Expert: Ken Rapoza Cruz - 7/10/2008

Question
Hello.
I will be coming to South America on a 12 day tour, with 5 nights in Brazil. I have 4 quick questions:
1- I will be at a hotel on Copacabana Beach and have read how dangerous the beach is. Is it safe in the daytime to have a camera as long as I do not leave it lying around? Are these warnings overly cautious?
2- I would like to take photos of the cross of Christ. I have seen shots from above the monument looking down on the water.  Where do you go to take these pictures?
3- I will be at Iguazu on a tour. We will be based on the Brazil side and will visit the falls in the afternoon.  On the second day, we tour the Argentine side in the morning.  If I leave the group and stay all afternoon on the Argentine side, approximately what would a taxi cost to go back to my hotel on the brazilian side?
4- Is there any jungle area near Rio that gives one an opportunity for a safe visit?

thanks for the help.  Looking forward to seeing a little of your country.

Thanks for the help


Answer
Copa is always a risk. Dont walk around with an expensive digitial Canon EOS rebel unless you got some people watching your back. I mean, real photojournalists take pictures there all the time and dont get their $1,000 cameras stolen, but then again, then have a person or two near them and look like they are working. Id be VERY cautious.  I wouldnt bring the camera to the beach with me. I would just walk out of the hotel with a friend or two....take the shots you want to take and go back to thehotel to drop off your camera when you are done. These warnings are NOT overly cautious.

Your hotel will have tour buses for you to go to Cristo Redentor mountain to see the Jesus landmark. There, you will be surrounded by tourists, both local and international, and your camera will be safe. Feel free to take it with you around your neck.  Stay with your tour group. Up on the mountain, you can roam around more freely. You will be surrounded by tourists and guides and locals, but locals thieves, if any are up there, will be outnumbered, so you will be fine.

I dont know the answer to the third question. Figure an hour drive would cost you around R$100, or $80. I dont know what that would be in pesos; cheaper for sure.

You can go to jungle areas in Rio for safe visits, absolutely. Ask your hotel for tour information. There are plenty. In fact, Cristo Redentor statue is surrounded by jungle.  

You can contact this guy here, Carlos Roquette, very smart, wiley, cautious, former judge, knows Rio like no one I know, and speaks English.  He can get you anywhere you want to go. Tell him Ken from The Boston Globe told you to be in touch:

http://www.culturalrio.com.br/


Boa viagem!

Ken