The U.S. State Department reissued its Level 2 travel advisory for Brazil on Thursday.
Americans traveling to the surging South American destination this summer are advised to exercise increased caution due to crime and kidnapping, with officials noting that some areas have an increased risk.
"Violent crime, including murder, armed robbery, and carjacking, can occur in urban areas, day and night," the May 29 update 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 State Department adds. "Criminals target foreigners through dating apps or at bars before drugging and robbing their victims. U.S. government employees are advised not to use municipal buses in Brazil because of a serious risk of robbery and assault, especially at night."
Areas to avoid entirely due to crime include anywhere within 100 miles of Brazil’s land borders with Bolivia, Colombia, Guyana, French Guiana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela excluding Foz do Iguacu and Pantanal National Parks; informal housing developments such as favelas, vilas, comunidades or conglomerados and the "Satellite Cities" of Brasilia—including Ceilandia, Santa Maria, Sao Sebastiao and Paranoa—at night.
The updated travel advisory comes on the heels of revised guidance for popular countries such as Italy, France and Jamaica, among others.
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