NOTE: The information provided on this site is not exhaustive. Students should consult the country-specific guides distributed by the program manager and other training materials for more detailed information. Updated November 2017.
QUICK LINKS
General Recommendations
Taxis
Favelas
Alcohol, Drugs, and Partying Abroad
Staying Safe in Social Situations
Electricity Blackouts
Natural Disasters
Water Hazards
KEY LINKS
QUICK LINKS
General Recommendations
Taxis
Favelas
Alcohol, Drugs, and Partying Abroad
Staying Safe in Social Situations
Electricity Blackouts
Natural Disasters
Water Hazards
KEY LINKS
- US Department of State Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
- US Department of State Country Information (enter country name for detailed, up-to-date information on health, safety/security and other topics)
- US Department of State Students Abroad
- International SOS (ISOS): Medical and Travel Security Assistance Service
- The Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC): OSAC is comprised of 34 private and public sector member organizations that represent specific industries or agencies operating abroad. The Council publishes crime and safety reports for countries and specific cities. Click here for the OSAC Brazil homepage; you can select specific cities and categories via dropdown menus on the right.
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS
We asked a experienced Brazilian traveler if he thought traveling in Brazil was dangerous. He responded without hesitation, "only if you do something stupid!" Just as it is not a good idea to walk around a poor neighborhood in any large North American or European city at night, alone, with your pockets stuffed with cash, and wearing an expensive camera slung around your neck, it is not a good idea to do it in any large Brazilian city either. Be smart!
The vast majority of all Brazilians are honest, forthright, hard working people and, in the smaller cities of Brazil, life is less hectic, dangerous and, quite frankly, safer. But there are also poor people in Brazil. Like any society, especially in the larger urban areas, there are also muggers, pickpockets and other criminals who make their living preying on easy targets. For them, there's no better or easier target than a foreign tourist. There are, however, simple things you can do to avoid being an easy target.
We asked a experienced Brazilian traveler if he thought traveling in Brazil was dangerous. He responded without hesitation, "only if you do something stupid!" Just as it is not a good idea to walk around a poor neighborhood in any large North American or European city at night, alone, with your pockets stuffed with cash, and wearing an expensive camera slung around your neck, it is not a good idea to do it in any large Brazilian city either. Be smart!
The vast majority of all Brazilians are honest, forthright, hard working people and, in the smaller cities of Brazil, life is less hectic, dangerous and, quite frankly, safer. But there are also poor people in Brazil. Like any society, especially in the larger urban areas, there are also muggers, pickpockets and other criminals who make their living preying on easy targets. For them, there's no better or easier target than a foreign tourist. There are, however, simple things you can do to avoid being an easy target.
- Do not carry large amounts of cash with you on the street. Pulling out a wad of cash may be impressive in some places in the world but in most large Brazilian cities you might as well paint a target on yourself. Carry only the amount of cash you think you will need for the activities you plan for the day or the individual side trip you are making.
- Do not carry what you are not going to need or use during any excursion. If you don't need your credit cards, do not bring them with you. If you won't use your camera, leave it at home.
- Carry your wallet - with minimal contents - in a front pocket. This makes it more difficult for pickpockets to grab it and run. Some experienced travelers use a small, business card-type wallet to carry their credit card(s) and ID. Some travelers carry a "fake" wallet in their back pocket. It's only stuffed with paper and a couple reais but provides a pickpocket or mugger with a "conquest" if one should be encountered.
- Do not wear expensive jewelry or watches or even cheap things that look expensive. This is a situation where "less is best." Leave your expensive jewelry and watches at home and buy a cheap (and cheap looking) $20 watch before you leave home. You won't cry too much if it's ever lost or stolen.
- Many Brazilian women use backpack style purses and often wear them in the front. If you carry a handbag or purse with a strap, it's best to wear it laterally across your shoulders rather than merely slung over a single shoulder.
- Avoid highly congested areas as they are often a haven for pickpockets.
- Do not walk on empty streets at night alone. Stay in well-lit areas where there are other people around.
- In the event you are robbed, hand over your belongings - violence is more likely if you resist.
- Trust your gut. If something or some place feels shady or just off, it probably is.
- Pay attention to your surroundings and minimize distractions - leave your headphones at home and/or for the gym.
- Avoid demonstrations, rallies, and protests, which at times result in clashes between the parties involved. Sign up for ISOS alerts; they will let you know when a demonstration is planned and where it will take place so you can change your route if necessary.
- Know how to get where you're going - plan your route and scout or become familiar with the neighborhood. Have a backup plan - e.g. how will I get home if the subway is closed? Always keep your cell phone charged. Purchase an extra charger or portable power source (make sure to charge that as well).
