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I'm a female going to Santos with my son to play soccer. I am concerned about kidnapping, rape and other crimes. Thinking of staying at the Mecure. Does anyone know about the safety of this area and the hotel? I'm really thinking of chickening out.
Don't be silly. The reputation for crime in Brazil far outstrips the reality for tourists. (And don't flatter yourself. Logically, why would someone kidnap you and not an industrialist mega-times richer whose route is known and unvaried every day? Who would care to rape you when the culture is so liberal that no one lacks for a consenting partner?) You do need to have street smarts, awareness of potential situations that might lead to pickpocketing or a snatch and run (so don't take irreplacable valuables), but that is within your own control and not so different from any large city in the world. It merely takes a few minutes on the ground to understand the real conditions, as opposed to what you may have read and allowed to scare you. Santos is not as large a city as some in Brazil, including nearby Sao Paulo, and you should be able to get around easily. Take taxis for convenience, and especially at night. Enjoy the beaches. Enjoy the food. Enjoy your son's games. Do a side trip to marvelous Rio, via historic Paraty and bucolic Ilha Grande. Only your great loss if you stay home and don't take advantage of a great opportunity to see a little of one of the most interesting and beautiful countries in the world.
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The major cities of Brazil were definitely a challenge for me and I was constantly on high alert in some areas of Rio, Salvador and Sao Paulo. I am not familiar with the neighborhood you mentioned in Sao Paulo but I found a pretty good article that I am providing a link to. It deals with travel safety in Brazil; journals.worldnomads.com/saf... Hope it helps.
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It's not a neighborhood of Sao Paulo at all. It's the port city, about an hour away, much smaller. She would only have to spend the amount of time in Sao Paulo that it takes to get out of town the fastest way; not much to see IMO there anyway.
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Might I suggest that if you are that paranoid, it's best you don't go. Your son will have a horrible trip. Alternatively, you could dismiss all the hype about imagined dangers in Brazil, take a deep breath and have a wonderful time. You will find Santos a great deal more secure than a number of US cities.
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I wouldn't be worried either, have never been held up in Brazil myself and have been all over! just blend in, take it easy and you will be fine....
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