For your next stay in the northeast of Brazil, you want to know which are the areas to avoid and the dangerous neighborhoods in Salvador de Bahia.

Indeed, as in many Latin American countries, some cities in Brazil can be dangerous for uninformed visitors. See the Courrier International article: Brazil wave of terror in the northeast.

So as Salvador de Bahia has its share of crime and risk, tourists should be aware of dangerous neighborhoods and areas to avoid.

Salvador de Bahia, a dangerous city in 2024?

Yes: Just like Rio de Janeiro, Fortaleza, Brasilia ou Sao Paulo, the city of Salvador is among the most dangerous cities in Brazil in 2024.

Indeed, according to France Diplomacy : “The Northeast states are among those with the highest homicide rates in Brazil. » “Regarding the city of Salvador, almost the entire city is marked by strong insecurity. »

This is also confirmed by Canadian government sites (travele.gc.ca), Switzerland (eda.admin.ch), or the United States (travel.state.gov).

And if we study the Numbeo.com ranking, we also see that Salvador is the 4th most dangerous city in South America with a crime index of 76.99.

Indeed, if we compare this index with that of other big cities, Fortaleza is more dangerous than Lima, Santiago de Chile, Bogota and even that Medellin en Colombia.

And if we compare globally, Salvador is also among the most dangerous cities in the world. See the article Most dangerous cities with the highest crime rates in the world or the statistics of worldpopulationreview.com.

According to numbeo.com world ranking, in 2024 the city of Salvador de Bahia is ranked 9th most criminal city in the world, more dangerous than Cape Town, Mexico City ou Sound.

Is Salvador de Bahia safe for tourists?

In terms of security, Salvador de Bahia is considered a city presenting risks for tourists. Although it is a popular destination known for its rich culture, vibrant music and beautiful beaches, it is important for visitors to be aware of the risk of crime in certain neighborhoods. It is essential that tourists take precautions and be vigilant when visiting the city, especially the Pelourinho district, which is the historic center of the city.

Indeed, according to France Diplomacy : » The historic districts of Pelourinho and Santo Antonio can be explored on foot during the day while remaining vigilant. They should be avoided after dark. In all cases, you must stay in areas monitored by the police, as other streets are prone to pickpocketing, often accompanied by violence. »

Violent crime, including armed robbery and assault, can occur in Salvador de Bahia, especially in certain neighborhoods (see list below). It is recommended to avoid these areas, especially at night, and to use licensed taxis rather than public transport. It is also advisable to stay in well-known and reputable establishments and ask the locals for advice on safe places to visit.

Tourists should also be careful when visiting the beaches of Salvador de Bahia. Although the beaches are beautiful and a popular attraction, there have been reports of robberies and assaults targeting tourists.

Areas to avoid in Salvador de Bahia

Salvador de Bahia's most dangerous neighborhoods and favelas are spread all over the city. They represent a significant challenge for the safety and well-being of its inhabitants and visitors.

It is therefore important to know these areas in order to avoid them absolutely. And, it is also essential to look for safe neighborhoods to stay (see end of article) and to take the necessary precautions when going to parts of the city that you do not know.

To identify the dangerous neighborhoods and the best areas to stay in Salvador listed below, here is a map that will help you locate them better: Google Map

Favelas to avoid in Salvador de Bahia

Salvador groups almost half of the 572 favelas in the state of Bahia. They have been identified by the IBGE and are located in 33 municipalities of the city. Each has its own identity, characteristics and not all of them are dangerous. But as a matter of principle, tourists are recommended to avoid them.

Here is the list of the most famous favelas in Salvador to avoid for a tourist stay:

• Saramandaia
• Grande do Retiro Farm
• Clear waters
• paripe
• Rua da Loto
• Community of Morro do Skeleto
• Genivaldo by Jesus Souza
• Baixa do Dique
• Amaral Complex
• hit torch
• Boa Vista Complex
• Chief City
• Condomino das Flores
• itacaranha
• Jardim Cajazeiras
• Neighborhood of Peace
• Areia branca
• Calabar
• Rocinha

Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Salvador Brazil

According to the data sources indicated in the introduction, here is the list of the most dangerous neighborhoods of Salvador in Brazil with extremely high crime rates and a very high risk of violence:

• paripe
• Cub
• São Cristóvão
• All Saints Bay
• Engenho Velho de Brotas
• Riverside
• Northeast of Amaralina
• Dark Forest
• Puma
• Itapua
• cassange
• São Tomé
• Alto das Pombas
• New Hope
• Freedom

Note that some neighborhoods in Salvador de Bahia also form favelas. It is therefore a list of favelas and dangerous neighborhoods which is not exhaustive and not classified.

Safest neighborhoods in Salvador de Bahia

Here are the neighborhoods considered to be the safest in Salvador but where you should still exercise caution:

• Alphaville
• Graça
• Barra
• Ondina
• Apipema Garden
• pituba
• GHT - Vitória
• Forest Garden

Best neighborhoods to stay in Salvador de Bahia

For a tourist stay, there are 3 safe neighborhoods which are the best neighborhoods to stay in Salvador de Bahia: Barra, Ondina et Red River.

Barra and Ondina best neighborhoods to stay in Salvador

Situated on a peninsula south of the city, Barra and Ondina offer stunning ocean views and are home to one of the city's most famous landmarks, the Farol da Barra Lighthouse. See location of this area.

These 2 districts are more relaxed, more pleasant and safer than the historic district of Pelourinho which is more lively. However, there are still many restaurants, shops and entertainment.

The Barra and Ondina neighborhoods are well lit at night and benefit from a strong police presence. It is a good choice for enjoying the beach during the day and exploring the bars and restaurants at night. Additionally, they are also home to many hotels where visitors can have a comfortable and relatively safe stay.

If you are looking for a hotel well located in the Barra district facing the beach, the Monte Pascoal Praia Hotel Salvador is the best rated on booking.

Rio Vermelho chic neighborhood where to stay in Salvador

For those who prefer a more upmarket experience, the Rio Vermelho neighborhood is a great option.

Rio Vermelho with its beautiful beaches and high-end hotels, is an ideal choice for a luxurious tourist stay. See location of this area.

The Rio Vermelho neighborhood is also considered safe, with private security patrols and a low crime rate. It is also located near tourist attractions such as Ondina Beach and Salvador Shopping Center.

Be careful because, even in these two areas of Salvador, tourists are advised to exercise caution and take the necessary precautions.

If you want to stay facing a magnificent beach, in a luxury establishment, I recommend the Zank by Toque Hotel

Images in this article attribution: Gustavo Boulhosa, João Victor Melo jv, soel84, digasalinas from Pixabay

This article is a summary of the most recent information published on the Internet (journal articles, rankings, studies and statistics). This guide to the neighborhoods of Salvador does not contain any judgment or discriminatory remarks. It is accompanied by a map to identify the dangerous neighborhoods to avoid in Salvador de Bahia and the best places to stay.