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SOME DON'Ts:

When going to the beach, go as the Cariocas do - with only your swim suit!  Anything left on the beach while you partake of the ocean will not be there upon your return! Be careful, too, with bags hanging over your shoulder, and leave all valuables in the safety deposit box of your hotel room - no reason to take any chances, and the less encumbered you are, the more you will relax and enjoy this fun loving city!

Getting about Rio is inexpensive by taxi. Taking one from the hotel affords a level of quality and safety that is not necessarily found in taxis caught along the street. If you don’t see a meter, determine price before getting in.

Drink the excellent fruit juices and specialty drinks but don't drink the water.  It is cured, but the chemicals don't seem to agree with our systems and drinking the water is a sure way to get a good case of diarrhea. Drink bottled water - it comes both "with gas" and "sin (without) gas (carbonation)". As for ice - most better hotels and restaurants use bottled water when making ice and it shouldn't bother you, especially if you don't let the drink get warm enough to melt the ice.

At night, stay on the more active streets and off of the small, often poorly lit side streets. And don't be distracted by diversionary tactics. Don't flash money or credit cards around - have the minimum in your pocket, the rest in a money pouch out of sight. If you use common sense, you're sure to avoid trouble.

Don't order scotch by brand name, such as Johnny Walkers; in fact don't say "scotch" at all. It is called "whiskey" in Brasil and you will save a bundle of money if you order it by its Brazilian name: whiskey.

If you want to use a hand signal to indicate "All OK" or "Great", don't use the "o" formed by putting thumb and first finger together; it has an all-together different meaning in Brasil.  Instead, use a "thumbs up" signal.

Don't forget to pack your swimsuit! You can buy the local version - a tanga. This is a skimpy two piece, but if SKIMPY is your wish, try the "fio dental" ("dental floss"); it is indeed tiny.

Don't buy gem stones from street vendors, unless you are an expert at rating gem stones; you are sure to get taken.