Rio de Janeiro is Brazil's most iconic state, home to the legendary city of Rio with its stunning beaches, dramatic mountains, and vibrant culture. The state blends natural wonders like Tijuca National Forest and Guanabara Bay with UNESCO-recognized landscapes and world-famous landmarks like Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain.
Rio de Janeiro is a vibrant city that can be visited safely with proper precautions and situational awareness. Stick to tourist neighborhoods in Zona Sul, use ride-hailing apps, keep valuables concealed, and enjoy one of the world's most spectacular destinations.
Current safety advisory
High
Rio de Janeiro has a high crime rate including petty theft, muggings, and occasional violent crime. Tourists are frequently targeted in crowded beach areas and on buses. The US State Department maintains a Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) advisory for Brazil. Tourist police (DEAT) operate in main tourist zones.
Last updated: 2025-01
Official advisories
Guidance from national travel-advisory services.
Level 2
Exercise increased caution in Brazil due to crime. Some areas have increased risk — see country information page.
Advisory
High crime rates throughout Brazil. Be particularly alert in tourist areas of Rio de Janeiro.
Advisory
Exercise a high degree of caution in Brazil overall; avoid some high-risk areas.
Essential safety tips
Practical advice that applies everywhere.
Stay in Zona Sul neighborhoods (Ipanema, Leblon, Copacabana, Botafogo, Flamengo) — these are the safest tourist areas with good police presence and lighting
Use Uber or 99 app instead of street taxis — GPS tracking makes rides significantly safer and prices are transparent
Never keep your phone in your hand while walking in busy areas — phone snatching ('arrastão') is extremely common in Rio
Avoid wearing expensive jewelry, watches, or carrying expensive cameras visibly on the street
Do not carry large amounts of cash — use a bank card or withdraw small amounts from bank ATMs in daylight
On beaches, never leave bags unattended. Bring only what you need — cash, a phone, and a towel
Avoid the Zona Norte (except guided tours to specific sites) and Zona Oeste outside Barra da Tijuca and Recreio
Do not enter favelas (shanty towns) alone — if you want to visit, book a licensed community guide tour
If robbed, do not resist — hand over your belongings. Most thieves want property, not confrontation
Be very cautious on buses after 8PM — petty crime and occasional armed robbery occur on city buses
The 'Boa Noite Cinderela' drug scam (drink spiking) occurs in bars and clubs — never leave drinks unattended and avoid accepting drinks from strangers
If someone spills something on you or a stranger offers to 'help', be alert — this is a classic distraction theft technique
Use ATMs (caixas eletrônicos) inside banks or malls during daylight hours only; avoid street ATMs at night
When paying at restaurants, ensure the card reader is brought to your table — don't let waiters take your card away
Carry a photocopy of your passport, not the original — keep originals in the hotel safe
Common scams to avoid
Recognise and sidestep tourist-targeted scams.
Arrastão (mass beach robbery)
Groups of young men sweep across beach areas grabbing bags, phones, and valuables in coordinated robberies
How to avoid: Don't bring valuables to the beach; be alert to unusual crowd movements
Fake police officers
Criminals posing as police ask to inspect your wallet or phone and steal them
How to avoid: Real police officers wear uniforms and have ID badges — ask to see credentials at a nearby police post
Spill-and-clean scam
Someone spills substance on you, offers to help clean it, and an accomplice steals your bag or phone
How to avoid: Decline help firmly and move away immediately — check your belongings
Taxi overcharging
Unlicensed taxis at airports and tourist areas charge greatly inflated fares
How to avoid: Always use Uber, 99, or official yellow metered taxis
Friendship bracelet scam
Someone ties a bracelet around your wrist and then demands payment to remove it
How to avoid: Decline firmly and keep walking
Boa Noite Cinderela (drink spiking)
Drugs added to drinks in bars and clubs, leading to robbery or assault
How to avoid: Never leave drinks unattended; never accept drinks from strangers; be cautious about excessive friendliness from strangers
Health considerations
Staying healthy on your trip.
- Vaccinations
- Yellow fever vaccination recommended, especially for visiting state interior and parks. Hepatitis A and Typhoid recommended. Dengue fever risk is present — use mosquito repellent, especially in summer months.
- Water
- Tap water in Rio de Janeiro city is treated but quality varies. Bottled water is cheap and widely available — recommended for drinking. Ice in good restaurants is filtered and safe.
- Food
- Avoid raw shellfish from street vendors. Stick to cooked street food and established restaurants. Be cautious with raw salads in budget eateries.
- Facilities
- Rio has excellent public and private hospitals. Hospital Copa D'Or, Hospital Samaritano, and Clínica São Vicente are the best private hospitals in Zona Sul. Emergency services (SAMU) can be reached on 192.
Safety for specific travellers
Tailored advice for different groups.
Solo travellers
Rio is manageable for solo travelers who stay aware. Solo female travelers should take particular care. Benefits: vibrant hostel scene, organized free walking tours, and genuine Carioca hospitality. Avoid walking alone at night anywhere outside the busiest, most illuminated streets. Use Uber after dark always.
Female travellers
Solo female travelers face higher harassment risks, particularly on beaches and in Lapa at night. Catcalling is common but typically non-threatening. Use Uber rather than buses, stay in Zona Sul, trust your instincts, and be firm in declining unwanted attention. Dress codes are relaxed — wear what you feel comfortable in. Travel with other people at night when possible.
Families
Rio is good for family travel when you stay in tourist areas. Copacabana and Ipanema beaches have lifeguards. Keep children close in crowded areas. Teach children not to show expensive items. Avoid taking young children on local buses. Most beachfront hotels are very secure.
LGBTQ+ travellers
Rio de Janeiro is one of the most LGBTQ-friendly cities in Latin America, with a vibrant queer scene. Same-sex relationships are legal, and anti-discrimination laws exist. Ipanema's 'Farme' beach section and Botafogo bars are popular queer spaces. Public displays of affection in these areas are common and accepted. Exercise more caution in working-class neighborhoods and Zona Norte where attitudes can be more conservative.
Emergency contacts
Numbers to know before you go.
- Police
- 190
- Medical
- 192 (SAMU ambulance) or 193 (Corpo de Bombeiros)
- Embassy
- US Consulate Rio de Janeiro: +55 21 3823-2000 | UK Consulate: +55 21 2555-9600
- Tourist Police
- DEAT tourist police: +55 21 2332-2924 — specifically deals with crimes against tourists