Never felt unsafe here in Medellin. Although I take extra caution here than in US or Asia. Been to clubs outside the tourist areas with my Spanish-speaking friends here - clubs where I'm the only one who don't speak Spanish, and guys and ladies were snorting coke in the club like it was just a normal thing to do. Late at night my friend reminded me to put my wallet in the front pocket because he felt someone tried to work on his back pocket while we were walking to the restroom. The only slightly aggressive guy we've encountered so far is a vey drunk tourist who was empty handed at 4 am. He was asking everyone "hablow English" and was being obnoxious to my friends.

Quote: (09-14-2017 09:44 PM)Travel Museums Wrote:  

i had a gun stuck in my face last week in a favela in rio. i wasnt robbed though. drug dealers can be suprisingly professional.

I'm not discounting that's not scary, but the gangs do that as a show of force - to let you know that they are the ones in charge in there.

Quote: (09-17-2017 06:50 AM)Krabbypatty Wrote:  

Never felt unsafe here in Medellin. Although I take extra caution here than in US or Asia. Been to clubs outside the tourist areas with my Spanish-speaking friends here - clubs where I'm the only one who don't speak Spanish, and guys and ladies were snorting coke in the club like it was just a normal thing to do. Late at night my friend reminded me to put my wallet in the front pocket because he felt someone tried to work on his back pocket while we were walking to the restroom. The only slightly aggressive guy we've encountered so far is a vey drunk tourist who was empty handed at 4 am. He was asking everyone "hablow English" and was being obnoxious to my friends.

That was just Brewdog, don’t mind him, he means well.

Brazil is much more dangerous in my experience....
I lived in Colombia for over a year, saw most of the country and never had a single issue. Conversely I've been in Brazil for just over a month and had two attempted muggings in different cities already (I chose to run in both cases).
IMO Brazil is much more dangerous, especially now.
Colombia seems to have a much stronger and visible police presence across the country, plus decent community rapport. Many Brazilians I have met don't like their cops at all and they are a rare sight outside of major tourist spots.

I´m Brazilian and just spent 6 months in Colombia (based in Medellin, but also knew Bogotá, Cartagena, Santa Marta and San Andres). Don´t know how was Colombia before, but nowadays is ABSOLUTELY safer than Brazil.

Unfortunately, the huge economic crisis that Brazil has been through those last years made unemployment rates extremely high and at the same time let to cuts in state police´s budget. That results that now you have a bunch of criminals eager to rob with less policemen in the streets.

What really bothers now is that even in fancy areas of Brazilian big cities, such as Rio and Sao Paulo, on daylight, you can have your car or even your cellphone robbed by guys armed with rifles (no kidding). So you don´t fell really safe anywhere or anytime, it´s random if you´ll get robbed during a walk or not.

During the 6 months in Colombia, never saw or never heard about such thing in middle to upper class neighborhoods. Felt much safer there.

It depends, do you look gringo?
If yes: Colombia is more dangerous
If no: Colombia is more dangerous

lol, you will do fine if you stay in safe zones and don't look fancy and don't have anything important to be stolen on.

source: I've been on both countries as a tourist. Brazil: SP and Ilhabela. Colombia: Cartagena.

Quote: (10-17-2017 07:48 PM)Titus Wrote:  

I´m Brazilian and just spent 6 months in Colombia (based in Medellin, but also knew Bogotá, Cartagena, Santa Marta and San Andres). Don´t know how was Colombia before, but nowadays is ABSOLUTELY safer than Brazil.

Unfortunately, the huge economic crisis that Brazil has been through those last years made unemployment rates extremely high and at the same time let to cuts in state police´s budget. That results that now you have a bunch of criminals eager to rob with less policemen in the streets.

What really bothers now is that even in fancy areas of Brazilian big cities, such as Rio and Sao Paulo, on daylight, you can have your car or even your cellphone robbed by guys armed with rifles (no kidding). So you don´t fell really safe anywhere or anytime, it´s random if you´ll get robbed during a walk or not.

During the 6 months in Colombia, never saw or never heard about such thing in middle to upper class neighborhoods. Felt much safer there.

I'm moving to Floripa and not looking forward to dealing with that shit. DF is bad in certain areas but my area is probably safer than any major city in the US.

I don't not travel because of danger but having to look over my shoulder at all times like what I hear about in Brazil is something I am dreading.

I've heard that Floripa is pretty safe by Brazilian standards though.

São Paulo and Florianopolis are the two safest (big) cities in Brazil, I believe. The rest is pretty dangerous.

Quote: (10-17-2017 11:47 PM)Bill Brasky Wrote:  

Quote: (10-17-2017 07:48 PM)Titus Wrote:  

I´m Brazilian and just spent 6 months in Colombia (based in Medellin, but also knew Bogotá, Cartagena, Santa Marta and San Andres). Don´t know how was Colombia before, but nowadays is ABSOLUTELY safer than Brazil.

