Hi, Mary Lee
Violence is a big problem in Brazil but I will not get philosophical at this point. São Paulo, Rio, and other big cities as well as many other places are quite dangerous. We lived in Sao Paulo, Rio and Porto Alegre for many years and really got tired of all the mess. We now live in peaceful Florianópolis in the southern state of santa Catarina. Of course, there are problems everywhere and you must know you may and may not go but here, on this beautiful island, you can still jog in woodland areas on your own and get to the other side safe and sound. It is very good to be able to say something like that!
Margaret
+55 48 3234 7848
+55 48 8844 2169
Skype: marlington

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Hi, Mary Lee
Violence is a big problem in Brazil but I will not get philosophical at this point. São Paulo, Rio, and other big cities as well as many other places are quite dangerous. We lived in Sao Paulo, Rio and Porto Alegre for many years and really got tired of all the mess. We now live in peaceful Florianópolis in the southern state of santa Catarina. Of course, there are problems everywhere and you must know you may and may not go but here, on this beautiful island, you can still jog in woodland areas on your own and get to the other side safe and sound. It is very good to be able to say something like that!
Margaret
+55 48 3234 7848
+55 48 8844 2169
Skype: marlington

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Yes, but Floripa has terrible weather many times a year!
I think the less you look like a Gringo the better but especially do not wear necklaces, watches and rings that look really expensive.
I have lived in Fortaleza for well over 6 years and have not been bothered, but i know others that have.
However, as someone pointed out, all big cities have crime problems!
You can easily get mugged on Fifth Avenue in NYC!
Andy Neill
Fortaleza, Brazil

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Hi there!
I hear some good things about Floripa but the bad things I hear are about the weather.
It's far to the south of where I am for example, and it gets a lot like parts of the US or the very southern part of BC in Canada. In some parts of Santa Catarina, they actually have snow and ice.
If you prefer a climate like that, then it's probably a good place for you, and there may well be less crime, I don't know.
I personally wanted to get away from Snow and ice and chose the Northeast coast in Fortaleza, where to most, if not all of my clients who have visited, the climate is as close to perfect as you can get in a big city.
Andy Neill
Fortaleza, Brazil

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Hi, Andy
Have you ever been to Florianópolis? It is not true that it rains forever here. This is a sub-tropical island above all and that involves some rain which keeps the area really green and lush. The good thing about the weather here is that is varies according to each season but it is never too cold or too hot except for the summer months. This year was an exception as it was cold even in very hot regions of the country (cattle froze to death - literally - in the Mato Grosso region). About the snow: yes, it may snow on the hills miles away from here for a couple of days if winter is really extreme but snow does not affect us at all and it helps tourism. I have experienced extreme cold and extreme heat while actually living in places and surely prefer a break in temperatures every now and then as well as some blessed rain. But it is up to each one to choose. Your clients love the weather in Fortaleza while 'they visit'. 'Visiting' is not the same as living in extremely hot condition all the time. I just could not bear it and have found that most foreigners seeking to buy property in Brazil ask a lot about how HOT the place is. Very high temperatures and sticky conditions worry them. And, YES, this is still a very safe island. You should probably come down for a visit and see it for yourself. It is really worth a visit. It is a great place. Islands are islands and as such Florianópolis is bound to become an increasingly exclusive place. And there are no sharks in our sea which is good for MaryLee who likes to swim.
Have a nice weekend, Margaret

