Is Brazil safe to visit? Advice, scams and health

Brazil is safe for most tourists who use common sense. The country has high rates of violent crime, but the vast majority of incidents affecting visitors are opportunistic theft: a phone grabbed on a crowded bus, a bag lifted from a beach towel. You reduce the risk dramatically by not flashing valuables, using ride apps instead of hailing taxis on the street, and avoiding known trouble spots after dark.

The main things that change your decision: your destination (Rio and São Paulo need more care than smaller towns), the time of day (daylight is safer), and whether you're travelling alone or in a group. Check your government's travel advisory before you book, and get travel insurance that covers medical care and theft.

The most common crime against tourists is theft, not violence. Phones are the top target: keep yours in a front pocket or a zipped bag, not in your hand on the street. In Rio, avoid using your phone on the beach or on empty stretches of Copacabana and Ipanema at night. In São Paulo, be careful on public transport and in the city centre after dark.

Violent crime is concentrated in specific areas, often favelas and their edges, which are not tourist destinations. Stick to well-lit, populated streets, and if you're unsure about a neighbourhood, ask your hotel or a local. Avoid walking alone at night, and use a ride app (Uber, 99) rather than a street taxi, especially after dark.

Carry only what you need for the day: a small amount of cash, one card, and a copy of your passport. Leave your real passport in the hotel safe and carry a photocopy or a photo on your phone, which is accepted for most purposes.

Most scams are low-level and easy to avoid if you know the pattern. The fake police scam: someone in plain clothes flashes a badge and asks to check your money or cards for 'counterfeits'. Real police rarely do this. If approached, ask to walk to a police station or a well-lit public place.

ATM card trapping is common: a device over the card slot that holds your card, and a helper who 'suggests' you re-enter your PIN. Use ATMs inside banks or shopping malls, cover the keypad, and if your card gets stuck, cancel it immediately.

Overcharging at tourist spots happens, especially for taxis without a meter, boat trips, and tours. Agree on the price before you get in or start, and use ride apps for taxis. At markets, haggling is normal, but check the price of a few stalls first.

Brazil has a well-developed healthcare system in cities, but public hospitals can be crowded. For anything serious, private clinics and hospitals in Rio, São Paulo and other big cities are good and accept international insurance. Carry your insurance card and a list of emergency contacts.

Yellow fever is present in parts of Brazil, especially the Amazon and rural areas. The vaccine is recommended for most travellers and is often required if you've been in a yellow-fever country before entering Brazil. Check with your doctor at least 4–6 weeks before travel. Dengue and Zika are mosquito-borne; use repellent, especially in the rainy season.

Tap water is not safe to drink in most of Brazil. Drink bottled or filtered water, and use bottled water for brushing your teeth if you're cautious. Food is generally safe, but eat at busy places and avoid raw salads if you have a sensitive stomach.

The US State Department, UK Foreign Office, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland all publish travel advisories for Brazil. As of 2026, they generally advise normal precautions, with specific warnings about crime in certain cities and areas, and about the border regions with Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana.

Advisories change with events, so check the one for your country before you book and again before you fly. They are a good baseline, but they are not a substitute for local knowledge: ask your hotel or a trusted local about the current situation in the specific neighbourhood you're visiting.

For a full explanation of how to read these advisories, see our guide to government travel advisories.