Is Brazil really that dangerous?

Question

I've heard from the Lonely Planet Brazil travel guide that cities like Rio De Janeiro and Sao Paulo are crime ridden cities. Based on your experiences (if you have been to Brazil), what can you say about this issue? How do you survive those bad hangovers criminals give you? Any suggestions? Thanks!

Additional Details

Eu ouvi-me da guia só do curso de Brasil do planeta que as cidades como Rio De Janeiro e Sao Paulo são cidades montadas crime. Baseado em suas experiências (se você foi a Brasil), que pode você dizer sobre esta edição? Como você sobrevive aqueles hangovers que maus os criminosos o dão? Alguma sugestão? Obrigado!

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

We have a unique culture in Brazil, different from any other country in the world. People who ignore that difference will ALWAYS be in danger. I am a tour guide in Rio, and in 10 years I never had a client robbed. My clients travel without myself to Salvador and many other places and they never had problems, because I teach them what is the right attitude, and what attitude must be avoided.
You probably already heard not to wear jewelry on the streets in Brazil. It is a good advice, not because there are thieves everywhere, but because we live in community and most of the people are poor, so it is considered humiliating to the poor people who make only US$ 250 a month if you go to the streets with a watch or a camera more expensive than the money they can make working hard for a month. In the US and Europe, where people have opportunities, it is a pride to have money. In Brazil, where 0.05% of the population owns 42.5% of all the money and properties (official statistic), to have money usually means that you are stealing the people, so it is ok if people steal you back. Here in Rio when locals see a tourist carrying expensive things, they usually say: "he is asking to be robbed". If you keep your camera inside your backpack and take it out only when you want to use it, that attitude is considered respectful, and you will be safe.
It is not easy for us to understand how can foreigners spend hundreds of dollars to come to Brazil, and than they want to save money taking the same buses the poorest people take. No rich people in Brazil would do it. Specially not wearing an expensive watch.
Paul F, who described the country as very dangerous, came here 17 times (!) and never learned to respect the local culture. He probably only noticed the dangers this time, since he returned so many times to the place he described so terribly... Instead of behaving the way we do, he wants to do things his own way, and wants to be safe. I always tell my clients and friends from other countries: you have two ways to experience Brazil. The first one is adapting to the local culture. The second is to expect the whole country will adapt to your culture.
Brazil is not similar to any other country, including South American countries. People who come here, look around and behave like the others will be always safe. I am Brazilian and I live on West side of Rio, considered the most dangerous place in Rio. I lived here my whole life and I was never robbed. My 12 years old son goes to the streets alone, and he was never robbed.
The newspaper exaggerate the dangers. Whenever a tourist is robbed in Brazil all the newspapers write about it. I was robbed in Paris, my father was robbed in Washington DC, and we never read about it on the newspapers. How many pictures you´ve seen from people who died during terrorist attacks in NY? Probably none. In Rio, if a tourist is wounded, the next day the pictures will be on every newspaper in the world.
One more thing: if you think that because a minister was robbed the country is dangerous, check the links http://steupz.blogspot.com/2007/05/gover… and http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn… to hear about ministers robbed in France and UK.

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Obrigado! And not bad from a tour guide! Now I don't have to worry when I go to Brazil!

Answer 2

It certainly is dangerous, the numbers are there to prove it, but it is definitely not as dangerous as currently portrayed by the international press. Brazil acquired more international visibility, and as result the criminality in the country is now more widely publicized. However, except for some specific zones, urban violence has actually been falling sharply since 2001 and on, as a consequence of social programs, political stability and economic growth.

As per living amidst the violence, the sad truth is that most of the problems do not reach the economic elite or the more privileged areas of cities (when it does, it always causes public outrage, unlike the events that take place within some of the shanty towns). I lived many years in Sao Paulo and travelled often to Rio and never had any problem.

As a tourist or traveller, you should simply (i) know where you are going, (ii) lay low – no Rolex, no big cameras in the neck or flowered Hawaiian shirts! :-) (iii) do not carry around all of your money and (iii) if unfortunately a robbery indeed happens, never ever try to be a hero (even if it is a small guy apparently alone). Let the money go and be cool. Good luck.

Answer 3

I live in Brazil for 15 years and was robbed once. The thief opened my car and took everything that was inside.
In big cities like Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, there are actually many crimes and there is little political will to stop the criminal factions.
Taking up some care, it's possible to have a life very quiet and secure.
I believe that the care that we have here, are the same as the residents of cities like New York, Chicago, San Francisco or Los Angeles usually have. My brother is a lawyer at LAX and his office has been attacked several times.

