How to Stay Safe in Brazil: 20 Tips From Experience

Why is everyone an expert on the dangers of Brazil the second you mention you’re going?

That friend had a friend who got shot in Salvador. The other friend got mugged on the streets of São Paulo. The list goes on. But what if you don’t want to cancel that trip?

As someone staying in Brazil while writing this post, let me tell you, it’s not bad at all. I’ve been here for nearly three months. I’ve walked through a few favelas of Rio, went to São Paulo solo over a weekend, and still just as in love with the country as I was on day one.

I’m here to share some of my top tips on how to stay safe in Brazil, including insights into the pickpocket behaviors, and busting the stereotypes about how “dangerous” Brazil is.

You don’t need to cancel that trip or pack armor in your luggage, my friend. Let’s set the right expectations.

Is Brazil Really That Dangerous?

You guys, there are ENDLESS precautions people can and will give you about Brazil.

“Be careful with your phone on the streets.” “You will get mugged.” “I heard gunshots from my room when I was there.” “My friend was attacked on the street.”

But when you really think about it…

• Your phone could also get stolen in Paris, Rome, or Manhattan.
• People have been mugged in many places in Europe… But why do y’all keep going back?
• You will hear gunshots in the US, too. Just a handgun instead of a rifle, if you’re lucky.
• Dozens of Asians got beaten up on the streets in the US in 2 months during COVID.

Right? Any of these 4 points above don’t ring true for you?

It’s the Context That’s Been Associated

The types of danger you’ve been hearing about Brazil don’t just happen IN Brazil. You can’t stop hearing about it happening in Brazil because it’s part of the stereotype that’s attached to the country.

Meanwhile, people keep going back to Europe despite warnings of violence and pickpockets because the places have been heavily romanticized.

The key is knowing how to navigate a country you’re not familiar with.

Did I Feel Safe in Brazil?

During the 8 weeks I’ve been in Brazil, I have never been mugged, attacked, or heard gunshots. I encountered pickpockets ONCE in possibly the worst neighborhood of São Paulo. It was expected.

But outside the sketch zones? Amazing. The vibe is chill, the people are so sweet and helpful. I’ve been exploring so many places on my own, taking public transportation with no incidents.

If Brazilians have been living just fine in Brazil, why would you be so unlucky in just a few weeks of your life, right? Now let’s look at some ways you can stay super safe in Brazil.

Pre-Trip Precautions You Can Take

This is the most fundamental step in safeguarding your trip. It all starts here.

1. Research the Neighborhoods

This is not just for safety purposes, but to help you plan the best logistics that fit your travel style as well.

Do thorough research on which neighborhoods are the safe ones, and among those safe neighborhoods, which ones are famous for what. There are always the ones better for shopping, culture, history, leisure, and so on.

Finding a place close to public transportation is always a plus, but not always necessary.

2. Save Local Emergency Numbers

Each country has a different number to call the police, the ambulance, or the firefighters.

Look up those numbers and have them saved in your contact list so you can pull them up quickly if needed. Let’s hope never. Here are some main ones for Brazil.

• Women Helpline: 180
• Police (Policia Militar): 190
• Ambulance & Medical Emergencies: 192
• Firefighters & Rescue Services: 193

3. Get Travel Insurance

I can’t stress this one enough. It does not matter how well you’ve planned your trip. Things will go wrong. Flights get delayed or canceled… luggage gets lost… Sometimes you get sick and need medical attention.

When these things happen and you don’t have a travel insurance plan in place, you end up losing so much more money than you would use to pay for a plan.

I highly recommend Heymondo for its great coverage and 24-hour medical support. Their support chat will also help you find the best hospitals in your area, wherever you are.

Safety Guidelines to Follow While in Brazil

The following tips are specifically for when you’re in action. Most of them are just precautions, of course. It doesn’t mean that **something** is going to happen, so don’t panic.

If anything, nothing will happen precisely because you’re following them!

