Brazil is a fabulous country. There is no doubt it is worth visiting. From the “marvelous city” of Rio de Janeiro to the untouched jungles of the Amazon, Brazil is definitely a country that holds something for everyone.

Unfortunately, it also is plagued with large slum areas in the major cities and a very slack and corrupt military police that is supposed to deal with problems of crime. As a result, crime rates are higher on average than in U.S. cities. That said, it doesn’t mean that Brazil isn’t safe to travel in, it just means that certain precautions need to be taken.

Depending on the destination, it is possible to feel either completely safe, or completely uncomfortable in Brazil. Though Rio de Janeiro is one of the most beautiful places on the planet, it also has one of the worst crime rates in the country, and whether or not this city will be included in a travel itinerary should be considered carefully. If Rio is a must, then some research must be done beforehand. Whether through a travel agent, or by talking to someone who is from there, to travel safely in Brazil it would be a good idea to find out what parts of the city to avoid at all costs, what parts to avoid at certain times, and what kinds of actions need to be taken to try and avoid being a victim of a mugging or worse. One tip I have read is that when dining out or having a coffee in a street cafe, people carrying bags should hook the  bag around the leg of the chair, if the person doesn’t or can’t hold it, so that no one can grab it and take off running. There are also many tricks aimed at tourists, such as, spraying something on a bag and then acting helpful by suggesting to clean it off. Once the bag is off the unsuspecting tourists arm, the thief makes off with it. I’m sure there are many more, and these are from several years ago, so trends in thievery have surely changed. Essentially, the best way to stay safe is to blend in. Don’t carry a big camera around. Don’t wear obviously expensive jewelry. Don’t speak English in obnoxiously obvious and loud voices. The more a person looks like a tourist, the more likely to be targeted.

The other option to ensure a safe trip to Brazil would be to book a trip with a tour group. If hotels, transportation and destination spots are all already planned, then it won’t be necessary to worry about these things. Also, if there is a tour guide who is a native, a traveler could ask for advice on where it would be safe to venture out to in the city.

If one wishes to see something more of Brazil than Rio, there is no limit to the places to go. Brazil is a huge country, and once outside of the most famous city, I believe that one can feel as safe as in any American city. Travelling in Brazil can be safe, but it is not so secure that one can wander around the cities at any time of night wherever they want. It is always a good idea to research a destination before arriving there, and if one wishes to make a safe trip to Brazil it is especially important to look into these things. Anyone who is asking this question, “Is it safe to travel to Brazil?” is going to have a safe trip there because the first step in ensuring this is planning ahead.

Again, it is a great country, and I have never felt unsafe there. For all who are planning on going: Boa viagem!