Of the more than 3.2 million foreign visitors to Brazil between January and May 2024, 74,181 tourists from the United Kingdom were in the country. The destination is the ninth most tourist destination in the Brazilian region, with an increase of 17.4%, according to Empirador, MTur (Ministry of Tourism), and PF (Federal Police). However, despite the large number of travelers, the British government does not recommend travel to many parts of the country.
To ensure a safe travel experience for its citizens, the UK Government website has advice pages for those wishing to travel abroad. One of these places is Brazil, where the governments of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are warning of dangers in major tourist areas.
According to the website, the FCDO (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Commonwealth and Development) advises against travel except for essential travel to Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Brasilia and the Northeast. See:
Southeast and Midwest
In Rio de Janeiro, the page Warns of protests, militias and organized crime on Copacabana Beach, as well as thefts in Copacabana, Ipanema, Lapa and Santa Teresa. The website also highlights shootings in police operations and stray bullets near favelas (citing the area near Zona Sul and Mare). Also, they cite problems with “tap water” and advise using only bottled water.
In São Paulo, the UK government also notes protests disrupting roads and public transport. It is on the way to Guarulhos International Airport and, importantly, including Avenida Paulista and the historic center. Apart from Rua Augusta, the Catedral da Se, the Praça da Repubblica and the Estação da Luz, they point out that these are common places for thefts among British citizens.
The same goes for Brasilia. In the Brazilian capital, warnings have been issued for thefts at the central bus station, central and southern shopping centers and demonstrations on the Esplanada dos Ministérios.
North and North East
In the state of Amazonas, the FCDO advises against river travel on the Rio Itagui, Rio Zapura or tributaries and the Rio Negro and any part of the tributaries to the north, the Amazon River and its tributaries west of Cotajas and east of Belem do Solimos. West from Barcelona.
“There are dangers for travelers due to crime in the river areas in the western part of the state of Amazonas, which borders Brazil's Colombia, Peru and Venezuela,” the text says. They also highlight the need to follow safety procedures and use life jackets to avoid accidents.
In the Northeast, according to the agency, the most common incidents are robberies, including robberies of hotel and motel rooms. The government advises to avoid walking through deserted areas and recommends using taxis after sunset to avoid walking.
They also warn of heavy rains in all parts of the country, especially from November to March (and April to July in the northeast). This is because they can cause flash floods and landslides in mountains near the coast, for example in Rio de Janeiro.
“Follow local authorities' warnings displayed on digital street signs and sent to hotels and hostels. Heavy rains and floods can occur in any part of the country outside the designated rainy season. Avoid traveling on the road during heavy rain”, adds another excerpt from the text.