Answer 4

Me and my two friends traveled to Rio this summer, and before we left everyone we knew bombarded us with horror stories about the city. We went during Brazil's winter, so it was pretty empty anyway, but we still had fun. We followed the cardinal rules of being a tourist (no jewelry, wear a money belt, don't be stupid) and we were absolutely fine. I do know people who have been robbed in Brazil before, but it just depends where you are and at what time, you know? My boss was robbed and her purse stolen while walking on the beach. The solution? Don't carry a purse!!! Come on!

I also would reccomend taking a tour around the major sights of the city. We found our tour on Expedia. It would probably be easier than finding your own way around the city.

Have fun!

Answer 5

I am from Sao Paulo Brazil. Brazil is dangerous however the media plays a big part of making it look worse than what it is. I hear horrible stories of people getting murdered, robbed and kidnapped. but I hear stories and other countries as well. Murders happen even in countries like USA. I was in Barcelona 2 years ago and my friend kept telling me to be very careful with my purse otherwise I could get robbed.
So I think Brazil is more dangerous than many other countries but that' does not mean you can have a calm life and/or a calm and great vacation. As someone aswered above just don't be stupid there! Be careful with your purse. Don't wear anything that will draw too much attention. Don't go to neighborhoods that you don't know and/or further from the main areas. I heard from some American travellers they try to get inside the most dangerous slams in Rio. Any normal brazilian would not even pass near by! So that's the deal...

Have a great time in Brazil!

Answer 6

Unfortunately, the answer is yes! I am currently in Salvador, Bahia and have been in Brazil since November. This is my 17th visit to the country since 1992.
In December, 3 guys tried to mug me in Rio. The only reason they were not successful is that I yelled and was able to get the attention of people a couple hundred yards away.
In January, I was on a bus in Salvador when 3 teenagers, one with a gun, boarded the bus and proceeded to rob the fare collector and passengers. I only lost my watch. This happens 3 to 4 times a day in this city. It has become increasing dangerous for tourists in Cities like Rio and Salvador. Rio´s `Zona Sul`, which includes the popular beaches Copacabana and Ipanema is less heavily policed than a few years ago.
Here in Salvador the police substation in Barra has been closed since before Carnaval. Tourists have been robbed at night in front of their hotels on Ave 7 de Setembro, the street which runs along the most popular beach in Barra.
A few years ago, a german tourist was assaulted, robbed of his camcorder and shot to death in front of literally hundreds of people on another beach in Rio Vermelho. The only thing that makes this unusual is that it happed just after noon!
This week, the minister of Development, Industry, and Foreign Commerce was the victim of a ´home invasion´robbery at his gated and guarded condominium in
the upscale and fashionable Morumbi neighborhood in Sao Paulo.
Need I say more?!!

Source(s):

Personal experience.

Answer 7

I live in Brazil all my life. The situation is: All big cityes are dangerous. Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, really is very horrible. But, there are so many cities pretty and safe too. Rio and São Paulo are out my plans, coz so many violence are happening there.

Answer 8

I live between nyc and rio. Its not dangerous, its a media myth. Any city is dangerous, even new york - but if you make yourself appear to be a victim you will be one.

No fanny packs, no cameras on the shoulder and walk like you know what your doing. You'll never be bothered in Brazil.

Answer 9

Is the United States really that dangerous ?

Answer 10

no, its very easy to stay in brazil, in only a few neighborhoods is it dangerous to walk REALLY LATE AT NIGHT. it also cant be good to walk around with an ipod, but besides that, it is perfectly safe.

Answer 11

It is not so dengerous as people who live in another countries think.
I think USA cities like Los Angeles dengerous, but I don't know if more dengerous than Rio...

Answer 12

depends where you go

Answer 13

Been to Rio & have been to Sao Paulo, even visited Vitória in Espirito Santo (reputedly the most violent city in Brasil). Maybe those places are violent, but I can honestly say I have never had a problem there & I am regular visitor (I married a Brasilian). Really, Brasil is like anywhere else in the world. If you are stupid, ignore the safety guidelines & go looking for trouble then it will find you. Otherwise you'll be fine.

Answer 14

just dress poor and your be okay

Source(s):

was there for 2 days...