Solo Female Travel in Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro, a captivating city on the coast of Brazil, is famous worldwide for its breathtaking landscapes and cultural attributes. This stunning South American metropolis is nestled between the lush, green mountains and the deep blue sea, where its urban life blends seamlessly with cosmopolitan beaches like Copacabana and Ipanema. Rio is adorned with iconic landmarks including the towering statue of Christ the Redeemer atop the Corcovado mountain, the colorful Selarón Steps in Lapa, and the pulsating samba bars and dance halls of its neighborhoods. Not to forget, Rio’s lively spirit is exemplified in its world-famous Carnival, an annual festival that showcases vibrant parades, music, and dance, attracting millions of visitors from around the globe. Whether you're a fan of architecture, a history buff, an nature enthusiast, or simply love to immerse in a new culture, Rio de Janeiro is a spectacular destination that you'll never forget.

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Is Rio de Janeiro good for solo travel?

Safety:

Safety:Moderate

Rio de Janeiro has many beautiful attractions and vibrant culture, however caution is recommended especially for solo female travelers. Crime can be prevalent especially in certain neighborhoods and at night. Always keep an eye on your belongings and avoid walking alone at night in less populated or unfamiliar areas. It's also recommended to keep your valuables and flashy jewelry inconspicuous to avoid drawing unnecessary attention. As a rule of thumb, traveling via taxi or Uber, especially at night, is safer than walking. Despite this, many tourists visit Rio safely each year, so it is not impossible to enjoy the city while taking appropriate precautions.
Transport:

Transport:Moderate

Navigating through Rio de Janeiro isn't extremely strenuous but it does require some effort to comprehend. The city offers multiple modes of transportation including buses, taxis, and the subway. Safety can be a concern especially at night and in certain neighborhoods. You should also be prepared to face heavy traffic during peak hours. Although not perfect, people manage to reach their destinations throughout the day. Basic knowledge of Portuguese can be extremely helpful for better navigation.
Things to do:

Things to do:Interesting

Rio de Janeiro boasts a rich diversity of activities for solo female travelers. It offers breathtakingly beautiful beaches like Copacabana and Ipanema which are perfect for sunbathing, swimming, or trying out water sports. The city is also home to memorable landmarks such as the iconic Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf mountain which present excellent hiking opportunities. Animal and nature lovers can visit the Botanical Garden and Tijuca National Park to witness an incredible variety of flora and fauna. For historical and cultural analyses, the Museum of Tomorrow and Rio Art Museum offer outstanding exhibits. However, solo travelers should exercise caution especially during the night and in crowded areas due to the city's known issues with safety.
Food:

Food:Above average

Rio de Janeiro offers a wide variety of traditional Brazilian cuisines that feature fresh seafood, meats, and local fruits. They have well-loved street food like pastels and coxinhas that you must try. The city is also decorated with fine dining restaurants, offering a unique fusion of flavors. Vegetarian and vegan options are also available but not as abundant. While it's generally fantastic, it may lack a bit on the diversity of international cuisines.
Budget:

Budget:Moderate

Rio de Janeiro offers a mixed bag when it comes to budget-friendliness. Accommodation and eating out can be quite economical if you opt for local guesthouses and street food or local restaurants. However, attractions like Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain have entrance fees that can add up. Public transportation is fairly cheap but, as a solo female traveler, for safety you might opt for more expensive taxi rides, especially at night. Overall, managing your budget wisely will help you enjoy Rio without breaking the bank.

Is Rio de Janeiro worth visiting?

Overall rating

4.3 /5

based on 17 experiences

Things to do

4.8/5

Safety

3.4/5

Food

4.6/5

Budget-friendly

3.9/5

Solo travel

I loved Rio, I stayed in Copacabana and adored the restaurants on the beachfront. I went paragliding and it was an incredible experience. The city is lively and for those who like entertainment it is the ideal place, there are parties every day.

Posted: April 21, 2024
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel

Rio is beautiful, like no other city I have been to because of it being built into the mountains but you need to be careful and aware of your surroundings. Not many people outside tourist areas speak English.

