Is Rio de Janeiro Safe for Tourists in 2026?

Female criminals approach male tourists in bars, clubs, or via dating apps and build a romantic connection before spiking drinks or food with sedatives. The victim is then robbed of cash, cards, and valuables — often in their own hotel room. The US State Department issued a specific warning about this tactic in February 2025, noting around 40 reported cases in Rio de Janeiro in 2024 alone. Victims often wake with no memory of the crime and discover bank accounts drained via mobile transfers.

How to avoid: Never leave your drink unattended and refuse food or drinks brought by someone you just met. Use only official taxi apps to reach your accommodation, do not invite new acquaintances to your hotel room, and share your plans and location with a trusted contact before any evening out.

Where: Lapa nightlife district, Copacabana and Ipanema beachfront bars, hotel lobbies in Zona Sul; also initiated via Tinder, Grindr, and Bumble

Criminals — sometimes posing as rideshare drivers or initiating contact via dating apps — force tourists into vehicles or isolated locations and compel them to drain their bank accounts via Pix (Brazil's instant payment app) and ATM withdrawals before releasing them. The US State Department and multiple security firms flagged this tactic as an evolving threat in Rio de Janeiro in 2024–2025, with criminals specifically targeting foreigners for larger account balances.

How to avoid: Only use pre-booked, verified rideshare apps (99, Uber) and confirm the driver's name and plate before entering. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash and disable large single-transfer limits on your banking apps before arriving. Share your live location with a contact during any night-time transit.

Where: Galeão International Airport taxi queue, Copacabana and Ipanema nightlife zones, side streets off Av. Princesa Isabel in Copacabana

A friendly local befriends a tourist and, during a social gathering, gives them a "gift" of marijuana or another illegal substance. Shortly after, a police officer — real or fake — intercepts the tourist claiming they received a tip about the drugs, and demands a large cash bribe (R$500–2,000) to avoid arrest. The friendly local and the officer are often working together. This scam is reported in multiple accounts from Lapa and Santa Teresa nightlife areas.

How to avoid: Never accept drugs or any unsolicited gifts from new acquaintances, however trustworthy they seem. If approached by a police officer while carrying anything questionable, request to go to an official delegacia (police station) rather than paying on the spot — real officers do not collect on-street bribes.

Where: Lapa nightlife zone particularly after midnight, Santa Teresa streets near Bar do Mineiro, favela-adjacent areas popular with adventurous tourists

Tourists who walk the unofficial hiking trail between Cosme Velho and the summit of Corcovado — rather than taking the official cogwheel train — have been subject to armed robbery and assault in isolated sections of the trail. The UK FCDO specifically warns about this route, noting that while police may be present at the trailhead, there is no law enforcement presence along the trail itself. Travel bloggers and multiple TripAdvisor contributors have documented incidents occurring mid-trail, typically by individuals who emerge from the dense forest.

How to avoid: Take the official cogwheel train operated by Trem do Corcovado from the Cosme Velho station rather than walking the trail. Do not hike alone and do not carry your primary phone or valuables on any trail segment. If you do hike, go in a group during daylight hours only and stay on the marked main path.

Where: Hiking trail between Cosme Velho (Rua Cosme Velho, 513) and the Christ the Redeemer summit; isolated mid-trail section through Tijuca Forest is highest risk