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Hi there!
I'm not just talking about people who "visit" and then leave to enjoy their own climate, whatever that may be, I'm talking about folks who actually LIVE here and have for a long time.
I know you have more like the 4 seasons down there and that's fine for those who long to be back in North America or Europe...but personally and agreeing with the many Brazilians from the south who have come here to retire, I like the fact that on any day, you can get up, go to the beach or walk on Beira Mar or at a barraca...and NOT have to worry about weather.
The "rainy season" we have here consists of a few days a month when we get an early morning shower of about 10 minutes and then maybe one in the late evening, about the same. There may also be one overnight.
Out of a month during the time from December to June, it's possible to lose a day or two to cloudy weather when a daytime shower may happen, but the fact is we get around 300 sunny days a year!
Not bad.
But what I see on the newscasts up here concerning the weather in Santa Catarina State isn't pretty, and I know Floripa is not exactly like those news reports.
I would like to visit ALL of Brazil because I think they all have something special and maybe in the future I'll be ble to do that.
Let's just agree that if I know someone coming who is looking for the Floripa type of climate, I will refer them and if you do likewise for Fortaleza, it should work fine.

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Your original question was about crime, not about the weather or a certain city -so I'll stick to the point.

Crime is a factor in Brazil because of the poor people and drug problems. Certainly some areas are safer than others. I'm an American living in Rio. I have learned to blend in, not speak English loudly, and just watch yourself. You just don't want to draw attention to yourself.

But even here, there has been a big difference the past six months. More police, less crime, and people in general have noticed a big difference. Brazil is 'attacking' the problem in anticipation of the World Cup in '14 and Olympics in '16.

Just have some street smarts, blend in, and stay smart and you will be fine!!

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Hi there!
I agree with the poster above. Crime is a problem in all big cities. I can't speak about Rio where it HAS been a problem but I would think the government would want that not to be as big a concern with World Cup and th Olympics coming. They have more at stake than any other city in the country.
Here in Fortaleza, under the current governor, there has been a move to have more police on the streets but i have no information on how that has affected the crime rate here.
As I stated, I have never been "assaulted" but my wife, who is Brazilian, lost the bag over her shoulder with 2 cell phones and her CD player along with a small amount of cash. The cards in her wallet were found later by someone on a bus and she got them back. that's unusual.
I have lost a cell phone before but that was my own carelessness and not actual theft.
I know of others who say they have been assaulted but I don't have first hand knowledge.
But I agree about not looking like a Gringo and don't wear flashy stuff.
If this country could get a better handle on poverty, it would heplp in the fight against crime.

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Movingsoon, I saw your comment about living in Rio so perhaps you should change your handle to Movedalready. LOL Seriously, what part of Rio do you live in. My wife wants to go back to Leblon where she spent her youth and where her mother stilll lives. She goes to Rio every year to spend time with her 88 year old mother and says that Rio has changed a lot for the better during the past years and Leblon is the place many TV stars are residing which has driven up the real estate prices there.

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I agree with the change of name...didn't think that far ahead in the future when I joined!!

Anyway, in the past year real estate prices all over have gone up about 15-20 %. I live in Barra da Tijuca part of Rio and construction is crazy here. Barra is the center of the Olypics in '16 so building is nuts here.

But all over its getting higher in anticipation. Leblon has always been pricey. Leblon, Copacabana, and the immediate area are nice places but prices are certainly going up....

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Moving, we have friends in Rio that lived in Barra and moved back to Leblon because of the distance factor and the condomium fees they were paying for ammenities they weren't using like tennis courts, swimming pool, etc. Of course, if you don't have to go to work in Rio center than Barra is the best.

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Ferney-If I didn't have kids in school here in Barra, then I'd live in Copacabana. Condo fees are a little pricey but I will say that where we live part of the fee is for the condo bus...which makes it pretty nice. Saves wear and tear on the car, saves gas, and gets me to downtown or Copa or where ever just as fast as if I had to drive it... plus i don't have to fight the regular bus OR traffic and I can take a nap on the way home in air conditioning!
Guess its part of the give and take!

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Formula One racing in Brasil this weekend. These teams spend big money on everything, including security. Despite this, one team was robbed at gun point and relieved of their briefcases. The racecar driver got away in his armoured car, driven by a hired police officer.