Posted: February 6, 2024
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 3/5
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Zenith

Zenith

South Africa

Family travel

Rio de Janeiro was by far one of the most incredible places I had been to! I went with my family December of 2022 for the New Years (Reveillon). We stayed in Barra de Tijuca, a more upper-class neighbourhood of Rio. This time, Jan 2024, I am going back to Brazil (yes, back so soon) because I loved it so much haha! It has such a special place in my heart.

Posted: January 7, 2024
Things to do: 5/5Food: 4/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 4/5
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Family travel

The best place in the world. Do not go out at dawn or wander alone in desolate places. By doing so, you will be safe and have an incredible journey. Natural passages are so beautiful. Shopping centers are top class. It might be a bit chaotic if you stay in the northern or southern zones, but Barra da Tijuca is incredibly friendly and prepared to welcome foreigners.

Posted: December 11, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 3/5
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Solo travel

I was in Rio for some time and I liked the tourist places I visited. My advice - take care of your phone's safety and use Uber. Don't walk around the city when it gets dark.

Posted: September 10, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 4/5
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Solo travel

I stopped in the Copacabana district and loved the place. I didn't go out late at night and always watched my belongings in crowded places, just as I would do in any other large city. I had heard various opinions before leaving, but I was very pleasantly surprised and generally felt safe in Rio. I highly recommend seeing the steak restaurants, Sugarloaf Mountain, and taking the train to Christ the Redeemer.

Posted: June 8, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 4/5
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Solo travel

I spent 10 days alone in Rio a few months ago and completely fell in love with the city. It's one of the best places I've visited and I never felt too scared or worried about my safety, but I adhered to all of those common safety rules. Brazilians are some of the friendliest and most cheerful people I've met.

Posted: May 31, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel

Rio de Janeiro is a city it is worth visiting. Crime is high but knowing how to move around will allow you to have plenty of experiences You can stay 2 weeks or 2 years and still have new things to do.

Posted: May 23, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 3/5Budget-friendly: 2/5Safety: 1/5
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Group travel

Rio is such an amazing city! But can get very unsafe, even in Copacabana. We went for carnival and had such an amazing time.

Posted: May 1, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 3/5
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Group travel

I was in Rio with my friend for about 11 days and we never experienced anything suspicious. We stayed in Copacabana and did our own trips. We used Uber and everything was fine, except that not everyone speaks English, but it wasn't a big problem as we translated basic Portuguese phrases using Google. It was one of the best places I've been and if I get the chance, I will definitely go back there.

Posted: April 23, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Is Rio de Janeiro safe for women?

Safety rating

2.1 /5

Based on 11 experiences

Crime rates rating

3 /5

Based on 11 experiences

Rio is a beautiful city, not better stay where all the tourists are. If you go to a local place it's not safe. So, better listen what they say at the hotel. Stay safe! Don't go to favela safaris. Instead go to see the touristic attractions.

Posted: September 4, 2024
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Rio is a somewhat dangerous city, but with some care, everyone can have an excellent experience in the Marvelous City. In tourist spots, there may be people watching tourists (especially foreigners) to gain some advantage. I suggest using either Uber, public transportation, and/or a trusted driver.

Posted: August 15, 2024
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Meet locals in Rio de Janeiro

Meet local women in Rio de Janeiro who are open to meet up for a coffee or a drink, show you around, give local advice or practice a language with.
Julia

Julia

About Me

I'm a 22 years old brazilian who wants to meet new people, show around my city and let you know how is the real and tradicional Rio de Janeiro beside the turistic points! our culture, food, what we like to do and also, practice my english. I think it would be a good way to make memories, of course. As a good brazilian, I LOVE talking and have fun!! If you interested or need some help with anything, just text me. Thank you💖

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Nathalia

Nathalia

About Me

I'm a girl from Rio who has visited and lived in many Brazilian cities. So i have been a guide for several times, in different cities (São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Aracaju and Porto Alegre). The best part is the opportunity to change experiences and make new friends! I really love it! Easy-going person, who loves to introduce my country and our culture to people.

