Whether it’s Rio’s exotic beaches or the untamed Amazon, Brazil has a way of casting its spell on American travelers. But for many of these travelers there’s a nagging question in the back of their heads: “Is it safe to travel to Brazil?”
The answer? It is, if you take the right precautions.
To enhance your chances of staying safe while on your Brazilian vacation, do the following:
Brazil is like many countries that Americans visit without a second thought as to their safety.
That doesn’t mean you should ignore safety concerns when you visit Brazil; it simply means you need to be just as safety-conscious as you’d be in any other major destination around the world.
With that understood, let’s look at the numbers.
The important safety numbers for Brazil are:
At this point you should have a good idea of Brazil’s safety profile: generally safe, but concerns with petty theft in cities and overall safety elsewhere.
Given that, it’s good to follow these simple precautions while traveling in Brazil:
Stick to the main streets, especially at night. If your lodgings are a long way from your destination, take an authorized cab. (They have red lettering and prominently displayed phone numbers.)
Avoid the suburbs. In the words of Ricardo Boeing, a Brazilian-American who has organized student tours in Brazil, “The further out you get from downtown in the big cities, the more dangerous it can be.”
Try not to carry backpacks or purses in crowds. If you do carry these items, consider bags with cut-proof straps. Always wear purses strapped across your body. Don’t stow valuables in easily accessed pockets in your backpack.
Use reliable sources. Should you get lost or find yourself in an uncomfortable situation, shopkeepers, families, or even hotel staff are good resources to point you in the right direction.
Stay alert and attentive to your surroundings. Avoid deserted streets or dodgy-looking areas, especially after dark. Be mindful of your body language; confident strides and eye contact project a less vulnerable vibe.
Go where there’s police presence. According to Boeing, heavily policed streets like Paulista Avenue in Sao Paulo are generally safe for tourists.
Use tech wisely. While smartphones are travel essentials, don’t flash them unnecessarily. Map out your route beforehand and take quick glances if needed; otherwise keep your phone tucked away. With that said, apps like Noonlight and GeoSure are safety essentials for Brazil.
Beyond these general recommendations, your main safety concerns in Brazil are going to vary depending on where you go.
Safety in the cities can vary by neighborhood (making a powerful use case for GeoSure).
In those areas you need to do the drill: Stick to well-lit tourist areas, opt for registered taxis or ride-shares, and avoid going solo at night.
Also, the State Department and most travelers recommend you avoid the favelas – ad-hoc, shantytown-like neighborhoods – altogether.
Otherwise, petty theft is your main concern in the cities.
To help prevent petty theft, it’s important to be proactive about how you carry valuables and smart about where you go. How do you do that?
There’s no need to dress flashy, sport a lot of jewelry or conduct yourself in a way that screams “American.” The more you look like an average Brazilian going through their average day the less likely you are to be a theft victim.
You can take this one step further by stashing valuables in a money belt or a pouched infinity scarf. And if you skinny down the valuables you take on your city treks to a credit card, a passport, an ID, and some cash, and you spread around those valuables, thieves are going to discount you as a target.
You can also “harden” yourself as a target by investing in pickpocket-proof clothing, like that made by Clothing Arts. These clothes use multiple means of securing pockets to make it hard for pickpockets to get at your money and papers.
In smaller, more laid-back cities like Florianópolis or Paraty petty theft is less of a concern, though it never goes away entirely.
These are great places to experience the “real” Brazil without constantly being concerned about your personal safety.
In places like these, your major concerns are transportation and traffic safety.
For instance, how are you getting there? Buses can be sketchy and driving is hazardous (and requires an International Driving Permit). Also, once you’re there you have to be a vigilant pedestrian, as traffic laws are routinely disobeyed.
According to Boeing, who grew up in Florianópolis, traffic in smaller cities is navigable during the off-peak travel season – summer in America – but rapidly deteriorates during peak travel season and during events.
“For instance,” he says, “when there was a World Cup game near Florianópolis, we had the second-worst traffic in the world.”
On the plus side, food safety is generally good across all of Brazil, so that’s one less thing to worry about.
Brazil is a huge and varied country, and much of it is wild or semi-wild.
In addition to the standard cautions about not venturing into the wilderness without telling people where you’re going, how you’re getting there, and when you’re expected to arrive, there are some specific precautions you should take.
Effective midnight April 10, 2025, U.S. citizens need a visa to travel to Brazil. The government’s website has the details, but basically you’ll need:
If you’re going to spend $80.90 on a visa, you darn well better get some travel insurance to protect that trip. Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection has travel insurance plans to cover every sort of Brazilian vacation, from a luxury stay in Rio to a South American cruise to a trek through the rainforest.
Getting covered is fast and easy, and it starts by getting a quote.
Brazil is a country unlike any other – and definitely unlike any country you’ve visited. A destination this different, diverse, and special demands a different approach to travel and special attention to safety.
By staying vigilant in the cities and being aware of the dangers around you in the jungle and on the water, you should have a great time in Brazil.
And of course, remember the travel insurance.
Check out our online guide, “What Is Travel Insurance All About?” We’ve provided in-depth answers to all your travel insurance questions, starting with the basics.
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The full coverage terms and details, including limitations and exclusions, are contained in the travel insurance policy. Plans vary per state. If you have questions about coverage available under our plans, please review the policy or contact us at 844-411-2487 or assist@bhtp.com. Please visit www.bhtp.com/legal/disclaimer for additional legal and privacy information. Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (BHTP) is a registered trademark of Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company (BHSIC). Travel Insurance is underwritten by Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company; NAIC #22276.