4. Don’t Walk With Your Phone in Hand

The biggest problem in Brazil, and the most likely one to occur, is pickpocketing. Specifically, pickpocketing of your phone.

When you’re outside, do whatever you can so you can keep your phone in your bag.

Check the routes you need to take beforehand, confirm the metro station you need to get off at, etc. If you need to use your phone, step into a convenience store or a building. Don’t do it on the sidewalks.

There are people waiting to snatch your phone, mostly in the sketchier areas, like the Centro of Rio de Janeiro, for example. In better neighborhoods like Ipanema or Leblon, it’s less likely to happen, but I’d still advise you to take precautions.

São Paulo is worse in this case. Pickpockets will ride bikes by you and snatch your phone within milliseconds. Because they’re on bikes, you can’t run after them either.

5. Don’t Hand Your Phone to Anyone

And I mean, ANYONE. This is a follow-up to the tip above. Be careful of your phone when it’s with you, but ALSO don’t hand it over to anyone else, not even your best friend.

I understand that sometimes you need your pictures taken, but you need to check your surroundings before you do so.

One of my friends had her phone stolen out of her friend’s hand as the friend was handing it over to their other friend to take their picture… It was a real Inception moment, and infuriating because it was completely out of her control.

6. Avoid Flashy Jewelry or Gear

You can look fancy without flashing fancy items. Diamond earrings and big, shiny watches can stay home for this trip.

Opt for more subtle items that can complement your outfits of the day just as well, but will keep you safe from the kind of attention you don’t want.

7. Don’t Leave Your Belongings Unattended

If you’re in a café and need to go to the bathroom, take your stuff with you. If you’re with a friend you trust, put it on her lap.

But I don’t advise leaving it in your chair opposite the table from her, especially if you’re seated close to the door, or outdoors on the sidewalk.

Also, you know how we sometimes hang our bags off the back of our chairs at restaurants? Don’t do that in Brazil (or anywhere, ideally), especially if you’re seated outside.

8. Don’t Walk Alone at Night

The only times you should enjoy being out at night are when you are:

• With friends you trust, ideally more than one other person
• In a neighborhood you know well that is safe
• Have a real necessity (waiting for a bucket list dinner joint that opens at night, for example), even then, better to have friends with you

9. Avoid Long Walks Across Neighborhoods

Think of the big city closest to where you’re from. Have you taken a walk there? Are there any parts of that city where you cross ONE street, and the atmosphere changes completely?

In Los Angeles, it’s the immediate shift from the Arts District to Skid Row. In San Francisco, it’s the Financial District to Union Square. And in Mexico City, it’s Roma Norte to Doctores.

When in a city you don’t know, don’t increase the risk of that happening. Stay in a neighborhood you’ve done research on and use transportation to get from one to the other. Don’t cross neighborhoods on foot.

10. Let’s Talk About the Favelas

Although there are favelas in other cities across Brazil, this seems primarily a Rio thing.

There are about 600-800 favelas in Rio de Janeiro alone. The two safest and pacified ones in Rio are Vidigal and Rocinha, while most of the rest are wild cards. So, avoid them in general. However, if you’re entering one, remember these rules:

• Go with a local, invited.
• Never drive in. Always enter on foot.
• Never film anything inside. If you want to, ask your local friend first if you can.
• Be respectful. Despite the reputation favelas have, the residents are people just like you.

11. Skip Public Transport Late at Night

The metro in both Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo is very safe and clean.

However, if you have to get home from a Samba night when there are not that many people on the metro anymore, taking an Uber is probably a better idea.

12. Don’t Look Lost or Unsure on the Streets

Before leaving your hotel, guesthouse, or Airbnb, study the routes you’re taking well. Check the metro station or bus stop you need to get to, the route you need to take there, how many streets you have to cross, etc.

This is all to avoid having to check the map on your phone when you’re outside. And also to avoid having to look around confused on the street.

Brazil is a super diverse country. No matter what you look like, as long as you stride like a local, knowing where you’re going, everyone will assume you’re local.

