I was in Rio the year before the Olympics. I had a great guide who told me about the "bad old days" when thieves locked arms from the sidewalk to the ocean and walked the beaches, robbing everyone in their path. The doormen at the hotels at Copacabana and Ipanema would warn guest when they should stay off the beach. Even when I was there, locals went to the beach with absolutely nothing except a bathing suit and flip flops. (I really thought the Barra Beach was better, less crowded, in any event. As beautiful a beach as exists in an urban setting.)
Why am I mentioning this? Because the "bad old days" are apparently back. Rio is proposing a tax on tourists, the proceeds of which will go to mugging victims.
Sad. Go there at your peril; and be very, very wary at night.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/07/wo...ism-crime.html
