Much has been said about the dangers of Rio. Most of what I've read is overstated, based on old information, but there are a number of precautions one should take to reduce the chance of being victimized. Rio is a very big city, and like any big city anywhere in the world that has a lot of poverty and attracts a lot of tourists, there will be some crime. Most of the violent crime occurs in parts of town you will not be likely to wander into, such as the larger favelas.

There is a fair amount of petty crime in Rio directed at tourists. Most of it is of the pickpocket and petty theft variety. What can you do to avoid being a victim? First, simply don't carry around anything you don't need at the moment, and make sure you have a good grip on anything you are carrying. I almost never carry a wallet with me, and if I do, I make sure I'm wearing pants or shorts that close in a way that makes theft more difficult (buttoned or zippered pockets work fairly well). You should always carry a photocopy of your passport (the inside page with all the info), but not your actual passport. It's a good idea to carry a card with your hotel information as well. Otherwise, carry whatever money you need for your purposes and not much more. Second, don't wear any flashy jewelry. Leave your Rolex at home and wear your cheap Timex. Third, don't leave anything on the beach unattended that you can't live without. You'll notice that the locals will bring a t-shirt, a cheap pair of sandals, and a towel to the beach and nothing else. I have a little waterproof case that I put a few reais in and keep in my pocket while I'm in the water. Fourth, stay off the beach after dark. Lots of muggings by groups of adolescent males occur at night on the beach, especially on Copacabana. Fifth, take cabs most places after dark. Cabs are dirt cheap, and a mugging will pretty much ruin your experience. Sixth, keep valuables (cash, passport, cameras) in your safe in your room, especially when you've brought a garota back to your room. Most are trustworthy but a minority may not be. Follow these rules and you should be able to relax and enjoy the greatest show on earth.