Every time we think of traveling to Rio de Janeiro, despite being a city with beautiful tourist attractions, we always have concerns about safety.
To help with the best travel planning, we’ve separated some lodging, travel and basic care tips to get to know the city without any scares.
Table of Contents
Where to stay safely in Rio de Janeiro
Veja magazine, one of the most important in the city of Rio de Janeiro, did a survey with some of its readers and listed as the best neighborhoods to live safely: Leblon, Urca, Barra da Tijuca, Jardim Botânico and Gávea.
Consequently, taking the Barra da Tijuca which is very far from the main sights, these are the best places to stay.
The best rated hotels with a good number of hotels on Booking.com for these neighborhoods are:
- Leblon
- Urca
- Jardim Botânico
- Gávea
Of course we can not forget Copacabana, probably one of the best known neighborhoods not only in Rio de Janeiro, but in the world. Being a frequent destination of several tourists, it is a very well-policed and secure place.
The accommodations recommended by Booking.com are:
- Premier Copacabana Hotel
- Rio Othon Palace
- Hotel Atlântico Travel Copacabana
- Américas Copacabana Hotel
- Mirasol Copacabana Hotel
- Hotel Atlântico Rio
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What to see in Rio de Janeiro
Another question that is always asked is what to visit on a first trip to Rio de Janeiro. One of the main and most famous tourist destinations in the world, its main points of visit are Corcovado with the statue of Christ the Redeemer, the cable cars of the Sugar Loaf and its beaches.
But there are other places to visit in the wonderful city, all of which are quite often touristy and policing.
Where to go during the day (in parenthesis the name in Brazilian Portuguese):
- Beaches (Praias)
- Sugarloaf (Pão de Açúcar)
- Christ Redeemer (Cristo Redentor)
- if you want to get in a little train, better buy in advance!
- Botanical Garden (Jardim Botânico)
- Church of Our Lady of Candelaria (Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Candelária)
- National Library (Biblioteca Naciona)
- Municipal Theater (Teatro Municipal)
- Museum of Tomorrow (Museu do Amanhã)
To enjoy the night:
- Lapa (bars and restaurants)
- in front of Circo Voador and Arcos
- Samba in Pedra do Sal
- Boardwalk of Copacabana
See more things to do in Rio de Janeiro
Basic care to know Rio de Janeiro with safety
Despite the high number of violent headlines, it is possible to know Rio de Janeiro without many risks. The most important thing is to take all the care that would be taken in big cities, such as:
- Do not let valuables, such as wallets, cameras or cell phones, be discreet;
- Know your destination, in doubt print a paper with all the addresses (hotel, tourist destinations, restaurants, bars etc.);
- Avoid dark and dark places, do not enter alleys or unknown streets;
- Do not wear laces (laces, bracelets, etc.);
- Be careful, in doubt ask the authorities.
It is well known the fame of the carioca taxi drivers to give them a chance to increase the route or even the price, so the tip is to take only official taxi (the yellow ones, asking by telephone in the hotel, restaurants and bars or app) and Uber.
And if any isolated case such as theft or even robbery happens, do the necessary procedures (B.O. in the police station, bank report and credit card flag, cell phone cancellation etc.) and do not let it affect you too much.
Enjoy! Try to take full advantage of your trip and enjoy the wonderful city of Rio de Janeiro.