I have read all the warnings about Copacabana and the muggings around Help. Is it also bad in Ipanema. Could you walk from a hotel in Ipanema to Centaurus at night? Is it easy to find cabs everywhere? Is there a risk of being mugged while waiting for a cab (I know...overly paranoid)?

I've spent 90+% of my time in Copa when I was there over two years. The only two muggings I saw were both in Ipanema on Visconde de Pirajá and were mid-afternoon. The only time I came close to being mugged myself was in Arpoador dressed in football gear at 6pm. This despite wandering around Copa pissed and "dressed up" with nice shiny shoe at all hours of the night and in the "hotspot" around Help.

Conclusion : It's partly luck but IMO a lot about how you carry yourself and how aware you are. I think the advice about not wearing jewellery and watches is sound, but forget about dressing down to blend in. It's going to take more than a pair of flip-flops and an Osklen t-shirt to fool the muggers into thinking you're a Brasileiro.

Cabs are easy and quick to find so I wouldn't be worried about being mugged. I would walk back from Centaurus to Ipanema but as everyhwere in Rio there is always the chance you could meet the wrong person. Just be alert and don't carry more than you need. The best advice I can give is be VERY wary of anyone riding a bike late at night.

I have to say I feel much safer walking around Ipanema at night, compared to Copa. But even then, you have to watch your back and even the locals in Ipanema advises against walking on the street along after 11pm.

The best is to catch a cab. They are dirt cheap. If you are in a hotel, you should have no problem catch them. If you are in renting an apartment, make sure you ask how far is the nearest taxi station. In my case, my apartment is one block away from a taxi station and there are always taxi waiting there, except fromt the rainly nights when they get really busy.

Lennox, I was in Rio for Carnaval last February and never saw any incidences take place. I don't know if this was as a result of the numerous Brazilian and military police that were posted around or not. Prior to going I was in Florida and read a news report about Brazil cleaning up the area and cracking down in preparation for Carnaval. I tend to travel quite a bit on my own and mostly to Latin countries. My protection might be that I am part Hispanic. I've often been told that I look Puerto Rican, although I'm not. In fact, when I was in Punta Cana I was told that I looked like one of them, so this might cause the locals of whatever country I'm in to have second thoughts. But I also have a practice that I employ wherever I go. If somebody starts looking at me like they're crazy and might want to try and rob me, I look back at them like maybe I might rob them instead. I give them a look that implies that I might have a few screws loose as well. This generally works. However, if it doesn't, you better be able to fight like hell. You have to understand, predators prey on the weak. If you give the impression that you might be weak and easy prey, you've got problems. One of the things that I've noticed in my travels is that it is often very esay to make out tourists, and I don't mean simply with respect to their dress. Tourists tend to walk around looking in awe, as opposed to looking as if they know where they're going. I stated in another report somewhere that I travel for one reason and one reason only, and that is to get laid. So, when I'm out scouting around I'm looking out for ass, and the potential predator. I don't give a damn about the local architecture of a city. I could care less about the skyline. The impression I give is that I might not know where I'm going, but that I intend to get there, and get there safely. You have to give a potential predator the impression that attacking you might be a hell of alot more work and effort than most predators are willing to put forth. Additionally, always, always, be aware of your surroundings. I'm sure you've heard this over and over. But, what I mean by being aware is that if you notice you are being observed, look the other person straight in his/her eyes, and keep looking as if to say "yea, I know what you're up to and it ain't going to happen here." Don't look to the point where you appear to be challenging the person, but to indicate that the pickings might be better elsewhere. A predator is looking to get the jump on you without you being aware.

And, finally, I've never been worried about traveling to other foreign locations. Hell, in the US we have NYC, LA, Chicago, Miami, etc. Need I say more?

always take a cab at night. Or even during the day in eery situations and locations, after coming from the ATM, etc. Taxis are a MAIOR safety plus. You get robbed much more easily in your own car then in a taxi

If you cannot flag down a cab easily, get some cab service phone numbers, not too hard to get (yellow pages). This is even an additional safety factor against dishonest taxi drivers. Or make friends with a few drivers and get their cell numbers.

Make sure the service is located conveniently. Avoid the special taxis, unless if you want to pay more for the nicer cars.

Having spent a while in ipanema, i have seen about 5 or 6 robberies take place in daylight, right on visconde de piraja, it really isn't that big a deal for the people there because it happens so frequently. generally you will hear the person who was robbed scream, then all the people on the street kinda yell and point to the guy running away, and then 5 minutes later you wouldn't even know anything had happened. every time i have seen it happen it has been the purse or camera of a foreign woman stolen. i think the best way to avoid being robbed, as has been said, is to not wear expensive clothing or jewelry, don't carry about camcorders or cameras that are easy to grab, and pay attention to your surroundings. oh yeah, and always take a cab at night.