How safe is for a woman to travel alone in Brazil?

Question

I am thinking of going to Rio for two weeks and visit a friend of mine. Although my friend who is originally Portuguese and has been living there for a few years, is eager to show me around, he will be working most of the days I will be there. This means I will need to do most of the sightseeing and travelling around by myself.

I also intend to travel from Rio to Sao Paolo and stay for at least one night and possibly other places in the vicinity. If I am to attempt this on my own given that I don't speak any portueguese or spanish, how dangerous/difficult will it be for me to do so?

I have gone backpacking in the past and have travelled quite extensively but never fully on my own and never in South America.

I get conflicting answers from people I know, from "it's not such a good idea for a woman to attempt this alone" to "it's not any different to a big european city"

I would appreciate the opinion from either locals or people that have travelled there on their own.

Thanks!

Answer 1

it´s safe if you care your self. do not inside in favellas and everything will be fine

Answer 2

Rio de Janeiro is one of the most dangerous cities in the world BUT it all depends where you go, if you stick to the more touristy areas all you have to worry about is pickpocketing.

In the poorer areas it's like a war, troops with heavy guns on one side, drug lords on the other. Occasionally that war spreads to the city center.

Be very careful, a tourist that doesn't speak any portuguese is the number one target... You'll have another problem, most brazilians don't speak english so you won't be able to comunicate.

But since you'll be staying with someone who knows Rio, you should be fine, Rio, despite all the problems, is a wonderful city.

Answer 3

Rio and Sao Paolo are not the safest places to be, just like all major cities in latin america.  However, be extra careful in Rio, as the gap between the rich and the poor is huge.  I was mugged in the middle of the day on the beach.  People just watched or walked away from the mugging. It's kind of a latin american tradition - no one will help you even if you are in trouble.   Also, stay away from the favelas, poor neighbourhoods where most of the drug dealers reside.

In Sao Paolo, watch out for pick pockets.  Other than that, it is not too bad.  

Both of the cities are pretty tourist friendly.  I doubt you'll have too much trouble getting around using just English.