Rio de Janeiro

I'd like to share my personal experience as a tourist visiting the most famous city of Brazil, Rio de Janeiro. The historical sites and landscapes are wonderful. Restaurant and hotel service was decent. I stayed at the Ipanema Plaza a block away from Ipanema Beach.

GETTING MUGGED - December 2003: On the second day of my trip, I was mugged by a gang of six thieves at the point between Copacabana Beach and Ipanema Beach at knife point. A police kiosk was 50 yards away. I was on a paved path in the Garota de Ipanema Park near noon time during an overcast day. Luckily, I was not hurt and I only had my camera and $30. Informing the police after the assault was useless and possibly caused more danger for myself.

WARNING TO ALL TOURISTS: 1) When walking around, avoid holding any of the following: passport, camera, video camera, more money than you need, purse, or jewelry 2) Stay away from public parks and remote areas at all times 3) Do not ask for directions (bring your own map) 4) Never trust cops, taxi drivers, or anybody basically 5) Stay in areas with foot traffic 6) Avoid speaking loudly (especially in languages other than Brazilian Portuguese).