option and only a few international hotel chains with very high rates. Even a moderate 3* hotel in Rio (e.g. Mar Ipanema Hotel) has an equivalent rate of a 4* in Europe. However, because of this the short-term flat rental business has flourished in Rio and you can find great full service flats in Ipanema/Leblon, which in my opinion are in fact better than hotel stays.

Rgs,

My experience has been that eating out at a fine dining/a la carte restaurant (as opposed to a por kilo :p) is at least as expensive in Brazil as in Europe/US/Australia and if you add a bottle of non-domestic wine to the order then your Brazilian restaurant meal will double in price.