and today…
My US & Canadian Embassy friends tell me about the complaining and pressure they get from the government of the country we’re living in, whenever a travel advisory is issued for this country.
No doubt the IOC & Brazil are putting big time diplomatic pressure on countries to not issue a travel advisory for Brazil.
Unlike our government, the government of Canada is frank about the risks
https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/brazil
http://edition.cnn.com/2015/10/06/sport/rio-2016-olympics-security-robbery/
@nottelling here is a street crime example from October…actually…beach crime.
My company (an airline) gives a very comprehensive picture of the threats in Rio, not sure whom their analysis comes from. Crime rate and threat levels in Rio are rated as 4 (high). This is very long!
"Security Issues
Crime
Random street crime is the primary concern for travelers to Rio de Janeiro. While incidents of violent crime occur in Rio de Janeiro, travelers to the city are more likely to be affected by incidents of non-violent theft. Petty criminals frequently target businessmen and tourists at the city’s airports, hotel lobbies, bus stops, metro stations, beaches and other tourist attractions. Travelers should be particularly vigilant with regard to their belongings in such crowded locations and should take extra precautions in the evenings and late at night, when the incidence of street crime increases.
Reports in February 2015 indicated that there had been an uptick in of the number of robberies on beaches in Rio de Janeiro. The “arrastoes” or “mass robberies” involve groups of youths running through a beach crowd, sparking panic as they grab cell phones, necklaces and other valuables. Rio de Janeiro’s police force responded by setting up beachfront roadblocks and deploying 800 police officers to patrol the Ipanema, Aproador and Copacabana beaches. Despite these security measures, travelers should still avoid carrying valuables to the beach and should keep a close eye on their belongings. In the event of such a robbery, travelers should remain calm, not resist and report the robbery to the nearest local tourist police station, as well as to their local consulate.
There have been several reports of cyclists being stabbed in the upscale neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro’s Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon, which is due to host the Olympic rowing event. The latest victim died on 20 May 2015, after he was stabbed in the stomach and arms while on an evening ride on the road surrounding the lake. The incident followed four other non-fatal stabbings that have occurred in the area since the beginning of 2015. To combat the issue, police officers have now been ordered to patrol the area on bicycles, motorcycles and horseback. According to the Cycle Safety Commission of Rio de Janeiro, cyclists have been increasingly targeted for theft as the sport has grown and selling the stolen bikes has gotten easier due to the Internet.
Armed robberies and carjackings are a significant concern in Rio de Janeiro. Perpetrators have been known to use force, especially if a victim puts up resistance or attempts to escape; however, available reports indicate that most targeted motorists usually only sustain material losses, as criminals steal their money, valuables or vehicle. On some occasions, incidents that begin as carjackings escalate into express kidnappings (see below). Armed robberies frequently occur outside banks; carjackings frequently occur in or near the city’s tunnels, at stoplights or when vehicles are stuck in traffic. Armed robberies and carjackings can occur at any time of the day, but the threat increases after dark. As a result, motorists do not always come to a full stop at red lights between 2200 and 0500 local time, but rather reduce speed and flash their lights when approaching intersections. Visitors should keep doors locked and windows rolled up in vehicles at all times; however, this does not always deter robbers, who sometimes break car windows in order to take objects from inside the vehicle.
Drug-related Crime
Violence related to the illegal drug industry is a significant concern in Rio de Janeiro, where criminals often clash with rival groups and police officers. Most such clashes occur in shantytowns located on the hillsides that dot the city. Due to the sporadic distribution of slums throughout the city, there is a risk of being collaterally affected, especially when driving along highways that pass near favelas, such as the Linha Vermelha highway. However, the probability of a particular traveler being affected in such a shootout – or by any other drug-related activities – remains fairly low.
Kidnapping
Kidnapping for ransom affects wealthy locals and expatriates but is not a significant concern for short-term travelers. However, express kidnappings – in which victims are abducted for a short period of time and forced to pay a small ransom or empty their bank accounts via several ATMs – are a concern for locals and visitors alike. The victims of these crimes are largely targets of opportunity, and foreign travelers can be targeted due to their perceived affluence. The threat of violence against the victim is a significant concern. Travelers should only use ATMs located inside malls, stores, hotels or well-lit areas and should always be accompanied by another person. Most ATMs operate between 0600 and 2200 local time. Some are open after 2200 local time, but only dispense up to 35.00 U.S. dollars/75.00 Brazilian reais in order to reduce kidnapping motivation.
Kidnappers often approach their victims, both men and women, near shopping malls, grocery stores and in parking garages when they are distracted, either talking on a cell phone or loading shopping bags into their car. Police officers have also confirmed that the kidnappers choose their victims based on how many shopping bags the person is carrying when they are leaving the shopping mall and/or grocery store, believing that the more bags the person is carrying, the more money they will have in their bank account. Travelers should keep the details regarding their schedules and accommodations confidential and should maintain as low a profile as possible to reduce the risk of kidnapping.
