Brazil Travel Risk

Exercise increased caution in Brazil due to crime and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Crime

Violent crime occurs in urban areas, day and night. Crimes include murder, armed robbery, and carjacking.

• Gang activity and organized crime are widespread. and are often tied to the illegal drug trade.
• Assaults are common, including with sedatives or drugs placed in drinks, especially in Rio de Janeiro.
• Criminals target foreigners through dating apps or at bars before drugging and robbing their victims.

U.S. government employees working in Brazil need special authorization to travel to the following areas due to safety risks:

- Within 100 miles/160 km of Brazil’s land borders (except travel to the Foz do Iguacu and Pantanal),

- informal housing developments in Brazil and,

- the Administrative Regions of Ceilandia, Santa Maria, Sao Sebastiao, and Paranoa between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

U.S. government employees are advised not to use municipal buses in Brazil due to serious risks of robbery and assault, especially at night.

Do Not Travel to:

• International land borders due to crime and kidnapping.
• Informal housing developments (favelas, vilas, comunidades or conglomerados) due to crime.
• Brasilia’s Satellite cities due to crime.

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel

Amazonas State

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the following river areas towards the west of Amazonas State:

• along the Amazonas (Amazon) River and its tributaries west of the town of Codajás and east of the town of Belém do Solimões in Amazonas State
• along any part of the Itaquaí River in Amazonas State
• along any part of the Japurá River or its tributaries in Amazonas State
• along the Rio Negro (Black River) and its tributaries north or west of the town of Barcelos in Amazonas State

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

This guide also has safety advice for regions of Brazil.

Terrorism

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorism in Brazil

Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Brazil.

Attacks could be indiscriminate including in places visited by foreigners. You should remain aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities. Targets could include:

• crowded places
• public gatherings

On 13 November 2024, two explosions occurred at the Praça dos Três Poderes in central Brasilia. You should exercise caution around major sites in large Brazilian cities.

Protests and civil unrest

Protests, demonstrations and strikes may take place in cities across Brazil. Even peaceful events can become confrontational and may turn violent. Police have used rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse protesters.

You should:

• avoid political rallies, protests and demonstrations
• monitor local media for updates
• follow the instructions of local authorities

If you encounter a protest or demonstration, or feel uncomfortable in a large crowd, leave the area as soon as it is safe to do so.

This section has safety advice for regions of Brazil. It only covers regions where FCDO has specific advice. You should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice.

You should monitor local media and follow the guidance of local authorities when travelling in remote areas.

Amazonas State

River travel

FCDO advises against all but essential travel:

• along the Amazonas (Amazon) River and its tributaries west of the town of Codajás and east of the town of Belém do Solimões in Amazonas State
• along any part of the Itaquaí River in Amazonas State
• along any part of the Japurá River or its tributaries in Amazonas State
• along the Rio Negro (Black River) and its tributaries north or west of the town of Barcelos in Amazonas State

There are risks to travellers in river areas towards the west of Amazonas State, where Brazil shares borders with Colombia, Peru and Venezuela, due to criminal activity. Armed groups, including pirates and drug traffickers, travel by the river routes in the Amazonas state where is there is low presence of police and local authorities.

Partial regional extract; read the full official section.

Risk level

Brazil - Exercise a high degree of caution

Exercise a high degree of caution in Brazil due to high crime rates and regular incidents of gang-related and other violence in urban areas.

Border areas - Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid non-essential travel to the following border areas due to criminal activity related to drugs and arms smuggling by illegal armed groups and other criminal organizations:

• within 20 km of the border with Bolivia, excluding Pantanal National Park
• within 20 km of the border with Colombia
• within 20 km of the border with French Guiana
• within 20 km of the border with Guyana
• within 20 km of the border with Paraguay
• within 20 km of the border with Peru
• within 20 km of the border with Suriname
• within 50 km of the border with Venezuela

Certain neighbourhoods in Rio de Janeiro - Avoid all travel

Avoid all travel to the following vulnerable neighbourhoods (favela complexes) in Rio de Janeiro due to very high rates of violent crime, frequent large-scale police operations and difficulty in obtaining emergency assistance:

• Complexo da Maré
• Complexo da Penha

General elections

Brazil held general elections on October 4, 2026, with a second round scheduled on October 25, 2026. There may be political gatherings, demonstrations and increased security measures before, during and after the elections.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media for the latest information

Border areas

Criminal activity related to drug trafficking and arms smuggling poses a threat to your personal security.

If you choose to travel near border areas

• exercise caution at all times
• monitor local media for the latest information
• follow the instructions of local authorities and security forces

Major urban centres

Vulnerable neighbourhoods

Vulnerable neighbourhoods, commonly referred to as “favelas” or “comunidades,” are characterized by informal housing developments, crowded quarters, poorer conditions and/or irregular construction. They are located throughout major cities.

Gang-related violence and organized crime is prevalent in these neighbourhoods. Armed clashes and shootouts between security forces and alleged criminals occur regularly. There is a risk of violence spilling over to neighbouring areas, including affluent neighbourhoods and tourist destinations.

Gangs strictly control access to these neighbourhoods. Tourists have been killed after accidentally entering on foot or when following GPS directions while driving. These neighbourhoods are not safe for outsiders, even if they are accompanied by a local guide. Access and assistance from emergency service providers is very limited.

In Rio de Janeiro, Complexo da Maré and Complexo da Penha are especially dangerous.

• Ask your hotel, travel agency, or trusted locals for assistance in identifying the favelas in the area where you are travelling
• Ensure your GPS or navigation application does not direct you through a favela

Other high-crime areas

Crime rates are high throughout the country, particularly in:

• Belém
• Fortaleza
• Manaus
• Recife
• Rio de Janeiro
• Salvador
• São Paulo

Tourists are mostly affected by theft, but could also become victims of violent crime, which often occurs in the following areas:

• São Paulo: around São Paulo Cathedral Avenida Paulista historical downtown area Municipal Market Pinacoteca (Pina) do Estado de São Paulo Princess Isabel Square Luz station
• Satellite cities of Brasília: Ceilândia Estrutural Paranoá Santa Maria São Sebastião
• Rio de Janeiro: Cidade de Deus to Gardênia Azul and surrounding area Complexo do Alemão Complexo do Turano Jacarezinho Morro do Borel to Morro do Andaraí and surrounding area Morro do Juramento and surrounding area Morro do Urubu and surrounding area Vila Kennedy to Vila Aliança and surrounding area

Armed criminal groups operate in multiple parts of Rio de Janeiro, and armed confrontations with security forces occur regularly. Security conditions can deteriorate rapidly and without warning, particularly during police or military operations.

If you decide to travel to these areas:

• always be aware of your surroundings
• avoid going out after dark
• travel in groups
• avoid isolated areas
• do not resist an attack

巴西现有黄色（中风险）地区2个，其他地区均为蓝色（低风险）。具体如下：

黄色地区：巴西圣保罗州、里约热内卢州。外交部和驻外使领馆将继续密切关注海外安全形势变化，动态调整有关风险评估，并实时在中国领事服务网等平台发布、更新相应安全提醒，请持续关注。