Town in Minas Gerais, Brazil
Is Ouro Preto safe?
A calm, small town where the main problems are theft in busy spots and slippery, steep streets.
Is Ouro Preto safe?
A calm, small town where the main problems are theft in busy spots and slippery, steep streets. Violence against visitors is rare.
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 Ouro Preto at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Petty theft in crowded festivals and at the bus terminal, and occasional break-ins of parked cars. |
| At night | The centre is lively on weekends thanks to students, and quiet on weekdays. Take a taxi up the hills at night. |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women. The student population makes nights social; normal care on dark hill streets. |
| Other risks | Slippery cobbles and steep stairs in rain; Cold nights in winter with limited heating; Mine tunnels are dark and uneven |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Unlicensed guides charging high fees at the churches
- Mine-tour touts offering low prices then adding extras
Take care
- Steep cobblestones in rain: frequent falls
- Streets late at night in some outer neighborhoods
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 Ouro Preto 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 Ouro Preto safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women. The student population makes nights social; normal care on dark hill streets.
Is Ouro Preto safe at night?
The centre is lively on weekends thanks to students, and quiet on weekdays. Take a taxi up the hills at night.
What is the crime rate in Ouro Preto?
Petty theft in crowded festivals and at the bus terminal, and occasional break-ins of parked cars. Nationally, Brazil records 19.3 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Ouro Preto?
Police 190 · Ambulance 192 · Fire 193.
More about Ouro Preto
Going to Ouro Preto solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Ouro Preto meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Prefeitura de Ouro Preto
- UNESCO World Heritage: Historic Town of Ouro Preto
- 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.