Is Brazil Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Brazil is a country of many contrasts with unique culture and affluent natural beauty. However, safety can be a concern, particularly for solo female travelers. The different parts of Brazil present varying levels of security. Some safer regions like Florianopolis and Rio Grande do Sul can be enjoyed with relative peace. However, cities like Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo tend to have higher crime rates. It's always advisable to stay alert, avoid isolated areas, especially at night, and to keep your belongings close. As always, knowledge of the local language Portuguese is invaluable to navigate any safety concerns.

Safety rating

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How safe is Brazil?

Safety at night:

Safety at night:Unsafe

Brazil, particularly major cities like Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, could pose some safety concerns for a solo female traveler at night. Though there are safer neighborhoods and Brazil boasts beautiful night-time sceneries, it's generally advised not to roam alone after dark. This advice is particularly useful when it comes to secluded or dimly lit areas. Using a reputable taxi service or Uber to get back to your accommodation, rather than walking, could be a safer option.
Public transportation:

Public transportation:Moderate

Public transportation in Brazil varies greatly depending upon the location. In large cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the metro and buses run regularly, are relatively safe and usually crowded. However, it is always advised to stay alert for pickpockets, especially during peak hours. At night, it is advisable to avoid certain areas and use trusted taxi services or ride-sharing apps instead. In more remote areas, public transportation can be less reliable and potentially riskier. Therefore, it is recommended to plan your journey carefully, stay in well-trafficked areas, and always be aware of your surroundings.
Street harassment:

Street harassment:Moderate

In Brazil, there can be instances of street harassment, such as catcalling or unwanted attention. However, this largely varies by region and individual experiences. Universally, awareness around one's surroundings, avoiding isolated areas, and blending in with local attire can mitigate the risk.
Petty crimes:

Petty crimes:High

Brazil has a considerable rate of petty crimes like pickpocketing, bag snatching, mugging, and theft, especially in crowded public places and tourist hotspots. There is also the occurrence of 'quicknappings', where criminals abduct a person for a short period to get money from their bank account. As a solo female traveler, it would be wise to take precautions such as not displaying wealth, being vigilant in public areas, and avoiding walking alone at night.

Is Brazil worth visiting?

Overall rating

4.6 /5

based on 67 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.5/5

Safety

3.8/5

Food

4.2/5

Budget-friendly

4/5
Anna

Anna

United Kingdom

Brazil, Solo travel

Loved Brazil, its large cities, its UNESCO heritage villages, the tech and the traditional, the beach and the mountains, the unbelievable diversity of its people and its plants. I spent an entire afternoon in a park, contemplating the trees and enjoying a bit of people watching. I went on a couple of amazing walking tours, one in Sao Paulo, about the culinary traditions of the historical immigration neighbourhood of Liberdade, and another in Rio, to hear about the amazing (and often untold) lives of the women who made history. I had great food (pao de queijo eaten at all hours, a massive feijoada that I couldn't finish) and absolutely excellent coffee. Café coado is my new obsession. And they are hosting COP30 next year!

Posted: June 30, 2025Experienced: May, 2025
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Suelen

Suelen

Brazil

Rio de Janeiro, Solo travel

In Rio de Janeiro, most touristic areas are safe. The local food is amazing. The beaches are impressive. People is very friendly. I highly recommend it. Attractions are not expensive for travelers. You can use the public transport without worry.

Posted: June 20, 2025
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Pipa, Solo travel

I really loved Pipa, its a totally safe place, with very nice people open to meet and hang out, from all parts of the world. There you have 4 amazing beaches to go walking, you can go everywhere walking bc its no so big. I stayed in hostels with shared rooms, and met a lot of people. You can take surf lessons, but I dont recommend the company MarAlto for your classes.

Posted: June 2, 2025
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Brazil, Group travel

I was able to go with a small group of Brazilians, which helped with the ease of ordering food/getting around. I did venture out by myself a bit… I went to the favelas on my own as a 5’4 female tourist. Despite what everyone says about the favelas, I felt safe, ate great food and danced. A lot of folks don’t speak English outside of major areas (Rio, São Paulo) so it’s best to brush up on some basic frases

Posted: June 1, 2025Experienced: May, 2025
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maite

maite

Spain

Camboriú, Group travel

I felt safe because I was with my friends and we really enjoyed the nightlife there because we were students and we were surrounded by students too not old people so we weren’t harassed or something like that

Posted: May 11, 2025
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São Paulo, Solo travel

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, 2025
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Is Brazil safe for women?

Safety index

3.4 /5

Based on 194 local experiences

Crime index

3 /5

Based on 194 local experiences

Brazil

Tourist cities are usually safe in the touristic area, although robbers and pickpockets are common. Be careful with scans and do not display your values on the streets. For women, walk alone at night is not recommended anywhere.

Posted: June 21, 2025
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Belo Horizonte

Belo Horizonte is a capital, maybe the third or fourth biggest in Brasil. So it’s a big city, it’s not like you can walk the streets carefree in the middle of the night. There are parts of the city that are worse, like the centre, but most likely a tourist visiting wouldn’t go there. If you stick to more touristic parts and have your bag close and pay attention, you’ll be ok. It’s safer than São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Posted: June 21, 2025
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Safety in Brazil