Is Rio de Janeiro Safe for Tourists? 10 Tips for Women Travelers

Let’s talk about safety in Rio de Janeiro. Sadly, Rio (and Brazil as a whole) doesn’t have the safest reputation worldwide.

I remember a couple days before my very first trip there, I told a guy at a bar that I was going to Brazil, and his response was, “Isn’t that the murder capital of the world?”

(For the record, no, it is not. Rio isn’t even in the top 10 most dangerous cities, in case you were wondering.) 

While safety is a very real and valid factor to consider when deciding where to go, both Rio de Janeiro and Brazil are so much more than its reputation for safety.

Yes, you definitely should take increased caution (we’ll get into some tips in just a second), but I firmly believe that Rio de Janeiro is safe for tourists.

A quick story time

With that said, I can’t say it’s without risk. 

My first time there, I was traveling solo and unfortunately was robbed. 

I was wearing a gold necklace that I was convinced was tiny enough that it wouldn’t draw attention. It was in the middle of the day, in a crowded area, and I was on a group walking tour. I was pretty confident that would guarantee my safety, and the tour guide even started off the tour telling everyone not to worry and that nothing will happen to them.

That was quickly proven wrong, as not even two minutes later I felt a pulling around my neck. I turned to see someone running away with my necklace in hand.

Please don’t let this story scare you from visiting, though!! I share this just to show that I can’t promise that it’s 100% risk-free or that nothing will happen, but what I can promise you is that Rio is an absolutely amazing destination that’s worth visiting.

Sure, it ruined my afternoon, and I sulked for a few hours. But then, I returned to having a great trip. It didn’t stop me from returning to Rio a few more times after that, either. By following these 10 best tips for women travelers (or anyone, honestly), you can significantly lower your risk, and hopefully enjoy all that Rio de Janeiro has to offer. 

10 Tips for Staying Safe in Rio de Janeiro

Avoid gold jewelry

First things first, please don’t repeat my mistakes. It’s just not worth it, I promise. If you really want to be on the safe side, I’d even avoid fake gold. Not everyone will know the difference and you don’t want to make yourself a possible target. That doesn’t have to mean you can’t accessorize though — just bring your cheapest, less sentimental jewelry. 

Keep your phone hidden when not in use

I’m not sure why I always walk around holding my phone at home, but I can’t be alone on that. In Rio, keep it put away when you’re not using it. The same can be said for hanging out at restaurants or bars. Don’t keep your phone on the table. Let me say it again: Keep it put away any time you’re not using it.

If you’re in an Uber and the window’s down, also avoid having it out then too. People on bikes driving by can grab it from you, which sounds crazy, but is unfortunately not uncommon.

Take Ubers

By now you may be asking, “If my phone is put away, how am I supposed to walk around without using my phone to navigate?” This one is a tough pill to swallow, because I love walking. But in general, Ubers are the best, most reliable way to get around Rio de Janeiro. 

If you don’t know where exactly you’re going, or think you’ll have to walk more than a few minutes, or it’s nighttime and you’re alone, Uber.

They’re super affordable in Rio, so at least there’s that. Public transportation is readily available and I personally find the Metro pretty safe (get the run-down on how it works in this guide), but if it’s at night or you have luggage with you, I’d stick to Ubering. If you do take public transportation at some point, the subway is easier to navigate than buses, generally. 

Be careful with all electronics

It’s not just your phone you need to be careful of. If you like to bring a camera when you travel, you’ll want to be extra cautious about when you take it out. Typically, I don’t use my digital camera in Rio outside of super touristy spots like the Christ statue, Sugarloaf Mountain (check out this guide for how to visit!) or the Botanical Garden. 

Otherwise, I stick to using my phone (I take it out for the photo and then immediately put it away), or a film camera, that’s much smaller and more discreet than my digital camera, and much cheaper.

I’d of course be super sad if something happened to it, but it wouldn’t be nearly as much of a financial loss as with my digital camera. 

Don’t leave your things unattended at the beach

When going to the beach, it’s best to keep things as minimal as possible. Bring as little with you as possible, and never leave your stuff unattended. If you want to go in the water, make sure someone is watching your things for you.

Don’t carry all your money with you

It’s a good overall rule, no matter where you’re traveling honestly, to only take the money you’ll need for the day. I just take one credit card with me and some cash, and leave everything else at the hotel. If the worst-case scenario happens, you don’t want to be left without any money for the rest of your trip.

Wear a bag that can close

As far as keeping your money and phone safe, you’ll want to pack a bag that can close securely (and make sure to always keep it closed, of course). Crossbody bags are my preference, just because they’re the most difficult for someone to grab. If you go for a backpack, I’d wear it in front of you. 

Try to blend in with the locals

There’s only so much one can do here, I know.

But making at least some effort can go a long way in helping you blend in a bit, and not look like an easy target. A general rule of thumb is to dress casually, beachy, and colorful if possible. It’s common to see locals wearing either flip-flops or sneakers, and airy clothing perfect for the tropical weather.

Parque Lage Escadaria Selarón

Pick a hotel or hostel that prioritizes safety

Check for 24-hour security, 24-hour reception, and security lockers when choosing places to stay. (This is where I stayed my last time in Rio and would 100% recommend it.)

