City in Pernambuco, Brazil
Is Recife safe?
Tourist areas are manageable with care, but robberies are common and some districts are rough.
Is Recife safe?
Tourist areas are manageable with care, but robberies are common and some districts are rough. Use ride apps at night and obey shark warnings.
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 Recife at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Crime | Phone snatching and armed robbery on streets and beaches, bag theft on buses, and muggings in the port area after dark. |
| At night | Boa Viagem's promenade stays busy until late. Elsewhere take Uber or 99 door to door, and don't walk empty streets. |
| Solo women | Catcalling is common but solo women travel here. Use ride apps at night, avoid quiet beaches and watch drinks. |
| Other risks | Shark attacks on Piedade and Boa Viagem; obey warnings; Flooding and landslides in the rainy season; Dengue in the wet season |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Taxi drivers refusing the meter or taking long routes
- Beach vendors overcharging, or adding unordered food to the bill
- Card machines showing higher amounts than the bill
- Friendly strangers on Boa Viagem asking for money after a chat
Take care
- Recife Antigo and Santo Antônio after dark: empty and risky
- Boa Viagem and Piedade beaches: shark attacks and warning flags
- Bus stops and bridges at night: snatch thefts
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 Recife 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 Recife safe for solo female travelers?
Catcalling is common but solo women travel here. Use ride apps at night, avoid quiet beaches and watch drinks.
Is Recife safe at night?
Boa Viagem's promenade stays busy until late. Elsewhere take Uber or 99 door to door, and don't walk empty streets.
What is the crime rate in Recife?
Phone snatching and armed robbery on streets and beaches, bag theft on buses, and muggings in the port area after dark. Nationally, Brazil records 19.3 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Recife?
Police 190 · Ambulance 192 · Fire 193.
More about Recife
Going to Recife solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Metrô do Recife (CBTU)
- Recife Airport (Aena)
- 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.