This post uses the knowledge I’ve built actually living in the city for the past 6 months. The goal of this article is to answer the main question: Is Rio de Janeiro Safe? The answer is: no Rio de Janeiro is not safe! Rio de Janeiro is a big and hectic city that is sometimes dangerous. Rio is the 34th worst city in the world when it comes to homicide rates, however very few of homicides occur in the areas you will visit as a tourist.
Despite Rio being a dangerous city I always tell people that they should come to visit anyway, simply because Rio de Janeiro is the most beautiful city on the planet. From my experience, 95% of all horror stories you will hear involve someone doing something you shouldn’t be doing. In this article I will give you the most important tips on how to stay safe in Rio de Janeiro so that you can enjoy this beautiful city without feeling worried.

Rio de Janeiro Safety Statistics
According to an ACLED report, in 2021, Rio registered 27 violent deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, significantly higher than the Brazilian national average of 22. By comparison, a typical European city, such as Berlin or Paris, has a homicide rate of around 1-2 per 100,000 inhabitants annually. So this number is significantly worse then what you could expect in large European city. However the violence often stems from gang conflicts and clashes between state forces and criminal groups in non touristy areas. These are areas that you won’t stumble upon as a tourist but it is important to note that this is a serious issue in Rio that highly affects the safety of less privileged civilians in affected areas.
While violent crime against tourists is rare, pickpocketing and even robbery are common against both tourists and locals, even in the “good” parts of city. According to this article in ANSA (a Brazilian news site), 3400 cases of robbery, theft and fraud were reported of in 2022. By foreign tourists in the state of Rio de Janeiro alone. This is almost 10 cases per day and it is likely that the real number is way higher.
So based on these numbers it is easy to say that: Yes Rio de Janeiro can be very dangerous when it comes to your belongings and even emotional damage as a tourists, but the risk of physical injury is still very low.
Neighbourhood Safety Guide
Being in the right place at the right time is key. Rio de Janeiro consists a large amount of neighbourhoods that you might want to go as a tourist. So what neighbourhoods are safe in Rio de Janeiro? In this section I will go through the most popular neighbourhoods and what to be aware of. First some generic advice that are viable for all parts of Rio de Janeiro.
- If there are no people on the streets, the risk of robbery is higher. If you feel unsure, take another way.
- Be careful at night as the streets are more empty.
- Walking from one neighbourhood to another can put you at risk, if you are not sure – ask your accommodation or take a Uber.
City Center – Cheap shopping and history

This is the old part of the city, filled with historical buildings while also being commercial center of today. It is crowded during business hours and relatively safe. Beware of pickpockets but otherwise you should be fine. It gets really empty at night and then you should stay away. I would avoid getting an accommodation in the center for this reason. If you want to explore the area I would recommend getting a tour with Free walker tours that will teach you about the interesting details of the colonial history of Rio de Janeiro. This tour will also take you to the famous Selaron steps.
Lapa – Best nightlife in Rio de Janeiro
Lapa is known for the bustling nightlife and cultural scene. It is a bit rugged and has . I personally find that this neighbourhood feels a bit dodgy since it has a lot of homeless and drug addicts. If you stay on the main streets at night you will be fine but make sure to take a taxi there and back and don’t walk on the side streets. See the section on Nightlife for more information on how to stay safe on a night out in Rio de Janeiro.

Ipanema/Leblon – The safest neighbourhoods in Rio de Janeiro

Ipanema/Leblon are generally the safest neighbourhoods in Rio de Janeiro. It is safe to walk around both day and night and there is a lot of police presence and few cases of robbery. I would recommend getting your accommodation in here if you want to feel safe and live in the fancier part of town close to the best beach. While there you can also join the locals for a friendly or competitive game of beach volleyball!
Copacabana – The tourist hotspot of Rio de Janeiro
The most famous neighbourhood in Rio de Janeiro because of the beautiful beach walk. It is similar to Ipanema/Leblon but in my experience it feels a little bit less safe during the evening. The main streets and the beach walk are safe during the day and at night but make stay away from empty streets after dark. During the day you should enjoy a long walk next to the beach but be careful with you phone next to the road and bike lane!

Botafogo – Best bar scene in Rio de Janeiro

Enjoy the strong bar culture in Botafogo – with a little bit more of a hippie/alternative vibe then Leblon/Ipanema and Copacabana. Take a taxi there and stay in the areas with bars/shops and you will be safe both day and night. This is a great area if you want to watch a football game as it is full of sport bars. On the image on the left you can see the Flamengo supporters with their pig mascot. I would not recommend staying here as it is loud at night and the beach is not that nice. Additionally the other neighbourhoods are not really walkable from here.
Flamengo – The cosiest neighbourhood in Rio de Janeiro
This neighbourhood has more of a small town vibe and is really walkable during the day. There are a lot of shops, squares and some parks that are often overlooked by tourists. Flamengo is safe and has a local vibe which makes it a nice place to live if you want to stay outside the main touristy area. Stay on the main streets at night. Or if you go down to the beach walk after dark be sure to use one of lit up entrances to avoid passing the darker crossing to the beach.

