1 - Nothing is for free and no one you just met is a friend! You will avoid most of the hustle just by keeping this principle in mind, so that's the rule number one. If someone you don't know offers you something, or promisses some extremely cheap deal, it's better to turn it down instead of being fooled. (Don't mix up turning some crazy offer down with being rude.)
2 - Avoid calling attention. It is really easy for a hustler to identify the foreign visitors (or as they call, "gringos") and possible targets, but some of those make their jobs even easier. Speaking loudly in a different language, wearing lots of jewlery, hanging huge cameras on the neck and stuff like that...
No one is telling you to change the wardrobe or spend the whole vacation whithout saying a single word, but to be aware that you call atention, and acting like that will make you look like an easy and worthy target.
3 - TAXIS! Most of the taxi drivers are honest workers, but many hustles take place in taxis. Always check your change, because dropping a passenger is one of the most favorable situations for passing fake money forward. Before taking a taxi, check on the internet the distance you are about to travel, taxi drivers sometimes make your way a little bit longer, if you know what i mean...
Always take the company taxis, some kidnappers work using fake taxis.
Some taxis charge real expensive prices to take you to your hotel from the airports. If you want an alternative, check this post.
4 - Avoid Clandestine Vans. Most of the clandestine vans are just an ilegal and cheaper way to get where you want. But sometimes they are used by kidnappers as well, so watch out, it doesn't worth to take that risk!5 - Be carefull with GPS systems. Many tourists think they can just rent a car and trust entirely on the navigation system. The problem is that it is not able to recognize the dangerous parts of the city and it will most likely send you to one of them. In Rio, the favelas are mixed up with the other neighborhoods, and some of them are ruled by drugdealers. Now here is a crazy emergency tip that can save your life in case you get your car stuck in a favela or something: Ask them to buy drugs. I know it sounds crazy, but it is way better to be seen as a customer instead of a threat, keep that in mind.
6- Some common sense won't hurt. Rio is not one of the most calm cities in the World, but it is also victim of the exagerated media. Avoiding walking alone in the dawn, in dangerous areas will keep you away from most of the trouble.
7 - This tip will also sound pretty crazy, but finish reading it and you will understand what it means. Most places will advise you to avoid walking on the streets with cash. That is not a good idea, because if you are approached in the street by an armed robber, he will go away as soon as you handle him a satisfactory amount of cash, instead of going to a bank with you and making you sack all your money from the ATM machine. Im talking about (R$200 to R$400), don't walk arround with all your money as well. It is never a good idea to disagree with some crazy robber, so just handle him what he wants.
8- Always ask for the prices BEFORE you buy something, specially foods and beverages. Once you've already ate or drunk, the seller can charge you any value they want, and that happens a lot, specially on the famous beaches.
9 - Keep your most valuable items always on the front pockets. This tip may seem stupid, but I would hate to say I told you so...
10 - Last but not least the classic Christ the Redeemer van hustle. As soon as you get to Cosme Velho (The Street were is located the train station that takes you all the way up untill the Christ), some men you approach you, telling that there are no trains available. Some times if you arrive there late this will be true, and you will have to take the vans (which are always more expensive, remember rule number one), but it always worths to ask directely on the station itself.
For the supper smart people this post may seem a little unnecessary or exagerated, but remember, it was written by someone who lives and sees this kind of stuff happen every day, so don't underestimate it. If you have any doubts or questions, please leave comments and suggestions. Hope you enjoyed the post, your wallet sure did!
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