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
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Is Manaus safe? 🇧🇷
Brazil · Safety report last updated
As of September 2026, Manaus scores 51/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Manaus requires a high degree of caution for visitors, with notable risks of robbery and pickpocketing, but structured tourism in main zones remains viable. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (high risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Manaus 🇧🇷
Brazil · Assessed 8 September 2026
51
/ 100
Mostly — take normal precautions
Safer than ~42% of countries
What drives this score
Crime50/100CautionCrime index 63.6 / 100
Sentiment48/100CautionMixed to cautious
Advisories50Caution
Stability63Fair
Health73Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Caution
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 2026-05-11T11:32:48Z
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 2026-09-04T11:11:13.4472289-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Caution
Mugging & robbery risk
High risk
34
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
78
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
48 / 100 (Mixed to cautious)
48
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
2.2M residents
58
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 pose a high risk to visitors, particularly after dark in isolated streets and on public transport; avoid walking alone in Zona Leste and outskirts.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching are moderate risks in crowded areas like the Adolfo Lisboa Market, bus terminals, and during riverboat embarkations.
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03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Caution
Traveller sentiment score
Mixed to cautious
48/100
Reported feel48Mixed to cautious
Robbery risk34High risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent traveler reports indicate visitors feel moderately safe in tourist zones during daylight but express significant concern after dark or when venturing beyond structured tours, citing frequent petty crime and unease in poorly lit areas.
Manaus requires a high degree of caution for visitors, with notable risks of robbery and pickpocketing, but structured tourism in main zones remains viable.
Manaus has a moderate composite safety index of 51/100, driven by a high homicide rate (19.3/100k) and elevated robbery risk, though health and environmental hazards are relatively low. Visitors who stay in tourist corridors like Ponta Negra and the city center, use reputable guides, and avoid isolated areas after dark generally experience fewer issues. Official advisories from the U.S., UK, and Canada all urge increased caution due to crime and kidnapping risks, particularly in remote river areas.
Recent developments
- Feb 2026Tourist boat sank near Manaus on the Rio Negro, resulting in two deaths and seven people missing— FTN news
- May 2026Brazilian government announced $40 million funding to combat organized crime in the Amazon region— folha.uol.com.br
- Jul 2024International Crisis Group warned of expanding criminal frontiers in the Amazon triple-border area affecting Manaus— International Crisis Group
Common scams
- Fake jungle tour operators offering non-existent or unsafe excursions
- Phone snatching via distraction tactics in crowded markets and bus stations
Full briefing
Manaus demands careful planning and heightened awareness, particularly due to elevated risks of robbery and opportunistic theft. While the city serves as a gateway to the Amazon and offers unique cultural and natural attractions, safety is not uniform across neighborhoods or activities. The U.S. State Department’s Level 2 advisory (Exercise Increased Caution), updated May 2025, specifically cites crime and kidnapping concerns, while the UK FCDO advises against all but essential travel to certain remote river areas west of Codajás and north of Barcelos due to security risks. Canada similarly urges a high degree of caution with regional advisories. These official warnings are grounded in Manaus’ homicide rate of 19.3 per 100,000 — well above the global average — and persistent reports of armed robbery targeting tourists in isolated areas and after dark.
Despite these risks, many visitors report safe experiences when sticking to established tourist corridors. The historic center (Teatro Amazonas, Adrianópolis), Ponta Negra beachfront, and structured river cruises or jungle lodges benefit from better infrastructure, tourist police presence, and guided oversight. Pickpocketing remains a moderate concern in crowded spots like the Adolfo Lisboa Market and bus terminals, especially where distractions are common. Recent traveler sentiment reflects this divide: visitors feel reasonably secure during daylight in policed zones but describe heightened anxiety after dark or when using informal transport. Street scams, including fake jungle tour operators and phone-snatching tactics, have been documented in 2026 guides, reinforcing the need to verify operators and avoid unsolicited offers.
To stay safe, prioritize structured, reputable tours for any Amazon excursion — verify licenses, safety gear, and guide credentials. Use ride-hailing apps or hotel-arranged taxis rather than hailing cabs on the street, particularly at night. Avoid walking alone in Zona Leste or poorly lit outskirts after dark. Keep valuables concealed, use a money belt, and refrain from displaying phones or jewelry in public. Health preparations are also critical: yellow fever vaccination is recommended, and dengue and polio risks persist per CDC notices. While a green-level wildfire alert exists ~474 km away, it poses no immediate threat to the city. Ultimately, Manaus can be visited safely with disciplined precautions, but complacency or off-the-grid exploration significantly increases risk.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 6 Manaus districts for visitors: 2 safer, 2 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Manaus safety map.
EducandosavoidHigh-crime area with frequent incidents, including drug trafficking and violence.
East Zone (Leste)avoidHas a very bad reputation for crime and is generally advised to avoid.
Centro (Historic Center)cautionHome to landmarks like Teatro Amazonas; generally safe during the day with tourist police, but avoid after dark and watch for pickpockets.
VieiralvescautionMiddle-class neighborhood; relatively safe during the day and early evening, but exercise normal precautions and avoid walking alone at night.
Ponta NegrasaferUpscale area with good infrastructure, popular with tourists and business travelers.
AdrianópolissaferUpscale residential area with shopping centers, considered safer than other parts of the city.
07 · After Dark
Is Manaus 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 pose a high risk to visitors, particularly after dark in isolated streets and on public transport; avoid walking alone in Zona Leste and outskirts.
After dark, be most careful around Educandos, East Zone (Leste), Centro (Historic Center), Vieiralves. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Manaus safety FAQ (2026)
Is Manaus safe right now (2026)?
Manaus requires a high degree of caution for visitors, with notable risks of robbery and pickpocketing, but structured tourism in main zones remains viable. Manaus has a moderate composite safety index of 51/100, driven by a high homicide rate (19.3/100k) and elevated robbery risk, though health and environmental hazards are relatively low. Visitors who stay in tourist corridors like Ponta Negra and the city center, use reputable guides, and avoid isolated areas after dark generally experience fewer issues. Official advisories from the U.S., UK, and Canada all urge increased caution due to crime and kidnapping risks, particularly in remote river areas. (Assessed 8 September 2026.)
Is Manaus safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Manaus report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Manaus should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Educandos, East Zone (Leste) as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Manaus (2026)?
- Fake jungle tour operators offering non-existent or unsafe excursions
- Phone snatching via distraction tactics in crowded markets and bus stations
How does Manaus compare with other places in Brazil (2026)?
Manaus ranks #9 of 9 Brazil destinations we've assessed, scoring 51/100. See the Brazil safety overview for the full list.
How is this manaus safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 14+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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