Considering the overall security risks in Rio, most hotels and hostels should do this. But, it’s worth looking out for this specifically just to make sure. Some hostels will even give you wristbands to indicate that you’re staying there, and they’ll have rules about strangers entering after a certain hour.

Also consider where the hostel or hotel is.

My first time in Rio, I stayed in Lapa, which isn’t nearly as safe of an area, but it had all of those security measures I just mentioned, and was totally fine.

When searching for accommodations, you also may see a number of options located in favelas, which are lower-income communities that aren’t as tourist-friendly and are gang-controlled. 

All in all, just do your research about the area you’re staying in.

Be cautious no matter where you are & stick to safer areas

The truth is that in Rio, you have to be aware of your surroundings any time of day and in any area.

Sure, certain areas are safer than others. In general, the South Zone, which is where you can find world-famous beaches like Copacabana and Ipanema, is safer than Centro (a.k.a. Downtown) and Lapa, a popular area for nightlife. 

If I had to pick which neighborhoods are the safest, I’d say Barra da Tijuca (which is a beautiful beach a little farther from the main part of the city), then Leblon, a wealthy neighborhood in the South Zone, then Ipanema.

Tourist attractions like the Cristo de Redentor, Sugarloaf Mountain, the Botanical Garden, and Parque Lage, also all feel safe, and I’ve felt comfortable even taking my camera out there.

But with that said, incidents like pickpocketing are common throughout the city. So, try not to let your guard down too much.

Regarding which areas you’ll want to exercise increased caution — definitely Downtown and Lapa. I love Downtown — there’s so much history, cool museums, and interesting architecture, so this isn’t to discourage you from visiting. Just be extra mindful with your phone and whatnot while here.

And if you’re wondering about favelas, typically you’ll want to avoid these as a tourist. As I previously mentioned, favelas are low-income neighborhoods located along the hills in Rio. I would not visit unless it was with a local who lives in that neighborhood. 

There are a couple exceptions though of favelas that are considered a little more tourist-friendly: Rocinha and Vidigal.

Vidigal has a couple fun bars with an amazing view that I’ve visited, as well as a popular hike, Dois Irmãos, which I haven’t had a chance to go on yet, but I hope to next time. To get to Vidigal, you’ll either need to take a motor bike (you’ll see people offering rides if you go to the favela entrance at the bottom of the hill) or a shared shuttle.

As for Rocinha, you’ll probably see tours offered while you’re in Rio. Whether or not favela tours are ethical is a bit of a controversial topic, which I won’t get into too much here. I did go on a tour back in 2020, during my first visit to Rio, and as I’ve learned more, I do regret it, honestly. If you do decide to go on one, just read reviews and do your research beforehand. Tours of low-income areas can be exploitative and don’t always benefit the local communities.

Some other general safety advice

• Just in case anything happens to your things, I’d suggest making a copy of your passport, as well as of your entire itinerary. This should include any contact information for where you’re staying, and of someone at home. Also save these numbers:
  • Rio de Janeiro emergency numbers:
    • Police: 190
    • Medical Emergency: 192 (you won’t get charged to go here, it’s part of the public health system).
    • U.S. Consulate General in Rio de Janeiro: +55 21 3823-2000
  • There’s also a police station for tourists in the Leblon neighborhood:
    • ​​Av. Afrânio de Melo Franco, 159 – Leblon, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 22430-600, Brazil
    • Phone: +55 21 2332-2924

• Don’t forget travel insurance! It’s the type of thing you hope you won’t have to use. But if you need it, you’ll definitely be glad you have it. I’ve always used World Nomads, and have been happy with my experience. (I didn’t file a claim for my necklace by the way, since I didn’t want to deal with going to the police and filing a report. I have filed claims on two other occasions though and was SO glad that I had insurance). Just be sure to read the fine print and be sure you understand what’s covered and what’s not before purchasing.
• Make sure you have a local SIM card. Being able to navigate, contact people, and call Ubers is super critical to feeling safe. Check out the eSIM I recommend here.
• Lastly, trust your intuition. Especially for women traveling solo, don’t be afraid to leave a place as soon as you feel uncomfortable or like something is off. Be careful with who you tell where you’re staying, and don’t be afraid to lie if need be. Not everyone has to know if you’re traveling solo!

Final thoughts

So, is Rio de Janeiro safe for tourists? Although the answer is complicated, I would still say yes.

Sorry for the tough love — as much as I want you to be aware of the realities that come with visiting Rio, I also don’t want you to feel deterred from visiting! 

So, let me leave you with this: Rio de Janeiro is really such a magical city, and it’s 100% worth it.

It’s so much more than its reputation or perceived safety. Rio is full of stunning nature, from hikes with waterfalls and panoramic views, to gorgeous beaches, plus interesting museums, delicious food, a complex and beautiful culture, and so, so, much more.

I hope that you give Rio a chance to show you all it has to offer. <3

Head to one of these Rio guides next

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• 15 Brazilian Foods and Drinks You Have to Try in Rio de Janeiro
• How to Pack for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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• The Ultimate Rio de Janeiro Travel Guide
• Is Rio de Janeiro Safe for Tourists? 10 Tips for Women Travelers
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