1

I think that if you make an effort, you will find a lot of people in the hostels in the same boat as you, willing to go out with you to do activities.

I do not want to make comments about relative security of places, as all places in the world can be dangerous. I can tell you that the beaches in the 3 most southern part of Brazil, which, altho not as interesting as the rest of Brazil, are nice at that time and are very safe. Same with the beaches in Uruguay and Argentina.

2

Brazil, including Rio and Sao Paulo, is full of women tourists like you. Also, plenty of Brazilian women are white--not that it doesn't mean you'll stand out as a tourist, but just something to think about.

3

If you are sensible it is very unlikely something will happen to you. Search this forum for "women south america" and you will find countless threads with advice for safety for solo female travelers.

4

I just moved to Rio a couple of months ago. The first days I was really carefull, only carrying small amounts of money, expecting to get robbed any time. But now I feel a lot safer :-)

The crime levels have dropped a lot the last years, escpecially in the South Zone (Ipanema, Leblon, Copacabana). The Brazilian authorities make a big effort in making it safer for tourists (preparing for the World Cup in 2014 and Olympics in 2016). As long as you go where there are lots of people, I think you will be OK :-) If you find yourself in a totally empty street, you are probably in the wrong place.

The Ipanema area is safer and has less tourists than Copacabana, and it has the best beach!
Good luck with your trip-planning!

5

Thank you all,

your comments and advices have been very helpful. All of them made me feel better, really muuuuch better - you know, I feel I am quite an adventurous type of person - but reading all the analysis about the crime in Rio, Sao Paulo, Brazil made me look at my idea from a different point of view.

And I will not show off - this will be my first big trip - over sea's trip - and I m totally new to this kind of travelling - before just around Europe and usually I had a job found before I set off. So need to worry about too many things.

I forgot to ask - what about the "insect" or "water" issue - I mean have you ever heard of someone having some serious troubles with mosquito bites or having to be hospitalised for some "serious" medical reasons due to some specificalitites in Brazil? It might sound silly - but frankly here in Europe I have encountered agressive mosquitos especially in Greece and I actually ended up with strong anti - allergic medication. It is OK just wanna prepare well before I go...sometimes the info the servers provide make you feel scared and you stop being real:)

Tindane, thank you for you tip about Ipanema - btw how far is Ipanema from the airport GIG and from Copacabana?
My idea is to probably see just Rio (stay there a week or so)
Would you be willing to meet up with me there for a coffee or drink?
If I am not too daring - where from did you ove to Rio - I mean where did you leave before?
I find it totally intriguing that you live in the city and established yourself there. Congratulations!

Thank you mendocinateacher, Wendy79, hazzdawg, Tindane!!

Sonia

6

I understand some concerns about crime rates in Rio but you're, definetely, overreacting...

You're coming in high season, the city will be full of tourists everywhere, the main sights will be crowded and you will see that we don't leave in a war zone.

Just use some safe precautions: don't expose cameras when you're not taking pictures, ask in your hostel where are the places to go and the one's to avoid and be aware to what's happening around you, like you would be in any 6 million people city.

The beaches are probably the safest place in town. In the sand, no one will bother you. Just don't leave your stuff alone when you're going to take a dip, ask someone to look it for you. It's totally common, the person will understand what you're asking.

Ipanema is very close to Copacabana, deppending on where you are, you can walk from one to the other, and both are far from the airport. But GIG is far from anything, so you will have to spend some money in a taxi or, if you prefer, taking a bus.

7

Thank you Inaciomartinelli,

I know that it could seem a little "too much". On the other hand I feel more secure when reading what other people write. As I said before - this would be my first big trip so I need to be sure I know what I am doing, more or less. Of course - a detailed planning is not what I mean to do, but I need to know where I am going.

Thank you very much for your answer! The info has been very useful.

Here in Prague it is safer to "call" taxi providers than to take "no name" taxi. I assume there is some typical provider in Rio, right?

Have a great time and thanks once again!
Sonia

8

Dear ban_janti_return

thank you for that answer too. Yeah I can understand what you are saying - bad things and people can happen and are everywhere. It is true that when home you know the place you live in better and you know what to expect more or less.

In Prague I live in a "dangerous" neighbourhood" but I love it here and just am careful during night as it should be every where.
I am sorry for your bad experience here witht eh cabs - it is indeed a bad reputation for us and scam taxi drivers are now mentioned in every good "guiding" book about Prague. It is a shame!

I hope anyway that you could enjoy the city in a way that left some nice memories with you and you don't think of Prague as of a 'unfriendly' place.

Thank you once more and have a great time!
Sonia

9

I moved from tiny Norway to big Rio :-) So it's a huge difference. But Rio is really a nice city which is easy to like! I will probably be in Rio in November, although I plan to do some travelling during the autumn. Trying to find some good tips at the lonly planet travel pages! If I'm here when you arraive, I'd be happy to have a coffe or a caipirinha with you!

10

#10

Well... I think you shouldn't make an opinion about an entire country considering only one bad experience.
I don't know which South American country you've been, but in Brazil we have a lot of problems with police corruption.

11

To badrzo fajnie!

Moja mama jest Polką, to viem o czem młuvisz:-) Sometimes it is hard with authorities - but I think is to good to know that in some countries "trusting in system" is really not the way to go!
I would like to do Poland next year in summer!

Ok Tindane, when knowing more I will write you a message and hope we can meet:-)!

see you

12

Guys, do you have any ideas about that? Is it OK for a young woman (with a clear European look - white like a wall - not making a xenophope comment, just stating that it will show right away that I am a tourist for sure:-) ) to travel to Rio?

Is it safe in hostels? Can you walk safely in streets and do some sightseeing? I am really becoming kinda scared as everywhere you can read about scams in buses, streets and especially beaches - and since I would love to profit from beaches in Rio, I am really thinking - is this going to be a doable trip? On hand it feels like a great adventure, on the other I am sort of thinking that it can be a crazy idea.

As above, lots of Brazilians are European in appearance.

If you are blonde, you will get a lot of attention from Brazilian men who will try to talk to you. But it is just them being friendly and nothing to worry about.

Hostels are very safe - most will have some sort of door system that only allows people staying at the hostel to come in.

You will meet other travellers easily. Have a good trip!

13

#10 I base it on my life in the same region of the world, Czech and Poles are like brothers and sisters, our culture, langue etc is very similar, we also share similar problems.
I've been to all countries of the continent besides Guyana (former British one, I've been to another two) and Venezuela.
Honestly it's more rough in Eastern Europe where I'm from.
And I never said anything about crossing Czech because of this experience, I just know the region very well as I've spend more than 20 years there.
#11 Poland is a bit more conservative and less chilled than Czech, but in general we are very much alike. Enjoy your time there, and honestly if you need any precautions you need them more for Poland than for Brazil ;-)

14

Dear kmingnath

thank you!
Yeah, already excited, anxious, overwhelemed, but resolved I must see that place!

Thank you all for these comments, they really have been so helpful!

Sonia