Knowing whether Rio de Janeiro is safe for remote workers is an extremely important part of considering whether this is the right city for you. Indeed, Rio is a magical city - it is filled with color, culture and comforts which make it an excellent place for remote workers to spend a few months in. Yet the city also suffers from ongoing violence resulting from huge social inequalities and drug trafficking.

This means that only certain parts of Rio de Janeiro are safe for remote workers, while others should be firmly avoided - favelas in Rio’s Zona Norte such as Rocinha and other areas such as Vila Mimosa are not safe for visitors. Having said that, taking the basic safety precautions one would take in any city will suffice if you keep to the city’s main neighborhoods. Making sure you know about the main dangers around the city and how to avoid them will ensure you have an incident-free time in Rio de Janeiro.

Even in the popular neighborhoods of Rio de Janeiro safe for remote workers, pick-pocketing and bag-snatching will be common forms of crime. Thieves are most likely to strike around popular touristic areas, busy thoroughfares and around all areas during Carnival season. Taking the usual precautions such as not wearing expensive accessories, not carrying valuables or cash, and looking confident around the city is likely to make you less of a target around Rio de Janeiro. At night, it is recommended only visiting the popular beaches and avoid isolated areas. If you are the victim of crime, resisting is always a bad idea, and you are better off handing over any valuable and heading straight to the police. As mentioned previously, an important safety tip is to avoid the northern favelas altogether.

Scams are also common in Rio de Janeiro and visitors are likely to be the main targets of this type of crime. In general, getting around Rio de Janeiro is safe for remote workers, but it is advised that you should be careful on the city’s taxis - always make sure it is a registered, metered taxi, or use Uber. Credit Card theft is also common here, and you will want to keep a close eye on it when handing it over, and have easy access to an “instant freeze” option in case you need it. ATMs are notorious in Rio de Janeiro as sites where crime, and particularly express kidnapping, is common - a good tip is to use ATMs inside banks.

In general, it is also advised to be vigilant for suspicious behavior and to always use reputable tour companies, especially if you plan on visiting the favelas.

Remote workers in Rio de Janeiro will definitely also want to experience the city’s vibrant nightlife - samba schools, nightclubs and beach bars provide plentiful opportunities for everyone to have a great time here. Having said that, remote workers will want to be careful around popular nightlife districts such as the Centro and Lapa, where theft and other forms of crime are common at night. In general, it is a good idea to party as part of a group and avoid excessive drinking. All individuals and especially women, should be aware that drink-spiking is a common practice in some venues across the city. Local police in Rio will have no tolerance towards consumption of drugs or participation in the local sex industry.

In general, food in Rio de Janeiro is safe for remote workers, and you will certainly want to try out some of the local delicacies around street food stands and along the beaches. Of course, it is always a good idea to eat at places that seem popular, and to be particularly careful when consuming raw foods. In terms of water, all visitors should budget for daily bottles of mineral water to avoid falling sick by consuming from local taps. And when it comes to getting around the city, Uber is likely to be the easiest and safest option, but the Metro (outside peak hours) is also a popular and much more affordable alternative.

For more information about living in Rio de Janeiro as a remote worker, check out our complete Rio de Janeiro guide.