@pauloserpa

“Don’t take your phone out” is some outdated advice… there are several people on the streets and in the metro using phones and taking pictures. Remember that nothing stays the same forever. Rio is safer than many people describe. Use your common sense.

Stay in one of these neighborhoods: Itaim Bibi, Jardim Europa, Jardim Paulista, or Pinheiros, and it will be great.

Driving looks and feels dangerous. It isn't. It's just scary to start (and I've got over a million miles in a truck across North America). That's probably why the 'dangerous' reviews. Was surprised to find EVERY time something happened, like a car door randomly opening in front of you or sudden lane disappearance, the drivers in the lane you needed made space. Drivers have exceptional road awareness. It's just that it's scary doing 75 km/h in a bumper to bumper traffic jam. Being a pedestrian is

Bali for grownups. It's perfectly safe. I could walk in 95% areas of Floripa at night with my phone taken out without any feeling of danger. Safer than Rio, for sure. All types of water sport and hikes are available here, so it's a good place for people who are into nature. Place isn't very trendy and service sometimes isn't that good but it's getting there. As anywhere in Brazil, people here don't in general speak English. But they're so friendly that they will always try to help you out and sm

This city is a hidden gem in South America. The atmosphere is very laid-back, the locals are friendly and open to foreigners, and there is a lot of freedom (no stupid regulations or other rules). The infrastructure is definitely not as developed as in other countries, but it is developing very quickly. There are a lot of foreign investments because the country is probably the safest in South America, and the local government is small and right-wing. In the city itself, there is not much to do. T

Lived here for 6 months 2X over the last few years. This city is so under the radar. While medellin is overrun with gringos you will find very few here. International food is quite good and you will even find michelen starred restos here. Internet is great, and many cafes or coworking/weworks to work out of. Bogota is a tech capital in latam, so a decent place to farm out work, although dont expect mass english proficiency. Women here are very good looking but more of the "classy" type versus t

Lived here three years. On the plus side the people are friendly and the women are beautiful. The urban area is huge but all the action takes place in a fairly small central area. On the minus side, there are very few parks or green spaces. There aren't many attractions or cool things to do in the city. People's leisure time is mostly spent drinking in roadside bars.

Brasilia is a hidden gem in the middle of Brazil. Very safe city, with good restaurants, super safe traffic, very green, perfect for biking, and with a high level of education. Shaped like an airplane, it is the most famous planned town in the world, by legendary architect Oscar Niemayer. Internet is good, you can rent a cheap Airbnb, most of them with a green view, There are more than 800 waterfalls close by (check Chapada dos Veadeiros) and hiking spots. The climate very pleasant as long as