Travel Advisory
Level 2Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased cautionin Brazil due to crime and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Crime Violent crime occurs in urban areas, day and night. Crimes include murder, armed robbery, and carjacking. Gang activity and organized crime are widespread. and are often tied to the illegal drug trade. Assaults are common, including with sedatives or drugs placed in drinks, especially in Rio de Janeiro. Criminals target foreigners through dating apps or at bars before drugging and robbing their victims. U.S. government employees working in Brazil need special authorization to travel to the following areas due to safety risks: - Within 100 miles/160 km of Brazil’s land borders (except travel to the Foz do Iguacu and Pantanal), - informal housing developments in Brazil and, - the Administrative Regions of Ceilandia, Santa Maria, Sao Sebastiao, and Paranoa between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. U.S. government employees are advised not to use municipal buses in Brazil due to serious risks of robbery and assault, especially at night. Kidnapping Kidnapping for ransom involving U.S. citizens is rare but occasionally occurs. Brazilians are most often targeted, but foreigners remain vulnerable. U.S. businesses frequently arrange enhanced security for senior executives in São Paulo and other major cities. Organized criminal groups sometimes target individuals observed withdrawing money from ATMs or leaving banks. Use ATMs in secure locations such as shopping malls or major hotels. Express kidnapping — in which criminals force victims at gunpoint to withdraw cash from multiple ATMs or transfer funds via banking apps (commonly Pix) — is an ongoing threat to both locals and foreigners. To reduce your risk, vary your routes and travel times; park in well-lit, guarded garages, as criminals often confront victims at their vehicles; and limit the number of bank and credit cards you carry to reduce potential losses Do Not Travel to: International land borders due to crime and kidnapping. Informal housing developments (favelas, vilas, comunidades or conglomerados) due to crime. Brasilia’s Satellite cities due to crime.
Full advisory on travel.state.gov →Updated: 2026-08-30T20:00:00-04:00
