Is Rio de Janeiro Safe? Honest Safety Tips from Locals
One of the most frequently asked questions about the city revolves around its safety. So, is Rio de Janeiro safe? Well, this is not a simple yes or no question. As locals who lived there for years, we can explain why.
Like most major cities in the world, Rio isn't perfect and has its deep structural problems. The thing that stands out negatively about the city is the economic and racial inequalities which exclude a large portion of its population from accessing basic human rights, including consistent government protection. For these marginalized people, surrounded by violence, Rio isn't safe.
We are bringing this up because we want to be realistic, avoiding romanticizing or terrorizing Rio's situation. This is a real city with real problems, and also real, good people.
As a tourist in Rio de Janeiro, walking around Zona Sul (South Region), you probably won't experience these problems. The tourism-driven economy of the region favors constant police presence guarding these neighborhoods. You'll notice police cars on the beaches and most tourist attractions, and people walking peacefully in Copacabana and Ipanema even at night (we compare these and other neighborhoods in our guide on where to stay in Rio de Janeiro).
In short, you don't have many reasons to feel unsafe when visiting Rio, you just need to be more aware, more alert. This is what we locals call “Ficar esperto”, which means “to become smart”, “to be cautious”. In this article, you'll find our tips to avoid risky situations in the city:
General Safety Tips for Tourists in Rio
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Be aware of your surroundings;
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Close car windows when using taxis or Uber: specially in centre, people can try to snatch your phone out of your hand (this almost happened to one of us);
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Avoid empty and/or low light streets;
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Don't walk with your telephone in your back pocket because of pickpockets;
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Prioritize meeting in public spaces first: don't go to a stranger's house or invite them to your place;
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Don't wear fancy jewelry;
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Don't carry a lot of cash (you can pay for almost everything by card);
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Keep your passport in your accommodation when going out and have a scanned copy of it on your phone. Only bring it with you to places where you'll need to identify yourself.
Safety Tips for Women Solo Travelers in Rio
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Always keep an eye on your drinks, people can spike them; Brazilians call it “Boa noite Cinderela” (good night, Cinderella).
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Avoid trusting men too quickly and if you're not feeling safe, seek the company of Brazilian women: they are usually very friendly and caring.
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Don't feel pressured to kiss anybody or repeat any phrase in Portuguese that you suspect to be embarrassing.
Safety Tips for LGBTQ+ Travelers in Rio
- Be very cautious about Grindr, Hornet or other queer dating apps. Local news outlets have reported cases of violent crimes motivated by homophobia where the victim was seduced by a fake profile on these platforms. We have personally never heard of any cases with tourists in Rio, but stay alert.
One last habit worth copying from us: save the key emergency numbers in Brazil before you land, including Rio's 24-hour tourist police station. You will most likely never need them, and that is exactly the point.
We hope this helps you navigate the city! We wish you a wonderful, fun and safe time in Rio :)
