Announcements

**xfiltrate** · #1 5 Aug 2017

See this Associated Press article released today! Article was released from Sao Paulo, but about Rio de Janeiro!

News from The Associated Press

Looks like a serious crack down (pun intended).
I would strongly advise staying clear of northern Rio de Janeiro slums/ *"favelas."
*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Favela

xfiltrate

**bkm_br** · #2 5 Aug 2017

When riding in Brazil, specially in Rio de Janeiro but not only there, you need to take extra caution on following GPS' instructions and street signs. Last year an Italian rider was killed in a Favela when he followed the GPS instruction to ride trough a Favela and the drug dealers thought they were cops (the police in RJ usually uses big trail bikes for patrol duties) and cases of riders been robbed in daylight are very common in São Paulo, specially bigger displacement bikes. Is a good practice to riders in Rio and São Paulo to never take shortcuts and always stay in the main road when riding around.

**bkm_br** · #3 7 Aug 2017

One more reason to never, NEVER, follow your GPS blindly in Brazil

British woman shot in Brazil after her husband drove into a favela by mistake

**FreedomTraveler** · #4 11 Aug 2017

IMO it would be a crime not to visit Rio if you are overlanding / rideing in Brazil.

In 2015 I was there and felt safe walking, riding, Driving and even in the Subway. That being said, information is power.

https://rio.crimeradar.org/ seems to be a very detailed website trying to give the visitor help in avoiding crime.

I have no aff. with this site, just wanted to pass it along.

Safe Travels,

**bkm_br** · #5 12 Aug 2017

Brazil is an incredible place, there's a lot more to see before visiting Rio. Rio is a very interesting place but I rather visit the Serra do Rio do Rastro, the beaches in Santa Catarina, Guartelá Canyon, Jalapão, Pantanal, Amazon jungle, Brasilia (a true jewel of modernist architecture), Cataratas do Iguaçu, Fernando de Noronha, the beaches on the northwest of Brazil, Chapada Diamantina, the old imperial cities on Minas Gerais (Ouro Preto, Mariana mainly), Recife, Olinda, Jardim Botânico de Curitiba, Serra da Graciosa, Teatro Amazonas and so on, all great places to know in Brazil before visiting Rio de Janeiro IMO. I personally don't like overcrowded tourist attractions and this is the main reason I wont recommend as the main focus for tourism in Brazil for any foreigner.