Rio de Janeiro - Safety Tips from a Carioca

As everyone knows, Rio can be dangerous,but not as people think. it also depends of you,here are some safety tips to avoid a bad time in Rio:

- Always keep the money that you will spend in some place next you to avoid to open the wallet in public.

- Only change money in the Airport or exchange houses,take care because when you leave the airport ,a lot of strange people probably will offer you to change money by a low price, but it can be very dangerous.

- next to the beach bars there is a lot of 'shoe-shine boys',and they start to clean your shoes without you even ask and then they charge you,to avoid this, pay attention and if you see one of them coming,dont let them touch in your shoes.

- Avoid to 'look like a tourist' with a camera hanging in your neck,put the camera in a bag and just take it out when you use it,also avoid to walk holding maps and stuff that shows that youre a tourist.Its very common to see a lot of tourists with their cameras all the time,but this is the same as if they were screaming : "Please steal my camera!!".

- Oh and please never never neeeeever wear shorts with socks and sneakers/sandals ( as the picture bellow).

- If you feel unsafe in the beach stay next to the police cabins in the sand.

- Lapa has an amazing nightlife,but can be dangerous at night,so avoid to stay in open places as bars,give preference to closed nightclubs and restaurants.

- Never accept a drink from someone who you dont know, and if you drink something,watch your cup/bottle because someone can put a strong sleeping drug in it and steal you while you fall asleep.

- If youre a girl and want to avoid annoying guys flirting with you,go to 'Posto 9' on Ipanema beach,its the gay area,so no straight guys trying to seduce you.lol

- again,if youre a girl dont do top-less on brazilian beaches,it is allowed,but not common and people can get really ofended.

- if you need to call the police,call the tourist police: 3399-7170 or 2511-5112,you can call then anytime if you have a problem,they work 24/7.

I hope that someone find it useful!
sorry for my bad english =]
if someone need tips or want a meet up,just send me a message!

Tchau!