Is São Paulo Safe for Women? Crime Rate in São Paulo

Safety rating

Moderate
2.7 /5

Women living in São Paulo consider the safety level to be moderate, with an overall safety rating of 2.7 out of 5.

Crime rating

Moderate
3.3 /5

Women living in São Paulo consider the crime rate to be moderate, with an overall crime rating of 3.3 out of 5.

Violence rating

11.7%

On average 11.7% percentage of women in Brazil have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner at some time in their life, according to OECD Data.

Travel and Meet new People

Get the Travel Ladies app to meet new people, find travel buddies and stay with local women for free through hospitality exchange.
Download from App StoreDownload from Google Play
Get the Travel Ladies App

Crime & Safety Statistics

Based on 40 experiences

Safety rating:

2.7/5Moderate

Safety walking alone after dark:

1.8/5Unsafe

Safety using public transport:

3.2/5Moderate

Crime rate:

3.3/5Moderate

Worries of being sexually harassed:

3.4/5Moderate

Worries of being sexually assaulted or raped:

3.2/5Moderate

Worries of being physically attacked:

2.7/5Moderate

Worries of home broken and things stolen:

2.3/5A bit worried

Worries of being mugged or robbed:

3.9/5Fairly worried

Worries of being kidnapped or murdered:

2.2/5A bit worried

How safe is São Paulo?

São Paulo is a safe place, with some specific locals where you should be careful. Is not somewhere you need to be scared to walk by, but it’s important to be aware while at street. While at home, I feel 100% safe, and when I’m out, I’m always aware, but not in a way that it could prevent you from loving and enjoying the city

Posted: April 1, 2025
favorite_border 0
mode_comment 0
Livia

Livia

Sao Paulo is the biggest and the richest city of Latin America. Although to us women is not a very safe place, mainly when it’s dark on empty streets. It is very good to come here with other people or coming when you already know someone here that can walk around with you and give some advices about “how to behave” on streets.

Posted: April 1, 2025
favorite_border 0
mode_comment 0
Giovanna

Giovanna

São Paulo is pretty safe. You can do a lot of things alone,(I do many things) Like drinking or just a walk in some places. I think you just have to be a person who pays attention to yours around. It’s all about experience and what you want feel here, cause dangers women encounter everywhere(unfortunately).

Posted: March 31, 2025
favorite_border 0
mode_comment 0

Really depends on the neighbourhood you go to and what times, some neigh ourhoods are extremely safe, some extremely dangerous, some in the middle, always ask a local, but basically main places are safe like Paulista, Bela Vista, main avenues ...

Posted: March 12, 2025
favorite_border 0
mode_comment 0

São Paulo is a great city to visit, sadly is getting unsafe, but not impossible to visit. You just have to be careful, at night I don't recommend walking, taking a taxi or Uber, is better. But in the daylight is a beautiful city, just take care of your belongings.

Posted: March 8, 2025
favorite_border 0
mode_comment 0

São Paulo is a huge city and there are different levels of safety depending where you are. Generally it is safe to walk around alone as a woman, but be aware of pickpockets. I wouldn’t recommend walking alone at night on streets with little movement and always stay alert.

Posted: February 11, 2025
favorite_border 0
mode_comment 0
Júlia

Júlia

São Paulo is not as dangerous as it seems or as they make it seem, but at the same time, it is a city where you always need to be alert... people tend to be a bit rude and there are many robberies and muggings here. Don't go out alone at night, and if you do go out, try to take an Uber!

Posted: January 30, 2025
favorite_border 0
mode_comment 0

São Paulo we needs to be in attention, about cellphone, bags, depending the neighborhood, because big city, different peoples… but we can walk around, visit different places. There’s some neighborhood we fell more save than others

Posted: January 21, 2025
favorite_border 0
mode_comment 0
Julia

Julia

Sao Paulo is a big city and so it has its risks. I never leave my place without self-defense items, but, yeah, i dont let it stop me from going out and enjoying until later at night, tho. I’ve only been robbed once in like 8 years ago.

Posted: January 8, 2025
favorite_border 0
mode_comment 0
Fernanda

Fernanda

Sao Paulo can be somewhat dangerous depending on the area you visit and the time of day, specially for non-locals. I have never experience anything bad but being a big city, a lot can happen. However, the most turistic points here are crowded and not that dangerous. I can guide you on the best and safest places to go and when (day, night) and how to be vigilant and safe!

Posted: January 2, 2025
favorite_border 0
mode_comment 0

Is São Paulo worth visiting?

Travel rating

4.1 /5

based on 6 experiences from female travelers

Group travel

São Paulo is a city full of culture, we stayed at Pinheiros neighborhood which was pretty safe but you still have to be alert and prefer areas where there's a crowd of people. There's a lot of good restaurants and cafes to enjoy

Posted: April 18, 2025Experienced: March, 2023
favorite_border 0
mode_comment 0
Emma

Emma

Germany

Couple travel

I felt save almost every moment during day time, but not in the neighbourhood “Luz” I’d never walk there alone in the night. The city is amazingly big but so beautiful! I really recommend tasting traditional food, going to the Parc d’Ibirapuera and visiting Sampa Sky

Posted: January 24, 2025
favorite_border 2
mode_comment 0

Meet locals in São Paulo

Livia

Livia

About Me

Hi, I’m Livia. I’m an international relations and economy student. I live in the metropolitan region of São Paulo, Brazil and it’s incredible to find an app like this. I will go to my first trip alone (in 04/2025) and I am very scared hahaha but I got very happy to find this app, so I can feel a little safer traveling by myself. I also would be very happy to help women thinking about traveling to Sao Paulo to visit the city and getting to know some crazy and/or special places 😁.

Speaking

mode_comment 0
Lina

Lina

About Me

My name is Ana Karolina, but everyone calls ne either Lina or Ana. I really enjoy making new friends and meeting new places. For me, this app is the perfect combination of those two. Looking forward to meeting new people who also share the love for traveling 🥳

Speaking

mode_comment 0

Safety in Brazil

Frequently asked questions

Is São Paulo safe?

Women living in São Paulo consider the safety level to be moderate, with an overall safety rating of 2.7 out of 5.

Is São Paulo safe to walk alone at night?

Women living in São Paulo consider walking alone at night to be relatively unsafe, with an overall safety rating of 1.8 out of 5.

Is public transport safe in São Paulo?

Women living in São Paulo consider public transport to be moderately safe, with an overall safety rating of 3.2 out of 5.

What is the crime rate in São Paulo?

Women living in São Paulo consider the crime rate to be moderate, with an overall crime rating of 3.3 out of 5.

What is the risk of being sexually harassed in São Paulo?

Women living in São Paulo consider the risk of being sexually harassed to be moderate, with an overall risk rating of 3.4 out of 5.

What is the risk of being sexually assaulted or raped in São Paulo?

Women living in São Paulo consider the risk of being sexually assaulted or raped to be moderate, with an overall risk rating of 3.2 out of 5.

What is the risk of being physically attacked in São Paulo?

Women living in São Paulo consider the risk of being physically attacked to be moderate, with an overall risk rating of 2.7 out of 5.

What is the risk of burglary in São Paulo?

Women living in São Paulo consider the risk of burglary to be relatively low, with an overall risk rating of 2.3 out of 5.

What is the risk of being mugged or robbed in São Paulo?

Women living in São Paulo consider the risk of being mugged or robbed to be relatively high, with an overall risk rating of 3.9 out of 5.

What is the risk of being kidnapped or murdered in São Paulo?

Women living in São Paulo consider the risk of being kidnapped or murdered to be relatively low, with an overall risk rating of 2.2 out of 5.