Which areas should be avoided in Rio de Janeiro?

[saras]

I might spend a couple months in Brazil next spring, and I've started looking at Airbnbs. But I'm unsure if there are any areas of the city that should be avoided (due to safety concerns or other things), especially when staying for a month or more.

Thank you for your help!

[Isabella_Herdy]

Hi Sara!

You should look for airbnbs in the south zone. It is the best area for sure. If possible stay in Ipanema/Leblon/Copacabana. It is near to the beaches and you will have malls and an active commercial area around. Botafogo, Flamengo and Laranjeiras are as well good options and probably cheaper (I live in Flamengo and love it!). Urca is an amazing neighborhood but a little bit isolated... you just have 1 bus to come and go.

You also have São Conrado and Barra da Tijuca. It is more distant from the south zone, but now we have subway so it could be good as well.

Try to avoid Catete and Glória. Even though it is in the south zone it might be dangerous at night. Tijuca can be nice, but more dangerous and distant from the good part of Rio.

Hope I help you a little bit
Kind regards!

[Rodrigo_Webler]

I live across Guanabara Bay, in Niterói. Until recently we felt a lot safer than "cariocas", but that's changing. For the Olympics, Rio authorities set up a special police scheme, even using armed forces, to decrease violent crimes, but that's scheduled to last only until after the oncoming municipal elections, in October. The attempt by authorities to pacify the criminals who hide in "favelas" by setting up police headquarters inside the most beleaguered ones seem to have failed both for the city of Rio and for neighboring cities because some of the criminals have simply fled, while others have resisted through violent means or, more likely than not, through corruption. All that is to say that Rio is a dangerous city when compared to major first-world capitals. Sticking to the more affluent parts of the city such as Zona Sul is, mostly, safer than being in the suburban areas (suburbs here don't have the same meaning as in the USA, they're more like French banlieues) but given that the geography of Rio is peppered with hills, even those affluent areas have danger zones when they connect with one of the crime-plagued communities. The best thing is the be alert all the time and most of all, not to look like a tourist. Which is true every time someone is away from home, I guess. I'm sorry I can't be more specific.

[Arthur_Souza]

Hi Sara,

Like any big city, there is no place that is absolutely safe. Of all the "rich" neighborhoods, I would avoid being too late in the night around Copacabana, because of it's fame as a tourist beach, places where all the tourists go are never a good idea. I would also avoid the Aterro do Flamengo and Praia de Botafogo at night.

Lapa, Glória and Catete are neighborhoods right in the middle of the city that can allow you go reach most places, and I believe will have a good balance of safe and cheap.

As far as places you should avoid in general, it's hard to give you a proper list, because of the high number of places that are still dominated by criminal factions, but don't let this disappoint you.

People in rio will be easily able to tell you, when you want to go somewhere, if it's safe. Just talk to all the friends you'll make around here, it's really easy, we're cool.

[Carlos_Eduardo_Abran]

Hello Sara,

Neighbourhoods I recommend you to look for:

Ipanema
* Quite pricey as above
* Touristy
* The beach's crowded
* Considerably expensive.
* Only fancy bars stay open after midnight.
* Not really a interesting area in my opinion, totally overrated.

Leblon
* Exactly the same as Ipanema.

Copacabana
* The most visited neighbourhood by tourists.
* The beachfront sidewalk is pretty, but packed.
* Everything can be made by foot.
* Many metro stations in this area.
*Not too safe on late nights.

Botafogo
Quite local
* The best neighbourhood in my opinion.
* Close to everything.
* Close to city centre,
* It has a nightlife, bars stay open almost until morning.
* Very good street market.

Flamengo
* Nice neighbourhood
* Very close to the city centre
* Mostly residential
* Close to many other nice neighbourhoods.

Laranjeiras
*Same as Botafogo and Flamengo, but no metro station.
*Transportation here on late nights can be tricky.

Barra da Tijuca
* Jardim Ocenico area specifically
* Local
* Everything can be made by foot,
* Brand new metro station with the same name (Line 4)
* The beach is better than the ones in Ipanema, Copacabana, and Leblon.
* A little bit far from the city centre, but well served with transport.
*Safer than most of the areas in the south zone.

Urca
*This neighbourhood is loved by locals and tourists.
*Pretty calm and charming.
*Transport here is very difficult.

Santa Teresa
*Very charming area
*Filled with slopes, making it pretty tiring.
*Very touristy.
*It can be dangerous at night.
*Transport here leaves much to be desired.
*Some of the greatests views of the city.

I'd avoid Lapa, Catete, Glória, Tijuca, São Conrado, Recreio.

[Felipe_Fonseca_Costa]

Hi Sarah! Basically in order to avoid any inconveniences such as being extra careful coming back at night, etc. I recommend staying in the "south zone" of Rio. Rio is much safer that its reputation and you will be fine!
Botafogo, flamengo, urca, leme,copacabana, ipanema, Leblon and gávea are the surest neighborhoods.
Bear in mind that there are difference in costs for these places. Ipanema and Leblon and gávea being the fanciest. The best cost benefit in my opinion due to prices, transportation and location are Botafogo, Leme and Copacabana.
Hope this helps!
Felipe.

[Jefferson_Pita_dos_S]

Hi there!

You probably are going to be at the South Zone: Copacabana, Ipanema, Botafogo, Flamengo, Glória, Catete. These are safe places. The favelas are not as dangerous as people say, eventually, with locals you can visit a favela but I would not encourage you to stay there.

