Let’s be honest. You’ve probably landed on this page because you’ve googled “Is Rio Carnival Safe?”. I don’t blame you, especially if you’ve never been to Brazil before or to a massive celebration/gathering like this. Here’s the honest truth: it’s safe enough, if you don’t make yourself a target. But also, sometimes, you might just be unlucky which also happens to people.

What I can share with you here are just some of the ways to be safe during this carnival period. You might think this post is fear mongering, but all I aim to do is tell you the most common scams, the biggest risks and how you can protect yourself within your control. Honestly, after travelling to over 75 countries, this advice is pretty universal for travelling regardless. It is not just for carnival.

Also, I definitely can’t stop laughing that this post is over 2600 words… You can definitely see my HSE/Risk Management brain coming into effect here! Maybe that and well over two decades of travel experiences.

If this is your first time going to Rio Carnival, don’t forget to check out this post: Designed as a First Timer’s Guide to Carnaval!

The Main Risks/Scams

Phone Theft

Electronics in Brazil are expensive so a lot of people resort to phone snatching. They are the biggest target because everyone has one now. Having your phone stolen is especially difficult in today’s era because our lives are literally all on our phones – photos, banking, messaging, contacts etc. Here are just some ways to keep your phone as safe as possible.

• Use a wrist/body strap.
  Now, this doesn’t mean your phone won’t be stolen but at least it gives you a few seconds to react. I always think straps gives you a false sense of security but it is a popular way to keep it secured to you.
  Even if you’re using a strap, for the love of all things good, don’t just leave it dangling across your body. You’re just making yourself a target!
• Avoid back pockets.
  I know in some countries, it might be habit to put your phone in your back pocket. Let’s unlearn this habit. Crowds are dense, there’s almost zero personal space, while people are bumping into you, you might not realise if someone sees it as an opportunity to knick something.
• Minimise filming in dense spaces.
  I’m not gonna say don’t film because we all know, you will. I will say minimize filming. Just have a quick look around, take that quick video or photo and keep your phone away. You also would rather be part of the moment than watching it through your phone screen!
• Try not to let your guard down in the uber.
  Rideshares are a great way to get around. Depending on the uber you get, sometimes the windows are down because the AC doesn’t work or the doors won’t lock properly. While it feels like a safe space, you’re unknowingly making yourself a target using your phone in the car. Especailly at junctions or stop signs/lights.
• Consider a secondary phone.
  If you’re fortunate enough to have another phone, considering using that so it’s not a complete lost if it does get stolen.

Pickpocketing

• Avoid back pockets.
  Similar to my advice with your phone, try to break the habit of putting your valuables in your back pocket. Someone “accidentally” bumping into you only to knick your wallet… oof, it’s not a fun way to finish off carnival!

Flashy jewelry

Leave your fancy jewelry/engagement rings/branded items at home. All these things, unfortunately scream that you’ve got money. I know in some cultures, people use branded items to show status. Trust me, no one will be noticing your status, just that you’ve got money. It’s truly not worth making yourself a target!

• Don’t wear a dupe engagement ring.
  A piece of advice I’ve seen people share is to wear a dupe of your engagement ring… Please don’t do this. The mugger isn’t going to realise what’s real or fake. All they are going to see is that it’s flashy and an easy grab.
• Avoid gold/silver plated jewelry.
  Another ill-placed advice is to wear gold-plated jewelry. Yea, no one is going to stop to check if it’s plated or 18k gold when they mug you. You can find so many fun pieces of jewelry to wear – like conch shell necklaces and acrylic earrings.
• Leave your flashy watch at home.
  Once again, don’t try to wear a dupe of it. During carnival, I kept my diving watch off my wrist. It’s not the most expensive watch but people aren’t gonna see that it’s a dive computer, they are just gonna see it’s a flashy watch.

Open tote bags or handbags

I’m truly not a fan of open handbags – I don’t know why people use them. I’m very much a “this handbag needs a zip” kinda girl. Might look ugly, but at least I know my valuables are relatively safe! Some people are very skilled at dipping their hands in your bag without you realizing. You wallet, phone, anything of value – poof, gone.

Even while using a tote bag for the beach, my valuables are still in a zipped bag at the bottom of the bag, attached to the tote.

Bringing your passports out? Think again.

