For your next trip or business trip, you want to locate the Favelas of Rio de Janeiro to avoid the dangerous neighborhoods of Rio.
It's true that Rio just like Johannesburg ou Lima is known for having one of the highest crime rates in the world, but don't let that deter you. While there are many dangerous neighborhoods in Rio, there are also safe areas to stay in Rio.
The questions I will try to answer are as follows:
- Is Rio de Janeiro a dangerous city?
- Are favelas dangerous for tourists?
- What crime in Rio de Janeiro?
- Favelas and the most dangerous neighborhoods in Rio?
- What are the safest neighborhoods in Rio?
- Where to stay in Rio in a safe neighborhood for tourists?
I also share with you a Google Map of the neighborhoods and Favelas of Rio de Janeiro. This way, you will be able to identify the most dangerous neighborhoods but also the best neighborhoods to stay in.
This study brings together serious and reliable information from various sources: local press, economic media, studies, rankings and statistics.
Rio de Janeiro dangerous city in 2024
Far from its mythical beaches, its breathtaking landscapes, its samba and its carnival, Rio de Janeiro presents a risk for tourists that travel agencies do not always develop.
Indeed, like many other cities in Brazil (Fortaleza, Sao Paulo, Brasilia), Rio de Janeiro is a dangerous city.
In fact for 2024, according to Numbeo ranking, Rio ranks 4th out of the 142 most crime-ridden cities on the continent of America. With a very high crime index of 77,68, Rio de Janeiro is more dangerous than Los Angeles, Mexico, Cancun , Lima, Bogota, Santiago de Chile ou Medellin en Colombia !
Favelas Rio de Janeiro dangerous for tourists?
Yes, the favelas in Rio de Janeiro can be dangerous for tourists. But the insecurity in Rio de Janeiro is not the same everywhere. Indeed, the highest rates of crime are concentrated in certain areas, particularly in the favelas of Rio.
And even though the crime rate had fallen after police operations during the 2016 Olympics, in 2017 violence returned to the favelas of Rio.
And despite the policy to combat drug trafficking and the Peacekeeping Police Units (UPP), Rio's favelas are still dangerous. Note that police violence and deadly police interventions in favelas are controversial. See the infobae.com article: “ The oficina de Derechos Humanos of the UN conducted the police violence in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro"
It is therefore recommended that tourists avoid all favelas, particularly in the Zona Norte, even if guided tours are organized there.
Map of Rio de Janeiro neighborhoods
Difficult to understand the geographical organization of the city of Rio and to differentiate the districts from the favelas.
In fact, with over 6 million inhabitants, Rio is divided into 33 administrative regions (or districts) with no less than 163 “bairros” (neighborhoods). Some districts are called favelas, others group together several favelas and others have none.
To better understand, we can schematize as follows:
- Central area (Bairro Imperial de São Cristóvão, Benfica, Caju, Catumbi, Centro, Cidade Nova, Estácio, Gamboa, Glória, Lapa, Mangueira, Paquetá, Rio Comprido, Santa Teresa, Santo Cristo, Saúde, Vasco da Gama)
- South Zone (Botafogo, Catete, Copacabana, Cosme Velho, Flamengo, Gávea, Humaitá, Ipanema, Jardim Botânico, Lagoa, Laranjeiras, Leblon, Leme, Rocinha, São Conrado, Urca, Vidigal)
- Zona West (Neighborhoods of Barra da Tijuca and Baixada de Jacarepaguá, neighborhoods of Grande Bangu, neighborhoods of Zona Oeste)
- North Zone (Neighborhoods of Grande Tijuca, neighborhoods of Grande Méier, neighborhoods of Ilha do Governador and Zona da Leopoldina, neighborhoods of Zona Norte).
To better locate the neighborhoods of Rio de Janeiro that we will discuss below, you can click on this carte.
Map of Rio de Janeiro Favelas
The favelas in Rio de Janeiro visible on the city's hills are not all slums. However, they are all very poor neighborhoods in Rio. Illegally occupying public space without a cadastre or property title, these lawless areas bring together many communities that make their own laws.
Some neighborhoods can group together several favelas. For example, the Complexo do Alemao is a district which extends over 5 morros (hills) and which includes 13 favelas with more than 170 inhabitants.
