Is Salvador, Brazil Safe? A Solo Traveler’s Honest Take

As fun as travel can be, sometimes we need to think about the not-so-fun parts, and safety is unfortunately one of those things.

When I was planning my very first trip to Brazil — a three-week solo trip that included a few days in Salvador — I can’t even tell you how many weird comments I would get from people regarding safety. While I guess I appreciate the concern, I also really dislike getting safety opinions from people who have never actually been to a place. 

With that said, I was a bit nervous about traveling here alone. I knew the language barrier would be a challenge, and I didn’t really know what to actually expect when it came to safety.

While my trip wasn’t totally seamless, Salvador really blew me out of the water. I’ve traveled throughout Latin America, which included other solo trips to Chile and Argentina, and Salvador really had such a unique energy that I loved.

I pretty much spent my days wandering around beautiful corners of the city, checking out local shops and art galleries, and eating my weight in moqueca (a seafood stew from Bahia). 

What I loved most, however, were its facets of culture throughout the city — from people practicing capoeira, a Brazilian martial art-slash-dance, to women dressed in traditional Baiano clothing, and musicians drumming. 

I never once felt unsafe, but I’ll get more into my thoughts on if Salvador, Brazil is safe in this guide, from what the actual risks are, what helped me feel safer, and steps you can follow to feel more confident taking Salvador on!

Is Salvador safe? The reality vs. the reputation 

Brazil as a whole is often seen as unsafe, which is really unfortunate, because so many people miss out on experiencing it based on fear. 

Salvador in particular is one of the most vibrant places in the country, with so much culture, history, beauty, amazing food, the list goes on … and sometimes it seems like people totally overlook all those things just because of safety.

Don’t get me wrong though — being concerned about safety is valid! Especially if you’re solo traveling, a woman, part of another marginalized group, or all of the above.

So while I wish I could say that it’s all down to stereotypes and media blowing things out of proportion, the truth is, Salvador, and the state of Bahia, are struggling with safety issues.

In recent years, there’s been a rise in clashes between gang members and police, with homicide rates growing as a result. Bahia sadly has among the highest rates of violent deaths in the country. Although a number of cities in Bahia are rated as the most violent in the country, Salvador is fortunately not included.

And while I don’t want to undermine that reality at all, and I can’t speak to how actual residents of Salvador feel, as a tourist — and a solo female traveler — I did not feel unsafe at all.

As a visitor, I really don’t think you have to worry about getting involved in any gang or police-related conflicts, assuming you’re not planning to do anything crazy, of course. 

To be honest, I think the highest risks for tourists are petty theft. And while that sucks —  believe me, I know (I was actually robbed when I was in Rio) — I don’t think it qualifies as serious danger. 

I honestly felt super comfortable walking around on my own during my few days here.

I did have two separate incidents where locals warned me about safety — at one point, when I was walking down an empty street in Pelourinho, Salvador’s historic center, one women warned me to put my camera away. 

Another day, I was walking toward a different area in Salvador, which honestly, was not super walkable. I was using my phone to help me navigate, when a group of construction workers started scolding me for having my phone out and for walking there (or at least I assume that’s what they were saying — there was a bit of a language barrier and there was a lot of miming going on, where at one point one guy briefly took my phone from me).

Of course, do your own research, and only you know what your risk tolerance is. I always recommend checking for any U.S. State Department travel advisories, or if you’re from elsewhere, for any advisories from your country.

Currently, Brazil is a “Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution,” with no specific notes for Salvador or the state of Bahia. 

Safe neighborhoods in Salvador

As a tourist who I’m assuming wants to do tourist things, I don’t think you have to worry about stumbling into the wrong neighborhood or anything.

The main areas tourists visit for sightseeing, nightlife, and food are: 

• Pelourinho, the UNESCO World Heritage Site area
• Rio Vermelho, a popular neighborhood for nightlife and some other cool sightseeing
• Barra, a neighborhood with a beach and a lighthouse to check out

Each of these areas are tourist-friendly, and typically have some police presence. 

