So, is Brazil safe for solo travelers? The short answer is yes, depending on where you go and if you take some precautions. Unfortunately, Brazil is unlike Serbia, the Czech Republic, or Japan, where you can go anywhere, anytime, without any safety concerns.
This article focuses on safety for non-Brazilian solo travelers. Brazilian culture, stunning landscapes, and warm people make it a must-visit destination for many, but its reputation for safety often raises concerns, so I want to address that.
However, I believe you should still visit the country because the pros far outweigh the cons! My goal is to inform you upfront about the precautions you must take.
Due to the country’s size and diversity, safety varies widely by region. For example, safety issues in the North are very different from those in the South.
So, is Brazil safe for solo travelers? Let’s explore what you need to know and be honest about my beautiful country.
Table of Contents
Why safety is a concern in Brazil?
First, let’s explore why safety is such a concern in the country. This problem comes from a combination of historical, socio-economic, and structural factors. I will walk you through different factors so you can understand the complexity of this topic. Let’s start with the historical factors:
Colonial explotation and slavery
The colonial history in Brazil basically laid the foundation for extreme inequality back then. Under Portuguese rule, the economy was built on resource extraction and plantation systems, relying heavily on the labor of enslaved Africans and Indigenous peoples.
This practice created a legacy of marginalization for many communities, leaving deep socio-economic divisions that sadly persist in Brazil to this day.
Brazil was the last country in the Americas to abolish slavery, doing so in 1888 without providing meaningful support or opportunities for the newly liberated population.
Millions of formerly enslaved people have been left with nothing for themselves and no access to land, education, or jobs. This lack of integration heavily contributed to the poverty and exclusion that are still evident in underprivileged areas today.
Urbanization Without Planning
The rapid urbanization of the 20th century saw millions of Brazilians migrating to cities in search of better opportunities. With little to no urban planning, this led to the rise of informal settlements, or favelas, where basic infrastructure, services, and security were often lacking.
These areas became hotspots for criminal activities due to the limited state presence. After many years of constant expansion, the problem with illegal settlements became big in major cities, but the government disregarded the problem.
Either there’s a lack of motivation or willingness to solve this issue, or the government legit has no idea what to do about it. Your guess is as good as mine.
Military dictatorship
During 21 years (1964-1985), the country was under a military dictatorship, where repression, censorship, and state violence were experienced by many.
Public trust in institutions, especially law enforcement, was deeply corrupted. The authoritarian government prioritized control over addressing social inequalities, which increased existing problems and further increased crime rates.
Drug Cartels activities
Starting in the 1980s, Brazil became a key player in global drug trafficking networks. Due to the socio-economic vulnerabilities in the country since the colonial period, organized crime groups established themselves in marginalized communities.
These groups were using impoverished communities as hubs for their operations. The war on drugs has only aggravated violence, disproportionately affecting impoverished areas and increasing inequality in major cities.
Socio-economical issues
Brazil’s security issues are deeply connected to its socio-economic conditions. High levels of inequality, poverty, and lack of opportunity have long been drivers of crime and violence, creating a cycle that is difficult to break. This reality often raises the question, is Brazil safe for solo travelers?
All of this is very sad because Brazil is one of the most unequal countries in the world, even though some progress has been made in poverty reduction through social programs.
In many cities, wealthy neighborhoods are often alongside favelas, showing the differences between these places, which increase social tensions and set crime as a means of survival for some.
Poverty and lack of opportunities
Poverty affects millions of Brazilians, limiting access to quality education, healthcare, and employment. In areas with high poverty rates, young people face limited opportunities, making them vulnerable to recruitment by criminal organizations.
Brazil’s youth are disproportionately affected by violence. Homicide rates among young people are high. Addressing these issues requires programs focusing on education and job creation to give youth alternatives to a life of crime.
Corruption
Corruption in Brazil is big, really big! Throughout history, we have heard about several cases; it feels like a new scandal shows up every other month. Brazilians are so used to reading bad news that they naturally create a shell towards these topics.
It is very challenging to solve this issue, as funds intended for public welfare are often diverted. It’s common to hear cases where construction projects where the final cost is inflated, costing 2x or 3x of the planned price in the end, sometimes even more.
This problem weakens public trust in institutions and the government and leaves communities without essential services, further enlarging the gap between rich and poor.
Weak judicial system
The judicial system has many flaws that contribute to the country’s current scenario. By the law, underage minors are those under 18 years old. When they commit a crime, they will likely spend a few days imprisoned and return to the streets again.
The lack of punishment incentivizes these minors to commit crimes because they are aware that the consequences of their actions won’t be severe.
