Brazil

Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.

Industrial action, demonstrations and protests occur in Brazil’s major cities intermittently. You should avoid all demonstrations and protests as they may turn violent without warning and monitor local media for information about expected demonstrations in major cities.

We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Brazil because of the high levels of serious crime. Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks. Violence and crime, often involving firearms or other weapons, can occur anywhere and at any time.

The incidence of violent crime, including muggings, armed robbery, home invasions, kidnapping (especially express kidnappings), and sexual assault, is significant, particularly in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Recife, Salvador and other large cities. Carjacking is also common, particularly in major cities.

You should be vigilant, particularly in major cities. You are advised to avoid wearing jewellery and expensive watches, or carrying valuable items such as laptop computers. You are advised to dress down and carry minimal cash and credit cards, as victims are often targeted for perceived wealth or value of personal possessions.

Tourists are often targeted by criminals, especially directly prior to and during public festivals such as Carnaval. Petty crime such as pickpocketing and bag snatching is common, including by young men on motorcycles. Thieves operate in outdoor markets, in hotels and on and around public transport. Crime levels in shanty towns or ‘favelas’ and many satellite cities are very high. Tourists should avoid these areas, even with a well-organised tour group and especially at night.

Tourists have also been robbed and assaulted when using unregistered taxis. Use of a prepaid taxi ticket on arrival at the airport or taxis from registered taxi ranks may reduce the risk of robbery. As a guide, licensed taxis are generally required to have their photographic licence displayed.

During peak tourist seasons, large, organised criminal gangs have reportedly robbed and assaulted beachgoers. You should take a minimal number of personal belongings to the beach and leave passports, wallets and other valuables in a secure place. Isolated areas on the beach should be avoided, particularly in the early evening, when a high number of robberies occur. Sexual assaults have been reported in coastal tourist areas.

Some armed groups in Sao Paulo have begun robbing patrons in restaurants, both in rich and poor neighbourhoods.

If you are robbed or are a victim of an express kidnapping, you should cooperate and not resist as these situations can quickly turn violent. Victims have been seriously injured or killed when resisting perpetrators.

'Express kidnappings', where individuals are abducted for short periods for a quick payoff from the victim’s family, business or ATM cards are a significant threat. Vigilance is key. We also recommend approaching your car with the keys ready, driving with doors locked and windows up, and not remaining in parked vehicles. Take particular care if approached while sitting in a car or at the traffic lights, especially at night. Express kidnappings are common in major cities including Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Brasilia, Salvador and Recife. Victims, whom are frequently released in remote areas, should seek to alert authorities by approaching somebody at the nearest safe area, which could be a home or commercial establishment. Carjacking is also common, particularly in major cities.

Gang-related violence is common, particularly in the State of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Incarcerated drug lords also orchestrate sporadic disruptions in Brazilian cities. While most of these types of incidents are targeted at police, local officials, and public infrastructure, you should remain alert and aware of local conditions at all times. Outbreaks of such violence are unpredictable and could occur at any time.

Criminal activities related to drug trafficking and trafficking of illicit goods are common along Brazil’s western and northern border areas, including the states of Amazonas, Acre, Rondônia, Mato Grosso, Roraima, Pará and Amapa, as well as the tri-border area of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay.

Travellers should avoid leaving food and drinks unattended in bars and places of entertainment as there have been incidents of drink spiking.

Due to the risk of HIV/AIDS, victims of violent crime, especially rape, are strongly encouraged to seek immediate medical assistance.

Mobile phone cloning occurs in Brazil. You should take care of your handset at all times.

It is unlikely Brazilian police will be able to recover stolen property, however, we strongly recommend you obtain a “boletim de ocorrencia” (police report) at a “delegania” (police station) if any of your possessions are lost or stolen. In most cases, you will require a police report to lodge a travel insurance claim related to lost or stolen possessions.

Piracy occurs in the coastal areas of Brazil. See our travel bulletin on piracy. The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) issues a piracy report that displays all Piracy and Armed Robbery incidents reported to the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre.

Before you depart Australia, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Australian currency and travellers' cheques are not accepted in many countries. Consult with your bank to find out which is the most appropriate currency to carry and whether your ATM card will work in Brazil. Banking facilities such as ATMs, EFTPOS and credit card machines may be unreliable. Credit card fraud is widespread in Brazil. We recommend travellers using ATM or credit cards in Brazil check billing statements for unauthorised charges. ‘Good Samaritan’ scams are also common.

In efforts to combat fraud and thefts, many ATMS and banks do not permit withdrawals on foreign cards of more than R$400 per day and/or reduce the amount that can be withdrawn after-hours.

Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.

While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves (refer to Crime section).

As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.

Australians are required to pay an additional fee to have their passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.

Please refer to our air travel page for information on aviation safety and security.

Australian/Brazilian dual nationals must enter and exit the country using their Brazilian passport.

Australian/Brazilian dual national males aged 18 years or older who reside long-term in Brazil are required to register for military service. Dual nationals are advised to contact the nearest Brazilian Embassy or Consulate for further advice regarding military service obligations.

Our Dual Nationals brochure provides further information for dual nationals.

Storms, flash flooding, and landslides are common in southern Brazil in the wet season between December and March. They can result in loss of life and property damage. Wildfire, especially in central Brazil, occurs during the dry season.

If a natural disaster occurs, monitor the media and follow the advice of local authorities. Information on natural disasters can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service.

Many beaches in Brazil have very strong and dangerous riptides, including those in Rio de Janeiro and Fortaleza.

Australians are advised to respect wildlife laws and to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.

For general information and tips on travelling with children see our Travelling with Children brochure.

If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.

Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.