Is It Safe to Travel to Brazil in 2026?
Brazil - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Last updated: · Source: U.S. Department of State
Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil, is the largest country in South America. It is also the world's fifth-largest country by area and the seventh-largest by population, with over 213 million people.
Is It Safe to Travel to Brazil in 2026?
Brazil is currently rated Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution by the U.S. Department of State. Exercise increased caution in Brazil due to crime and kidnapping, especially in certain areas. Violent crime, including murder and armed robbery, can occur in urban areas at any time.
Key concerns cited in the advisory:
- crime
- kidnapping
The overall security situation has been worsening recently. Contributing factors: Exercise increased caution due to crime and kidnapping, especially in certain areas., Violent crime, including murder and armed robbery, can occur in urban areas at any time..
Active restrictions in Brazil:
- Security escort may be required
Must obtain special authorization to travel within 160 km/100 miles of the international land borders.
Traveler Impact
Solo travelers face significant risks from violent crime and targeted scams, particularly in urban areas like Rio de Janeiro where drugging and robbery of foreigners are common.
Business travelers may encounter operational disruptions due to crime and corruption, but can mitigate risks by staying in reputable hotels and using secure transportation.
Families traveling with children should be cautious due to the high prevalence of violent crime and limited healthcare access in certain areas, especially outside major cities.
Remote workers can find suitable environments in urban centers with good connectivity, but should avoid high-crime areas and be vigilant about their surroundings.
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of State, the CDC, the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators, and Freedom House. All sources are updated regularly and cross-referenced to provide a composite safety picture for Brazil.
Regional Safety Breakdown
Do Not Travel Zones
The U.S. State Department advises against all travel to the following areas due to extreme risk:
- Brazil
- International Borders
- Informal Housing Developments
- Brasilia’s Satellite Cities
▶Level 4 — Do Not Travel4 regions
▶Brasilia’s Satellite Cities
Do Not Travel to Brasilia’s Satellite Cities at night due to crime risks.
▶Brazil
Do Not Travel due to crime risks.
▶Informal Housing Developments
Do Not Travel to informal housing developments due to crime concerns.
▶International Borders
Do Not Travel within 160 km/100 miles of the international land borders due to security risks.
Brazil has 4 distinct regions with varying advisory levels. Risk conditions differ significantly by area.
▶Safety and Stability Ratings
Threat Severity (0-10 scale)
Brazil has an overall threat severity of 4.5 out of 10. Crime risk is rated 6.0/10, terrorism risk 0.0/10, and kidnapping risk 5.0/10.
Governance Indicators (World Bank, percentile)
Political Stability▶
Measures the likelihood that the government will be destabilized or overthrown by unconstitutional or violent means, including politically-motivated violence and terrorism. Higher percentile means greater stability.
Rule of Law▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which agents have confidence in and abide by the rules of society, including the quality of contract enforcement, property rights, the police, and the courts, as well as the likelihood of crime and violence.
Control of Corruption▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which public power is exercised for private gain, including both petty and grand forms of corruption, as well as capture of the state by elites and private interests.
Government Effectiveness▶
Captures perceptions of the quality of public services, the quality of the civil service and the degree of its independence from political pressures, the quality of policy formulation and implementation, and the credibility of the government's commitment to such policies.
Regulatory Quality▶
Captures perceptions of the ability of the government to formulate and implement sound policies and regulations that permit and promote private sector development.
Voice & Accountability▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which a country's citizens are able to participate in selecting their government, as well as freedom of expression, freedom of association, and a free media.
Data from World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators (2023).
Freedom Status: Free — scored 72/100 by Freedom House (2024). View full freedom profile →
▶Entry Requirements and Health
Entry Information
Visa
Check embassy for details
Currency
Brazilian Real (BRL)
Language
Portuguese
Notable restrictions:
- drug possession illegal including medical marijuana
- e-cigarettes prohibited
Vaccinations
Recommended:
⚠ Malaria Risk: moderate
Recommended medications: Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, tafenoquine
Active health notices:
- watchOropouche in the Americas: Areas in several countries are reporting a low number of cases of Oropouche, which is spread primarily through the bites of infected midges and mosquitoes.
- watchGlobal Measles: Measles cases are rising in many countries around the world. All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the MMR vaccine.
Vaccination data sourced from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Consult a travel health professional before your trip.
Common Questions About Traveling to Brazil
▶What is the current travel advisory level for Brazil?
▶Is it safe to travel to Brazil right now?
▶Do I need a visa to visit Brazil?
▶What vaccines do I need for Brazil?
▶Is Brazil safe for solo travelers?
▶How bad is crime in Brazil?
More Brazil Data
Free — 72/100 on the Freedom House index.
Governance indicators including rule of law, corruption control, and regulatory quality.
View all 195 countries color-coded by advisory level.
Read the full advisory on travel.state.gov.
Access this data programmatically. Free tier available.
On-demand country risk PDFs from 6 government sources.