Exercise Increased Caution
“Exercise increased cautionin Brazil due to crime and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk.”
Updated Mon, 31 Aug 2026
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Is São Gonçalo safe? 🇧🇷
Brazil · Safety report last updated
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
São Gonçalo 🇧🇷
Brazil · Assessed 8 November 2026
62
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime56/100FairCrime index 63.6 / 100
Sentiment60/100FairModerate risk
Advisories75Good
Stability64Fair
Health75Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
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 2026-10-28T10:42:46Z
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 2026-10-26T12:12:22.3532564-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Mugging & robbery risk
Moderate risk
62
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
78
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
46 / 100 (Moderate risk)
46
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
285k residents
80
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
19.3 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
27
Robbery / mugging
ModerateWhile specific data for São Gonçalo is limited, Brazil as a whole faces risks of robbery and kidnapping, particularly in urban areas.
Pickpocketing
ModerateProperty crime such as phone snatching and card-machine swaps are noted risks for tourists across Brazil.
▸ 4 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Moderate risk
60/100
Reported feel46Moderate risk
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Travel risk calculators indicate a moderate risk for São Gonçalo, suggesting a need for caution and awareness.
São Gonçalo presents a moderate safety risk for travelers, requiring increased caution.
Official advisories recommend exercising increased caution due to crime and kidnapping risks. While the city itself lacks specific crime statistics, it shares Brazil's national challenges, particularly concerning property crime and potential for violent incidents in certain areas.
Recent developments
- Oct 202697 incidents of organised violence within 50 km of São Gonçalo, with an estimated 139 deaths, the most recent on September 30, 2026.— Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP)
- Oct 2025A police operation in Rio de Janeiro's favela complexes intensified, leading to significant casualties and public outcry.— RioOnWatch
- Nov 2022São Gonçalo was noted as a crime-ridden city in a news report.— AP News
Common scams
- Phone snatching
- Card-machine swaps
- Fake police
- Taxi traps
- Pix and ATM scams
Full briefing
São Gonçalo presents a moderate safety risk, necessitating a heightened level of caution for travelers. Official advisories for Brazil, which apply to São Gonçalo, recommend exercising increased caution due to prevalent crime and kidnapping threats. While specific crime statistics for São Gonçalo are not readily available, the city shares the broader security challenges faced by Brazil, particularly concerning property crime.
Recent data from the Uppsala Conflict Data Program recorded 97 incidents of organized violence within a 50 km radius of São Gonçalo in the 18 months leading up to September 2026, resulting in an estimated 139 deaths. News reports from November 2022 also described São Gonçalo as a crime-ridden city. Travelers should be aware of common scams such as phone snatching, card-machine swaps, fake police encounters, taxi scams, and ATM fraud.
To mitigate risks, it is advisable to avoid displaying expensive electronics in public and to use ride-sharing apps like Uber or 99 instead of hailing taxis. Maintaining situational awareness, especially in crowded areas and after dark, is crucial. Travelers are also encouraged to enroll in their country's traveler assistance program and keep valuables secure and out of sight. The nearest medical facility noted is Hospital & Clínica São Gonçalo, a clinic rather than a full hospital.
Was this São Gonçalo, Brazil report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 6 São Gonçalo districts for visitors, 6 needing caution. See them plotted on the São Gonçalo safety map.
CentrocautionThe central business district can experience petty crime; exercise vigilance, especially after dark.
MutuácautionThis area has been mentioned in local press regarding crime; maintain heightened awareness.
AlcântaracautionAs a populous area, standard urban precautions against theft and mugging are advised.
ColubandêcautionLocal reports indicate this district faces public safety challenges; stay alert.
TrindadecautionAreas with higher population density can present increased risks of petty crime.
Boa VistacautionExercise standard urban safety measures, particularly regarding personal belongings.
07 · After Dark
Is São Gonçalo safe at night?
48% of people in Brazil say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2021).
While specific data for São Gonçalo is limited, Brazil as a whole faces risks of robbery and kidnapping, particularly in urban areas.
After dark, be most careful around Centro, Mutuá, Alcântara, Colubandê. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
São Gonçalo safety FAQ (2026)
Is São Gonçalo safe right now (2026)?
São Gonçalo presents a moderate safety risk for travelers, requiring increased caution. Official advisories recommend exercising increased caution due to crime and kidnapping risks. While the city itself lacks specific crime statistics, it shares Brazil's national challenges, particularly concerning property crime and potential for violent incidents in certain areas. (Assessed 8 November 2026.)
Is São Gonçalo safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this São Gonçalo 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 São Gonçalo should tourists avoid?
No districts were flagged as no-go areas for visitors at the last assessment.
What are the most common scams in São Gonçalo (2026)?
- Phone snatching
- Card-machine swaps
- Fake police
- Taxi traps
How does São Gonçalo compare with other places in Brazil (2026)?
São Gonçalo ranks #7 of 9 Brazil destinations we've assessed, scoring 62/100. See the Brazil safety overview for the full list.
How is this sao-goncalo safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 13+ 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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Raw data: sao-goncalo.json (CC BY 4.0).