Rio de Janeiro: The History of the Name, Street Crime, Cell Phone Theft, and Safety Tips for Travelers
OUR CELL GOT SNATCHED BY A YOUTH MAYBE AGE 20 ON A BIKE
BEFORE WE LEFT FOR RIO, WE WERE TOLD “DO NOT LOOK AT YOUR CELL”
We were told to step into a store to look at cells…see more tips below
Where Did the Name “Rio de Janeiro” Come From?
The name Rio de Janeiro dates back to January 1502, when Portuguese explorers arrived at Guanabara Bay. The explorers believed the massive bay was the mouth of a river instead of a bay.
Because they arrived in January, they called it:
- “Rio” = river
- “Janeiro” = January
So “Rio de Janeiro” literally means:
“River of January”
The name remained even after explorers realized it was actually a bay and not a river.
The city later became:
- the capital of Portuguese colonial Brazil
- then the capital of the Brazilian Empire
- and eventually the capital of Brazil until 1960 when Brasília replaced it.
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When Did the Gangs and Street Theft Problems Begin? HOW DID OUR CELL GET NABBED?
So…we got off the red tourist bus that runs all day long. Every 45 min you can hop on and off. Once a week you can even take a night tour, I think Thursdays. SO… we got off the bus to head to the Museum of Tomorrow. I told my family I did not want to get off, but someone had to pee, I had to pee too, but I just did not want this stop and wanted to wait. So, they got off and I had to get off. I usually am stubborn to hand over my cell to my husband, I usually wait 1-2 minutes when he asks to help secure it but as I got off the bus I immediately handed my husband my cell. As we walked, unsure where to go, I noticed we seemed to be near the navy and a ship and quite a lot of military looking men. As we walked maybe 2 minutes my eyes focused on a young man on a bike, as he passed me, looked like a local. It was bizarre when he came around again, I noticed him and thought, “is that the name guy or do the young men look alike here?” THEN! BOOM! My son age 23 was deeply looking at his cell when the punk on the bike NAPPED his cell! I Screeched and screamed and ran with my son who dropped his shoes to run. My other son age 19 also tried to run and husband hopped onto a scooter that takes a min to log on. Of course, we should have taken time to erase his cell faster, instead of run. We did not even report to police in order to run home fast to use his laptop to erase.
We were warned every day NOT to look at our phones.
Street crime in Rio has existed for decades, but organized gang activity expanded heavily during the 1970s and 1980s.
Several factors contributed:
- rapid urban growth
- poverty in hillside favelas
- drug trafficking routes
- weak state presence in some communities
- corruption within police and politics
- overcrowding and unemployment
By the late 1980s and 1990s:
- armed gangs controlled some favelas
- drug factions became powerful
- robbery and theft increased in tourist areas
Today, Rio has:
- wealthy beach neighborhoods
- heavily policed tourist zones
- middle-class districts
- and some areas with ongoing gang conflicts
Most tourists never experience violent crime, but opportunistic theft remains common.
Why Doesn’t the Government Put Police on Every Corner?
Many travelers ask this question after visiting Rio. More tips here
The reality is complicated.
Rio Is Very Large
Rio has:
- over 6 million residents in the city
- thousands of streets
- dense beach zones
- mountains and favelas
- huge tourist crowds
Police resources are spread unevenly.
Police Prioritize Certain Areas
You will usually see stronger police presence at:
- Copacabana
- Ipanema
- airports
- Carnival events
- major concerts
- tourist landmarks
But criminals often move quickly between crowded streets where constant police monitoring is difficult.
Theft Happens Fast
Most phone and jewelry thefts happen in:
- under 5 seconds
- crowded sidewalks
- traffic intersections
- beach entrances
- bus stops
- nightlife areas
Even heavy policing cannot stop every quick theft.
Where Do Most Gunpoint Robberies Happen?
Gunpoint robberies are more likely:
- at night
- in isolated streets
- outside tourist zones
- near certain transportation routes
- in areas with less pedestrian activity
Higher-risk situations include:
- walking alone after midnight
- using phones openly on empty streets
- entering unfamiliar neighborhoods
- standing outside bars late at night
Areas repeatedly mentioned in police advisories and traveler reports include:
- parts of Centro late at night
- isolated areas near Lapa after clubs close
- some Flamengo side streets
- transit connections
- certain beach access roads after dark
Tourist beachfront avenues during daytime are usually much safer than isolated side streets at night.
