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Anonymous
1. ALWAYS stay on the coastal touristy areas. Going 5 blocks away from the coast means getting robbed or worse. Try to stay as far away as possible from any of the 18 shanty towns that surround the city core. I can't stress this enough... don't even think about getting close to a slum! You *will* get robbed, raped or kidnapped, don't think it can't happen to you!
2. Don't drink the water.
3. Try not to look like an obvious tourist. Wear a bathing suit, a plain t-shirt and plain sandals. No funny hats. Don't carry any expensive jewlery or too much money with you. Don't carry a camera too far from the hotel, unless you are really planning to see something awesome.
4. If you want a cab, ask for one at your hotel. Don't venture too deep into the city alone, always get a trustable guide to see the main tourist spots. The Jesus Christ statue has an amazing view of the whole city, visiting there is a must.
5. If your hotel has cable TV, look for the official Dollar exchange rate at the Brazilian channels before buying anything too expensive. Pay as much as you can with credit card... the credit card charges you the official exchange rate ($1.97 real per dollar), while paying in cash means you are charged the tourist exchange rate. ($1.60 real per dollar)
6. Don't go to the cheap open restaurants along the coastline, unless you want to be harrassed by tons of desperate Brazilian hookers. I went to one with my girlfriend, and it was a very uncomfortable experience. Paying more for a good restaurant is worth your money.
If you follow these basic guidelines, you'll have a great time. Rio is a fucking amazing city, and the people are very friendly and welcoming. The women are hot, and the beaches are excellent and very well-kept.
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