Rio de Janeiro Travel Guide: Health & Safety

It is important to note that this energetic and culturally-rich tropical city can also be a dangerous place if a traveler is not careful. After dark, Downtown Rio can be particularly unsafe for tourists as muggings there are common. And the Zona Sur area of the city, where tourists mainly reside, is also in close quarters with a few favelas, “shanty towns,” where poverty and crime are a part of life. Travelers are advised to take precaution during night-time hours in any area of the city as any tourist and even local is susceptible to pick-pockets. Taxis are also recommended if traveling from one district to another after nightfall. As with many South American capitals, tourists should dress-down; hide jewelry and take all necessary safety measures with cash, taking only what you will need for food and transportation. Rio de Janeiro is a wonderful city that can be thoroughly enjoyed when keeping these tips in mind.

If attending a football game between bitter city rivals such as Flamengo and Vasco da Gama, be sure to take precautions and attend with a local person, if possible, as these matches can become dangerous due to over-exuberant fans.

It is best to drink bottled water while traveling in Rio de Janeiro as with anywhere in South America, especially in rural areas, to prevent contracting any harmful parasites or water-borne illnesses. If no bottled water is available, be sure to travel with water purification tablets or to boil water for 15 minutes to eliminate any harmful bacteria.