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I've been in Macae for 10 months now and I know of 5 people that have been mugged at gun point or a knife during the daylight. One was a 15 yr old teen. I'm sick of this place and take heed... stay in the USA. The company that my hubby works for (the workers there) treat him horrible. He's not the first.. our friend is on loan from Louisiana and he wanted to go back within 4 days. I've never experience such hatred from people. In india the people are nice and even if they are dirt poor they're nice. I've been lied to so many times.. we've had it with brazil. The local women try to land a rich expat man... its pathetic. If you do have to live here, get a big dog, they're terrified of dogs. Good luck!

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Yeah regarding Macae, I have a nephew (in-law) who moved from there to regiao dos lagos because crime was so bad.

For me, experiences in Rio were many times worse than Sao Paulo go figure and I really appear to look like Brazilians (as in lite coffee skin - mixed race) and about 75% fluent. Some people like tropical hot weather some like all seasons some like mild USA west coast weather (myself) so I really enjoyed Minas and Juiz da Fora in particular. I prefer smaller yet medium sized cities that have all the amenities. You;d never catch me in RJ or SP. although Salvador was great in the mid-90s. Now , I believe there is a lot of crime. Watch their local news and you'll have a better idea of what happens. But overall, very nice & warm people, There's always a few young rebels to spoil it.

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I live in Brasilia, Brazil capital. Where crime rate and income are like Finland. But prices is like Manhattan. There are more than 100 embassies and a 5 or 6 international schools. I recommend!

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hardly read worst stuff than this.

@The company that my hubby works for (the workers there) treat him horrible.

people, you are treated as you treat others. i am german and i can tell you brazil is not that bad. if you don't tell each and every one that you never saw such poor people, everything is so expensive, i got fear to leave my house bla bla bla. people are sick to listen gringos trying to tell them that brazil sucks. they are reading the papers and they are watching tv. brazilians know what is going wrong in brazil.

want to be accepted in brazil? learn the language and leave your condomino to meet some people. to socialize you have to be social.

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To answer your question plain and simple. Crime in Brazil is for European standards high, but in reality it's being overhyped by the media and worse, Hollywood, in the US. Stop watching cheap propaganda (USA is better and the rest sucks) that is bad for your soul and travel, relax and use common sense (that words is almost unexisted with most Foreigners who are hooked to cheap old movies). It's also sad to read that this site is invaded by trolls (i know some people who were mugged and bla bla bla, they always know somebody and stereotype it). Reality is, Crime in Brazil has gone down and trend shows over and over that it's going down...nationwide.

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Marylee, Brazilians also look like "Americans". It's a nation of immigrants from all over the world. Brazilians are white, yellow, light skinned (mixed people ) black and brown (mixed people) have green, grey, blue, brown eyes, blond, dark, brown, red hair or trendy collored (yes new fashion whatever their fashion group is). Please, do yourself a favour by learning yourself more about Brazil, a Nation you like to visit for vacation or for to stay, because what you typed sounds very ignorant.

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Huh? You're taking offense at something odd. I've lived extensively in Brazil and even have family there so I'd never post something ignorant about Brazilians. I just wanted to know if it's as unsafe as my **Brazilian** friends were telling me. Since it was years ago now, I don't remember what it was that might have offended you, but you certainly have misunderstood whatever it was I said.

I think I've had enough of this forum so I'm leaving now.

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Hi, You have ask an excellent question. Like any city in the world you may care to mention there is crime. However, I am an American who just returned from 7 months in Moocs, less than 1 Km. from the center of Sao Paulo, and I had no problems at all. If you go out at 2300 hrs, and the streets are dark, (which few are) your looking fro trouble. However, I would have less fear in Mooca/Sao Paulo, than in Detroit, Chicago, N.Y., etc than in Sao Paulo.

