The U.S. State Department has reissued its Level 2 travel advisory for Brazil.
According to the August 8 update, which comes less than three months after a previous update, visitors are encouraged to exercise increased caution in the South American country due to crime and kidnapping.
"Violent crime, including murder, armed robbery, and carjacking, can occur in urban areas, day and night. 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," the advisory states.
"Assaults, including with sedatives and drugs placed in drinks, are common, especially in Rio de Janeiro. 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."
Specific areas to avoid due to crime include:
- Anywhere within 100 miles of Brazil’s land borders with Bolivia, Colombia, Guyana, French Guiana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela, except for the Foz do Iguacu National Park or Pantanal National Park.
- Informal housing developments, such as favelas, vilas, comunidades or conglomerados
- Brasilia’s “Satellite Cities” at night. These include Ceilandia, Santa Maria, Sao Sebastiao and Paranoa
Travelers to Brazil are advised to remain alert, exercise caution when walking or driving at night, decline food and drinks from strangers, never physically resist a robbery attempt and beware of scams.
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