based on 9 experiences from female travelers
Sao Paulo is a very fast-paced city, full of life and lights. It has great places to visit, such as parks and avenues. In my experience, the people were polite and I really liked it! However, many people warned me to be careful because the robbery and crime rate there is high, which made me quite worried.
Posted: May 7, 2025Experienced: April, 2025I was worried to visit São Paulo after hearing a lot of people say it was dangerous. After it went dark I did feel a bit unsafe and we ubered everywhere. But during the day it was completely fine, I took my phone out when I had to and just kept to busier areas.
Posted: May 2, 2025It's an interesting place, the culinary variety is wonderful. I just didn't feel very safe walking around some places. I prefer traveling with someone. I think my experience wasn't that good because I was alone, so I avoided going out after dark.
Posted: April 20, 2025São 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, 2023Emma
Germany
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, 2025Based on 50 local experiences
Based on 50 local experiences
Karolyne
During the day, you have to be careful with your phone and all kind of eletronics and jewelry. Do not walk holding your phone, put in some safe place like a purse with a cross strap and avoid to use it on the streets, specially if your are alone. If you need to use, enter an establishment. During the night I don't recommend at all to walk alone, specially in historic center or Av. Paulista. Prefer using uber to go to places.
Posted: February 8, 2026São Paulo is not really safe, you must pay attention to your luggage, purse, cellphone all the time when you're walking, mostly in touristic places and at night. When you are by yourself, avoid using your phone in the street or earphones, so you don't risk losing your phone.
Posted: January 17, 2026Sonia
Not to much, you have to be “malandro” - but usually gringos aren’t. Just Dont be on the street waving your phone to pickpockets, and try to always go out with a friend if you don’t know where u r going.
Posted: October 21, 2025Yuki
São Paulo is a bit dangerous, you need to be aware of your belongings at all times. But if you know where to go, it’s fine. Personally, I don’t feel safe walking around with my phone on the streets. On the other hand, in my whole life nothing ever happened to me, only once someone stole my phone, but that’s because I fell asleep on the bus😅
Posted: September 24, 2025Ángela
I'm from Bogotá, Colombia, so that's the only place I can compare to São Paulo. This city has welcomed me very well; people are somewhat reserved, but they're also very open and kind. As a foreigner, they help you a lot; if they know you're from elsewhere, they're interested in listening to you and sharing their culture, and they also give you great advice :)
Posted: August 20, 2025The safety map shows areas in São Paulo where women have reported feeling unsafe.
Karolyne
São Paulo
3 days
Hey girls! I'm Karol, I'm from the south of Brazil but now I live in São Paulo with my bf who travels a lot and my cat, named Miley. I would love to help ans get to know new people, I did a backpack all by myself 3 years ago and I know how we can feel unsafe sometimes so that's why I'm here. I would love to meet ya! I'm also learnig spanish but I think I can communicate enough already so that's it! I'm super interested in home exchange too.
Letícia
São Paulo
7 days
Creative soul with a love for languages, music, and storytelling. I travel to feel alive, to learn, and to meet kind people with open hearts. Always up for a beach sunset, a good coffee, or a deep chat about life.