Repeat after me. Leave the passport back at the accommodation. If you’re gonna need your passport, a copy of it on your phone will suffice.

If you want to enjoy the chaos without it turning into a headache, make sure you read my full Rio Carnival first-timer’s guide so you know exactly what you’re walking into.

Double check the amount before paying

It is easy to just trust people off the bat rather than be suspicious of everyone… Majority of the time, people are honest and are just making a living. But sometimes, you get a dodgy character trying to take advantage. Once you’ve agreed on the cost, just have a look on the machine screen before paying for the amount.

A little known scam is that some vendors will add a “zero” too many. Instead of paying BRL 10, you’ve just paid BRL 100. Majority of the vendors I’ve interacted with will always show me the screen before asking me to tap. If they don’t show it, you can just ask them to show it rather than trusting them blinding. Believe me, I got done with this in Cape Town, South Africa!

Not asking how much something is before purchasing

I will never sit down at a restaurant that doesn’t list its prices on the menu. Neither would I do any sort of souvenir shopping without asking how much something is before saying “okay“. I’m not one to haggle but if I feel like the price is fair or similar to what I’ve paid for previously, I’ll accept it. If it’s too high, I will just walk away. I hate confrontation so I don’t like to buy something, realise the price is either too much for me/priced unfairly and walk away. I’d rather know upfront!

Overcharging for souvenirs/items

This kinda goes into the point above. Maybe you’ve asked how much something costs and you get a tourist price – happens in so many places! This is where I think it’s important to shop around if you think you’re getting stung. Depending on what you’re trying to purchase, you can easily get the items/souvenirs in other shops.

• Large tote bag (at the markets): 15 BRL
• Caipirinhas from a stand: 20 BRL for medium, 30 BRL for large
• Beach Accessories: 10 BRL per chair, 20 BRL per umbrella
• Bikini: 60 – 80 BRL

If you think you’re being overcharged, just move onto the next vendor. Also, I do find that speaking even a bit of Portuguese (or even Spanish – yes I’m aware different languages), you’ll be getting a different price that someone only speaking english 😉

Charging alcoholic prices for non alcoholic drinks

This makes me laugh because we got done for this. You can buy mate from the Mate Man for 10 BRL and add in a spirit (if he has one) or you can buy canned beers. However, we were craving some caipirinhas and instead of going to the sidewalk getting one, we got it off someone selling it. Unfortunately, there was not really any alcohol in them… at least we were very hydrated. It didn’t put us out of pocket too much – 15 BRL for one.

Opportunistic grabbing in dense crowds

This unfortunately is another thing that can happen in so many places. Dense crowds just make it a lot easier for the perpetrator. If possible, go with friends and stick together – looking out for each other. If possible, just keep an eye for any “dodgy characters”.

Not listening to your gut!

Sounds silly, but I personally think we’ve got a sixth sense – your gut being the sixth! It is easy to think that you’re overthinking a situation or overreacting… over the years of travel, I’ve come to trust my gut and listen to it.

I’ve had my backpack stolen in Peru (not listening to my friend’s gut), purse stolen in Cambodia (not listening to my own gut). And thankfully, since I started listening to it, I’ve been pretty lucky – knock on wood. If you for whatever reason feel something is wrong or you feel unsafe – it is best to just get yourself out of there and to somewhere you feel safe.

Not listening to local advice

On par with not listening to your gut, I think we can be pretty dismissive of the advice of locals. Of course, there are some instances I feel that it might be a bit of fear mongering but the advice is well-intentioned. My best advice here is that even if you don’t necessarily want to take on the advice, you should at least keep it at the back of your mind in case you’re in a similar situation.

So, what should I wear to not look like a target?

Honestly, nothing too dissimilar to what you would wear back home. Minus the flashy watches/jewelry. I think clothing wise, you’re pretty much fine to wear whatever you want. Your “main” item for keeping your items safe boils down to what type of bag you carry.

My main accessory during the Rio Carnival period was my bumbag which I used cross body. Actually, if you look at so many photos from my travels, I’m always using this bumbag! I personally have never been a fan of using velcro on my bags and find zippers to be better.

If I am walking around town with my camera, I actually put it into my Uniqlo zipped bag and wear that cross body. In my head, I feel like I can walk around with a camera, drawing a little less attention to myself than either using my camera on a Camera Clip or carrying a camera bag.

