https://www.reddit.com/r/Brazil/comments/1j82qzb/girfriend_refuses_to_go_brazil_because_she_says/
created by jodeldodel0 on 10/03/2025 at 16:30 UTC
68 upvotes, 129 top-level comments (showing 25)
My 20m girfriend is from peru and lives in germany for 2,5 years. We traveled to peru last year and i really liked it. it wanted to go to other latin american countries and i wanted to go either to columbia or brasil because of the beaches. she said that she wouldnt come to brasil and neither should i as neither of us speaks any portugese and because it is extremly dangerous. she claimed i would get robbed and/or kidnapped while she likely would get sa´d.
My question would be if its actually that dangerous for a gringo with blond hair and a peruvian women to go to brasil. I have heard that brasil is quite unsafe in certain areas but i wouldnt go there.
I dont know if that is true but shes the one from latin america, so i cant really argue against that.
Thank you
Comment by Ready-Information582 at 10/03/2025 at 16:32 UTC*
217 upvotes, 2 direct replies
It is dangerous in the sense that your odds of getting mugged or pickpocketed are an order of magnitude higher than in Germany. But your girlfriend is also being dramatic
Comment by BakuraGorn at 10/03/2025 at 16:49 UTC
155 upvotes, 5 direct replies
I mean if you survived in Peru why the hell wouldn’t you handle Brazil effortlessly 💀
Comment by Chongusaurus at 10/03/2025 at 16:36 UTC
78 upvotes, 1 direct replies
This is extremely dramatic, so over the top. It's a similar dynamic to Peru or any latin american country.
Go to Rio and stay in Ipanema/Leblon, and take Ubers to go places. There are plenty of tourists and it's actually quite wealthy and nice.
Comment by pastor_pilao at 10/03/2025 at 16:45 UTC*
67 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Brazil is not significantly more dangerous than Peru lol.
I would perhaps avoid Rio city in a first trip if you are very nervous about safety, but there are plenty of very peaceful beach towns in Brazil, and even in the most dangerous places it's pretty safe if you don't go looking for trouble.
Comment by Confident-Cup-58 at 10/03/2025 at 17:41 UTC
13 upvotes, 2 direct replies
She's being either xenophobic or racist lol.
Brazil is as dangerous as Peru and other latam countries, if she can go to Peru again, she can go to Brazil.
gringo with blond hair
There is a lot of people with blonde hair, that is no problem.
peruvian women to go to brasil.
There is a lot of Peruvians in Brazil, my spanish teacher was one of them.
Comment by VladimiroPudding at 10/03/2025 at 16:31 UTC
35 upvotes, 0 direct replies
It is Colombia, not Columbia, and your girlfriend is neurotic (possibly sheltered)
Comment by victorsl96 at 10/03/2025 at 16:35 UTC
9 upvotes, 0 direct replies
There are dangerous places and you should not be displaying wealth on the street. But touristy places are well protected and nothing would happen to you.
Comment by anhangera at 10/03/2025 at 16:35 UTC
57 upvotes, 5 direct replies
Most crime in Brazil is petty theft, particularly cellphones, some places in Europe are worse than we are
Your girlfriend is being utterly deranged, but if she feels that strongly against it, just dont come
Comment by v3nus_fly at 10/03/2025 at 17:11 UTC
26 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Imagine saying this about Brazil while being Peruvian 💀💀
Comment by jimbos_slice at 10/03/2025 at 16:42 UTC
14 upvotes, 3 direct replies
Lived in the Trujillo area of Peru for 2 years. Had way more “sketchy” experiences there than any time in Brasil. Frankly downtown LA is sketchier than either at the moment.
If budget isn’t a thing go to the State of Santa Catarina. Florianópolis is beautiful and super safe just expensive compared to most other regions.
Like the people posting before said. Don’t be an idiot. Keep a confident stride and have fun!
My rule of thumb is keep Dancing. Liberate the hips baby! It’s Brasil!
Comment by deemstersreeksters at 10/03/2025 at 17:01 UTC
7 upvotes, 1 direct replies
This is bait
Comment by EL7664 at 10/03/2025 at 17:03 UTC
15 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Why do we get these types of questions every other day it seems? If you use common sense, you can be safe in any country, really. Do your research. I am a very visible “gringa” and have been to brasil 6 times and have never had an issue. People are super kind and love to help me. I just avoid being drunk alone at night. Just be smart! Brasil is the best!
Comment by PowerGuido0o at 10/03/2025 at 17:09 UTC
4 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Simple just don’t take her. There’s a saying in Brasil: don’t bring meat into a churrascaria
Comment by OriginalUsernname at 10/03/2025 at 17:31 UTC
5 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Blonde haired 6'5 gringo here. I've been to brazil 10 times in the last 3 years and havent been mugged or kidnapped yet.
Comment by ExodiaTheBrazilian at 10/03/2025 at 17:52 UTC
6 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Peruvian? Astonishingly high self esteem she has. Also, I wonder what’s being taught in gringo schools for all of you to think we haven’t seen a blonde person before
Comment by skeeter04 at 10/03/2025 at 16:45 UTC
10 upvotes, 0 direct replies
She’s would be wrong.
