I agree Rio is a dangerous place but it’s not nearly as dangerous as you describe.Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro
My business associates and I had a meeting with a Sao Paulo businessman and he told us that even Sao Paulo folks are afraid to go to Rio de Janeiro!!!
Machiam like a War Zone under Martial Law
Everywhere you can see Brazilian Police armed with submachine guns and bullet proof vests ( like the Armed Umbrella Corporation Guards in the Resident Evil movies) because armed bandits with M16s are known to occasionally block off the entire road and just systematically rob every car along the road of everything valuable you possess.
Really lawless place..... moi business associates and I were advised not to flash our smartphones in public, otherwise knife wielding punks ( just about everywhere!!!) will just rob you in broad daylight.
On top of all these.... the local scum are known to target Chinese because they are the richest type of people there.
There are certain areas you definitely want to avoid, and you’re smart to be cautious, but you can definitely spend time there as a tourist without issue. It’s not a war zone by any means.
And btw, Chinese tourists are indeed targeted there (and most other countries), but it not because they are richer than others. It is because Chinese are known to carry their vacation funds in cash. On their person at all times. Thus the ideal target to rob.