“Is it safe to travel to Brazil?” is likely one of the most common searches for individuals interested in knowing the country or moving there.
Given Brazil’s size and socioeconomic diversity, crime levels, warning flags, and the quality of medical services vary. This guide provides insights into safety in Brazil for 2025, with contributions from Brazilian destination experts.
Brazil Safety Overview
Brazil is often generalized as one of the most dangerous countries in the world for travelers and expats. The country has a long-standing reputation for crimes such as armed robbery and gang-related violence, particularly in major cities like Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, and São Paulo.
While tourist zones are generally safe, visitors should be aware of petty crimes, whether in safer, affluent areas or underprivileged neighborhoods (favelas).
Due to Brazil’s size, many parts of the country present similar crime levels to the United States, the United Kingdom, and European Union countries like France.
The country has deeply rooted conservative beliefs, but cities like Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo are some of Latin America’s most progressive, with significant LGBTQ+ communities.
Brazil’s climate is mostly tropical, but the southern region is more temperate. Amazon state is hot and humid year-round, and the northwest is less humid but hot year-round. Southern states like Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul are warm in the summer and can get cold in the winter.
Brazil Safety Resources and Contacts
Law enforcement
| Itaú Unibanco | The biggest private bank in Brazil, with a full range of banking services, including retail banking, consumer credit, mortgage loans, and asset management. |
| Bradesco | Main competitor of Itaú, with nationwide presence and financial solutions for retail bankers, private equity funds, and wealth management. |
| Banco do Brasil | Government-controlled bank with retail and corporate banking services for some of Brazil’s largest companies. |
| Caixa Econômica Federal | Specializes in housing loans, social benefits, and government-related financial services. |
| Santander Brasil | Brazilian branch of Spain’s Santander Group, with comprehensive banking services for individuals and businesses. |
| Nubank | One of the biggest digital banks in the world, with fee free banking and credit cards for retail bankers. |
| Banco Inter | Growing digital bank with free checking accounts, investments and loans. |
Emergency contact numbers
- Police: 190 (Polícia Militar)
- Ambulance: 192 (SAMU – Serviço de Atendimento Móvel de Urgência)
- Fire Department: 193 (Corpo de Bombeiros)
- Federal Highway Police: 191 (Polícia Rodoviária Federal)
- Civil Defense (Disaster Response): 199
Brazil Permanent Residency
Key Safety Considerations
Crime: Violent crime is relatively high in Brazil. You can do the following to protect yourself:
- Keep valuables locked in a hotel safe.
- Avoid carrying large amounts of cash or other valuables outside tourist accommodations.
- Being aware of your surroundings at all times.
- Avoid isolated areas and districts outside tourist zones, especially after dark.
Health: Be aware of infectious diseases from insects, especially mosquito-born virses like dengue fever, chikungunya, and yellow fever. The CDC recommends that travelers be fully vaccinated against measles and the yellow fever virus.
Firearms: Travelers are prohibited from entering Brazil with firearms or ammunition without government consent and the necessary paperwork.
Medical services: Major cities like São Paulo, Brasilia, Curitiba, and Rio de Janeiro have the country’s top medical facilities.
Is Brazil safe for Americans?
Travel advisories from travel.state.gov and travel.gc.ca typically classify Brazil as a destination with increased safety concerns for American travelers. Travel advisories are categorized into four levels:
- Exercise normal precautions
- Exercise increased caution
- Reconsider travel
- Do not travel
With a travel advisory level of “Leve 2: Exercise Increased Caution”, Brazil is classified as a relatively safe country to visit. US citizens are advised to exercise increased precautions, such as avoiding areas closed to Brazil’s land borders with Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and Paraguay, and avoiding unplanned housing developments (commonly referred to as favelas or communidades).
Traveling Around Brazil
Brazil has a vast public transportation system comprising buses, airplanes, metro, and trains. Major cities are well connected with national flights from airlines like Gol, Azul, and Latam.
Bus travel is also a common form of travel between states from bus companies like Eucatur, Catarinense, and Penha. Major cities like São Paulo have extensive public transportation systems that allow people to move around the city without a personal vehicle. Besides public transport, taxis are common in major cities, as well as ridesharing apps like Uber and 99.
Driving in Brazil
US and British driver’s license holders can drive temporarily in Brazil with a standard driver’s license.
American drivers should be aware of the heavy traffic in larger cities, aggressive driving habits, and varying road conditions across the country. Major cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro experience frequent congestion, while rural towns may have poorly maintained roads. Brazil follows right-hand driving, and seat belts are mandatory.