Getting around safely

Taking the Metro

We took the metro going to the Sambadrone at night and felt completely fine. The only issue was how crowded it was. I honestly felt like we were packed like sardines! For some places, you might be better off taking the Metro because roads could be closed due to the Blocos (street parties). Rather than walking through the blocos or walking around some dimly lit streets, if possible, take the metro.

Ride Sharing Apps

Ubers or other ride sharing apps is probably my other favourite way of getting around. Especially if you don’t need to get somewhere strictly on time. You can probably get the Uber Moto Taxi to zip through traffic if you’re by yourself. For some neighbourhoods if you’re coming back late at night, it’s best to take a vehicle.

I prefer these over taxis because I know the price I’m paying upfront without the meter running and if needed, I can share my ride with someone else as part of the safety feature.

Wandering empty streets late at night

I don’t even like doing this back at home. Especially as a woman. Something you might think to yourself, it’s just a 10min walk. Don’t chance it, ubers are very affordable. While you will probably be fine the majority of the time, there’s always a chance for things to go sideways.

Staying Safe in Blocos

Now, I will be honest. I never really put myself in the middle of a bloco! I’ve been in the sidelines of one. My husband had previously been to blocos years ago and this is his advice:

Agree on a meeting point beforehand

Sometimes you might not have cellphone reception or with such a concentration of people, you might not be able to get proper service. It’ll be good to have a pre agreed meeting point beforehand incase yous get separated from your friends.

Go with at least one other person

I know this is hard to do if you’re a solo traveller but if you do manage to meet others from the same hostel as you, yous could team up and go together. Otherwise, there are groups on facebook you could join to meet other solo travellers planning the same blocos as you and go together.

Hydrate yourself

I feel like I’m showing my age here but when I say hydrate yourself, I don’t mean beers or caipirinhas count! Drink water between your alocholic drinks… I’m personally not someone who enjoys getting absolutely smashed in large crowds so I like to remain a certain level of sobriety. Don’t worry, I’m still enjoying myself but at least I’m still very much aware of my surroundings.

Pace yourself

So many blocos, so little time…? No, not really! True, there can be up to a hundred blocos throughout the city during Carnival but that doesn’t mean you have to go to all. Pick which one you think will fit your vibe and run with that. Also, don’t forget to eat… I did a bit of a rookie move on my first day of Oktoberfest and didn’t eat – oops. I was feeling really rough the next day.

Stay safe. Have fun.

Carnival is definitely an experience and a beast all on its own. I’ve been to large celebrations over the years but none quite like this. It’s loud, sweaty, crowded and wild! I think my favourite thing about it is how much energy pulses through the city. It’s all community driven, joyful and for the most part, a safe experience.

Unfortunately, while having fun, many people will let their guard down. Some will see this and take advantage of it. Stay alert. Trust your gut. Don’t overdo it. I hope this safety guide gives you a bit more of an idea on how to protect yourself without sacrificing your fun and enjoyment. I don’t mean to try and put you off it – I follow the school of thought that if you have the information, you’ll use what applies to you most.

A quick run through: Rio Carnival Safety

Is Rio Carnival safe for tourists?

Yes. Most tourists experience Carnival without any major issues. The biggest risk is petty theft, not violent crime.

What is the biggest danger at Rio Carnival?

Phone theft and pickpocketing in crowded areas.

Is Rio safe during Carnival compared to normal times?

Police presence is increased during Carnival but of course with the large crowds, it does create more opportunities for petty crime.

Is Uber safe in Rio during Carnival?

Yes. Uber is generally safer and more predictable than street taxis. Avoid using your phone near open windows at traffic stops.

Is the metro safe during Rio Carnival?

Yes. It is crowded but efficient and commonly used by locals and tourists.

Should I bring my passport to Rio Carnival?

No!! Leave it at your accommodation. Carry a digital copy instead.

Is Rio Carnival safe for solo female travellers?

I would say so… Just take the same precautions you would in any large festival.

What neighborhoods are safest during Rio Carnival?

Generally the Zona do Sul is safe – Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon. But with anything, avoid travelling down dark alleys or unfamiliar roads. Take an uber around if needs be.

Rio Carnival is incredible but it’s a lot… so if it’s your first time, start with my full Rio Carnival guide to understand how it all actually works before you dive in.