Comment by PakozdyP at 10/03/2025 at 17:02 UTC
4 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Basic rule for male, never go to Brazil with a girlfriend or a wife.
Comment by alphaphoenicis at 10/03/2025 at 17:19 UTC
4 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Brazil is a beautiful country and yes there is a risk of getting robbed. This is why you do your research, prepare well and always be aware of your surroundings. Brazil is not like Europe and you cannot travel like you’re in Europe. You gotta remember that it is a poor country and do some research on etiquette and how to travel safely. Each country has it’s own risks so you gotta adapt and not avoid a whole country because you are afraid.
In Brazil, you can go to nice places, uber in and out instead of walking around at night, don’t pull your phone out in the middle of a crowded street, don’t go to the beach at night, don’t wear flashy clothes or jewelry, don’t carry a lot of money but instead use your credit card and don’t leave your belongings unattended. The biggest risk is robbery, that’s all.
Yes, some adjustments need to be made in the way you behave but don’t let this deter you from enjoying a beautiful country that has great things to offer. Brazilians are super warm and welcoming people. A smile and a couple Portuguese words go a long way. Do your research before going and make sure you have a nice fanny-pack and a solid data roaming plan, back up your data and make a contingency plan in case things go wrong (like photocopy passports etc).
I was there for Rio Carnaval and boy it was wild. I traveled solo and met up with friends there. Me and my friends had a blast and felt safe most of the time because we had a solid plan for each day and avoided big crowds and sketchy areas. One of my friends got his phone stolen at a massive block party while he was being pushed around in the crowd; a classic pickpocket situation. Most of the girls hung out at the nicest neighbourhoods and used uber for the most part to commute. We also visited a travel clinic before going and got some vaccinations and some information on what to eat and drink. It helps to watch some youtube videos and do some research to set an itinerary for each day and figure out bookings, tickets in advance. If you have any Brazilians you know, ask them for advice too. Know that there is strength in numbers so if you travel with a couple other friends it will be safer for everyone.
There is risk in everything. What matters is to be prepared and be aware at all times. Don’t avoid this beautiful country because of fear.
Comment by difused_shade at 10/03/2025 at 17:28 UTC
4 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Dangerous? Sure, some places can be very dangerous in Brazil, but I’m not sure if it’s particularly more dangerous than Peru
Comment by NicolasJanuario at 10/03/2025 at 17:30 UTC
4 upvotes, 0 direct replies
sua namorada está de frescura.
Comment by Constant_Waltz_3041 at 10/03/2025 at 16:46 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
There are foreigners of different nationalities everywhere here, it's not that dangerous, unless you provoke a situation, insult or fight with someone, etc.
Comment by vladmiliz at 10/03/2025 at 16:49 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
The odds may be higher relative to Germany but Brazil is not a PvP battlefield, it's not that bad.
Funnily enough, I am Venezuelan (or was, I guess), nothing ever happened to me in Venezuela (or Brazil) but my friend and I got robbed in Berlin and my dad got pick-pocketed and almost beat up in Russia (St. Petersburg).
I think it's more about bad-place-bad-time kind of thing and as long as you're not screaming "I'm rich, come and rob me" and you lay low and don't show off expensive things like rings, the latest smartphone, necklaces, etc in bad areas you'll be alright.
Comment by ShortyColombo at 10/03/2025 at 16:50 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
While I understand your instinct to defer to her as a latam, people within our continent are not immune to having skewed/exaggerated perspectives.
We say this time and time again in this sub (issues about safety[1] are literally the most asked question in this sub, we're constantly having to assure people they won't be shot landing on the tarmac), but safety in Brazil comes down to regular street smarts you'd use in any big city (don't flash expensive pieces, stick to well-lit and occupied areas, especially in tourist spots, be very aware of your surroundings).
Not knowing Portuguese isn't going to hinder you. Learn the basics; I don't speak a lick of Japanese but if I ever went to Japan I'd be getting my vacation phrases ready, too since they're also a monolingual country. Millions of people visit our country; we're a huge tourist hub that has hosted the Olympics and World Cup. We're also very diverse. Your blond hair won't mark you as exotic, people will probably clock you more on your mannerism and dress than looks, because anyone can look Brazilian[2].
2: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_and_ethnicity_in_Brazil
And apologies, but her assertion that she'd likely be *sexually assaulted* or you kidnapped borders on offensive. I don't live under the delusion that we're 100% safe, but good lord we aren't a mafia-ridden war zone. Look up videos of fellow tourists who have gone and enjoyed themselves.
Comment by NorthControl1529 at 10/03/2025 at 17:37 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Brazil can be dangerous depending on where you are and you should take some basic safety precautions, in general more touristy places tend to be safer. But let's be honest, Brazil is no different from Peru in this regard, nor are most Latin American countries. She is having an overreaction about Brazil.
Comment by KatherineAragao at 10/03/2025 at 17:41 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Imagine saying this about Brazil while being Peruvian 💀💀/2 *your girlfriend is prejudiced*