Exercise Increased Caution
“Updated to add risk indicator for kidnapping. Exercise increased caution in Brazil due to crime and kidnapping.”
Updated Thu, 29 May 2025
Full advisory →Is Recife safe? 🇧🇷
Brazil · Safety report last updated
As of September 2026, Recife scores 51/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Recife is moderately safe for travelers who stick to well-patrolled tourist zones and avoid isolated areas after dark. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and robbery (high risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Recife 🇧🇷
Brazil · Assessed 30 September 2026
51
/ 100
Mostly — take normal precautions
Safer than ~42% of countries
What drives this score
Crime45/100CautionCrime index 63.6 / 100
Sentiment46/100CautionModerately positive
Advisories72Good
Stability63Fair
Health77Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel Amazonas State FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the following river areas towards the west of Amazonas State: along the Amazonas (Amazon) River and its tributaries west of the town of Codajás and east of the town of Belém do Solimões in Amazonas State along any part of the Itaquaí River in Amazonas State along any part of the Japurá River or its tributaries in Amazonas State along the Rio Negro (Black River) and its tributaries north or west of the town of Barcelos in Amazonas State Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.”
Updated 2026-09-29T16:00:43Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)
“Canada's official risk level for Brazil: exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories).”
Updated 2026-09-29T11:25:16.3297158-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Caution
Urban scale factor
1.7M residents
62
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
19.3 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
27
Robbery / mugging
HighArmed robbery and mugging risk is elevated, particularly on beaches after dark and in isolated streets; use app-based transport and avoid walking alone at night.
Pickpocketing
HighPickpocketing and bag-snatching are common in crowded markets, on public buses, and during festivals like Carnival; keep bags zipped and front-facing.
▸ 4 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Caution
Traveller sentiment score
Moderately positive
46/100
Reported feel55Moderately positive
Robbery risk34High risk
Pickpocket risk58High risk
Recent traveler reports indicate visitors feel reasonably safe in well-touristed areas like Boa Viagem and Recife Antigo during the day, but express caution about nighttime movement and isolated streets, leading to a mixed but generally manageable perception of safety.
Recife is moderately safe for travelers who stick to well-patrolled tourist zones and avoid isolated areas after dark.
Recife's safety profile shows moderate overall risk, driven by elevated homicide and robbery rates, but visitors who confine activities to Boa Viagem, Recife Antigo during daylight, and use app-based transport report feeling secure. Street crime remains the primary concern, particularly pickpocketing and opportunistic robbery in crowded settings.
Recent developments
- Mar 2026Beach vendors on Boa Viagem offering marijuana or cocaine to tourists, followed by fake plain-clothes police demanding USD to avoid arrest— beforeyougotravels.com
- Jul 2026Recife safety score rated 51/100 (Moderate) with crime data, unsafe areas, and scams documented— ismytripsafe.com
- Sep 2026Live weather, advisory, disaster, and health notices monitored for Recife; no active disaster alerts within 500 km— travelriskcalculator.com
- Apr 2026Updated guidance emphasizes staying in stronger hotel corridors like Boa Viagem, using app-based transport after dark, and respecting shark and flood warnings— brazilsafetravel.com
Common scams
- Beach vendors offering drugs followed by fake police demanding cash to avoid arrest
- Unlicensed guides or taxi drivers overcharging or taking tourists to unsafe areas
- Taxi drivers claiming lack of change for large bills to short-change tourists
Full briefing
Recife presents a moderate safety risk for travelers, primarily due to street crime rather than political instability or environmental hazards. While the city has a high homicide rate nationally (19.3 per 100k), visitors who limit their movements to well-patrolled areas such as Boa Viagem beachfront and Recife Antigo during daylight hours report feeling safe. The U.S. and Canadian advisories urge increased caution due to crime and kidnapping risks, but these are largely mitigated by avoiding isolated areas, especially after dark, and using verified transport. The UK FCDO does not currently advise against travel to Recife itself, focusing its warnings on remote Amazonian river areas.
Recent traveler-focused sources confirm that petty theft and opportunistic robbery are the most common issues, particularly in crowded markets, on public buses, and on beaches after dark. A notable scam involves beach vendors offering drugs followed by fake police demanding cash to avoid arrest — a tactic documented in Boa Viagem as recently as March 2026. Other risks include unlicensed guides, taxi drivers short-changing tourists with large bills, and pickpocketing during festivals. Travelers are advised to use ride-share apps or registered taxis, avoid walking alone at night, keep valuables out of sight, and stay in accommodations with strong security in tourist corridors.
Daytime visitor sentiment is moderately positive, with many feeling secure in hotel zones and historic centers when basic precautions are taken. However, confidence drops after dark, especially on beaches or in deserted streets. Shark warnings and water-quality flags at Boa Viagem should be heeded before swimming, and seasonal flooding between April and July can disrupt movement — though September poses no extreme weather risks. By staying alert, using app-based transport at night, and confining activities to well-known tourist areas, visitors can enjoy Recife’s culture and beaches with a manageable level of risk.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Recife districts for visitors: 3 safer, 3 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Recife safety map.
Santo AmaroavoidHigh robbery and mugging rates; multiple sources flag as dangerous for tourists, especially at night.
CoqueavoidFrequent armed robberies and carjackings; advised against by travel safety sites for visitors.
Recife Antigo (Historic Center)cautionGenerally safe by day with tourist police; avoid after dark due to muggings and deserted streets.
DerbycautionMixed-use area; daytime okay but increased pickpocketing and bag snatching reported near markets.
Ilha do LeitecautionIsland neighborhood; central parts safe by day, but avoid peripheral areas after dark due to theft reports.
Boa ViagemsaferMain tourist beach corridor with hotel density and regular patrols; petty theft possible but violent crime rare during day.
Casa FortesaferResidential zone with lower crime; well-used by locals and safe for daytime visits.
PinasaferBeachfront district with good infrastructure; safe for tourists, especially near hotels and main avenues.
07 · After Dark
Is Recife safe at night?
48% of people in Brazil say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2021).
Armed robbery and mugging risk is elevated, particularly on beaches after dark and in isolated streets; use app-based transport and avoid walking alone at night.
After dark, be most careful around Santo Amaro, Coque, Recife Antigo (Historic Center), Derby. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Recife safety FAQ
Is Recife safe for tourists right now?
Recife is moderately safe for travelers who stick to well-patrolled tourist zones and avoid isolated areas after dark. Recife's safety profile shows moderate overall risk, driven by elevated homicide and robbery rates, but visitors who confine activities to Boa Viagem, Recife Antigo during daylight, and use app-based transport report feeling secure. Street crime remains the primary concern, particularly pickpocketing and opportunistic robbery in crowded settings. (Assessed 30 September 2026.)
Which areas of Recife should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Santo Amaro, Coque as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Recife?
- Beach vendors offering drugs followed by fake police demanding cash to avoid arrest
- Unlicensed guides or taxi drivers overcharging or taking tourists to unsafe areas
- Taxi drivers claiming lack of change for large bills to short-change tourists
How does Recife compare with other places in Brazil?
Recife ranks #9 of 9 Brazil destinations we've assessed, scoring 51/100. See the Brazil safety overview for the full list.
How is this Recife safety score calculated?
The score blends 13+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
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4 reportsBrowse the Brazil safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: recife.json (CC BY 4.0).