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 65 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.5/5

Safety

3.8/5

Food

4.2/5

Budget-friendly

4/5

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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São Paulo, Family travel

I 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, 2025
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Thaïs

Thaïs

France

Brazil, Solo travel

Travelling to brazil was an amazing experience !! People were nice, Rio was amazing , and islands and landscapes were crazy! I can’t wait to be back there . I felt safe even if i was careful and i didn’t go out at night in Rio especially

Posted: April 26, 2025
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Is Brazil safe for women?

Safety index

3.4 /5

Based on 189 local experiences

Crime index

3 /5

Based on 189 local experiences

Maria

Maria

Brazil

Brazil is a good country to visit, but you still have to be careful. Do not trust anyone who seems to be rude. Brazilians in general are kind and welcoming, just be careful when walking alone at night.

Posted: June 1, 2025
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Fernanda

Fernanda

Rio de Janeiro

Rio is safe for somethings but not much for others... its a good place to travel alone but chose wisely the place you Will stay and the People you are going to talk to. Be smart and aclive here! Dont walk around with Professional câmeras, for exemple.

Posted: May 31, 2025
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Safety in Brazil