This February, the US Embassy in Brazil issued a warning to its citizens who are going to enjoy Carnival in the country, which will take place in early March. The French General Consulate in Rio de Janeiro also disclosed a similar document. According to the diplomatic missions, the documents include security recommendations for people to better enjoy the festivities. Some of the instructions include “avoiding favelas” and attention to drug scams at meetings.
Rio de Janeiro stands out globally for its vibrant Carnival festivities in the middle of the city’s most busy season, the Summer. That is why a substantial influx of visitors from across the country and around the world come to the city. During this period, the Rio has plenty of private and public gatherings, performances, the traditional street “blocos”, and parades at Marquês de Sapucaí. Furthermore, the beaches become an almost mandatory location for a visit, where large crowds gather seeking to refresh themselves and rest.
Nevertheless, this period becomes a great opportunity for criminals. Crowds of relaxed individuals become easy targets for illicit activities, and the security forces find themselves under heightened pressure due to increased demands.
This situation leads to a sudden surge in various petty crimes, particularly property-related offenses. Street robberies, thefts, and mass robberies, particularly on the beaches and during heavy traffic, become more prevalent during this time.
Scams also pose a significant risk, taking advantage of tourists’ unfamiliarity with the local customs and culture. To steer clear of such schemes, it is crucial to familiarize yourself with the typical practices of the locals, ensuring you are not susceptible to deception.
Beyond the beaches, pools, and the Carnival “blocos”, the risks increase in many other locations, including nightclubs, airports, subway stations, bus terminals, and even within vehicles. Even well-regulated establishments like hotels are not immune to being targeted.
Therefore, exercising extreme caution in the upcoming weeks is strongly recommended.
Here are some guidelines to ensure a secure and enjoyable experience during the Carnival festivities:
- Avoid unnecessary exposure of valuables/expensive items
- Maintain heightened situational awareness: Be cognizant of your surroundings at all times. Given the increased crowds and potential for opportunistic actions, staying alert can help minimize risks
- Try to travel in a group, preferably with local friends. At night, avoid walking on the streets alone
- Never travel by bus. Avoid the metro at night, as well as stations from the North Zone. Prefer taxis from cooperatives or call one through the App Taxi.Rio
- In Brazil, the cell phone is the most targeted item by thieves and robbers. With the smartphone in hand, criminals can access bank accounts, and social networks, carry out financial transactions, and steal data, causing harm to the victim that goes beyond replacing the device. Whenever possible, use a cheap or old cell phone to use it in the street “blocos” and similar situations. In addition, increase your cell phone protection
- Divide your money into two separate pockets, and some in a hidden pocket if possible
- If possible, store documents, cards, cell phones, and money in a money belt (small bag used under your clothes)
- Always carry a copy of your passport with you, but leave the original in a safe place
- Enjoy the festivities responsibly by moderating alcohol intake. Excessive consumption may impair judgment and increase vulnerability to various risks
- Attention to one of the most common scams at Carnival: the credit card scam
Popular Scam
Normally, these scans are carried out by malicious street vendors or drivers (taxi etc.). They take advantage of the customer’s distraction to memorize the password or induce the client to enter the code in the purchase amount field. Already aware of the password, the fake merchant exchanges the card and returns another very similar.
– Before entering the password, check that the value typed is correct
– Do not use a machine with a broken display or that does not allow data to be read
– Be alert if your password numbers appear on the machine screen after type
– Do not lose sight of your card.
- In case of a verbal offense, very common during festivities with a lot of drug and alcohol consumption, do not pay attention and move away calmly. If the aggressor insists on following you, look for your group and the local authorities
- When approached by a criminal, keep calm and do not make sudden moves. Give him your valuables and let him go
- Never forget to notify the authorities about the crime, especially if you lost an official document with sensitive personal data. Some crimes can be initially reported online. For that purpose, Rio de Janeiro Civil Police, and the São Paulo police have dedicated webpages. After that, it is necessary to finalize the process at a police department, but it should be much quicker after filling the online form.
- Keep yourself informed about the schedule and details of Carnival events. Knowing the logistics and timings can contribute to a more organized and secure experience
Street “Blocos“
One of the most popular and traditional ways to celebrate the Carnival in Brazil are the street “blocos”. In 2025, there will be hundreds of official “blocos” – see the official schedule – of different styles in almost every neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro. In São Paulo, it is no different, the “blocos” – official schedule – are expected to parade throughout the whole city. Some security tips can improve this experience:
– In the Carnival “blocos“, do not stand at all in the middle of it, since the chances of being stolen, groped, or squeezed by the crowd are higher. Try to remain on its edges
– If for any reason you end up surrounded by the crowd, remain calm and follow the movement until an opportunity to leave appear
– In crowded areas, inappropriate approaches, especially towards women, are very common. If anyone touches, grabs or coerces you, shout asking for help to people nearby and look for help from your friends and the authorities
– Avoid going to “blocos” that pass through very narrow streets, like the ones from Santa Teresa, and the extremely popular and overcrowded located Downtown (Centro), the case of “Bola Preta” and “Bloco da Preta”
Street “Blocos”
At the Beach
– Bring only the strictly necessary to the beach and do not leave your belongings unattended when you go for a swim. Locals tend to ask other bathers
– Pay attention to strong marine currents, indicated by red flags or warning signs put by the lifeguards on the sand
– If it is not possible to avoid the weekends, prefer going to the beaches outside of peak hours, in the morning, before 11:00, or in the late afternoon, after 15:00
– During holidays or on weekends, the beaches are normally overcrowded, it is when most crimes occur. Hence, whenever possible, prefer weekdays
– In Rio, generally, the beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema, and Arpoador are the ones that have more incidents. The access to and from gang-controlled areas is faster and Arpoador Beach is half enclosed, only having an “exit” to Ipanema
– Prefer quieter beaches, like Leblon and Barra da Tijuca
– Be always attentive to your surroundings, never allow children to move away from you
– If you find yourself in the middle of a mass robbery, be quick: try to remain calm, grab the kids and move with the crowd trying to reach a Municipal Guard or a Military Police nearby. Let your belongings in the sand. The most important is yours and your relatives’ safety
– Check with the local public services the beaches bathing conditions. Thus, you can avoid contact with contaminated water.
Useful Contacts
190 – Military Police
191 – Federal Police
192 – Ambulance (SAMU)
193 – Fire Station
197 – Civil Police
