City in Santa Catarina, Brazil
Is Balneário Camboriú safe?
One of Brazil's safer beach cities: Santa Catarina has low violent crime.
Is Balneário Camboriú safe?
One of Brazil's safer beach cities: Santa Catarina has low violent crime. Petty theft and drunken fights on the promenade are the main concerns.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2025-05-28.
- Homicide rate in Brazil: 19.3 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Brazil: 16.0 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 190 · Ambulance 192 · Fire 193.
Safety in Balneário Camboriú at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Phone and bag snatching on the beach and promenade, theft from cars, and fights around nightclubs on busy summer weekends. |
| At night | Avenida Atlântica and the clubs stay busy and well lit until dawn. Take an Uber or 99 home rather than walking dark side streets. |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women, with a busy, well-policed beachfront. Expect some catcalling, and watch drinks in clubs. |
| Other risks | Rip currents on busy summer days; Sudden summer storms and heavy rain; Dengue in the rainy summer |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Overpriced beach-chair and drink packages for foreigners
- Nightclub staff adding service fees or unlisted charges
Take care
- Beach after midnight in summer: drunk crowds and snatch thefts
- Sunbathing with phones or bags left unattended
- Nightclub exits: fights and spiked drinks
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Carry ID: your passport or a certified copy; police checks happen.
- Any alcohol before driving is illegal, and Lei Seca checkpoints are common.
- Racist or homophobic insults are crimes that can bring prison terms.
How Balneário Camboriú compares in Brazil
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Fernando de Noronha | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Foz do Iguaçu | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Florianópolis | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Jericoacoara | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Ilha Grande | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Paraty | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Búzios | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Pipa | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Itacaré | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Morro de São Paulo | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Chapada Diamantina | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Lençóis Maranhenses | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bonito | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Ouro Preto | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Balneário Camboriú | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Porto de Galinhas | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Gramado | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Rio de Janeiro | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| São Paulo | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Salvador | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Recife | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Fortaleza | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Manaus | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Natal | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Maceió | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Belo Horizonte | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Brasília | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Curitiba | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Porto Alegre | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Belém | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Balneário Camboriú safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women, with a busy, well-policed beachfront. Expect some catcalling, and watch drinks in clubs.
Is Balneário Camboriú safe at night?
Avenida Atlântica and the clubs stay busy and well lit until dawn. Take an Uber or 99 home rather than walking dark side streets.
What is the crime rate in Balneário Camboriú?
Phone and bag snatching on the beach and promenade, theft from cars, and fights around nightclubs on busy summer weekends. Nationally, Brazil records 19.3 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Balneário Camboriú?
Police 190 · Ambulance 192 · Fire 193.
More about Balneário Camboriú
- Safetyacross Brazil
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- Tap waterin Balneário Camboriú
- LGBTQ+ friendlyin Balneário Camboriú
- Healthcare & insurancein Balneário Camboriú
- Solo travelin Balneário Camboriú
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Diário do Transporte: BC Bus Tarifa Zero tender (Feb 2026)
- Balneário Camboriú City Hall
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.