Should I bring my iPhone (and maybe MacBook) to Rio?
I studied abroad in Rio when I was in college. I honestly loved my experience bc I feel like it really pushed me out of my shell. I was there for half a year.
I was pretty aware that I wasn’t in a completely safe environment. The other exchange students that were there for a year said that almost every one of them had valuables stolen and gave us tips on safety etc. A lot of the exchange students in my program had valuables stolen too, one was mugged at gunpoint and a few were in those mass beach muggings.
I stayed in Gavea and felt mostly safe. I wandered around often, either alone or w friends. I even went out to the bars by myself late at night a few times; to Niteroi, secluded beaches etc. I picked up Portuguese fairly well, too. - I was even an English tutor at an after school program in Rocinha!
I was always aware of my surroundings and didn’t do anything stupid tourists often do (flaunt valuables, overpack when going to the beach etc).
I am going back this August for three weeks. I’ll be staying in a relatively safe area with a carioca I met at my host university. I think the neighborhood he lives in is called Recreio dos Bandeirantes. Ofc I know to leave most of my valuables at home. I actually plan to underpack and buy everything I need in Rio. My friend and I are already making plans in advance and it sounds like we’re doing some local traveling. I also want to visit closer to downtown Rio since I know he is an hour away. I was thinking of possibly staying at a hostel in Rocinha.
My friend says I should be good bringing my iPhone and (assumingly) my Mac since I’ll be staying with him. I ofc HAVE to do some solo traveling in the city by myself, too.
Do you think I should be okay bringing my iPhone and possibly Mac as long as I am not flashing it around?