Unfortunately, the huge economic crisis that Brazil has been through those last years made unemployment rates extremely high and at the same time let to cuts in state police´s budget. That results that now you have a bunch of criminals eager to rob with less policemen in the streets.

What really bothers now is that even in fancy areas of Brazilian big cities, such as Rio and Sao Paulo, on daylight, you can have your car or even your cellphone robbed by guys armed with rifles (no kidding). So you don´t fell really safe anywhere or anytime, it´s random if you´ll get robbed during a walk or not.

During the 6 months in Colombia, never saw or never heard about such thing in middle to upper class neighborhoods. Felt much safer there.

I'm moving to Floripa and not looking forward to dealing with that shit. DF is bad in certain areas but my area is probably safer than any major city in the US.

I don't not travel because of danger but having to look over my shoulder at all times like what I hear about in Brazil is something I am dreading.

I've heard that Floripa is pretty safe by Brazilian standards though.

You can still try your luck in Floripa, on the island part, and if you don't like it there, take a long-distance bus (like, 60 usd) or low-cost plane and go to Argentina. You'd be safe in Argentina.

Matter of fact, for wealthy individuals of European ("Caucasian") ethnicity, nothing on the continent can beat Argentina; and yes, women included (if you go long-term).

I'll do a thread someday on Argentina VS Colombia VS Brazil VS Chile; and you'll see, Argentina wins, for (not old) men with enough money, and clever enough to stay long-term and pursue high-value women.

Only thing Colombia has better than Argentina is common age-gap acceptance in society. Only thing crumbling Brazil (a non-viable country, which will break apart at some point along main ethnic line) has to Argentina is warmer weather (not that Argentina is globally cold, mind you).

By far Florianópolis is the safest “big” city in Brazil. First of all, it´s not actually big, has less than 500k inhabitants (around 1 million in the metro area), so crime issues are more controlled. Peaceful, chilling, small town vibe. Has few slums, but no big deal. Pretty safe for Brazilian standards.

Considering really big cities (> 1 million), think the safer ones are Belo Horizonte, Curitiba and Brasilia (although this one sucks). Porto Alegre used to be safe too, but as the state government went almost bankrupt, police is having a hard time there, so crime rates are higher

Sao Paulo is ok for tourists regarding safety (much safer in tourist areas than Rio or cities on the Northeast), but has some major safety issues, such as professional gangs specialized in kidnapping or house robbery in the richest areas (things that are uncommon in other Brazilian cities)…

Quote: (10-18-2017 07:40 AM)Going strong Wrote:  

You can still try your luck in Floripa, on the island part, and if you don't like it there, take a long-distance bus (like, 60 usd) or low-cost plane and go to Argentina. You'd be safe in Argentina.

Matter of fact, for wealthy individuals of European ("Caucasian") ethnicity, nothing on the continent can beat Argentina; and yes, women included (if you go long-term).

I'll do a thread someday on Argentina VS Colombia VS Brazil VS Chile; and you'll see, Argentina wins, for (not old) men with enough money, and clever enough to stay long-term and pursue high-value women.

Only thing Colombia has better than Argentina is common age-gap acceptance in society. Only thing crumbling Brazil (a non-viable country, which will break apart at some point along main ethnic line) has to Argentina is warmer weather (not that Argentina is globally cold, mind you).

In my opinion:

For long term it can be discussed, but to hit as tourist for some weeks or months, think Brazil and Colombia are much better not only regarding weather but also nature in general (although the Andes and Patagonia landscape are breathtaking, the other countries have more diversity), friendly people, laidback vibe, partying and gaming for SNL or short-term relations.

Argentina maybe better regarding safety (although Buenos Aires is a huge slum with "islands" of fancy areas, such as Palermo, Recoleta or Puerto Madero) and food...

Anyway, a thread comparing those 4 countries would be interesting, you may have some good stuff to share!

Quote: (10-18-2017 01:03 PM)Titus Wrote:  

( Buenos Aires is a huge slum with "islands" of fancy areas, such as Palermo, Recoleta or Puerto Madero)...

It's the other way round: Buenos Aires (ciudad) is a huge, cool and very livable area, with maybe a few slums ("villas") scattered here and there (or in its suburbs).

And you have no reason to end up in one of these slums, as a tourist or even as a local. Unless you're actively trying to buy cheap, adulterated drugs from Peruvian gansters or Carlitos' brothers...

Your list of the best barrios is quite accurate though, even though there's nothing wrong with San Telmo, or even Belgrano or Caballito, too. With reasonable money, you can spend 20 years in Buenos Aires (adding Mardel to the deal) and never get bored, or mugged.

...and same is true of Medellin, now, come to think of it!