Safest route into Rio de Janeiro?
 

What's the safest route into Rio centre and Ipanema coming from BR-101 (the coastal road from São Paulo) most "away" from favelas?

Whether to choose the main BR-116 Rod. Pres. Dutra (goes over to Via. Pres. Goulart) or Av. Brasil in the middle or from near the coast Av. das Americas?

Anyone been in Ipanema etc areas recently with a bike with foreign plates, is it safe?

Thanks in advance, Margus

we had no problems
 

Hi Margus
we traveled this area in 2006 and covered most of the different roads that you mention - we had no problems. Obviously don't go into the favellas (!) but we had to take the roads near by and didn't experience anything untoward.
We went to all of the beaches there (well...you have to don't you!) and once again had no problems. You just need to be sensible - keep your wits about you - and always be vigilant....but this goes for most cities anywhere in the World.
We had a great time in Rio DJ - make the most of this city.
cheers

Made it to Rio and still alive!
 

Thanks a lot for the answer Lisa!

Actually it was your webpage I got some info about riding into Rio - good stuff! :)

We made it to the Rio by the coastal avenue - with the help from (not that precise) GPS.

Once got lost and stopped to figure it out till one afroamerican favela approached us that didn't looked exacly friendly, he saw we're foreigners and didn't understand portugese, so he distanced away from us to gather "additional forces" (we first didn't know what's going on), luckily one guy over the road immediately warned us, so we quickly ride off and hear favelas whistling (on the way to us, probably tried to stop us) while doing so, fortunately they were on the other direction and we rode away. So it probably was a close call being completely robbed by a bunch of bad guys.

So if anyone stranger approaching you, be cautious - they can gather in bigger amounts soon! Use common sense and don't wander into strange places.