Brazil has one of the worst inequalities of wealth in the world and the poor get one hell of a rough deal here. Favelas are perched on many of the hills overlooking the beaches (the only place in the world where the poor get the ocean view...) and there's a good deal of cocaine trafficking and banditry.

None of this need concern you though if you follow the advice of our guides and follow a few pretty basic rules:

Leave jewelry and expensive watches back in your room when you go out. You don;t want to show off your wealth any more than you have to.

Don't walk down shady streets after dark. Muggers rarely hang around places where there's light and people.

When returning home at night take taxis. If you're not with one of our guides at night, don;t take chances by strolling back to your hotel, take a taxi - they're fast, safe and reliable.

Lastly, while the food is pretty good and safe in Rio de Janeiro, the tap water is awful. Stick to bottled water and you'll be fine.