The Favelas – For the adventurous

The police does not control the Favelas and they keep their own order. This doesn’t necessarily mean that they are not safe for tourists but before entering a favela you should check up on the current situation and ask your accommodation for advice. My girlfriend says as a joke that there are only two places in Rio where you cannot get robbed in Rio de Janeiro – in the favelas and in the Metro. To get on top of the Vidigal favela you should read my guide on the Dois Irmãos hike, located right next to Leblon.
Nightlife – Safety in Rio de Janeiro
The nightlife in Rio de Janeiro is amazing but this is where you are the most vulnerable of getting robbed. In this section I will focus on how to stay safe on a night out in Rio de Janeiro. If you are interested in more information you can read my blog Top things to do in Rio de Janeiro, which has a section on the best Sambas in Rio de Janeiro.
The dangers of the Nightlife in Rio de Janeiro
There are a few things that can happen to you on a night out here. I’m not trying to scare you but it is important to be aware of the risks in order to prevent them
Getting drugged in Rio de Janeiro is unfortunately pretty common. This has even gotten a special name in Rio – “Goodnight Cinderella”. It usually involves someone slipping something in your drink, but can also be done with other edible items such as chewing gum. Some criminals make a living by doing this so be careful! The stories I’ve heard usually involve girls pretending to be interested in you and the follow you home where you pass out and then they take everything from the apartment. More often then not the victims are fine but there have been deaths related to overdoses with this drug, as they rather give you too much then too little.
Getting robbed at night in Rio de Janeiro – gets more likely as a lot of streets are empty. While Brazilians know this, tourists are more vulnerable as they are not used to it. Most robberies involve 2 men on a motorcycle, where one gets off to grab your stuff and then they quickly dash away again before you know what happened. If you are threatened, make sure to not resist to avoid risking getting hurt.
How to stay safe on a night out in Rio de Janeiro
Staying safe at night is simple but it requires some discipline to follow the rules. Make sure to respect the risks and follow these advice in order to safely enjoy the nightlife in Rio.
Don’t get too drunk
This is the number one reason that people get robbed or drugged in Rio de Janeiro. It sounds obvious but it is really the most important rule to have. Being too drunk will put a big target on your back and makes you an easier victim. In Europe or USA it might be pretty fine to be completely wasted and still be safe. However in any big city in South America, I would recommend to lower the level of intoxication that you feel comfortable with. Drink moderately, have fun and always be aware of your surroundings.
Don’t go out alone
Also really simple, make sure to go out with someone that you know since before or that you have gotten to know at your accommodation. Make sure to agree with someone that you will keep an eye on each other and go home together. This is really easy and makes a big difference.
Never accept drinks from strangers
Simple and easy. Brazilians are a really friendly and warm culture that like to share. While this is the case they are also really careful and aware of the risks in their city. While it might be a little bit rude to refuse a drink they will not raise any eyebrows if you say no thanks. If you are to accept a drink from someone, make sure to join them to the bar and get the drink from the bartender.
Take a taxi home
Taxis in Rio are dirt cheap, you can get almost anywhere in the city for less than 5 USD. Make sure to get a taxi home at night even in the good neighbourhoods. I’ve taken taxis that are less than 400 meters, which feels really silly, but it is worth it and all the Brazilians do it.
Party at a venue instead of the street
There are a lot of parties in the streets of Rio where you can come and go as you like. This is the perfect scenario for pick pockets, especially if it is crowded. If it is your first time in Rio I would recommend going to a place with an entrance as this gives you a more controlled environment with guards which is less favourable for people looking to take advantage of drunk tourists.
Safety at the Beach in Rio de Janeiro
The beach in Rio is Paradise and you have to go to experience the Brazilian lifestyle. If you want to be extra safe I would stay at the beaches in Ipanema or Leblon, and Copacabana/Flamego are definitely fine as well.

Pickpockets at the beaches in Rio de Janerio
There are some pickpockets on the beaches in Rio they can get very crowded. If you leave to take a swim make sure to let someone keep an eye on your stuff. Locals will happily help you with this, and I usually leave my bag with the people at the neighbouring beach blanket. There are some famous videos of hundreds of kids storming the beach, grabbing everything they can. This happens rarely but is more frequent in Copacabana then other beaches. I have never seen this happen myself however and its nothing I think about when going to the beach.
The current
The waves are sometimes big and the currents in Rio de Janeiro are very strong. If taken out with the current, make sure to swim to the side instead of swimming against the current. This is the same as any place with big waves but I’ve seen the helicopter have to pick people out of the water several times during my time in Rio so I guess that the waters here are riskier then in some other places. The current is especially strong next to the rocks with the surfers on the left side of Ipanema (Arpoador).
Getting around safely in Rio de Janeiro
Getting around in Rio is pretty easy and safe. My favourite way to get around is with the Uber, which is surprisingly cheap. A 10-15 minute ride usually costs around 3-4 USD which usually makes it both the cheapest, fastest and safest option. Using normal yellow taxis with a meter is also fine but Uber is always my preferred choice.

