US government issues sudden warning on Brazil travel

The updated advisory singles out 'crime and kidnapping' in certain cities.

Jun 20, 2025 - 16:30

US government issues sudden warning on Brazil travel

Throughout May and June, the U.S. government has been updating many of the travel advisories it has in place for other countries.

The four-tier system ranges from the lowest "exercise normal precautions" — Switzerland and Canada are some of the countries under this rating — to the highest "do not travel" advisory reserved for war zones, authoritarian governments, and countries that do not have diplomatic relations with the U.S.

Some countries are also ranked safe overall but have certain regions with military conflict — as in the case of certain Indian regions bordering with Pakistan — or particularly high crime numbers — certain Mexican border states with high rates of drug trafficking — singled out as "do not travel."

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The U.S. State Department has issued renewed guidance for travelers to Brazil.
Image source: Shutterstock

'Gang activity and organized crime are widespread'

Along with reviewing its guidance for countries such as Switzerland, India, and France, the U.S. State Department has also issued renewed guidance for the South American nation of Brazil. The country has been at Level Two's "exercise increased caution" for years due to high crime rates in big cities and impoverished suburban neighborhoods known locally as favelas, but now has additional notes on specific areas and situations.

"Violent crime, including murder, armed robbery, and carjacking, can occur in urban areas, day and night," the updated advisory for Brazil now reads. "There was a kidnapping for ransom of U.S. travelers. Gang activity and organized crime are widespread and often tied to the recreational drug trade. Assaults, including with sedatives and drugs placed in drinks, are common, especially in Rio de Janeiro."

The updates also focus on "satellite cities" such as Ceilandia, Santa Maria, São Sebastião, and Paranoa, as well as the border with several nearby South American countries.

Anyone in Brazil as an official government representative needs to obtain authorization to go within 100 miles (160 kilometers) of the border areas with Bolivia, Colombia, Guyana, French Guiana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela, while those traveling in a personal capacity are advised to exercise increased caution amid higher rates of organized crime.

Specific nearby tourist attractions like Foz do Iguacu and Pantanal national parks are marked as an exception that are safe to visit.

'Do not travel to informal housing developments, even on guided tours'

With just under seven million travelers coming into Brazil from all over the world in 2024, Brazil remains a very popular destination that the vast majority of travelers experience without any issues — the largest stream of visitors descends upon cities such as Rio de Janeiro, São Paolo, and Salvador during the pre-Easter Lent period known as Carnival.

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But a history of inequality, low wages, and upward mobility and subsequent gang control of certain neighborhoods has created a situation in which certain areas in Brazil are extremely safe, while others are marked by crime and poverty.

"Do not travel to informal housing developments, even on guided tours," the advisory writes of favelas. "Neither tour companies nor police can guarantee your safety when entering these communities. [...] While some informal housing developments have clear boundaries, other such areas may be less obvious, and may be identified by crowded quarters, impoverished conditions, or irregular construction."