Last Updated: 2/2/2020 | February 2nd, 2020
Offering pristine nature and access to the Amazon rainforest, historic cities and colonial architecture, and lots of affordable food and activities, Brazil will have some something for every traveler.
A popular destination for revelers looking to party hard at Carnival as well as a hot spot for adventure junkies and beachgoers, Brazil is a country known for its amazing weather and pristine landscapes.
But is it safe?
Brazil has a reputation for being a rough and tumble destination, one where travelers need to be extra cautious and on their guard at all times.
Due to rising inequality, unfortunately, this is the case. Petty theft and street crime are a common occurrence in Brazil. The crime rate in Brazil has been on the rise for many years now (it was up almost 50% between 2015 and 2016) so travelers here will need to be on vigilant
But that doesn’t mean you should avoid the country. You just need to be a smart traveler. Millions of people visit the country every year and don’t have a problem. As long as you follow the suggested safety tips, you’ll minimize the likelihood anything bad will happen to you!
Here is everything you need to know to stay safe and make the most out of your next trip to Brazil.
Table of Contents
13 Safety Tips for Brazil
To help you stay safe in Brazil, here are 13 tips that will keep both you and your possessions out of harm’s way:
1. Walk with purpose – When out exploring, always walk with purpose. Look like you’re heading somewhere in specific, even if you’re not. Pickpockets and muggers look for travelers who are unsure of themselves. Don’t look like a target.
2. Don’t carry cash – Carry only the minimum cash needed for the day. Keep the rest locked up back in your accommodation.
3. Separate your cards – If you have more than one credit or debit card, keep them separate. Bring one with you for the day (if you think you’ll need it) and leave the other one locked up in your room. That way, should something happen, you always have at least one card.
4. Don’t bring valuables to the beach – When you go to the beach, don’t take anything unnecessary. Towel, bathing suit, and a small amount of cash. That’s it! Anything else you bring is likely to disappear!
5. Dress to fit in – When out and about, dress down and try to fit in. Leave any valuables or jewelry at home. Don’t walk around flashing your camera or phone. If you need to use them, be discreet.
6. Carry a spare wallet – Bring a spare wallet with a small amount of cash in it. That way, if you get robbed or pickpocketed they won’t get your real wallet (where you’ll keep the rest of your cash and cards).
7. Avoid outdoor ATMs – If you need to withdraw cash, only use ATMs inside buildings. Always be aware of your surroundings before you take out your wallet.
8. Double check your accommodation – No matter where you are staying, be sure to check the doors and windows before leaving for the day and before settling in at night. Don’t leave anything valuable lying around your room; lock everything up.
9. Don’t accept free food/drinks – Never accept drinks or food from strangers. Drugging victims before they are robbed is common, so decline free food or drinks from strangers.
10. Watch out for distractions – Thieves will often try to distract you before they rob you. Be mindful of this common scam to help you stay vigilant.
Don’t walk around at night alone – If you have to, avoid city beaches, parks, and empty streets.
11. Take precautions when driving – If traveling by car, always keep your doors locked. By on guard at stop signs or red lights, especially at night. Many Brazilians won’t even stop for them to avoid the risk of a carjacking. Buy travel insurance before you go just in case you run into trouble. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!
We recommend World Nomads for travelers under 70, while Insure My Trip is the best choice for travelers over 70.
For more information on tarvel insurance, check out these posts:
- What Does Travel Insurance ACTUALLY Cover?
- The 7 Best Travel Companies in 2019
- How to Buy the Best Travel Insurance
Is Street Food in Brazil Safe?
Yep! You’ll find all sorts of amazing street food stands in cities like Rio as well as near the beaches and you’d be missing out if you didn’t try them! Just make sure to stick to places where there are a lot of locals gathered. That’s how you know the food is not only safe but delicious too!
I’d suggest avoiding anything with shrimp of seafood as it spoils quickly. But definitely try the mate as it can be quite refreshing (it’s served as an ice tea and is really good).
For the most part, you’ll encounter places that sell various kinds of meat. As long as it is fully cooked and hasn’t been in the sun all day, dive in and give it a try!
Don’t hesitate to ask your hotel or hostel staff for street food or restaurant suggestions too. They’ll no doubt have some delicious — and safe — options for you to try.
Is the Tap Water in Brazil Safe?
The water in Brazil is generally safe to drink, though most Brazilians still use filters or drink bottled water. The tap water generally has something of an odd taste, due to the purification process, so while it’s fine for brushing your teeth, it can taste odd if you’re just drinking it when you’re thirsty.
If staying in a hostel or Airbnb you’ll likely have access to a filter but it’s always a good idea to bring your own as well. Lifestraw and SteriPen are two great products to help keep your water safe and potable.
Are Taxis in Brazil Safe?
Taxis in Brazil are safe and plentiful. They use meters as well, though it’s always a good idea to ask your hotel or hostel staff for an approximate fare before you head out. There are always a few bad apples who will try to rip you off, so just be sure to pay attention to the meter and make sure it isn’t rising abnormally quick.
Also, it’s always best to call your taxi in advance. Never flag a taxi on the street (this is especially true at night).
