Carnival Season in Brazil: How to Stay Safe in the Crowd

Brazil’s Carnival draws millions to major cities like Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Recife, and São Paulo, along with smaller towns across the country between February 13 and February 21, 2026. Each destination offers unique experiences, from Rio’s iconic Sambódromo parades to Salvador’s street block parties, “blocos,” but they also present distinct security challenges as well. Here’s how to enjoy the festivities while keeping yourself and your belongings safe.

Rio de Janeiro: Sambadrome & Street Parties

• • Physical Safety: Rio’s Carnival attracts up to 8 million people. Crowds of 2 million people on the streets celebrating are not uncommon during the five-day celebration.

    • Stick to well-lit areas, avoid favelas and isolated streets, and use official transportation like private drivers or apps like 99 or Uber instead of hailing taxis.

      • Sambódromo lasts all night into the early morning. The stadium holds up to 90,000 spectators, and streets are shut down surrounding the stadium, resulting in difficulties navigating transport to and from the event. Travelers should pre-arrange a safe meeting point with a familiar driver and be on heightened alert when walking through the city center, “Centro” at night.

    • Since the 2016 Olympics, many favelas have become safer with increased police presence. However, despite Carnival celebrations, it’s best to avoid visiting favelas, even those considered ‘pacified,’ such as Santa Teresa, Rocinha, Babilonia, and Vidigal in Leblon.

  • Digital Security: Public Wi-Fi near the Sambódromo is often unsecured. Use a VPN and avoid logging into sensitive accounts. Beware of fake ticketing websites and make sure to purchase tickets only from official sources.

Salvador: Blocos & Trio Eléctrico

• • Protect Your Belongings: Salvador’s Carnival is famous for its street blocos and music trucks. Wear a money belt or an anti-theft pouch and leave jewelry at home.

  • Prevent Drink-Spiking: Never leave your drink unattended. Only accept drinks you personally buy and keep in sight, avoid drinks from strangers, stay with trusted friends, and remain alert to your surroundings.

    • “Boa Noite Cinderela” or “Good Night Cinderella” is a common tactic thieves use to rob tourists by spiking their drinks and food with sedatives.

  • Mobile Safety: Enable Find My Device and keep your phone locked. Maintain heightened awareness when using your phone on the street or around people, as phone theft is common, especially from motorbikes driving by. Consider using a secondary phone for the event to minimize risk.

Recife & Olinda: Frevo & Cultural Parades

• • Crowd Awareness: These cities have narrow streets and steep hills, which are perfect for Frevo dancing but challenging for security. Plan your route ahead of time and avoid carrying large bags.

  • Social Media Tips: Post photos after leaving the event to avoid real-time location sharing. Criminals monitor social media during Carnival.

São Paulo: Urban Carnival

• • Financial Security: São Paulo’s blocos are spread across the city. Use contactless payments or secure mobile wallets. Avoid ATMs near event areas, as they’re common targets for skimming.

  • Cyber Hygiene: Disable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi auto-connect. Cybercriminals exploit these features in crowded urban settings.

General Tips for All Cities

• • Emergency Prep:

    • Save local emergency numbers and your embassy contact.

    • Carry a portable charger and keep digital copies of your passport in a secure cloud folder.

    • Plan entry and exit transportation routes carefully. Stay on the edges of the crowd, always have view of the nearest exit point in a crowded space, and avoid excessive and unknown alcohol.

    • If possible, only use phones inside of an enclosed space. Using your phone on the street for directions, texting, ordering a car etc. could increase the risk of having your device snatched and stolen.

  • Stay Hydrated & Alert: Carnival is physically intense, and fatigue and dehydration make you more vulnerable to physical harm and theft.

    • Brazil’s Carnival is a bucket-list experience, but safety should be part of your celebration plan. By combining physical awareness with strong cybersecurity practices, you can dance to the rhythm of Carnival without worry.

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