If you look like a gringo, your an easy target. When you arrive buy some flipflops, a tank top, shorts or peddle pushers, keep you mouth shut in large public stores, or speak softly, nd try to melt in with the crowds. For an American it is difficult to not stand out but you have to try. I have lived overseas for nearly 35 years, and never had any problems. I tried to melt into the surrounding people, and above all else, BE HUMBLE. Don't be the UGLY AMERICAN!
good luck,
Bill Hastings.

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The fact is the question is not suppose to be based on personal experience. This question is fact based. Its a statistical question.

So those people who say crime happens everywhere that statement actually means nothing and proves nothing. The question is does all crime get reported. Brazil seems to report crime. And how much violet crime happens in a city per 100.000 people. That is how you figure out who has more crime or not. And some cities have more crime than others period.

Brazil is a country that has more crime than the United States that is a statistical fact its not subjective. Look it up. Different government agencies report crimes statistics by country.

With that said Rio, has the worst, then Sao Paulo. The south of Brazil has less crime even in their cities compared to northern Brazl.

But this question can not be answered by personal experience.

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If you are intelligent then just give her statistics by a reputable agency.

All your talk about propaganda does not answer her question.

That is why you have to go by statistics, its math it doesn't lie.

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LOL, crime and income are like Finland, I don't think so!

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Well i'm in Brazil and i will not lie to you... Brazil is violent. But our homicide rate is something alike Mexico's one.

But in Brazil the main problem is the drug war started after Dictatorship in the 80s. Before that Brazil was quite safe...

Nowadays the crime rates are decreasing but slowly and gradually... Compared to US or Europe its very high.

And that thing about Southern States being more safe IS NOT TRUE.

Parana State is the third with the highest homicide rate and Rio Grande do Sul State the 8th. Piaui, the poorest State in Brazil has the lower crime rates... Something alike US rates...

Alagoas and Bahia are the two highest with rates alike Northern Mexico's rates... After them come Pernambuco State and Parana State.

Sao Paulo state has one of lowest rates but many people are arguing that those rates are underestimated and manipulated.

If you want a mix of good climate, beautiful people and "lower" crime rates you would go the next cities:

Joao Pessoa - Paraiba State

Natal - Rio Grande do Norte State

Santos - São Paulo State

Florianopolis - Santa Catarina State

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My experience being a New Zealander living in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro is that it's just like anywhere, There are parts that are relatively safe (Zone Sul Rio de Janeiro) and there are parts that you just would'nt want to or need to go to (Zona Norte). Saying that some friends rwere robbed at a bus stop on a Saturday afternoon in Copacabana. The news here loves reporting crime. I remember when I did a Psyc 101 paper something about peoples perception of crime is much higher than their actual exposure to it becuase of media over-reporting it. Crime here is not just murders and gangs it is also fraud and theft which I have sadly experienced three times now. You need to be really careful when using your credit/debit card anywhere. Luckily my bank in NZ has reimbursed me for the R$5,800 that was taken from my account. With that said, it's a marvelous country, the vast majority of people are fantastic but as a gringo you are definitely a target...just try not to look or act like one.

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Hi there I'm from Santos is it true about Santos? That's soo nice to hear! how do you know this? I'm brazilian away for 12years living in Australia. My hubby is English-Australian not keen to live in Santos for good but I had enough of being away from my family and not having his around either doesn't work too expensive to go to both countries anyway...thanks

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I have been to Brazil ~30 times during the past ~14 years, sometimes for only a week, sometimes for 10 weeks for a total of ~15 months. I have stayed in Rio, Brasilia, Florianapolis, Goiania, Campinas, Sao Jose do Rio Preto, Belo Horizonte, Pelotas, Joao Pessoa, among others. I (and my Brazilian gf) have never been bothered, but I tend to dress like the locals. If I wear a watch, it is a cheap one and I dont wear jewelry. I have been lucky so far. Some cities are worse than others, particularly Sao Paulo, Rio, Recife, and Salvador, but all of the large cities have sections one should avoid. But then, so does Chicago, San Francisco, NY, St. Louis, Dallas, etc.

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