Is Brazil a safe country to visit?

Question

Is Brazil a safe country to visit?

Answer 1

yes

Answer 2

Been there many times (my inlaws are all in Brasil).  It's perfectly safe as long as oyu take the normal precautions.  I usually would suggest not wearing expensive jewellery or watches, anything that makes you stand out as a foreginer.  Also make sure you stay away from favela areas unless you are with someone you know who lives there or are on a tour & you ought to be alright.  I've never had any trouble anyway.

Answer 3

That is relative; they have really high criminality rates and way too many STD's.  But if you travel wisely you should be fine.

Answer 4

Political and labor strikes and demonstrations occur sporadically in urban areas and may cause temporary disruption to public transportation.  Naturally, protests anywhere in the world have the potential to become violent.  In addition, criminal organizations, during 2006, staged several violent campaigns against public institutions in the Sao Paulo State leading to a large number of deaths. While it is unlikely that U.S. citizens would be targeted during such events, U.S. citizens traveling or residing in Brazil are advised to take common-sense precautions and avoid any large gatherings or any other event where crowds have congregated to demonstrate or protest.  Individuals with ties to criminal entities operate along the tri-border area of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay.  These organizations are involved in the trafficking of illicit goods; some individuals in the area are financially supporting designated foreign terrorist organizations.  U.S. citizens crossing into Paraguay or Argentina may wish to consult the Consular Information Sheets for those countries.

Colombian terrorist groups have been known to operate in the border areas of neighboring countries.  Although there have been reports of isolated small-scale armed incursions from Colombia into Brazil in the past, we know of no specific threat directed against U.S. citizens across the border in Brazil at this time.  Colombian groups have perpetrated kidnappings of residents and tourists in border areas of Colombia's neighbors.  Therefore, U.S. citizens traveling or residing in areas of Brazil near the Colombian border are urged to exercise caution.  U.S. citizens are urged to take care when visiting remote parts of the Amazon basin and respect local laws and customs.  U.S. visitors should ensure that their outfitter/guide is experienced in the Amazon.  

Crime throughout Brazil has reached very high levels.  The Brazilian police and the Brazilian press report that the rate of crime continues to rise, especially in the major urban centers – though it is also spreading in rural areas.  Brazil’s murder rate is several times higher than that of the U.S.  Rates for other crimes are similarly high.  The majority of crimes are not solved.  There were several reported rapes against American citizens in 2006.

Street crime remains a problem for visitors and local residents alike, especially in the evenings and late at night. Foreign tourists are often targets of crime and Americans are not exempt. This targeting occurs in all tourist areas but is especially problematic in Rio de Janeiro and Salvador.

Caution is advised with regard to nighttime travel through more rural areas and satellite cities due to reported incidents of roadside robberies that randomly target passing vehicles.  Robbery and “quicknapping” outside of banks and ATM machines are common.  In a “quicknapping,” criminals abduct victims for a short time in order to receive a quick payoff from the family, business or the victim’s ATM card.  Some victims have been beaten and/or raped.

The incidence of crime against tourists is greater in areas surrounding beaches, hotels, discotheques, bars, nightclubs, and other similar establishments that cater to visitors.  This type of crime is especially prevalent during Carnaval (Brazilian Mardi Gras), but takes place throughout the year.  While the risk is greater at dusk and during the evening hours, street crime can occur both day and night, and even safer areas of cities are not immune.  Incidents of theft on city buses are frequent and visitors should avoid such transportation.  Several Brazilian cities have established specialized tourist police units to patrol areas frequented by tourists.  In Rio de Janeiro, crime continues to plague the major tourist areas (see separate section on Rio de Janeiro).

At airports, hotel lobbies, bus stations and other public places, incidents of pick pocketing, theft of hand carried luggage, and laptop computers are common.  Travelers should "dress down" when outside and avoid carrying valuables or wearing jewelry or expensive watches.  "Good Samaritan" scams are common.  If a tourist looks lost or seems to be having trouble communicating, a seemingly innocent bystander offering help may victimize them.  Care should be taken at and around banks and internationally connected automatic teller machines that take U.S. credit or debit cards.  Very poor neighborhoods known as "favelas," such as those located on steep hillsides in Rio de Janeiro, are found throughout Brazil.  These areas are sites of uncontrolled criminal activity and are often not patrolled by police.  U.S. citizens are advised to avoid these unsafe areas.  Carjacking is on the increase in Sao Paulo, Recife and other cities.