I would suggest you to live in walking distance to subway. It would help you a lot around here. Before booking your accomodation, you can share the link with me, I would love to help you.

Enjoy Rio!

[Ruy_Fortini]

Hello @saras,
Good to know that you're planning to spend some time here in Brazil

I guess you can say that the areas of the "South Zone" (Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, Jardim Botânica) are the safest. They're also the areas with the best services.

I live in Copacabana really near to Ipanema, it's a great place, 1 block away from the beach, there's a 24/7 security in front of my door. You should check out my Airbnb listing, it would be great to have you here.

Cheers

[felippeyaghdjian]

Hello Sara,

I from Rio de Janeiro and I would advice you to stay in one of the following neighborhoods, in order of preference:

1. Ipanema;

2. Leblon;

3. Copacabana;

4. Leme;

Also, there are other safe places, but as a tourist it is better for you to stay close to the main attractions, thats why I adviced you the neighborhoods above. If you do not mind about staying in the middle of the tourist attractions, I would say that Barra da Tijuca it is the best option. It is the safest place in Rio de Janeiro and has the best cost benefit, good and cheap hotels, nice restaurants, clubs, malls and the best beach in my opinion.

You can choose any one of the mentioned neighborhoods that you will not have problems, as safe as most of European countries.

Any doubt please let me know.

Enjoy your trip.

[Paulo_Cesar]

Dear Sara,

I have lived my whole life in Rio (althought I was born in São Paulo) and I can surey tell you this city is not as unsafe or dangerous as most of people used to say.

Like big cities,of course we have places to avoid, but if you are looking for places to stay, Choose neighbourhood like Botafogo or Flamengo, because they are very central and well located. They have a lot of buses and subway system in order to help you move to other parts of the city. These areas are safe, with policemen, restaurants, bars, supermarkets and all the stuff. They are more residencial than tourist, but we have a very interesting cultural life in theses parts.

I hope I could had helped you.

[Hugo_Borges_Ferreira]

The easiest, safest also most expensive part is "zona sul" (south zone). This includes the following neighborhoods: Leblon, Ipanema, copacabana, botafogo, flamengo, Lagoa. All of these neighborhoods have good transportantion are clean and safe and have most of the tourist attractions. I would advise you to choose something near a subway station, safest way of transportantion. Coming to work you might look a place near your work including Barra da Tijuca, that is an almost completely different city. Enjoy the city!

[Carol_Roland_Elias]

Hello Sara, the safests areas for a tourist are the South Zone and a part of the West Zone of the city of Rio, in those areas are the neighborhoods: Ipanema, Leblon, Copacabana, Botafogo, Barra da Tijuca and Recreio.
These last two mentioned are a little far and doesn't have subway. But they usually are a little cheaper.
You can also look something in Flamengo and Largo do Machado, but they are places you should always be aware of your surroundings.
Hope I helped. I will be glad to answer more questions.

[Iuri_Alves]

Hi Sara! I live in Rio for almost my entire life. Due natural reasons (hills closer to the sea), Rio has several dangerous areas. The worst are: North area (includes Tijuca and around Maracana) and the suburbs and downtown. Try to look at South area (Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, Botafogo) or West side (Barra da Tijuca).

Very important to note that there is no safe area (in comparison to US, Canada or Europe), but areas where you can walk and see police in the streets. Avoid to show your camera or expensive items.

Be safe and welcome to Rio.

Regards,
Iuri

[enriquefrade]

hey sara, RIO is a difficult city , the same neighbourhood can be good and bad, if you walk 200 meters in copacabana beach you can go to a bad place. i can help you if you want.

[Andrea_Cerqueira]

Oh, many areas, it's difficult to say exactly because the noble part is always surrounded by favelas too.
Google street view can help a lot.
Just don't go for noble areas like Santa Tereza, because it's like a rich favela, it's bohemia, it's cool but if you're not a local person can be dangerous.

[Iviling_Adolfo_de_Je]

Hi Sara! How are you?
Are you coming to Rio when, exactly??
Well, I´ve lived in Rio for 4 years, I´m not FROM there, but I´ll ask my husband, who is carioca and knows better than me about these stuff.
Where are you intending to stay? (it can help for more information)

Regards!

Iviling

[Carolina_Simmer]

I think it's better to stay in the Zona Sul neighborhoods (Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, Laranjeiras, Largo do Machado). Barra is also good and safe, but it's far from everything, and you need a car to get around, although there's a subway stop there now. Tijuca is also okay and cheaper.
I wouldn't stay in Lapa. It's a fun place for going out at night, but it's not so good during the day. On the other hand, downtown can be okay during the day, but not at night. I also wouldn't go to the slums, but I guess there are tours that take you to some of them, and it should be safe.

[Samea_Barcelos]

I suggest to you avoid areas near for "favela" or poor communities because nowadays the country it's very vunerable about security. Look the Airbnbs localization at google earth before. I can talk about Fortaleza and Rio de Janeiro, it's where I live.

[D_suisso]

Hi sara, wellcome to Brazil, in Rio you need be careful all the time, avoid walking on the streets talking on cellphone, avoid gold cord, gold bracelet. The best neighborhoods are in zone south, if want take a cab, use the UBER is cheaper and more safety. The people are friendly, we have good food too. Enjoy the beaches, bars and make some friends.

[Marcelo_Tacuchian]

Hi Sara.

I tend to agree with what most of the people suggested you. I would only add that If looking where to stay in Rio, somewhere close to a tube station (metrô in Portuguese) is quite helpful.

Enjoy Rio. Regards, Marcelo