There are lots and lots of ultra skimpy bikinis and also lots of the infamous ‘dental floss bikinis’ where the actual skin covered by this piece of nothingness amounts to less than 1/16 inch² of fabric.

Being topless or nude is actually frowned upon so it’s not like in Europe where anything goes, but there are nude beaches south of Ipanema. I know that the U.S. doesn’t show as much skin but people in Rio are very well behaved at the beach. No littering, no blasting the boom box, people selling stuff from cold drinks, on the spot bbq, guys selling souvenirs are not pushy and in your face…

I went there before I started making youtube videos so it was before I had a GoPro. But I was all over the safer parts of the city with my camera and lenses to take photos before dusk and after sunset and it was fine. I’d just make sure to put the camera strap around my wrist several times. Muggings and pickpocketing are extremely common, especially in Santa Teresa and along Avenida Atlantica, so just do what you would do in Barcelona or Rome. The parts that you’ll visit as a tourist don’t feel dangerous at all and I didn’t feel any different than living in NYC.

If you are traveling across Brazil you’ll find out that it’s not quite as cheap as people may thing but I only stayed in Rio and I found it very easy and cheap for a low budget backpacker and I was there during the Carnival.

(If you do go for Carnival DO NOT buy your ticket for the Sambodromo in advance!!!!!! If you do get to go to Rio I can also give you more detailed tips on where to go, what to avoid, where to eat good but cheap etc.)

I felt fairly safe during the day and with others at night. I did a 1 week ‘tour’ that stayed the whole time in Rio but it was more a case of them securing tickets and accommodation that I would have difficulty doing.
I went up the coast on a local bus to Buzious (spelling?) a beautiful but touristy beach town then a few days alone (i stuck to day trips) then another tour down the coast/islands to Iguazu falls, Uruguay and Buenoes Aires.
This was part of a big dream trip – now I only have time for shorter trips. I’m going to work on exploring Australia more for now!
Ps – I’ve been following since 2012 – keep it up!!

Is there much thong wearing, Backpacktopia? Hawaii doesn’t have much of those 😉

Carnavale is soo on that bucketlist!! omg ideal. Did you go alone Sam and did you feel safe as a woman?