[wellrockthecity]

Not even one hour, Cantagalo is literally 15 minutes walking from Copa/Ipanema. Favela kids can get from Rocinha to Zona sul in like 45 mins. Thats why you have so many arastao, last year there was one in Leblon which was kind of a big deal because it has always been considered one of the safest area.

Thats where I find Medellin has a big advantage over Rio, apart from being safer overall the good areas are very far from the shitty ones. If you are in Poblado you feel the same atmosphere as any rich area of Europe/US.
In rio you are always surrounded by favelas and poverty which gives you this 24/7 sense of oppression/anxiety. Who has spent some time there knows what I am talking about.

You really have to love Rio and Carioca culture to live there a long time in my opinion, I have debated if moving there for a while as I have a good group of friends and love the city but the unsafety, high cost of living and shitty food are too much of a drawback to me.

[LINUX]

(12-22-2018 09:18 AM)bojack Wrote:  

Rio is not nearly as bad as the media and some dumb tourists make it out to be. I've lived here all my life (24 years) and not once I had my life in danger.

I leave the house everyday with a rolex in my wrist and a new iPhone. Not a single worry in my mind.

Just stay in Barra, Leblon, or Ipanema and don't go to other parts of the city because they're all low class shitholes anyway.

I am calling 100% bullshit on this. How can you never have been in in danger in 24 years in Rio. Do you live under a rock? I had a Brazilian girlfriend killed in Ipanema in 2012, two blocks from post 9. I was also was in Rio, not even two days, a few months ago, and saw someone killed in Leblon right on the beach. Someone stabbed him to death and people stood around and watched.

I understand Brazilian patriotism but guys need to know the facts before they decide to pay Rio a visit. 24 years and you have never seen anything, walking around with a Rolex, yeah right.

[asdfk]

wellrockthecity, you are completely on point. Couldn't have said it better.

Don't come here for pussy. You'll see things you can't unsee and might get hurt, unless you're Jack Bauer. That's my travel advisory. Might drop a more extensive datasheet for people dumb enough to come anyway.

[Celestial]

(12-22-2018 04:03 PM)LINUX Wrote:  

(12-22-2018 09:18 AM)bojack Wrote:  

Rio is not nearly as bad as the media and some dumb tourists make it out to be. I've lived here all my life (24 years) and not once I had my life in danger.

I leave the house everyday with a rolex in my wrist and a new iPhone. Not a single worry in my mind.

Just stay in Barra, Leblon, or Ipanema and don't go to other parts of the city because they're all low class shitholes anyway.

I am calling 100% bullshit on this. How can you never have been in in danger in 24 years in Rio. Do you live under a rock? I had a Brazilian girlfriend killed in Ipanema in 2012, two blocks from post 9. I was also was in Rio, not even two days, a few months ago, and saw someone killed in Leblon right on the beach. Someone stabbed him to death and people stood around and watched.

I understand Brazilian patriotism but guys need to know the facts before they decide to pay Rio a visit. 24 years and you have never seen anything, walking around with a Rolex, yeah right.

Agree with Linux, even when I stayed in Leblon I had to keep my wits about. Those areas are safer, but absolutely are not safe, at least compared to you typical western city.

Also Linux, has it gotten worse than earlier this year? I'm wondering if it's gotten even more dangerous.

[bojack]

I'm not bullshitting. Just dont fool around and you'll be fine in Rio. I do admit i drive around in an armored car, but besides that, my life is 100% normal. Never been in any danger in Rio.

I invite any doubter to grab a beer with me in Rio so I can show you how this city works.

[CaptainChardonnay]

When I was in Rio I wore an expensive watch, used my Samsung s8 and Canon dslr camera and had no issues, this is even going through a favela (a nice one) to take photos.

I was taking precautions like driving through red lights, taking ubers and walking around on more busy streets. Most of the time I was also carrying a big black umbrella. The only time I felt something was about to kick off was when I was in Lapa right after seeing Escadaria Selarón and it was starting to get dark. I immediately jumped in a cab and left.

I'm pretty big, have tattoos and can pass for a Brazilian. Obviously I was pushing my luck however I ran into no problems. I was also sober the whole time I was there from what I remember.

The girl I was seeing there told me that when she was younger, her mom was robbed by a guy in a suit so it's not like the danger isn't there.

[bojack]

Nice report. This is what anyone can expect in Rio.

Lapa is a terrible area to be in. Both women wise and crime wise. No point in visiting it.

[CaptainChardonnay]

I thought Escadaria Selarón was really cool. Doesn't Lapa also have a good night life area?

Btw bro my buddy's uncle was driving in his armoured car. Some thugs came up with pistols and tried to car jack him so he knocks on the window to tell them that it's bulletproof. The thugs go back to their car and then come back with AKs. Turns out his car was only pistol rated and not rifle. Because my buddys uncle was being cocky, the thugs pistol whipped him when he got out and then took his shit and left.

[bojack]

Most good cars in Rio have a III-A armor rating. Which means they can stand even rifle shots.

But yeah, im not trying to say Rio is safe. Rio is dangerous to any western standpoint. It just isnt as dangerous as most 'gringos' make it out to be.