Regardless of which country you’re in, as soon as you look lost or confused, you’re vulnerable.

To Brazil’s defense… I ended up having to ask people for directions a couple of times despite my best attempts, and the locals were so friendly and helpful.

13. Be Extra Cautious in Crowds

When you’re visiting Sugarloaf, Christ the Redeemer, Copacabana, or any other crowded place, implementing extra caution is a good idea.

Do NOT leave anything in your pockets. Move your backpack to the front and keep your hands on it at all times as you navigate your way through the crowd.

14. Don’t Keep All Your Valuables in One Place

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket! Do you really need ALL 5 of your credit cards to visit Christ the Redeemer? Do you really need all the cash you’re carrying for the day?

Take only what you need with you (identification, some cash, a credit card) and leave some at your base. Put some cash in your wallet and some other cash in a different pocket inside your backpack.

Safety Tips for Going Out At Night

Seriously, folks. Are you even in Brazil if you’re not going out to Samba or Forró at least once? Music and dance are so ingrained into the culture, you just have to.

Now, let’s look at some of the hard and fast rules for going out at night. Most of them I’m sure you already know, but let’s take them as friendly reminders.

15. Go Out With People You Really Know

And I mean the people you know WELL, especially if you’re a woman. This is not just Brazil, folks. Terrible things have happened to women on their nights out in the safest countries in the world.

Don’t go party in Lapa with Melanie, whom you met this morning at another bar, or Rodrigo, whom you met through a friend 2 nights ago.

Go out with them ONLY IF your long-time travel buddy or high school friend is joining you for the night. Ideally, you’ll have more than one other person you know well with you.

16. Leave Valuables at Home

Look cute, but not flashy. Bring as little money as you need and only ONE form of identification. You don’t want to have too much fun and then realize you had left everything you own at some bar by accident.

Crazy nights do happen, especially when you love a place so much. Let’s save you from yourself in that case.

17. Don’t Accept Open Drinks

In most places, including Brazil, drinks get made right in front of you.

If you order a beer or water to the table, the bottles get opened at the table. Unless you see the drinks being opened or mixed, don’t take it.

18. Don’t Leave Your Drink Unattended. Ever.

Do you need to go to the bathroom? Either bring the glass with you or be ready to leave it and order a new one when you return.

This is partying 101 in every country on this planet. Just a friendly reminder 😉

19. Drink Slowly

It’s easier said than done, especially when you’re with friends and listening to awesome music.

But precisely because of the awesome (and loud) music, your head will end up spinning much faster when you leave that club.

Cut your body some slack and take a sip, maybe every 8-10 minutes or so when you’re out.

20. Have a Solid Plan for Getting Home

Planning ahead never hurts! Be ready with at least two ideas of how to get home, and who could come with you if you end up wasted (let’s not, though).

Experiences I Love and Recommend in Brazil

I spent most of my time in Brazil in Rio de Janeiro on an intensive Portuguese course. So I have to admit that my preferences are a bit biased towards Rio. But here are some of my favorite activities.

The all-time number one in my heart is hiking up to Morro Dois Irmãos for sunrise. From Morro Dois Irmãos, you get the most famous view of Rio from above, too.

Another hike that was a bit scary but I’m glad I did was of Pedra da Gávea. Instead of the famous Rio view, you get a different view along the coast, PLUS Morro Dois Irmãos itself!

Can’t ever say no to a food tour when in a new city, can we? This one does it particularly well.

I also spent a weekend in São Paulo, another weekend in Paraty, and my last weekend in Brazil exploring the Iguazu Falls. Read my guide and itineraries if you’re going too!

Other Helpful Travel Tips

I’ve gathered the most prominent cultural tips from my 3 months living in Rio to help you avoid accidentally offending someone. All tips have been approved by my local friends!

• Make sure you protect your trip with a travel insurance.
• Get this eSIM for local data without giving up your number.
• Must-have Apps: Google Maps, Uber, WhatsApp

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