I am visiting Rio with a friend next year and have heard loads of scare stories and people telling me which areas not to stay in but not telling me where to stay.
Can anyone help with recommending either a "safe" area or even better an actual hostel. We are only looking for somewhere basic and clean where we can base ourselves so that we can go out visiting the usual sights.
Thanks
Reply to this Try Ken at www.ez-riorentals.com
He's an American that lives in Rio and rents his apartments to tourists. He is also a good source for local information.
Reply to this Safe area - Ipanema or Leblon would be my recommendations - there are a bundle of hostels there; I stayed in Girl from Ipanema - visited Adventure Hostel - the others in the area are apparently good as well. Copacabana is not as nice in my opinion - and the Lapa area is awesome for a night out - but maybe a little dodgy.
In Rio - be careful of pickpockets in all areas, don't jump into unlicensed cabs, be really careful where you leave belongings at the beach, don't wander around with all your gear outside the bus stations - get a cab from there to your destination.
Rio is one of my favourite cities in the world - you'll love it - just keep street smart - something easy said than done when Ciparinhas are so good and so cheap 😊
Reply to this 