Where Are Most Cell Phone and Jewelry Grabs?
The majority of thefts involving tourists happen in crowded public spaces.
Common Hotspots
Beaches
Especially:
- Copacabana
- Ipanema
- Arpoador
Phones left on towels are frequently stolen.
Beachfront Sidewalks
Thieves watch for:
- phones held loosely
- necklaces
- watches
- distracted tourists taking photos
Traffic Intersections
A common tactic:
- thief runs between stopped cars
- grabs phone from open window
- escapes into traffic
Lapa Nightlife Area
Late-night theft increases:
- after bars close
- when tourists are intoxicated
- during crowded events
Bus Stops and Metro Entrances
Quick snatch-and-run thefts are common.
What Do Police Do About Phone and Jewelry Theft?
Police responses vary depending on:
- severity
- violence involved
- whether weapons were used
- whether tracking data exists
What Usually Happens
Victims are encouraged to:
- file a police report
- provide IMEI phone number
- disable the device remotely
- contact their mobile carrier
- use tracking apps immediately
Police sometimes recover phones during:
- raids
- traffic stops
- anti-theft operations
- market inspections
However:
- many stolen phones are quickly resold
- some are dismantled for parts
- some leave Rio rapidly
Jewelry theft is harder to solve unless cameras captured the suspect.
How Many Cell Phones Are Stolen Per Day?
The exact number changes constantly, but Brazilian public security data and local reporting suggest:
In Rio metropolitan areas:
- hundreds of phones may be stolen daily
- spikes occur during festivals and holidays
- Carnival season creates major increases
Large cities throughout Brazil have struggled with mobile phone theft because phones are:
- valuable
- easy to resell
- portable
- quickly transferable
High Season vs Low Season for Cell Phone Theft
High Season
Theft usually increases during:
- December
- January
- Carnival
- New Year’s Eve
- major concerts
- beach holidays
- school vacation periods
Why?
- larger crowds
- distracted tourists
- nightlife
- expensive phones visible everywhere
Lower Theft Periods
Generally:
- April
- May
- early June
have fewer tourists and slightly lower theft pressure.
But theft can still occur year-round.
Who Commits Most of These Thefts?
Most street thefts are opportunistic crimes rather than organized movie-style robberies.
Common Methods
On Foot
Very common:
- running thefts
- quick grabs
- crowd disappearances
Bicycles
Some thieves:
- ride along beachfront paths
- snatch phones
- escape quickly
Motorcycles and Scooters
Frequently reported in:
- traffic theft
- sidewalk snatches
- jewelry grabs
Car-to-Street Theft
Sometimes:
- passenger jumps out
- grabs item
- vehicle drives away
Is It Ever Women?
Yes.
Although many thefts are committed by young men, women sometimes participate:
- as lookouts
- distraction partners
- pickpocket teams
- bag snatching groups
Tourists sometimes lower their guard around women or children, which thieves may exploit.
Tips From Police and Experienced Travelers
Keep Your Phone Hidden
The number one recommendation:
- do not walk holding your phone unnecessarily
Especially:
- near streets
- beach entrances
- traffic lights
Use a Cheap Backup Phone
Many experienced travelers carry:
- older phones
- secondary devices
- inexpensive Android phones for maps
Avoid Wearing Flashy Jewelry
Gold chains and expensive watches attract attention quickly.
Many locals avoid visible luxury items.
Use Phones Inside Businesses
If possible:
- step inside a café
- hotel lobby
- store entrance
before checking maps or messages.
At the Beach
Never leave valuables unattended:
- not even for one minute
Use:
- waterproof pouches
- hidden waist wallets
- beach locker services
At Night
Use rideshare apps instead of long walks through unfamiliar areas.
Especially after:
- bars
- clubs
- concerts
If Someone Tries to Rob You
Police and travelers often say:
- do not resist
- property can be replaced
- sudden resistance can escalate danger
Enable Security Features
Before visiting Rio:
- activate phone tracking
- enable remote wipe
- back up photos
- use screen locks
- write down your IMEI number
The Reality for Most Visitors
Millions of tourists visit Rio every year safely.
Most trips involve:
- beaches
- music
- nightlife
- sightseeing
- football
- amazing scenery
The biggest risk for most travelers is usually:
- phone theft
- bag theft
- distracted tourist behavior
Visitors who:
- stay alert
- avoid displaying valuables
- use common sense
- avoid isolated areas late at night
usually have very positive experiences in Rio de Janeiro.
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