Btw, you can pay 50$ a day to a military police officer to drive you around and be your security here for the day. Thats what everyone that lives in Barra/Leblon does when they go on a night out in town etc.

[CaptainChardonnay]

When I went out with my buddy we had a guy who was driving us around and doing security. Don't think he was police though.

[Celestial]

(12-22-2018 04:52 PM)bojack Wrote:  

I'm not bullshitting. Just dont fool around and you'll be fine in Rio. I do admit i drive around in an armored car, but besides that, my life is 100% normal. Never been in any danger in Rio.

I invite any doubter to grab a beer with me in Rio so I can show you how this city works.

An armored car, can you clarify? Walking around in the city, I don't recall seeing any armored cars, most looked normal enough to me. Then again I'm not an expert on cars.

[bojack]

Armored cars look the same as regular cars. They have just a much thicker metal exterior and glasses, which makes them resistant to guns. I guarantee you see lots of armored cars without noticing. Rio is the global capital of armored cars

[CaptainChardonnay]

People bulletproof their volkswagens in Brazil.

[Lino]

(12-22-2018 03:24 PM)wellrockthecity Wrote:  

In rio you are always surrounded by favelas and poverty which gives you this 24/7 sense of oppression/anxiety. Who has spent some time there knows what I am talking about.

You really have to love Rio and Carioca culture to live there a long time in my opinion, I have debated if moving there for a while as I have a good group of friends and love the city but the unsafety, high cost of living and shitty food are too much of a drawback to me.

Very true,I felt this constantly while there, that’s the reason why I thought I couldn’t live there.

[fvitterbi]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all your posts on this thread. It's helped me quite a bit to learn and prepare for my upcoming trip to Rio.

If any of you would like to meet up, I am from the states (L.A. and Miami) and will be living in Rio for 3 months starting on January 20th. I speak basic Portuguese will also be taking an intensive Portuguese course at PUC-RIO. I'll be in Rio until about 2 weeks after Carnaval and then living in Belo Horizonte for 1 month.

I'll most likely live in Ipanema, near Parque General Osorio, probably close to Estacao General Osorio to get the best logistics. Any advice on this or other things would be greatly appreciated. I've been to Sao Paulo and Belo Horizonte before but never Rio.

Also, I am an active and experienced day gamer (spent years in Medellin, Dominican Republic, etc.) and learned from Vinny the Instagram king, and 20Nation so if anyone has experience/interest in day gaming PM me your whatsap and we can meet up and hit up the metro, universities, parks/squares, malls and beaches.

peace,

[semibaron]

(01-01-2019 11:33 AM)fvitterbi Wrote:  

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all your posts on this thread. It's helped me quite a bit to learn and prepare for my upcoming trip to Rio.

If any of you would like to meet up, I am from the states (L.A. and Miami) and will be living in Rio for 3 months starting on January 20th. I speak basic Portuguese will also be taking an intensive Portuguese course at PUC-RIO. I'll be in Rio until about 2 weeks after Carnaval and then living in Belo Horizonte for 1 month.

I'll most likely live in Ipanema, near Parque General Osorio, probably close to Estacao General Osorio to get the best logistics. Any advice on this or other things would be greatly appreciated. I've been to Sao Paulo and Belo Horizonte before but never Rio.

Also, I am an active and experienced day gamer (spent years in Medellin, Dominican Republic, etc.) and learned from Vinny the Instagram king, and 20Nation so if anyone has experience/interest in day gaming PM me your whatsap and we can meet up and hit up the metro, universities, parks/squares, malls and beaches.

peace,

I would stay near the station Nyssa Senhora da Paz. It's one station deeper into Ipanema. The border area between Ipanema and Copacabana is a bit sketchy and has an unpleasant favela right there.

[Rushmore]

Any insight in RdJ's girls and their bedroom preferences? As in: how "catholic" are they, backdoor/BJs instead of "normal" penetration and so on.

[budoslavic]

First time posting in a Travel category so here goes.

Since I have traveled extensively to EE (mostly Ukraine) and SEA (Philippines & Thailand) for years, my goals for 2019 is to travel to someplace new by checking out other countries, specifically Russia, Poland and Brazil.

I had heard good things about Brazilian women. A guy I used to train with in karate met and married a Brazilian girl. Met her once in person. All I can say is "damn...ugly bastard must have a big dong to pick up a hot Brazilian". (She was already living and working in the USA at that time.)

South America is an unfamiliar territory for me. After reading this thread, I am now wary of Brazil because my deafness is a big disadvantage here if I were to wander around at night on my own. As someone who always plan ahead and research extensively before making any plans, I am starting to wonder if I should switch to visiting either Colombia or Argentina as a first timer.

Any advice or point me in the right RVF Travel thread direction would be greatly appreciated.

[asdfk]

Quote:

because my deafness is a big disadvantage here if I were to wander around at night on my own

First rule of Rio is that you don't wander around outside at night alone. You just don't.

In my opinion you won't have a disadvantage. When they're coming for you they will present a knife or pistol or some other weapon. Or they might surround you with five-ten guys and grab what they can.