- Make xerox copies of your passport picture/information page(s) and Brazilian visa page and carry only these with you for identification. Replacing a lost or stolen passport can be a huge hassle and, for US citizens, only accomplished at the US Embassy in Brasília or the US Consulates in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, or Recife. If you don't happen to be in one of these cities when your passport turns up lost or stolen, then that's where you'll have to go. The same goes for travelers from other countries.
TAXIS
Especially in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, make sure you always use a legitimate (real) taxi as some thieves have been know to disguise themselves as taxis and ... well, you fill in the blank. It is pretty easy to determine if a cab is a real, legitimate taxi. If you are at a hotel or restaurant, the doorman or staff can call or hail a taxi for you (they'll know). Only use taxis that are lined up at a ponto de taxi (taxi stand), call a radio taxi service, or use a recommended car service. Legitimate taxis also have red or maroon license plates (denoting that the car is registered as a commercial vehicle) while those on private cars are silver/grey. The red or maroon colored commercial license plate should include the name of the city you are in. Avoid using any taxi driver who attempts to "befriend" you upon your arrival at the airport—especially in Rio. They will often charge far over the going rate for a ride into town.
Especially in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, make sure you always use a legitimate (real) taxi as some thieves have been know to disguise themselves as taxis and ... well, you fill in the blank. It is pretty easy to determine if a cab is a real, legitimate taxi. If you are at a hotel or restaurant, the doorman or staff can call or hail a taxi for you (they'll know). Only use taxis that are lined up at a ponto de taxi (taxi stand), call a radio taxi service, or use a recommended car service. Legitimate taxis also have red or maroon license plates (denoting that the car is registered as a commercial vehicle) while those on private cars are silver/grey. The red or maroon colored commercial license plate should include the name of the city you are in. Avoid using any taxi driver who attempts to "befriend" you upon your arrival at the airport—especially in Rio. They will often charge far over the going rate for a ride into town.
FAVELAS
Favelas are essentially communities where people simply appropriated vacant land and built a house. They are not necessarily unique to Brazil. Some favelas have substantial brick and mortar houses with electricity, running water, and sewage service. Many residents in these favelas have televisions, washing machines, microwave ovens, and other modern conveniences. But there are also favelas that are simple shantytowns where the "houses" are constructed (quite literally) of almost every material imaginable. Life in a favela in Rio de Janeiro was depicted in the 2002 Brazilian film Cidade de Deus (City of God). No matter what personal allure they may hold for you and no matter that some companies offer tours and even overnight accommodations in a favela, it is probably not a good idea to go into any favela ever. While the residents of many favelas are honest but poor people, favelas are also havens for traficantes (drug traffickers) and other criminals who make their living preying on others. Some favelas can often be extremely violent places where human life has little value. They're certainly no place for a foreign tourist.
Favelas are essentially communities where people simply appropriated vacant land and built a house. They are not necessarily unique to Brazil. Some favelas have substantial brick and mortar houses with electricity, running water, and sewage service. Many residents in these favelas have televisions, washing machines, microwave ovens, and other modern conveniences. But there are also favelas that are simple shantytowns where the "houses" are constructed (quite literally) of almost every material imaginable. Life in a favela in Rio de Janeiro was depicted in the 2002 Brazilian film Cidade de Deus (City of God). No matter what personal allure they may hold for you and no matter that some companies offer tours and even overnight accommodations in a favela, it is probably not a good idea to go into any favela ever. While the residents of many favelas are honest but poor people, favelas are also havens for traficantes (drug traffickers) and other criminals who make their living preying on others. Some favelas can often be extremely violent places where human life has little value. They're certainly no place for a foreign tourist.
ALCOHOL, DRUGS, AND PARTYING ABROAD
Some of the following information is adapted from the UC Berkeley, UC Davis and Northwestern University study abroad sites.
The legal drinking age in Brazil is 18. Many establishments do not "card" people, though students should have identification with them at all times that shows their birth date (do not carry your actual passports with you - a copy is fine in most cases as is a motor vehicle license or other official ID). Students who choose to drink should do so responsibly and not to excess. Unfortunately, the excitement of being in a new place can lessen inhibitions and causes students to forget that good judgment and common sense are universal best practices - a recent study found that students abroad are more likely to drink more than they would at home.
The tendency to binge drink and any usage of a controlled substance can carry serious health, legal and cultural consequences:
Some of the following information is adapted from the UC Berkeley, UC Davis and Northwestern University study abroad sites.
The legal drinking age in Brazil is 18. Many establishments do not "card" people, though students should have identification with them at all times that shows their birth date (do not carry your actual passports with you - a copy is fine in most cases as is a motor vehicle license or other official ID). Students who choose to drink should do so responsibly and not to excess. Unfortunately, the excitement of being in a new place can lessen inhibitions and causes students to forget that good judgment and common sense are universal best practices - a recent study found that students abroad are more likely to drink more than they would at home.