Wikipedia provides a list (not classified by dangerousness) of the main Rio favelas.
To geographically locate a particular favela, you can click on the map and type the name of the Favela: Rio favelas map
The most dangerous favelas and neighborhoods in Janeiro
- Complexo do Alemão: This neighborhood located in the north of the city is controlled by drug gangs and is considered the most dangerous neighborhood in Rio.
- The favela of alligator in the north of the city where Rio's largest drug trafficking gang reigns and the Manginhos favela are among the most violent in the city. See article of the with the BBC.
- The favelas of Maré (130 people) where almost 000 soldiers have occupied the premises since 3.
- Cidade de Deus and Providencia are also making headlines for their violence (see article from May 28, 2020 from infobae.com: Rio favelas no tienen paz, ni siquiera in the pandemic)
- Rocinha, which was the subject of tourist visits, saw a dramatic increase in crime. This large favela of more than 70 inhabitants would still be under the control of the Los Amigos dos amigos gang (see article in the French newspaper the world).
- Mangueira, which has around 40 inhabitants, is one of the oldest favelas in Rio de Janeiro but is still the scene of shootings. See article from October 000: Criminosos trocam tiros com policiais na Mangueira.
Areas to avoid in Rio de Janeiro
The areas to avoid as a priority are all the favelas listed above and the entire West and North area of Rio. But in addition, tourists should also avoid the following areas:
Rio Central Area
In fact, the Rio city center is not residential. If this area is populated during the day, especially in business districts, at night, on weekends and on public holidays, it is almost deserted. So, it is better to avoid this area of Rio de Janeiro.
Be careful, even the neighborhoods around Santa Teresa, which is a charming place during the day, should be avoided especially at night.
Certain places in the South Zone
La South Zone is where the beaches and neighborhoods popular with tourists and rich Brazilians are located. However, this area also includes Rocinha which is now part of Rio's Dangerous Favelas.
On the other hand, the beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema, Leme, Leblon and all other beaches are not safe at night. Indeed, at night, you should avoid deserted and dark places. See precautionary recommendations of the Rio Accueil association.
Where are the safest neighborhoods in Rio de Janeiro?
Located in the southern part of the capital, the most beautiful neighborhoods are also the safest.
Tijuca Bar
In the southwest of the city, Barra de Tijuca is the Miami of Rio de Janeiro! Skyscrapers, beautiful beaches and lagoons, Barra is a chic, modern district where shopping centers display brands like Prada, Burberry or Valentino. See location of this neighborhood
It is, according to the Courrier International: “ The enclave for the nouveau riche where President Bolsonaro lives«
Get on
Urca is a quiet and secure area probably due to the presence of a military base close to the area. See location of this neighborhood
A little away from the hustle and bustle of the seaside districts, Urca has a few tourist interests: Le Pain de Sucre, one of the most beautiful sunsets over the Bay of Rio and the small beaches of Urca and Vermelha .
Leblon
Residential, touristy and a little "blingbling", Leblon is an upscale neighborhood renowned for its beautiful beach, its fashion boutiques and its frenzied evenings to the rhythm of Salsa and Bossa Nova. See location of this neighborhood
Ipanema
This is the most touristic district of Rio de Janeiro. See location of this neighborhood
Luxury shops, bars, clubs, restaurants, Ipanema is also a trendy district renowned for its legendary beach!
Lagoa
Lagoa is a wealthy neighborhood known for its Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas. See location of this neighborhood
The lake is connected to the sea by the Jardim de Ala canal which marks the border between the districts of Leblon and Ipanema.
Best area to stay in Rio de Janeiro
I do not recommend Copacabana which is now a riskier area (the crime rate has increased in recent years).
In my opinion, Ipanema and Leblon are the 2 best neighborhoods for tourists who want to enjoy a safe place, beaches, entertainment and a nice atmosphere. These 2 trendy neighborhoods allow you to enjoy restaurants, nightclubs and fashion boutiques.
Which hotel in Rio de Janeiro?
The hotel that I recommend below is located in one of the most beautiful areas of Rio! Its location is ideal for tourists as it is 100 meters from Ipanema beach and only 500 meters from Copacabana beach.
How to visit Rio de Janeiro?
To visit the unmissable sites of Rio de Janeiro in a pleasant, practical and accompanied way, here is a good plan:
