Santa Teresa in Rio - is it that bad?

Hi

Santa Teresa is not unsafe. Although it is near the center of Rio where you have to be watchful esp. at night when there are not as many people around, nor police. But, it is not as safe as staying in ipanema. However, it is really nice area,nice people much more of authentic brazilian rio experience than staying in copacabana or ipaneme. You have to be careful really anywhere is Rio, but if you take the proper precautions you wont have problems, such as taking taxi's late at night, not carrying valuables, sitting near the front by the driver on the bus, taking the metro (safe and cheap means fro getting to the beach) and just being aware of your surrounding and where you are going.

Enjoy

Why spend a few nights? You have researched and found lots of things to see and places to stay? Or just plan on going because you hear it is a nice place? I think a day would cover most of the attractions there. Why move from place to place? No one can say you won´t have problems, of course, just that your chances of being robbed, etc. can be reduced by certain activities. I would probably not want to stay in ST at night, but I have only been there briefly, and during the day.

i stayed in santa teresa (single female traveller) and LOVED it. didn´t feel unsafe but obviously didn´t go wandering around at night by myself (that said, i DID wander around with just one other woman and we didn´t have problems). you are very close to lapa so there are plenty of people around if you stay in the main areas you should be fine, lapa is great, santa teresa is great. do it. k x

Santa Teresa is completely delightful, full of charming old houses and "normal" people, as well as a smattering of travellers. It is a nice place to stay in Rio as it feels much less touristy than the usual tourist haunts, but you should be aware that the beach (Ipanema) is a good 45-60 minutes away by public transport. ST is close to the centro and also the fantastic nightlife in Lapa. It is also close to Flamengo which is a nice "local" area with a lovely park right across the water from Sugarloaf Mountain. ST also has some nice little bars and restaurants of its own. You can also walk to Corcovado (Christ the Redeemer) from ST (it takes about 2 hours). That being said, you need to be careful in ST as it is, like many places in Rio, surrounded by favelas and robberies happen. Take out with you only what you need, walk with purpose and avoid very quiet streets. Walk with others when you can. Take taxis (or the bus down to Centro/Lapa) at nighttime. I lived there for a month without incident.

short answer: no!

long answer:
S.T. gets a bad rep because of the number of favelas surrounding it. i live here now and know that many cariocas (people from rio) are scared to come here. there's really no need to be scared at all. it's a beautiful, funky neighborhood that you could wander around for a few days, seeking out amazing vistas, eating great food and viewing the homes alone. just use common sense. i feel like i'm more likely to get plowed over by an 'onibus' on the streets of ipanema than i am to get jacked up in S.T. come here. you'll love it.
(full disclosure: while i believe you'll have no troubles in S.T., there's a high likelihood of hearing gunshots in the distance occasionally....and fireworks that sound like bombs.)

top 5 reasons to visit santa teresa

1. The view from the Parque das Ruínas ....breathtaking (the linked phot is but a mere taste of what's to come!)
2. Nega Teresa's acarajes . so yummy.
3. The capoeira school by the Bonde (tram) stop in the evening. come sit outside the window and listen to the music and singing. dope!
4. eat a moqueca at sobrenatural or any of the equally nice spots adjacent to it.
   5.samba beautiful samba. most restaurants have live small group samba in the evening of the more mellow, romantic variety.

Edited by: BeatNicker