Portuguese 
U.S. Maintains Brazil at Level 2 Travel Advisory, Recommending Caution Due to Crime and Kidnappings. Advisory Discourages Travel to Favelas and Border Areas, While American Officials Need Special Authorization to Enter Regions Considered Higher Risk and Avoid Municipal Buses Nationwide.
The U.S. Department of State has updated its travel advisory for Brazil, keeping the country at Level 2, a classification that recommends heightened caution due to crime and kidnappings. The advisory also discourages travel to specific border areas, favelas, and satellite cities of Brasília for security reasons.
According to a report by CNN Brasil, published on September 2, 2026, the alert was issued on Sunday, the 31st. A Department of State spokesperson informed the outlet that the change was part of a routine periodic update.
Brazil Remains at Level 2 Travel Advisory
The U.S. classification does not place Brazil at the highest level of restriction.
-
In 1984, Bruce McCandless Exited the Challenger Without a Tether, Solo for 98 Meters in Space, Making History as the First “Human Satellite”
-
155-Ton Transformer Travels 430 Kilometers by Train, Continues Journey on Special Trailer After Complex Operation Involving Bridge Reinforcements and Temporary Blockages
-
Businessman Catches 80-Kilogram Catfish After 5.5-Hour Struggle in Taquari River and Releases It Back into the Water
-
At 72, She Holds a Plank for 60 Seconds While Finishing a Crochet Piece and Summarizes Longevity in a Sentence About Discipline
The country remains at Level 2, where the Department of State advises travelers to be cautious, specifically citing risks related to crime and kidnappings.
Advisory Discourages Travel to Favelas
Among the locations highlighted in the document are the favelas and other informal housing settlements.
The U.S. advisory warns against travel to these areas due to the security risks noted in the statement.
Border Areas Also Appear Among the Restrictions
Regions near Brazil’s land borders received specific attention.
For employees of the U.S. government, the restrictions cover areas within a 160-kilometer radius of Brazil’s land borders, with mentioned exceptions for travel to Foz do Iguaçu and the Pantanal.
American Officials Require Special Authorization
The rules applicable to U.S. government employees are more restrictive than the general recommendations for travelers.
These employees must obtain special authorization before entering certain Brazilian areas classified as higher risk by U.S. authorities.
Foz do Iguaçu and Pantanal Are Exempt from the 160-Kilometer Restriction
The limitation regarding borders is not absolute.
The announcement makes specific exceptions for Foz do Iguaçu and the Pantanal, even when travel involves regions covered by the 160-kilometer radius set for government officials.
Four Regions of Brasília Have Restrictions Between 6 PM and 6 AM
The alert also specifies locations in the Federal District.
U.S. officials need authorization to enter the Administrative Regions of Ceilândia, Santa Maria, São Sebastião, and Paranoá between 6 PM and 6 AM.
Thus, the restriction presented is also associated with the timing of movement in these locations.
Violent Crimes Can Occur Day and Night
The U.S. embassy states that violent crimes happen in Brazilian urban areas both during the day and at night.
Examples cited include homicides, armed robberies, and vehicle thefts.
U.S. Government Highlights Gang Activity and Organized Crime
The announcement also draws attention to criminal groups.
According to the U.S. government, activities of gangs and organized crime are widespread and frequently linked to drug trafficking.
Rio de Janeiro Receives Alert About Assaults and Thefts
The document specifically mentions situations recorded in Rio de Janeiro.
The embassy states that assaults and thefts are common, including incidents involving sedatives or other substances placed in drinks.
The alert emphasizes that this type of occurrence requires particular attention, especially in Rio de Janeiro.
Foreigners May Be Targeted Through Dating Apps
Another described risk involves contacts initiated online.
According to the embassy, criminals may target foreigners through dating apps or in bars and subsequently use drugs to facilitate thefts.
This recommendation is part of a broader set of precautions related to crime presented to visitors.
Municipal Buses Are Not Recommended for American Officials
Public transportation is also addressed in the specific guidance directed at government employees.
The United States recommends that its officials not use municipal buses in Brazil, citing severe risks of theft and assault.
The concern indicated in the announcement is greater especially during the nighttime.
Restrictions for employees do not mean a general prohibition on traveling to Brazil
The more detailed limitations described for specific locations are rules aimed specifically at U.S. government employees.
For travelers in general, Brazil remains classified at Level 2, while the advisory discourages travel to areas considered more problematic, such as favelas and certain border regions.
Update classified as periodic and routine
The new advisory was not described by the U.S. Department of State as an extraordinary change in classification.
A spokesperson speaking to CNN Brasil stated it was a periodic routine update, maintaining Brazil at the same Level 2 advisory caution.
Alert maintains caution for crime and kidnappings
The current guidance continues to focus on risks associated with crime and kidnappings, as well as detailing locations and situations where U.S. authorities recommend additional precautions.
U.S. government employees remain subject to specific rules for areas within 100 miles of the land borders, informal housing settlements, and four administrative regions of Brasília during certain hours, in addition to the recommendation to avoid municipal buses.