The tendency to binge drink and any usage of a controlled substance can carry serious health, legal and cultural consequences:
- Health and safety: UC Davis notes that alcohol abuse and intoxication are a leading cause of injury and disruption on study abroad programs. The abuse of alcohol is often tied to becoming a victim of a violent crime or accident. If you choose to drink, doing so responsibly and refraining from drug use lowers these risks.
- Legal: Brazil levies harsh penalties for drug offenses and has strict drunk driving laws. See the Legal Matters page on this site. (MISTI prohibits undergraduate interns from driving and strongly discourages graduate students from doing so. Different roads and driving practices can pose many problems).
- Cultural: Excessive/binge drinking and public intoxication is inappropriate at best and can reinforce negative stereotypes about the "ugly American." Remember Ryan Lochte and #LochteGate at the 2016 Rio Olympics? (Read about it here and here). This stereotype crosses borders (check out this NPR story) and depicts tourists, students, etc. from the US as loud, boorish and ignorant types who drink to get drunk and could care less about cultural sensitivity/respect and global perspective. When you use good judgment, your behavior not only mitigates risks of injury, opportunistic crime, and "disruption" (e.g. missing work due to a hangover), but challenges this stereotype that persists abroad.
STAYING SAFE IN SOCIAL SITUATIONS (from MISTI's Health and Safety Guidelines)
- When you go to a social gathering, go with a group of friends. Arrive together, check in with each other throughout the evening and leave together. Knowing where you are and who is around you may help you to find a way out of a bad situation.
- Do not leave your drink (alcoholic or otherwise) unattended while talking, dancing, using the restroom or making a phone call. If you’ve left your drink alone, discard it and get a new one.
- Do not accept drinks from people you don't know or trust. If you choose to accept a drink, go with the person to the bar to order it, watch it being poured and carry it yourself. At parties, do not drink from the punch bowls or other large, common open containers.
- Watch out for your friends, and vice versa. If a friend seems disoriented, is too intoxicated, or is acting out of character, get him or her to a safe place immediately.
- If you suspect you or a friend has been drugged, contact law enforcement immediately (if recommended by your Program Manager).
ELECTRICITY BLACKOUTS
Power failures in large urban centers are common and sometimes followed by increased crime. Most tourist hotels are equipped with generators, minimizing the impact of a blackout, but you should remain cautious. (From the US State Department)
Power failures in large urban centers are common and sometimes followed by increased crime. Most tourist hotels are equipped with generators, minimizing the impact of a blackout, but you should remain cautious. (From the US State Department)
NATURAL DISASTERS
Flash floods and landslides can occur during the rainy season, which lasts for varying periods of time in different parts of the country. In the south-eastern states of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Minas Gerais, the rainy season usually lasts from January to March and occasionally disrupts travel as landslides block roads and damage infrastructure; flight schedules at airports serving affected areas may also be disrupted in the event of torrential rainfall, causing short-notice delays. In the southern Amazon region, the rainy season begins in mid-October and lasts until March, while it continues until June in the north. Wildfires are also a concern during the dry season from May to September in the central areas of the country, including Brasília. (From ISOS)
Flash floods and landslides can occur during the rainy season, which lasts for varying periods of time in different parts of the country. In the south-eastern states of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Minas Gerais, the rainy season usually lasts from January to March and occasionally disrupts travel as landslides block roads and damage infrastructure; flight schedules at airports serving affected areas may also be disrupted in the event of torrential rainfall, causing short-notice delays. In the southern Amazon region, the rainy season begins in mid-October and lasts until March, while it continues until June in the north. Wildfires are also a concern during the dry season from May to September in the central areas of the country, including Brasília. (From ISOS)
WATER HAZARDS
Many of Brazil’s beaches have very dangerous riptides, even if the water looks safe. Ocean currents and waves are unpredictable, even in popular beaches frequented by tourists. Shark attacks are reported in the waters of some beaches in northeastern Brazil, particularly near Recife. Always observe posted warnings and never swim while under the influence of alcohol. Follow local authorities’ guidance and refrain from swimming alone in areas marked with red warning signs or at beaches where there are no municipal lifeguards or first responder services. (From the US State Department)
Many of Brazil’s beaches have very dangerous riptides, even if the water looks safe. Ocean currents and waves are unpredictable, even in popular beaches frequented by tourists. Shark attacks are reported in the waters of some beaches in northeastern Brazil, particularly near Recife. Always observe posted warnings and never swim while under the influence of alcohol. Follow local authorities’ guidance and refrain from swimming alone in areas marked with red warning signs or at beaches where there are no municipal lifeguards or first responder services. (From the US State Department)