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Local tips

Jaqueline

Jaqueline

Brazil

Rio de Janeiro is a great opportunity to truly get to know many things. The best regions are the South Zone (many reliable hostels), the West Zone (Barra da Tijuca and Recreio dos Bandeirantes), and the North Zone (Tijuca). I do not recommend walking alone due to the risk of being mugged, but you will definitely leave Rio with great memories for life!

Posted: June 11, 2024
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Rio is an amazing city that mixes nature and cultural experiences. Full of parks and beaches, you can choose between crowded places and more private ones. The famous beaches are usually crowded, not my favorites. Lapa is a great bohemian neighborhood with lots of options, including samba and forró. Regarding safety, the area known as “zona sul” is the best to stay, considering also moving around by subway.

Posted: May 2, 2024
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I live in Rio, in Copacabana. I believe it's fairly safe here, so maintain the same precautions as you would in any large city. I recommend using Uber everywhere when night falls. Also, dress casually and try to scatter your belongings - put money in your bra and a card to be ultra-safe. It's really not as bad as people say. I love it here and I have not felt threatened in any way. Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, and Gávea are very safe neighborhoods. The downtown seems much less safe. Rio is an amazing city, and Brazilians are some of the friendliest people you can meet, always ready to help.

Posted: October 20, 2023
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I love Rio, but I usually avoid the city center in the evenings or going to bars alone. As for places to stay, I recommend the districts of Urca, Botafogo, Leme, and Copacabana. As for places to visit, I recommend Barra da Tijuca, Sao Conrado beach, Parque da Laje, and taking a ferry to Niteroi or to the island of Paquetá. As for public transportation, it is safe and cheap.

Posted: October 18, 2023
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I am half Brazilian and almost every year I travel to Rio to visit my family. People usually say that it is not a safe city, but honestly, you need to be cautious, just like in any other city, although you can take additional precautions. Do not walk around with your phone in your hand or attract too much attention to yourself, especially in places with a high concentration of tourists, like Zona Sul. Leave your expensive jewelry at home and do not open the windows too much if you are at a red light. Tourists are unfortunately a target for thieves, but if you keep everything close to you, you should be safe. These are all rules that the locals adhere to and that I have known since childhood. Rio is a beautiful city and I absolutely love it, you just need to be a little more careful.

Posted: June 11, 2023
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I lived there for many years and I loved it. A lot to see, but as anywhere, one needs to be street smart, carry local currency in small amounts, avoid showing jewelry and expensive equipment, pay attention to your surroundings. Enjoy the beaches if possible, get off the beaten path, visit Barra da Tijuca beach, walk along Copacabana sidewalk, admire the sunsets in Leblon or Arpoador, check out Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, Botanical Garden, Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, if you can, visit the Lake Region (Buzios, Arraial do Cabo), it's also worth visiting Angra dos Reis, Parati, Teresopolis mountains to see God's Finger Mountain, Petropolis - visit there the Imperial Museum, Nova Friburgo. Try traditional grilled Rodizio BBQ, Feijoada, Romeo and Juliet dessert, Flan, Peixada and caipirinha.

Posted: November 28, 2022
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Stay with locals in Rio de Janeiro

Stay with local women in Rio de Janeiro who offer free accommodation as part of cultural exchange. Hospitality exchange is a great way to meet new people, learn more about new cultures and experience destinations like a local.
Iris

Iris

Rio de Janeiro

Can host for:

1 day

About me

Travelling keeps me fulfilled.

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Mariana

Mariana

Rio de Janeiro

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Nasci no Rio de Janeiro, mas morei a maior parte da vida em Goiânia-GO-BR. Há 7 anos voltei a morar no Rio de Janeiro, cidade que amo e que além de linda tem muita cultura.

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Upcoming visitors to Rio de Janeiro

Connect with upcoming visitors to Rio de Janeiro who are looking for travel buddies or meet ups.
Isabella

Isabella

About Me

I work as UI/UX Designer an US ecommerce agency. I enjoy visiting museus, hiking and swimming at the open sea

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