Rio de Janeiro Tourist Traps

If you're a man traveling alone in Rio and you ask a taxi driver or a hotel employee where to go at night, it's likely he will suggest Help. Well, if you're looking for prostitutes, then this is the place for you, but personally that's not my scene. I never went here, but according to my guidebook, this place used to actually be one of the city's best nightclubs.
However, nowadays it's full of foreign men looking for a good time (if not a free time).

It's located on Copacabana on Av. Atlantica.

Although most carioca's may be very, VERY friendly, there are some naughty Carioca's who might want to trick you into something you don't want to get into.
At Lapa, someone was calling for me, and had I stopped and listened to him, who knows what might have happened! He might have bought me a drink, that's true, but let's not be naive; it could have turned out completely different. Fortunately, I never found out.

Unique Suggestions: When you do listen to them, take every possible caution, you never know what might happen...

Fun Alternatives: Try talking to people yourself, and don't listen to the "Ey amigo!" callers...

We stumbled across the business district coming back from the Rodoviaria to get tickets to Brasilia and found ourselves in the midst of hords of homeless people laying on the ground...
We got off the bus and saw clochards everywhere. It gave a really bad feeling, and I was getting really anxious! It only ended when we were amongst 'normal' people again near the new Cathedral... The picture below was taken at great risk; I was feeling like I was being followed all the time, and I really wanted a picture, so I took the chance.
Of course no one was following me, but I felt very paranoid. It was just the whole atmosphere, I guess. Knowing that you have more in your pockets than they will have in four or five months...
Funny thing is that during working days the place is packed with people and you feel very safe, it's really like a different world then!

Unique Suggestions: You have absolutely no reason to go there, believe me! But if you do go, wear fast shoes :-)
But no fancy sports shoes, they might nick them :-/

Fun Alternatives: Try Cinelandia or any other part of the Zona Sul ;-)

Fellows and miladies, WATCH OUT WHEN YOU GO TO COPACABANA!!
Seriously, I cannot stress this enough! Copacabana can be a really dangerous (though very exotic) place! I heard several stories about girls offering themselves at night at night clubs near the Copacabana (for money, not for free of course, no such thing as a free, euhm, lunch!). Especially when you don't look Brazilian you might get in trouble.
I felt really unsafe when I was walking around while it was raining. A couple of menacing-looking people passed by, seizing me and checking me out... They didn't do anything, as I probably looked too macho and masculin to them (roflol!)...

Unique Suggestions: If you want to take pictures, please do so, but go back immediately after you took them, or put your camera away somewhere safe... Best is to go with as many people you know as possible.
Best advice I got was to put your belongings in a plastic bag (like your regular Carrefour, or GB bags) and to take absolutely as little as possible!
It's not always safe to ask your neighbours to watch your stuff, as they might also take your things and run off...

Fun Alternatives: The alternative to this beach is Ipanema! I don't understand anyway why Copacabana is so popular... Ipanema beach is much nicer, more easy going, less crowded, more colourful...
Niteroi and Leblon also sounded nice; although I saw some pictures from Angra das Reis (or sth) and that looked really like paradise! Sth. to check out on my next trip...

If I were you I'd skip Copacabana, especially at night. Of course it depends on what you are looking for. If you are one of the thrashy Northern European tourists (not saying Northern Europeans are thrashy - but the ones you see in Copacabana looking for teenage girls definitely are) you might enjoy the legendary!! Help disco. Basically it's all prostitution at night which is almost sad. If you are into that stuff Copacabana is your place.

Unique Suggestions: In the afternoon there is this open air market you can visit to buy touristy stuff and gifts.

While not a true "tourist trap," Rio visitors should be made aware of the vast difference between alcoholic beverages made with Brazilian brands vs. the same drink made with imported alcohol.

Many a tourist has been caught unaware when it was time to pay their tab. Many, I am sure, thought they were being ripped off because of the perceived expense. The truth is, imported booze is very expensive in Brazil (see warning about Duty Free Shop at airport). Make sure to specify "nacional" in some manner when ordering a drink at all local nightclubs.

Be very careful around copacabana, especially at night. Never carry a lot of money. You will encounter all sorts of robbery, like someone coming up to you and suddenly drawing a knife. If you are robbed on the beach, get away as soon as possible as the next gang of minors is following up rapidly, pretending to be helpful.

Unique Suggestions: Do not carry valuables except a small amount to appease robbers. Try to look like locals. Do not wear a wristwatch, as it really stands out .

Be very careful around copacabana, especially at night. Never carry a lot of money. You will encounter all sorts of robbery, like someone coming up to you and suddenly drawing a knife. If you are robbed on the beach, get awyay as soon as possible as the next robbers are following up rapidly, pretending to be helpful.

Unique Suggestions: Do not carry valuables except a small amount to appease robbers. Try to look like locals. Do not wear a wristwatch, as it really stands out .