Is São Paulo safe to visit right now? (November 2026)

Travel advisories for Brazil

What the advice says

• The US State Department advisory for Brazil is Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution, dated August 31, 2026; this advisory is country-level, not specific to São Paulo.
• UK FCDO guidance, last updated October 28, 2026, warns of a high global terrorism threat and notes that attacks in Brazil could be indiscriminate and target crowded places or public gatherings, so travelers should stay alert around major sites in large cities.
• Protests and strikes can occur in Brazilian cities and may turn confrontational even when they start peacefully; police have used rubber bullets and tear gas, so it is best to avoid rallies and leave the area if a crowd feels uncomfortable.
• Favelas border some tourist areas, and the FCDO advises avoiding all favelas, including favela tours and any accommodation or venues advertised as being within one, since the security situation there is unpredictable.
• Theft and robbery are common, particularly on buses and at public beaches, where thieves may target mobile phones between 4pm and 9pm or run through beach areas grabbing belongings; avoid city beaches after dark and keep valuables out of sight.
• Express kidnapping, where victims are forced to withdraw cash from an ATM, has been reported, along with bank card cloning and payment terminal scams, so travelers should watch their cards closely and check amounts before paying.
• Drink spiking, including cases linked to dating apps, and methanol poisoning from counterfeit spirit-based drinks have both been reported in Brazil; keep your own drink in sight at all times and seek urgent medical help if symptoms of methanol poisoning appear.