[victor2]

Hey guys. I have already booked tickets to and airbnb in Rio. I had security concerns from the beginning but I guess I was too blinded. I calculated the risk of being killed to be low, but after going through this thread, I think screw it, it's not worth it, at least not now. I'll cancel.

I'm still somewhat strangely drawn to Brazil. Are there safer cities there? Or is the whole country like that? I was thinking about Belo Horizonte, Sao Paulo, or Florianopolis.

[asdfk]

Hey victor, I think that's a wise decision. With all the great alternatives in South America (let alone South East Asia) Brazil in general and Rio in particular is the worst possible choice for a bang vacation.

If you speak Portuguese some provincial cities might be a better choice. However, the safety is again bad compared to Colombia, Argentina or Peru. Belo Horizonte for example is safe for Brazilian standard, but if you compare it to other South American cities I wouldn't bother unless you speak near-fluent Portuguese before you arrive.

[wellrockthecity]

I disagree I would say if you have everything already booked just go and enjoy your time instead of loosing the money.

If you are staying short term the chance of something happening is pretty low, to be on the safe side stick to Zona Sul and dress like a bum (I was going out with just flip flops and swimsuit many times wouldnt even put a t shirt to go to the beach during the day).

At night just take uber to your destination, most likely Ipanema or Lapa, and dont go to favelas/north zone unless you are with someone trusted.

Iff you want to spend a couple of days in a paradise go to Araia do Cabo just 2 hours from Rio, amazing beaches and super safe.

[victor2]

You know guys, I haven't been living long term in a foreign country before. And I was going to stay in Rio for 50 days. Hearing how dangerous it is, I'm willing to try something a little safer first. My plan for Rio is that it would be total vacation with no work. I'm not sure what I will come up with now, I still do my research, but now my idea is that I would plan a longer stay, not necessarily in a vacation place, just to live there, socialize, meet girls and work (internet income) - same stuff I would be doing at home, except getting to know a different culture and staying warm.

Belo seems appealing to me after reading the data sheet thread. I'm not sure how is the safety, although it seems to be safer than Rio - as far as getting killed goes. Portugese I don't speak much, but I started learning it last month and I'm willing to do the hard work if I am to live in Brazil.

[semibaron]

(01-02-2019 04:52 PM)victor2 Wrote:  

You know guys, I haven't been living long term in a foreign country before. And I was going to stay in Rio for 50 days. Hearing how dangerous it is, I'm willing to try something a little safer first. My plan for Rio is that it would be total vacation with no work. I'm not sure what I will come up with now, I still do my research, but now my idea is that I would plan a longer stay, not necessarily in a vacation place, just to live there, socialize, meet girls and work (internet income) - same stuff I would be doing at home, except getting to know a different culture and staying warm.

Belo seems appealing to me after reading the data sheet thread. I'm not sure how is the safety, although it seems to be safer than Rio - as far as getting killed goes. Portugese I don't speak much, but I started learning it last month and I'm willing to do the hard work if I am to live in Brazil.

I've been 6 weeks in Belo Horizonte and wrote an extensive data sheet about the city. At the end of the sheet you can find a quick comparison between Rio and BH. Honestly, Rio, even if not as safe, is the better option.

[asdfk]

I wouldn't recommend anybody to dive in with a 50 day stay in Brazil. I see many foreigners who arrive with enthusiasm only to leave early into their stay, usually after they get robbed for the first time. The ones that do stay usually try to stay for as long as they can or even for good, when they get used to the constant threat of violence and develop situational awareness to keep themselves out of trouble.

iWith the current state of the country, a shorter trip is recommended to see if you can deal with it and enjoy it. Most guys on this forum who are interested in bangs are better off elsewhere. (I'm repeating myself)

If you go to BH, make sure you are fluent in Portuguese before you arrive. Not speaking Portuguese is a huge handicap that can only be overcome if you have the rest of your shit together. You are in for some steep competition.

The guys here approach more than in any other country. Hitting on girls is the national sport. So you'll be competing against dudes who are like freaking pitbulls when it come to women and some of them have great game. Many of them, especially in Rio, are gym rats and/or take steroids. Many know how to flirt and how to seduce a woman. This is not SEA, everybody is in the race.

Since there are many white people in Brazil you are not a rarity like you would be in Colombia. Being a "gringo" won't bring you a significant advantage and might even hurt your chances since foreigners generally have a terrible, terrible reputation (as sex tourist, who knew?!) You'll stick out but not in a positive way.

You can use being a foreigner to your advantage. There will be women who want to date foreigners. Just like there are Italian girls who want to fuck a French guy on the weekends. Or American girls who are attracted to the British accent. Being a foreigner in Brazil is by no means a cheat code, since it is the most mixed country on earth with virtually all races represented.

You can do extremely well if:
- you have experience in maximizing opportunities that come your way when it comes to girls
- you speak near-fluent Portuguese
- can afford good logistics
- you know how to milk curiosity when it comes your way
- you are European looking (which is associated with higher class)
- can approach ruthlessly

From this follows that if you are a game novice, don't speak any Portuguese and are a poor backpacker you might get some 4-5s.