Metro
The Metro in Rio is really good for getting from one side of the city to another. It is extremely safe and it only costs 7,5 R$ for a ticket, which you can buy with your credit card at the gate. I would recommend this if you are going far or you are not able to share the cost of a Uber. It can also be a good option during rush hour as it can be faster than by taxi.
Bike
Riding a bike is a great way to get around, especially if you are traveling along the beach. You can rent the Itau bikes with the Uber app and they are both cheap and fast. If you are travelling outside of Copacabana/Ipanema/Leblon I would recommend not going by bike after dark as you might pass some empty areas.

Uber moto
Some people love it and some hate it. Uber Moto is a motorcycle taxi can be ordered through the Uber app. It is the cheapest option to get around and can be a really nice experience during sunny days with low traffic. It can also be faster then a normal Uber since you can pass the traffic. While I would recommend it for the experience, it is a riskier way to get around as there are a lot of accidents. You might find it very daunting as they will pass cars with very little margin and I’ve told myself several time that I will never take the risk again. I’ve gotten Uber moto rides for less than 1 USD. So if you are looking to save money and don’t mind some adrenaline it is a great option, but I usually avoid using it during rush hour as I feel it is just a bit too scary!
Road Safety
The traffic in Rio can be a bit of a mess. Cars drive fast and switch lanes without giving notice. The sense of safety distance seems to be completely missing in the mind of the Brazilian driver, that also hates to wear a seatbelt. There is also a large amount of motorcycles that go between the cars to add to the mess. According to the WHO traffic safety report of 2024 Brazil is the 84th worst country in the world when it comes to death per capita from traffic accidents.16 people in 100 000 die every year in the traffic of Brazil. Make sure to follow the local custom to ride without a seatbelt in the back of the car. Using a seatbelt in the front seats is mandatory but locals rarely use it in the back of the car.
Tips and tricks – How to stay safe in Rio de Janeiro
After having covered the main areas of safety, these are some general advice that I’ve learnt by travelling various “dangerous” cities around the world and 14 countries in Latin America. Sometimes you are at risk as a traveller and sometimes you just feel worried because you are in a new environment which you are not familiar with. These are my best Safety tips for travelling South America.
Don’t draw attention
Dress low key and don’t wear fancy jewellery. This is very typical in Rio as you can usually not tell very well during the day or at the beach whether a person has money or not. It is accepted to go almost anywhere with flip flops, shorts and a t-shirt. Take the chance to enjoy the Rio vibe and stay out of the spotlight of thieves.
Use a burner phone
Bring a second phone that you can use whenever you feel like you are not in the safest area. This allows you to be more calm knowing that it is not the end of the world if you’d have to give away your phone. Locals do this a lot when going to parties with big crowds where they know they might be at risk.
Walk with confidence
The way you act is everything! If I ever feel a bit worried or lost, I straighten my back and pretend that I know exactly what I’m doing. Looking lost or like you are holding your bag to tight might draw extra attention. If you look like you are not worried that someone will grab your bag, chances are that no one will even look in your direction.
Bring an extra credit/debit card
Since there is a risk I would recommend bringing at least one extra card. This will put your mind at ease and prevent you from difficult situations in case you do happen to lose one card. If you are travelling abroad this is an absolute must to include in your packing list. Especially for south America as there is a a risk that your card can get skimmed. This has happened to me twice and I once lost 600 USD and I needed cancel my card in order to prevent further fraudulent payments.
Don’t be stupid!
Honestly the most important thing is to just have some common sense. Be aware of your surroundings, keep yourself informed, don’t walk alone at night and don’t get black out drunk. Following these simple rules will be enough to keep you safe almost anywhere in the world!
FAQ – Staying safe in Rio de Janeiro
These are some of the that I’ve had myself before going to Rio de Janeiro or that I’ve heard from other travellers.
Can I use my laptop at cafés in Rio de Janeiro?
Yes, you can but only if it is a closed space inside. I’ve never seen anyone sitting on a café outside with a laptop in Rio. There are lots of a bit more fancy cafés that are perfect for working from your computer. For example Cafe Cultura in Copacabana with some of the best coffee that I’ve had in the city and good wifi.

Do I need cash in Rio de Janeiro?
In general no! You can pay with card almost anywhere, even to people selling corn on the beach! I usually keep some small notes just in case but I rarely have the need to use it anywhere. Locals barely use cash at all and either pay with card or with the local mobile transfer service called PIX.
Summary
So is Rio de Janeiro Safe to visit? As you can see in the guide there are certain risks that you need to be aware of. It is important to note that you are not at home and in some situations you should think and act differently then you might be used to. Doing so will allow you to visit Rio de Janeiro as safely as possible. Most people that follow the principles in this article don’t have any trouble what so ever in Rio de Janeiro.
Looking for tips on what to do while in Rio de Janeiro? Check out this guide!