Is Paraty safe?
Safe, quiet town with little violent crime. Petty theft, tide flooding and slippery cobbles are the usual issues.
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 Paraty at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Occasional bag snatching and theft from beaches, vehicles and unlocked rooms; crime is low in the historic center. |
| At night | The historic center stays lively until about midnight. Use a taxi or app back to outlying pousadas. |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women; small, social and walkable. Avoid empty beaches and the road to Pontal after dark. |
| Other risks | Slippery cobbles and sudden tide flooding in Centro; Waterfall pools after heavy rain; Dengue in the wet season |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Boat touts selling cheap tours that skip stops
- Restaurants adding a service fee plus a cover charge
- Parking attendants demanding high fees on side streets
Take care
- Historic center at high tide: sudden flooding around Praça da Matriz
- Waterfall pools after rain: strong currents and slippery rocks
- Quiet beaches at night: muggings
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 Paraty 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 Paraty safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women; small, social and walkable. Avoid empty beaches and the road to Pontal after dark.
Is Paraty safe at night?
The historic center stays lively until about midnight. Use a taxi or app back to outlying pousadas.
What is the crime rate in Paraty?
Occasional bag snatching and theft from beaches, vehicles and unlocked rooms; crime is low in the historic center. Nationally, Brazil records 19.3 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Paraty?
Police 190 · Ambulance 192 · Fire 193.
More about Paraty
Going to Paraty solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Prefeitura de Paraty
- Paraty Tourism
- 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.