Latin America • Updated August 2026

Country Risk Report

Brazil

Overall Risk Rating

Medium

Capital

Brasilia

Languages

Portuguese (official)

Currency

Brazilian real (BRL)

Executive Summary

Brazil is classified as a MEDIUM risk destination, with a sharp divide between functioning cities that host millions of business and leisure travellers and specific no-go areas that carry severe risk. Major governments rate the country at a general increased-caution level, with an active kidnapping indicator, while designating favelas, land border zones and parts of the Amazon as do not travel areas. Urban crime is the dominant everyday risk. Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Salvador and other cities see armed robbery, phone and bag theft, beach robberies and drink-spiking, and express kidnapping, in which victims are forced to withdraw cash from ATMs, has risen, particularly around nightlife and for rideshare and rental-car users. Favelas are controlled by armed criminal groups and are dangerous to enter, with police operations able to trigger sudden crossfire. In 2026 the United States designated the Comando Vermelho and the PCC, Brazil's two largest criminal organisations, as terrorist organisations, underlining their reach. Beyond the cities, the Amazon region carries risks from illegal mining, land conflict and environmental crime, and land border areas see smuggling and organised crime. Business districts and the main tourist sites are manageable with standard urban precautions.

Risk Matrix

Category	Risk Rating	Commentary
Armed Conflict	Low	No armed conflict; violence is criminal, concentrated in favelas and border and Amazon areas.
Terrorism	Low	A low terrorism threat, though major criminal groups are now internationally designated.
Kidnapping	Moderate	Express kidnapping in cities and an active kidnapping indicator; ransom kidnapping is rarer.
Crime	High	Armed robbery, theft, beach crime and drink-spiking in cities; favelas are highly dangerous.
Civil Unrest	Moderate	Protests and police operations occur and can disrupt movement.
Health & Medical	Moderate	Good private care in cities; limited in the Amazon and remote areas.
Internal Travel	Moderate	Urban crime, favela crossfire and long distances; domestic flights are the norm.
Digital / Cyber	Moderate	Card cloning, fraud and scams are common.

Essential Precautions

1Never enter favelas, which are controlled by armed groups and dangerous even on guided tours or at adjacent viewpoints.

2Guard against street crime, including armed robbery, phone and bag theft and beach robberies in the cities.

3Treat express kidnapping as a real risk, particularly around nightlife and for rideshare and rental-car users.

4Be alert to drink-spiking, especially in Sao Paulo and Rio nightlife districts.

5Use official or app-based transport, and do not resist if robbed.

6Avoid land border zones and Amazon conflict areas, given smuggling, illegal mining and organised crime.

7Take extra care during Carnival and major events, when crime surges in the cities.

8Keep valuables out of sight and carry only what you need on the street.

Security Situation

Medium

Brazil divides sharply between functioning cities, which are manageable with urban precautions, and specific no-go areas, favelas, border zones and parts of the Amazon, that carry severe risk. Urban crime and express kidnapping are the dominant everyday concerns.

Rio de Janeiro

Medium

Rio de Janeiro functions for tourism and business with precautions, but has high urban crime, beach robberies and dangerous favelas subject to sudden police operations.

Sao Paulo and the South-east

Medium

Sao Paulo and the south-east are Brazil's economic core, functioning with precautions against theft, express kidnapping and drink-spiking.

The North-east (Salvador, Recife)

Medium

The north-east, including Salvador and Recife, has vibrant tourism alongside high violent-crime rates in some areas.

The Amazon and the Borders

High

The Amazon and land borders carry risks from illegal mining, land conflict, smuggling and organised crime.

Detailed Risk Assessment

Armed Conflict

Low

Brazil is not in armed conflict. Violence is criminal, driven by powerful gangs and militias that control territory in favelas and operate in border and Amazon regions, and police operations against them can produce intense but localised firefights.

Terrorism

Low

The terrorism threat is low, though the United States designated the Comando Vermelho and the PCC as terrorist organisations in 2026, reflecting their scale rather than a change in the everyday threat to travellers. Standard vigilance in crowded places is sufficient.

Kidnapping and Detention

Moderate

Express kidnapping is the main abduction risk, with victims forced to withdraw cash from ATMs, particularly around nightlife and for rideshare and rental-car users, and an active kidnapping indicator applies nationwide. Traditional ransom kidnapping is rarer and mostly affects wealthy locals.

