BootsnAll Travel Community

Hey everyone,

I am going to be in Rio in February and can't decide whether to stay in a hostel near Ipanema or Copacabana. I had a hostel booked in Copacabana and then a couple of people I have met travelling said that Ipanema was much safer and really nice so I booked a hostel in Ipanema instead! THEN a few other people I have met since said that Ipanema is more of a target for crime and muggings because it is richer....

Does anyone have any ideas on this or recommendations for good, safe and fun hostels?

Ipanema is reportedly a tad safer than Copa, and is also a teensy bit prettier in terms of panoramic beauty; Ipanema also tends to be the more touristy one. If you're looking to mingle with more locals, I'd stay in Copa. I was in Copa for a week and loved it, and didn't feel any more unsafe than I would've in Ipanema. Rio can be a very dangerous city, no matter where you're staying. Do not go out strolling past midnight by yourself or you'll be asking for trouble, whether you're in the Ipanema region or in the Copacabana region. By day, both beaches are heavily policed, so they're pretty safe. No matter which region you're in, if you want a "safer" hostel, get one closest to the beach. A couple of blocks back from the beach, the police presence disappears and things get sketchier.

Also remember that you can easily enjoy both beaches -- the end of Ipanema is only about a ten minute walk from the beginning of Copa.

FYI I stayed in the Mellow Yellow hostel in Copacabana -- it was loud and raucous at times, but I met some really amazing people, and the rooftop bar and hot tub were quite nice. I'd recommend it.

--Jessicah

My wife and I were in Rio in July 04 and stayed in Ipanema. We walked to Copacabana almost every night and felt safe. But Ipanema did seem cleaner and "safer" but it really is very close to Copacabana. Copacabana just had a lot of the seedy bars with hookers right there on the beach front, which therefore attracted sketchier people. People get mugged more often near those places...

Keep your money in different places on your body (ie sock, bra, inside pocket somewhere) in case you are mugged. We weren't, luckily.

Some corrections:

1- Ipanema IS safer than Copacabana, especially from Vinicius de Moraes St. heading to Leblon.

2- Ipanema IS also very local-type. You see local people around, trendier, richer. Almost no prostituion around, if compared to Copacabana.

3- Both neighborhoods have great views. From Copacabana beach you see the Sugarloaf mountain. From Ipanema beach you see the Dois Irmãos Mountain (Twin Brothers Mountain).

4- Ipanema is cozier than Copacabana.

5- Better shops in Ipanema, especially around Garcia D'Ávila St.

6- The beach in Ipanema is narrower, so it feels less hot (warm), while on Copa beach you walk a long distance to get to the water. Leblon beach, next to Ipanema is even narrower.

Is Rio a dangerous place? Yes and no. It depends on your itinerary, your precautions, your awareness and on your attitude.

Oh Ipanema without a shadow of a doubt!!! It is so much nicer and the beach is cleaner, cooler and more fun - and there are more of 'the beautiful people' to watch

I find it hard to believe that Ipanema is more targeted crime-wise than Copacabana. It crtainly doesnt feel that way!

I agree -- I don't think criminals are running amok in Rio specifically targetting tourists. I think you'll have a great time no matter where you stay. I preferred Copa simply because I felt really in the mix of the local people, right in the throes of it all. The couple of days I did hang out in Ipanema were more laid-back, that's true, because the people around me did seem to be tourists, but it was somewhat lacking in vibrancy, flavor, etc. because of that.

Again, though, both beaches are easily accessible by foot if you want to stay in one area and visit the other.

Both areas are spectacularly beautiful, yes, but the general consensus among most of us was that Ipanema was a bit prettier.

--Jessicah

i don't know...when i went last year the beaches were dirty the only attraction to them was that there were some good looking guys there...i almost never went to the beach b/c there is SO MUCH TO DO RIO....even though i love the beach...don't go w/really high expectations and be very carefull in the water...the currents are very strong...i say take rides out to the little neighboring towns and go to the beach there...they are nicer and clean! i was out at all times of the night and it was perfectly safe...i stayed in a hostel w/a very helpful staff in botafogo beach...everything is close to by to each other via bus,taxi and the subway....bus system works great w/the subway system. and it's easy to use

I may well have a different idea of what seems safe than other folks but...

I felt 100% safe everywhere I went on Copa and Ipanema beach and several blocks inland, at all times of the day and night.

For contrast, the most unsafe I have ever felt has been in parts of Washington DC, New York, and New Jersey after dark.

I was there a decade ago, so I hope things have gotten better. I had no problem. But one of the people I was hanging out went alone to Ipanema after the crowds had left, but before long before sunset. Someone walked up to him and pulled a gun on him in broad daylight.

Two separate couples, on the same day but at different times, walked into the same park and were attacked on all four sides before they could get their bearings - it was a coordinated attack.

The Cariocas who took me around town in their car - REFUSED to let me take my camera out to take pictures until we were outside the city - through the tunnel.

As I already said, nothing happened to me there, but travel is a crapshoot. I had my bag stolen by Varig airline employees, been roughed up by Palestinians in northern Israel, and had my camera stolen by a youth in France.

I was in Rio for Carnaval last year. I stayed in at the Everest Hotel in Ipanema. I felt Ipanema was a much better place to stay than Copacabana. There were a lot of people around in Ipanema and a lot of things were going on. In Copacabana, it seemed dead a few blocks in from the beach. While I was walking in Copacabana, between Av. Atlântica and the beach, someone threw some grease glob on my sneaker. A guy came up to me and offered to clean it up for me. I figured he was trying to set me up for something so I kept walking and wiped the grease off further ahead.

Like many on here have said, Ipanema is more chilled, less hookers and bullsh*t and generally feels safer. I´d recommend it, though the mellow yellow hostel in copa is raved about and would be a good reason to stay there if you like to party. Otherwise, the following hostel in ipanema seemed excellent:
Hostel

I had no trouble in Rio, in either copa or ipanema, just be a bit savvy and you´ll be fine.

Above all else, have fun!

How is the part of Ipanema on the Copacabana-side of Vincius de Moraes? There are a couple apartment rentals in that area that look affordable, some near the beach and some more inland near what looks like a sketchy hill.

Michael C.
We spent some time in Rio in March and were in Copacabana in an apt. we rented. However we met someone that rented an apartment in Ipanema on Vinicius de Morais (spelling) close to Farme de Amodeo and it seemed OK to us. We almost rented a 1 bedroom apartment near the Hippy Fair but chose Copa. because of the price difference.