City in Alagoas, Brazil
Is Maceió safe?
The beachfront strip is comfortable, but Alagoas has high violent crime.
Is Maceió safe?
The beachfront strip is comfortable, but Alagoas has high violent crime. Stay on the Ponta Verde–Jatiúca strip, use apps at night and avoid hills and empty beaches.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 3/5, take real precautions.
- 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 Maceió at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Crime | Phone and bag snatching on the promenade and beaches, theft from parked cars, and armed robberies in quieter streets and favelas at night. |
| At night | The Ponta Verde and Jatiúca promenade is busy until late. Take an Uber or 99 for any other trip and avoid walking on empty beaches. |
| Solo women | Solo women travel here safely on the main beach strip. Expect catcalling; avoid empty beaches and dark streets and use ride apps after dark. |
| Other risks | Reef-pool tides: check the schedule before boat trips; Strong currents on open-sea beaches like Pratagy; Dengue in the rainy season |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Jangada and boat touts adding fees after quoting low prices
- Overpriced beach-chair and food deals along Pajuçara
Take care
- Centro and the Jaraguá port area at night: empty streets
- Beaches away from the main strip after dark: robberies
- Favela edges near Jatiúca and Ponta Verde: avoid walking
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 Maceió 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 Maceió safe for solo female travelers?
Solo women travel here safely on the main beach strip. Expect catcalling; avoid empty beaches and dark streets and use ride apps after dark.
Is Maceió safe at night?
The Ponta Verde and Jatiúca promenade is busy until late. Take an Uber or 99 for any other trip and avoid walking on empty beaches.
What is the crime rate in Maceió?
Phone and bag snatching on the promenade and beaches, theft from parked cars, and armed robberies in quieter streets and favelas at night. Nationally, Brazil records 19.3 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Maceió?
Police 190 · Ambulance 192 · Fire 193.
More about Maceió
Going to Maceió solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Aena Brasil (Zumbi dos Palmares Airport)
- Hospital Memorial Arthur Ramos (Rede D'Or)
- TNH1: 99Food starts in Maceió (Mar 2026)
- 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.