Crime and Lawlessness

High

Urban crime is common, including armed robbery, phone and bag theft, beach robberies, arrastao mass robberies and drink-spiking, and favelas are controlled by armed groups and highly dangerous. Crime rises after dark, around nightlife and during major events.

Internal Travel

Moderate

Domestic flights are the norm for long distances, and urban travel is manageable with vetted or app-based transport, though favela crossfire, highway robbery in places and Amazon remoteness add risk. Avoid driving into or near favelas, where satellite navigation can mislead.

Health and Disease

Moderate

Good private healthcare is available in the major cities, but care is limited in the Amazon and remote areas. Mosquito-borne illnesses including dengue are present, and yellow fever vaccination is recommended for many areas.

Cultural and Religious Sensitivities

Low

Brazil is diverse, predominantly Christian and welcoming to visitors, with a strong tourism culture. Normal respect for local customs is sufficient, and travellers should be discreet about wealth and sensitive discussing crime and politics.

LGBT Travellers

Low

Brazil has strong legal protections, including same-sex marriage, and large, visible LGBT communities in the cities, though violence against LGBT people occurs and rural and conservative areas warrant more discretion. Rio and Sao Paulo have prominent scenes.

Diplomatic and Government Situation

Low

Brazil is a stable democracy and major regional power under President Lula, with functioning institutions and good consular access. Political polarisation and periodic protests occur, but governance is robust and the main risks to travellers are criminal rather than political.

Digital and Cyber Threats

Moderate

Card cloning, ATM fraud and online scams are common, and travellers should guard financial information and use trusted ATMs. Connectivity is good in cities and tourist areas.

Vaccinations & Health Hazards

Strongly Recommended

Yellow Fever
Recommended for many areas, including much of the interior and increasingly the coast; check current guidance.
Hepatitis A and Typhoid
Recommended for some travellers due to food and water risk.
Hepatitis B and Tetanus
Recommended for many travellers.
Rabies
Consider for rural or long stays.

Other Health Hazards

Mosquito-borne illness: Dengue, Zika and chikungunya are present; take bite-avoidance measures.
Drink-spiking: A risk in nightlife areas; watch your drinks.
Beach and sun safety: Take care with strong sun and coastal currents.
Private care: Use reputable private facilities in cities and hold cover.

Choosing the Right Insurance

Cover for Brazil is available on a specialist basis, with favelas, marked border zones and Amazon conflict areas typically excluded. The cities and tourist areas are manageable with precautions, and cover should include medical care and, given urban crime, appropriate personal and, where relevant, kidnap provisions.

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Annex A - Key Risk Dynamics

Checkpoints and Detention Triggers

Police conduct operations in and near favelas that can close roads and trigger crossfire; avoid the area. Carry a copy of ID and a clear travel purpose. Avoid photographing police operations and favela entrances. Favelas, border zones and Amazon conflict areas carry high risk.

Kidnapping and Detention Dynamics

Express kidnapping victims are forced to withdraw cash from ATMs, often around nightlife. Use only official or app-based transport and verify the vehicle. Rental-car users have been targeted; keep doors locked. Comply calmly during a robbery or express kidnapping.

High-Risk Travellers

Favela visitors face severe risk even on guided tours. Nightlife visitors face robbery, drink-spiking and express-kidnapping risk. Amazon and border travellers face organised-crime and remoteness risk. Those displaying wealth face opportunistic targeting.

Annex B - Key Preparation & Checklists

Essential Preparation and Medical

Match plans to the area and avoid favelas, border zones and Amazon conflict areas. Hold medical and personal cover with evacuation. Take extra care during Carnival and major events. Check yellow fever guidance for your itinerary.

Digital Security and Checkpoints

Guard against card cloning and use trusted ATMs. Be alert to online and ATM scams. Consider an eSIM for reliable data. Limit public location sharing.

Movement and Operational Security

Use official or app-based taxis and rideshare. Avoid favelas and do not rely on satnav that routes through them. Take particular care after dark and around nightlife. Comply calmly if robbed.

Conduct and Legal Compliance

Keep valuables and wealth out of sight. Respect local customs and communities. Avoid photographing police operations.

This report is provided for information only and does not constitute travel or security advice. Ratings are indicative and subject to change without notice. Confirm current conditions with Hotspot Cover before any deployment.