Visiting Rio in December

Hey there, I live an hour away from Rio. How long will you be in Brazil?. Do you and your friends Like Nature?.

Anything on Rio is a Tourist trap.   
Just avoid splitting the tab on the bar or restaurant with Brazilian friends.  They will all assume you will cover the bill, at least if you are with Cariocas. 

The Beaches.  Ipanema is less touristy, so I heard.   Also, locals tend to gravitate towards
São Conrado, Barra da Tijuca.   

Get a private guide or cabbie and be taken to the Bothanical Gardens, watch on the Corcovado  ( Christ Redeemer ) route for muggers specially along Vista Chinesa.

Take a stretch towards Angra dos Reis and Cabo Frio, but watch for the swells, I had acquaintances that got dragged out of the shore and engulfed by the sea.   

Copacabana is infested with tourists. Tourists are target

The City Cops are not getting paid on time.  That means Armed Forces had to step in to make up for the shortfall.   Muggers, thieves, rappists and drug pushers must be having a field day out there.

And I know that as a São Paulo Real Estate Agent because Cariocas are landing here and getting the heck out of Dodge.  There is Rio. 

Group outings are the most safe.     Play safe.     Keep valuables out of sight.   No bling. 

Whenever you see uniformed men touting guns, you are relatively safer.