Pickpocketing isn’t impossible, to be clear, and you should still be on guard and follow the tips we’ll get into in a second. But as long as you’re following common sense safety precautions, you shouldn’t be worried.

Outside of these areas, you’ll want to be more careful, though. Personally, I would just avoid them and stick to the more touristy areas, unless I was with a local or some sort of tour group or something.

Staying safe in Salvador

Okay, so we understand the safety situation now, hopefully. But what can you actually do about it?

I’m glad you asked!

• Use Uber to get around — and if it’s night time, always Uber over walking. It’s the safest and most accessible option, and it’s very affordable compared to in the U.S. Public transportation exists in Salvador, but I don’t think it’s the easiest for foreigners, and it can be potentially riskier when it comes to things like pickpocketing. 

• Be very careful with electronics. Around the Pelourinho area, you’ll see a lot of people with cameras, but in general, you still want to keep it put away when you’re not literally taking a photo. The same goes for your phone. If you need to check directions, pull over into a shop to check your phone, then put it away and keep walking.

• Avoid the beach at night. Basically, if a place is empty, you want to avoid it.

• I didn’t follow my own advice with this one, but learning at least a few basic phrases in Portuguese will go a long way. While touristy areas are more likely to have English speakers, there’s really no guarantee, and I honestly didn’t encounter many English speakers while I was here.

• Don’t carry all your money with you! I unfortunately learned this lesson when I was 19 years old and got my wallet stolen in Cambodia, with all my money for a three-week trip in it. Take what you need for the day (I like to bring one credit card, and a bit of cash), and leave everything else with your luggage.

• I never carry my passport around with me, unless there’s a specific place I’m going that requires it. That would really just be a nightmare to have to replace, so you don’t want to deal with that!

• Avoid wearing valuable jewelry, especially gold.

• When it comes to clothing, don’t dress super fancy or wear obvious brand names/other indicators that your outfit is expensive. 

• Definitely don’t forget about your general, common sense safety rules — like no wandering down any dark, empty alleys, please!

• Especially in Pelourinho, you may encounter people who try to “gift” you things like bracelets, or perform for you, or do something else seemingly for free. Don’t accept anything unless you’re willing to pay!

What to do in an emergency and other safety resources

You’ve probably heard this before, but I still think it’s important to say: If something does go wrong, never fight back or resist in any way. Your safety and life is always more important than any possession! 

Within Pelourinho, you’ll also find the Tourist Protection Office (DELTUR) which is open 24 hours a day, and has English speakers available. 

Address: R. Augusto Frederico Schmith – Chame-Chame, Salvador

For your trip, I definitely recommend setting up a Brazilian SIM card on your phone so you can communicate without WiFi/navigate wherever you are/call Ubers when needed. On my first few international trips, I never got a SIM card and would just wing it (honestly, I liked not being able to use my phone during the day!) until I realized just how risky that was!

I personally really like Airalo for eSIMS.

I also always make sure to get travel insurance when I travel internationally, and I’ve used World Nomads for all my trips over the past few years. 

World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 activities, plus emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation, and more. Get more information here. 

Next steps

Although the situation isn’t totally black and white, I think it’s more than possible to have a safe — and amazing — time in Salvador by following all the tips we’ve talked about here.

And while safety can never be 100% guaranteed (and that goes for literally everywhere, not just Salvador or Brazil!) I think coming here is ultimately worth the small risk. 

If you’re looking to learn about Afro Brazilian culture — from the music, to capoeira, to food, and religion — you can experience all of that and more here in Salvador. I really think it’s a must in any Brazil itinerary!

Ready to plan your trip to Salvador?

• I break down everything in this complete Salvador guide  — from all the sightseeing you won’t want to skip, what foods to try (Bahia seriously has some of the best food in Brazil), average costs, and more.

• For where to stay in Salvador, from the best neighborhoods to hostels, inns, and luxurious hotels all on a budget, head to this guide.

• Looking for an organized itinerary to help you plan everything out, with some restaurant recommendations? Don’t miss this three-day Salvador itinerary written to help you experience the best of Salvador’s culture and beaches in a short time.