Travelers using personal ATMs or credit cards sometimes receive billing statements with non-authorized charges after returning from a visit to Brazil. The Embassy and Consulates have received numerous reports from both official Americans and tourists who have had their cards cloned or duplicated without their knowledge. Those using such payment methods should carefully monitor their banking online for the duration of their visit.

While the ability of Brazilian police to help recover stolen property is limited, it is nevertheless strongly advised to obtain a "boletim de ocorrencia" (police report) at a "delegacia" (police station) whenever any possessions are lost or stolen.  This will facilitate the traveler's exit from Brazil and insurance claims.

In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available.  Transactions involving such products may be illegal under local law.  In addition, bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines.  More information on this serious problem is available at http://www.cybercrime.gov/18usc2320.htm .

BRASILIA:  Once spared the crime rates of other Brazilian cities, Brasilia now has significant crime problems.  Armed robberies (which are sometimes violent) and street crime are becoming commonplace.  Following the citywide trend of previous years, reports of residential burglaries continue to occur in the generally affluent residential sections of the city.  Public transportation, hotel sectors and tourist areas are still the locations with the highest crime rates, though statistics show that incidents can happen anywhere and at anytime.  A significant number of criminals now use lethal weapons in the course of carrying out their criminal activities and the level of gratuitous violence is on the increase.  The majority of kidnappings in Brasilia continue to be the “quicknappings.”  

RIO DE JANEIRO: The city continues to experience a high incidence of crime.  Tourists are particularly vulnerable to street thefts and robberies on and in areas adjacent to major tourist attractions and the main beaches in the city.  Walking on the beaches is very dangerous at night. During the day, travelers are advised not to take possessions of value to the beach. Incidents affecting tourists in 2006 included the robbery of cars and a tourist bus going into the city from the airport and the murder of a Portuguese tourist at 8:30 a.m. on Copacabana beach. Drug gangs are often responsible for destruction of property and other violence, such as the burning of public buses at the end of 2005 caused the deaths of some passengers . While these occurrences have not resulted in any injuries to U.S. citizens, visitors and residents alike should be aware that such incidents could result in closed shops and disrupted municipal services.  In Rio de Janeiro City, motorists are allowed to treat stoplights as stop signs between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. to protect against holdups at intersections.  While most police officials are honest, in 2006, there were several cases of corrupt police officials extorting money from American tourists. All incidents should be reported to the tourist police, who can be reached at 3399-7170/71/72/73.

SAO PAULO: While similar incidents may occur elsewhere, all areas of Sao Paulo have a high rate of armed robbery of pedestrians at stoplights.  There is a particularly high incidence of robberies and pick pocketing in the Praca da Se section of Sao Paulo and in the eastern part of the city.  As is true of "red light districts" in other cities, the areas of Sao Paulo on Rua Augusta north of Avenida Paulista and the Estacao de Luz metro area are especially dangerous.  There are regular reports of young women slipping knockout drops in men's drinks and robbing them of all their belongings while they are unconscious.  Armed holdups of pedestrians and motorists by young men on motorcycles (“motoboys”) are an increasingly common occurrence in some parts of Sao Paulo.  Victims who resist risk being shot. The number one item of choice by robbers in Sao Paulo, especially with regards to business travelers, is laptop computers. Recent efforts of incarcerated drug lords to exert their power outside of their jail cells have resulted in sporadic disruptions in the city, violence directed at the authorities, bus burnings and vandalism at ATM machines.  These occurrences have not resulted in any injuries to U.S. citizens. Visitors and residents should respect police roadblocks and be aware that some municipal services may be disrupted.

Answer 5

If you're simply concerned about your life... yes it is. If you're concerned about not beeing mugged... well, not so much. Depends to what city you're going.

Answer 6

As with most places, if you don't do "stupid stuff" and are careful, yes it is.

I actually lived there (Sao Paulo, Campinas, Ribeirao Preto, Jacarei, Rio de Janeiro) for a few years.  I never had a problem.  I saw some problems, but being aware and being careful should prevent any issues.

Answer 7

Without a doubt.