Is Brazil Safe for Solo Travelers?
Brazil is safe for solo travelers, though I would only suggest solo travelers visit here if they have some experience traveling solo already. By following the tips above, solo travelers will be able to have an amazing time in Brazil while staying safe.
If you are concerned as a solo traveler, try to meet-up with other travelers at hostels. Traveling together, you can keep each other company and deter any potential petty theft or robberies.
Is Brazil Safe for Solo Female Travelers?
Brazil faces real issues of poverty and crime so solo female travelers will need to be on guard. This is not a destination for new travelers and I would only suggest solo female travelers visit here if they are experienced solo travelers. Even then, you’ll want to make sure you take every precaution that you can.
Check with your hostel or hotel staff to find out if you should avoid any specific areas. Also, learn as much as the local language as you can so you don’t stand out.
So, is Brazil Safe?
Brazil is an amazing, vibrant country. But it’s not without its risks. Travelers here will need to be on guard and keep their wits about them. Petty theft and muggings are common, but if you follow the tips above you should be able to have an incredible visit while still staying safe.
Trust your gut, use common sense, and make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance. Do that, and you’ll be able to stay safe in Brazil have a memorable visit to this energetic country.
Heading to Brazil? Use the widget below to get a free travel insurance quote from World Nomads! That’s the company I’ve been using since I started traveling back in 2003!
Book Your Trip to Brazil: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner or Momondo to find a cheap flight. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned. Start with Skyscanner first though because they have the biggest reach!
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. My favorite places to stay are:
- Discovery Hostel (Rio)
- Geckos Hostel (Florianopolis)
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
- World Nomads (for everyone below 70)
- Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
- Medjet (for additional repatriation coverage)
Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.
Want More Information on Brazil?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide to Brazil for even more planning tips!
Elizabeth Rosendorf
I’ve been to Brazil three times now and it’s an absolutely amazing country. Please visit! I’m a petite woman and while each visit involved meeting at least one friend, I was also on my own a lot, and I had the time of my life on all three trips. Cell phone theft is rampant but not violent. People will just grab your phone from your hand or steal it from your pile of beach stuff while you’re swimming. My friend, who lived in Rio for a couple of years, always tells a funny story about walking home alone from a party late at night. A group of homeless people approached her and she was so scared-she knew she should have called an Uber. But they were very polite and just asked for her cell, which she gave them. A few blocks later another homeless person asked for her cell, and was polite but disappointed when she explained that she had just given it to a different group of homeless people. In general other types of theft, like taking cash/credit cards/jewelry, are way less common. During the day public transport is always a good option in the bigger cities. At night use your Uber app. For me Brazil feels like an easy travel destination because so many people from all over the world visit. It’s easy to meet people, and there’s a ton of tourism infrastructure. Certain parts of Rio are genuinely dangerous (as an example) but it’s a huge city and there’s really no reason why you would go to the dangerous areas. And really your cell phone could be stolen anywhere. I’ve never had an issue in Brazil but my phone was stolen at the train station in Rome, and people don’t generally think of Rome as high risk (although petty theft is common there). Honestly visiting Brazil feels safe to me. Maybe not safe like visiting Switzerland but safe like visiting Paris, where petty theft is also a big issue. If Brazil calls to you, visit!!! It’s just so beautiful with incredible culture, food, beaches, waterfalls, scenery, people, music, night life, and everything else you could want. I can’t wait to bring my daughter. She’s still a baby but down the road when she’s older we’re definitely going multiple times.
Jessica Munday
Thanks for this guide, its really useful. I’m visiting Brazil next year with my boyfriend so will use some of these tips.
Chris
We would love to visit Brazil but have definitely heard some unfortunate stories from people being robbed, particularly in Rio. Looking at your tips, I generally follow these rules already when I’m travelling, so perhaps we should reconsider. Brazil seems like such a fun and interesting country to visit.
Michael Andersen
I’ve been living in and traveling to Brazil for the past 20 years, and I’m alive and well. Use the same normal precautions you’d follow anywhere else and you’ll be fine, too.
Alberto Valle
I am Brazilian and I live in Rio de Janeiro and I can say it is a safe place. The city has problems like every major metropolis in the world, but knowing how to avoid dangerous places and taking precautions that would be taken in any major city, is a very safe tourist destination.
Walter C
Never mind the perils once you’re inside the country – the trouble can start even before you’ve penetrated this alleged paradise.
Those in charge of border and immigration control are notoriously corrupt. A friend of mine had a sister on whom drugs were planted on arrival at the airport – and the circumstances were such that they could only have been planted by someone in authority. She was arrested and held in custody, and given a defence lawyer who then started to bleed her relatives with constant demands for fees and expenses. This lawyer was clearly in cahoots with the border authorities. She was nevertheless tried and convicted and spent two years in gaol.
There have been numerous other incidents of border corruption. Admittedly they are not all as horrific as the one cited, but some will try to find some fault in the luggage you are bringing in and ask for a bribe to let you pass.
It also has a nasty right-wing government now under Bolsanaro.
Horrible, corrupt countr. Avoid.