Speed limits and traffic laws are enforced traffic police and travel cameras. Toll roads (rodovias) are common. Police conduct random sobriety and document checks, so carrying a valid driver’s license is required.
Vaccine Considerations for Brazil
The CDC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for visiting Brazil:
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Yellow fever
- Dengue fever
- Typhoid
- Rabies
- Meningitis
- Polio
- Measles
- Mumps
- Rubella (MMR)
- Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis)
- Chickenpox
- Shingles
Although the yellow fever vaccine is not mandatory for entry into Brazil, travelers coming from a country with a yellow fever risk within the past six weeks must present a yellow fever vaccination certificate issued at least ten days before arrival. This also applies to travelers departing Brazil for another tropical country.
Health precautions
Brazilian healthcare provides high-quality medical facilities without many limitations. Visitors should bring sufficient prescription medications, if necessary, but pharmacies are widely available and stock the most common medicines.
Applying strong mosquito repellant will also reduce the risk of contracting mosquito-borne dengue fever and Zika.
While yellow fever is present in the country, it is largely confined to small areas of the Amazon rainforest.
Attending Carnival in Brazil
Attending carnival in Brazil is one of the primary reasons people go, particularly to Rio de Janeiro and Salvador Carinval, but safety precautions are essential due to large crowds and increased opportunistic crime.
Pickpocketing and scams like card skimming are common, so avoid carrying valuables, use a money belt or anti-theft bag, and keep your phone secure.
Stick to well-lit areas with constant foot flow, travel in groups, and use official transportation or rideshare apps like Uber or 99 instead of unlicensed taxis. Drink responsibly and be cautious when strangers offer free drinks. In case of emergencies, locate police officers (Polícia Militar) stationed at blocos (street parties).
Is it safe to go to the favelas in Brazil?
It is not safe for foreigners to visit favelas in Brazil. Favelas are unplanned housing developments that are home to disadvantaged inhabitants who might not be receptive to outsiders.
However, there are exceptions, particularly in cities like Rio de Janeiro, where tourists can hire local guides from these communities for supervised favela tours. Some favelas, like Rocinha, Santa Marta, and Vidigal, have become more welcoming to visitors due to community-led tourism endeavors and planned police presence.
Nevertheless, even in these neighborhoods, make sure to visit with a trusted guide, follow local advice, and avoid venturing alone, especially at night. Many favelas in Brazil still experience high crime rates, and safety conditions can change rapidly, so caution is always advised.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Safety in Brazil
Are tourists safe in Brazil?
Tourists are generally safe in Brazil by taking basic precautions, as crime rates vary by location. Popular tourist cities like Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Salvador have a strong police presence, but armed robbery and card fraud are common, especially at night and in locations off the beaten path.
Is Brazil safe to walk around?
Popular tourist areas like Ipanema in Rio de Janeiro and Barra in Salvador are safe to walk around, provided you stick to well-lit areas with others.
Can you drink tap water in Brazil?
Tap water in Brazil is treated and generally safe to drink in major cities but not recommended due to the risk of contamination from old pipes. Most locals drink bottled or filtered water.
What to avoid in Brazil?
- Isolated areas and beaches: Avoid these locations, especially at night.
- Unlicensed taxis: Avoid hailing unlicensed taxis.
- Unplanned housing developments: Avoid unplanned housing development (commonly referred to as favelas or communidades).
- Displaying valuables: Avoid things like displaying large amounts of money or other valuables.
- Illicit drugs: Avoid buying or using illegal drugs.
When not to go to Brazil?
Brazil is pleasant to visit year-round as the country has numerous climates. When not to go depends on where you plan to visit. Rio de Janeiro and southern states can get relatively cold during the winter months between June and August. In contrast, places like Lençóis Maranhenses should be avoided during the dryer months between November and January.
Is Brazil safe for female travelers?
Brazil can be safe for female travelers, especially in popular tourist areas with a heightened security presence, but it’s important to stay alert to potential risks like harassment or armed robbery by avoiding walking alone at night, keeping valuables secure, and using trusted transportation options.
Is Brazil safe to live in?
Whether it’s safe to live in Brazil largely depends on the city and neighborhood. Major cities like São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Belo Horizonte offer secure neighborhoods but also have areas with higher crime rates, including theft and violent crimes.
Is Brazil or Portugal safer?
Portugal is generally considered safer than Brazil due to a lower crime rate overall.
Which state is safe in Brazil?
Santa Catarina is ranked as one of Brazil’s safest states to live and visit.
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