Demonstrations and Strikes
Protests and labor-related strikes occur frequently in Rio de Janeiro and can often result in traffic disruptions. Most protest actions occur in Rio’s Centro area (especially in or near Cinelândia, Candelária and the Rio de Janeiro state legislative building), as well as in Copacabana. Most protests are conducted peacefully; however, in the past, protesters armed with sticks, stones and Molotov cocktails have carried out acts of vandalism and clashed with police officers, who have responded by firing tear gas and water cannons. As a precaution against being collaterally affected by any associated violence or disruptions, visitors should avoid all gatherings. Travelers should note that the number of protests in Brazil tends to increase during high-profile events. However, the experience of the FIFA World Cup in 2014 suggests that gatherings are unlikely to significantly affect the Olympic events or to cause more than short-lived disruptions to travelers.
Police
Rio de Janeiro’s police force consists of the Civil Police, Military Police and the Tourist Police. The city’s police forces are inadequately funded, and suffer from a lack of resources, adequate staffing and low morale. In addition, police corruption is pervasive across Brazil, including in Rio de Janeiro. Crimes should be reported to the traveler’s nearest embassy or consulate, in addition to the nearest police station."
One of my Ds had three friends who were supposed to go to Rio as volunteers with the Canadian Olympic team. All have decided not to go. Wisely so, in my opinion.
Very helpful. Thanks!
I just found out that my SIL was planning on going with her dad and sister to Rio. Canceled when she found out she was pregnant. Sister and dad have cancelled too because they’ve just decided it wasn’t worth the risk.
My husband went to the World Cup 2 years ago in Brazil. They had plenty of problems and had many friends who were robbed. The venues were still under construction…DH had a ticket for a seat that hadn’t been built yet.
Years ago I was an exchange student in Brazil. My family guarded me wherever we went. It was actually very frightening to walk on the street at 3 pm alone. I would be very cautious as a young woman traveling to that country alone.
It will cost her a fortune to stay there for the entire Olympics.
I have not been to Rio but I have been to São Paulo about 5 times. It’s not a particularly safe city. All the hotels are behind locked gates. I toured only with tour guides, not by myself. You can’t just hail a taxi the way you could in, say, Western Europe. There is only one neighborhood where I was comfortable walking w my 2 female colleagues. My client arranged private transportation everywhere. And I am not a skittish traveler at all. It goes without saying NO display of jewelry, electronics, etc.
@hanaliy And so it begins. Athletes mugged at gunpoint.
http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/21/americas/australian-paralympian-mugged-gunpoint-brazil/index.html
I would like to provide my personal experience, in the hope that it is helpful:
I have many Brazilian friends, and have been to Brazil six times. My wife is Brazilian and we discuss what’s going on in Brazil on a daily basis.
Things are problematic in Brazil now: zica, political turmoil, high unemployment, inflation increasing, high crime rates (especially in Rio, Fortaleza, …) and so on. My wife has been held up at gunpoint on two occasions.
Nevertheless, I’ve had the best experiences of my life in Brazil. The people are amazing, so warm and friendly. I honestly have never experienced such a vibrant, life-affirming culture. And, all the more, the music, food, and scenery are incredible. I long to go back and see places that I’ve missed, so far: the dunes of Maranhenses, the colonial houses in Ouro Preto, the nature in Fernando de Noronha…
All travel is, on some level, risky. Is visiting Brazil more dangerous than visiting Sweden, for example? Yeah, sure. But, in my opinion, the Brazilian people and culture are not to be missed in one’s lifetime. It’s all up to you, obviously, whether you choose to take that risk. For me, I would not give up my Brazil experiences for anything.
So, my answer is: in your place, I would definitely go to Rio for the Olympics.
I would definitely go to Brazil, but I wouldn’t go during the Olympics.
I second @whatisyourquest’s statement about Brazilians. They are some of the nicest and friendliest and most fun loving people I’ve met.
I agree Brazilians are some of the nicest, warmest, friendliest people around. I loved my Brazilian clients. They were a lot of fun to work with. The women were gorgeous and inspirational 
We bonded over shoes, things like that.
Some thoughts on safety at the Rio Olympics, including the latest super-bacteria threat: http://www.golfdigest.com/story/olympic-golf-how-safe-is-rio
I would not visit a country like that for leisure (why should I, when there is such contempt for my life and property) or for business (no amount of money is worth taking such risks for). And this is after decades of dangerous travel with armed robberies and a bombing. Finally I decided to stick to the few places where society functions at a decent level.
Your choice @sorghum. Just keep in mind that plenty goes wrong in countries “where society functions at a decent level,” from Rome (US student murdered) to Paris (terror attacks) to the US (where you can get murdered watching a movie in a suburban multiplex.)
^That logic is ridiculous. Of course there are murders in every country. The risk in Brazil is far greater than in Rome or Paris.
The Disaster Olympics
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/07/the-disaster-olympics.html
@hanaliy How was your daughter’s volunteer experience?