Brazil’s prisons are among the most overcrowded in the world, with facilities operating at nearly double their capacity. Poor conditions and lack of rehabilitation programs turn prisons into places for organized crime, as gangs recruit and operate from behind bars. Instead of reducing crime, incarceration often deepens the problem.
Brazil is a continent
Brazil is so big, and safety varies significantly depending on the region or city you visit. Many parts of the country are relatively safe for travelers, mostly towns outside the capitals of each state.
The south region of Brazil, where you can visit the Iguacu Falls, Gramado, and Florianopolis, is the safest in the country. The coast in the northeast and southeast has cities that I recommend you avoid for now, like Sao Luis and Recife.
At the same time, coastal towns like Paraty and Jericoacoara are popular and safe, with a very relaxed vibe.
Even big cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro can be safe if you stay in secure neighborhoods; more on that in the next section.
Since both cities are famous worldwide, many people ask if Brazil is safe for solo travelers because they want to visit them. Due to the size of the country, it is not fair to assess the country’s safety based only on these two cities.
The Rio and Sao Paulo case
Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, Brazil’s two largest cities, are destinations that take the spotlight of the country and attract millions of visitors each year.
However, they are also known for safety concerns, primarily involving petty crimes like pickpocketing and opportunistic thefts. Both cities have applied some changes in recent years to improve safety, especially in tourist-heavy areas, but you still need to be cautious.
In Rio de Janeiro, crime tends to be more concentrated in certain neighborhoods. Popular tourist spots like Copacabana and Ipanema are generally safe during the day if you take some precautions (more details on these precautions in the next section).
I strongly recommend you avoid entering any favelas unless it is part of a guided tour. Some of these areas remain controlled by criminal groups.
São Paulo has safer neighborhoods like Vila Madalena, Jardins, and Pinheiros. However, caution is necessary when the car or Uber stops at the traffic light. Pay attention to not using your cell phone with the car window open, as someone could get your cell phone in a flash of a moment.
Avoiding going to poorly illuminated or isolated streets is important, particularly at night.
Should I stay or should I go?
“Wow, Zuka, after giving me all this information, do you think I should visit Brazil traveling solo?” Yes, you should. There is no perfect country in this world, and trust me when I say the advantages of traveling in Brazil outweigh the problems I mentioned in the previous sections.
I want you to be informed upfront about Brazil’s situation and get an overview of why security-related problems exist in some parts of the country.
Unfortunately, you must take precautions when visiting Brazil, depending on the city you plan to visit.
Some cities have higher crime rates, but others, like Florianópolis and Curitiba, are known for being very safe.
Smaller cities like Itacare and Vale do Capao and the countryside are also safe to visit, which is perfect for ecotourists who love to avoid touristy attractions while traveling.
Precautions to take
In this section, you will find common precautions when visiting the country:
- Research the neighborhoods of the city you are planning to visit. Naturally, choose a safe part of the city; most big cities in Brazil are similar in that there are dangerous and safe neighborhoods. Find out which are the safest ones and book your accommodation there.
- Try not to stand out wearing expensive jewelry or other shining objects with you. People with bad intentions will see you as a target.
- Please do not use your cell phone on the streets if you are not sure about the area. If you need to check your phone for any reason (check directions, call an Uber, etc), go inside a shop or pharmacy and do what you must. Even if you hold your phone well, someone could still get it from you.
- Don't walk alone during the evenings unless you are with someone who knows the neighborhood well or is a local.
- Don't leave your stuff unattended. In Brazil, there is a saying that I dislike a lot: "The opportunity creates the thief." Sadly, it is true there. Someone might not even think about stealing something, but if an opportunity shows up, they would do it.
- Many Brazilians don't speak English, so learning basic Portuguese can help you if you need help or directions.
- Don't call taxis on the streets; use ride-sharing apps like Uber and 99 taxi.
Conclusion
The inspiration for writing this article came from several people asking me if Brazil is safe for solo travelers. Everything I told them is in this blog post, so I hope you better understand the historical factors behind this issue and the current situation.
As I mentioned before, the country is big, and that’s the main reason why it’s not possible to answer with a plain Yes or No to questions people ask me about safety.
Do proper research about the cities you want to visit, and you will find out a better answer about that municipality. Rio and Sao Paulo are cities with a very distinct reality that’s different from other cities in the country. I don’t like them much and feel the country has much better cities to offer great experiences to travelers.
Please leave a comment if you are interested in knowing more details about some specific cities in Brazil so I can write proper articles about them.
I hope you enjoyed reading this article. Feel free to leave a comment about your travel plans or questions that you have in your head.
See you all in the next article!! Bye!!
