Rio de Janeiro Photo: Shutterstock Canadian travelers to Brazil have been urged to closely follow the government’s updated travel guidelines amid the rising criminal activity and frequent gang-related violence reported in major urban areas of the South American country.
Tourists should pay particular attention to Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, two of the most beloved destinations here, alongside Belém, Fortaleza, Manaus, Recife, and Salvador. In Rio de Janeiro, Canadians should be extra cautious on the popular beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana.
Unfortunately, things are not looking any brighter beyond these areas, with travelers facing major risks of armed robberies inside restaurants, shopping centers, and even during traffic jams, as due to the rising number of vehicle hijackings that have been reported lately, together with break-ins and sexual assaults.
Authorities note that robberies are often done with guns and knives, mainly targeting individuals who look rich or use their smartphones or laptops in public areas. Another common threat is theft from vehicles by armed assailants on motorcycles, especially in São Paulo and Porto Alegre.
Some tourists are approached by criminals under the guise of selling something or offering help if they appear lost. Travelers should only ask for directions from nearby businesses or hotels and avoid receiving assistance from strangers.
Reports indicate that tourists who resist armed or intoxicated attackers have sometimes been injured or killed.
Ipanema Beach. Photo: Itai AzoulayThe government has also issued clear warnings against all non-essential travel near Brazil’s borders, where organized crime groups are involved in drug and weapon smuggling operations.
Travelers should maintain a safe distance of at least 20 km from the borders with Argentina (except Iguazu National Park), Bolivia (except Pantanal National Park), Colombia, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, and Suriname, and at least 50 km from the border with Venezuela.
Visitors in these regions are advised to exercise extreme caution at all times.