Safety in Brazil

Staying Safe

Hundreds of thousands of foreigners visit Brazil each year, and most have an absolutely wonderful time. The perception of Brazil’s slums and violent crime, popularized by movies like City of God, are generally a thing of the past. You can travel throughout Brazil and meet friendly faces everywhere you go.

With that said, you should exercise the same caution as you would while traveling in any other foreign country. We recommend that you leave valuable jewelry – including watches – at home, as well as expensive electronics. Carry a money belt, use the hotel safe to hold your passport and other important documents. Be wary of ATM fraud and credit card skimming, where fraudsters copy your card information.

There are occasional political protests in major cities. Traffic can be terrible in Sao Paulo and other cities, so use caution as you walk about the city and give yourself plenty of time to get from place to place. Some neighborhoods of Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Recife, and Salvador should be avoided at night. When hailing a cab, have your hotel or the restaurant call to request an official cab. Be aware of your surroundings and watch out for pickpockets. Be wary of strong currents when swimming in Brazil’s beaches. Be especially cautious during the Carnival season, when thieves prey on unsuspecting party-goers.

All our tours include professional tour guides, and we will arrange all transportation, transfers, hotels, and tours that we know personally and recommend highly.

For US Citizens, the State Department recommends bookmarking the Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts page, following their Twitter and Facebook accounts, and/or downloading their free Smart Traveler App on iTunes to stay up-to-date on travel warnings and news. They also offer useful tips for traveling safely abroad.

The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office has some recommendations on travelling safely in Brazil.