Mozambique · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Maputo scores 50/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Yes — Maputo is generally safe for visitors who stay alert and follow local precautions. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and robbery (moderate risk).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Mozambique · Assessed 29 July 2026
50
/ 100
Safer than ~41% of countries
What drives this score
01 · Official Guidance
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 travel Cabo Delgado Province FCDO advises against all travel to Cabo Delgado Province, except for Palma town and the area around Pemba and Afungi.”
Updated 2026-07-09T14:47:45Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)
“Canada's official risk level for Mozambique: exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories).”
Updated 2026-07-29T14:31:46.2003107-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Mugging & robbery risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
Robbery / mugging
ModerateMugging and armed robbery are uncommon for tourists but can occur in isolated parts of the city after dark, especially in informal settlements
Pickpocketing
HighPickpocketing and bag‑snatching are frequent in crowded markets, bus stations and along Avenida 24 de Julho
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
63/100
Recent traveller reports indicate visitors generally feel safe during daylight hours in central districts but remain cautious after dark
Yes — Maputo is generally safe for visitors who stay alert and follow local precautions.
Maputo’s safety profile is moderate: petty crime is common but violent incidents targeting tourists are rare. The city is safer than many African capitals but still requires vigilance, especially in crowded areas and at night.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Maputo is a vibrant coastal capital where most visitors enjoy a trouble‑free stay if they respect the city’s rhythm and stay alert. The data shows a moderate overall risk: violent crime against tourists is rare, but petty theft and scams are common, especially in busy markets, bus terminals and along the waterfront promenade. Recent incidents documented in July 2026 include a passport‑shakedown scam at a police checkpoint on Avenida Marginal, a case of inflated airport taxi fares reported in March 2026, and the discovery of fake visa‑extension agents operating in the city centre in January 2026. These events confirm that scams are active and that opportunistic theft remains the primary safety concern.
The city’s neighborhoods vary in safety. The diplomatic and upscale Polana‑Sommerschale area, with its embassies, luxury hotels and regular police patrols, is the safest district for tourists. The newer residential suburb of Marginal offers good infrastructure and is generally secure during daylight, though a curfew after 7 PM limits nighttime activity. The historic centre around Avenida 24 de Julho is lively and well‑lit but remains a hotspot for pickpockets, so keep bags close and avoid displaying valuables. In contrast, the densely populated townships such as Mafalala and Xipamanine carry higher crime rates and are best avoided, especially after dark.
To stay safe, carry a certified copy of your passport and visa at all times, use reputable transport services rather than hailing street taxis, and keep phones and wallets out of sight. Stick to well‑lit, tourist‑friendly streets, especially after sunset, and avoid wandering alone in unfamiliar areas. Be wary of anyone demanding money for “visa extensions” or offering “discounted” tours, and always negotiate taxi fares before departure. By following these practical steps you can enjoy Maputo’s colonial architecture, fresh seafood and lively music scene while minimizing risk.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 5 Maputo districts for visitors, 3 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Maputo safety map.
Xipamanineavoidavoid (red) — high petty‑crime risk, avoid at night
Mafalalaavoidavoid (red) — high petty‑crime risk, avoid at night
Polanacautioncaution (yellow) — daytime ok but stay alert after dark
Marginalcautioncaution (yellow) — daytime ok but stay alert after dark
Baixacautioncaution (yellow) — daytime ok but stay alert after dark
07 · After Dark
Mugging and armed robbery are uncommon for tourists but can occur in isolated parts of the city after dark, especially in informal settlements
After dark, be most careful around Xipamanine, Mafalala, Polana, Marginal. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Yes — Maputo is generally safe for visitors who stay alert and follow local precautions. Maputo’s safety profile is moderate: petty crime is common but violent incidents targeting tourists are rare. The city is safer than many African capitals but still requires vigilance, especially in crowded areas and at night. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
Safety is not one number, and this Maputo 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.
Field research flags Xipamanine, Mafalala as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
Maputo ranks #2 of 3 Mozambique destinations we've assessed, scoring 50/100. See the Mozambique safety overview for the full list.
The score blends 12+ 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.
Browse the Mozambique safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: maputo.json (CC BY 4.0).
