This is not a guide that gives cloudy suggestions or recommendations. I have fallen into the traps and the rip-offs. Chances are you only have a week or 2 in this city and I want you to avoid any shortcomings and experience the best. Be aware when holding your phone in public, keep it close to you. If you have a Canon camera, do not walk around with it in a camera bag, put it in a backpack so nobody can speculate what you are carrying.
When using atms, always cover your pin with your other hand when entering your pin. Thieves rig atms all over the city. It is clean, fast, and very safe. During rush hour, there is security and they allocate certain sections of the metro train by gender, specifically for women so they are not at risk to sexual assault groping.
If you are staying in Copacabana near the Siqueria Campos metro stop this area has all the massage parlors in Copacabana and want to travel to Centro, you would want to take the metro headed towards Uruguai and get off at the Carioca stop which is 8 stops away from Siqueira Campos. This ride from Copacabana only takes about 10 minutes. It cost 4 reis per ticket, which will take you anywhere. They will give you a reusable blue plastic card, which allows you to store money on, I recommend depositing 30 reis.
Bus The buses in Rio are incredibly easy and safe to use. If you decide to live anywhere south of General Osorio, which is the last metro stop in Ipanema, you will be using the bus a lot. If you have Google Maps on your phone, it tells you which bus to take and the bus number. Just enter in your destination and keep an eye out for your bus. Taxi Taxis are fairly cheap and reasonable. You never have to worry about safety or them trying to screw you.
Where to Stay There are many different elements in explaining where to stay. First off, Copacabana is cheaper than staying in Ipanema and you will be close to all the whorehouses in Copacabana. Yes, Ipanema is more beautiful than Copacabana but for me, I would rather be closer to the whorehouses. The only establishment offering sex in Ipanema is Termas Centaurus. Santa Teresa is one of the most beautiful spots in all of Rio that many tourists never try to explore.
