one of rio's commonly highlighted safety risks, in the news or in general conversation, is robberies and muggings - the possibility of encountering this situation is possible nowadays but occurs much less than in the past - on a historical time line the overall safety of rio de janeiro has improved remarkably, allowing visitors to enjoy various areas of the city.

in general, as the city remains a large metropolis, safety issues common to most large cities must be kept in mind at all times - individuals who are not familiar with the local language, culture or city layout are more vulnerable to situations where they could be taken advantage of.

to avoid a confrontation, it is advisable for expensive watches, rings, necklaces, and other flashy items, such as large smart-phones, be used with caution - in events with large crowds or at night, when exploring less populated areas of town, individuals should be overly attentive - necklaces in particular may attract unwanted attention as they are easily accessed by robbers on bicycles - examples of this particular situation has happened in all areas of rio de janeiro.
 

in the center of the city individuals should always avoid attracting attention with flashy, or expensive objects - for the beach never leave valuables unattended and using a water proof watch, that can be taken swimming, is recommended.