Stay protected from theft and scams while traveling in Brazil

BST shows which areas to avoid, the most common crimes, and how to avoid them.

Common scams and threats in Brazil

Most thefts and scams are avoidable if you know what to watch for before you step outside.

How theft and scams work in Brazil

See what kinds of theft and scams happen most often, how they usually work, and what you can do to reduce your risk.

Emergency Portuguese phrases for travelers

Use ready-to-play audio messages in Portuguese to ask for help more clearly in urgent situations.

Local rules travelers should know in Brazil

Understand what is allowed and what is not in Brazil so you can avoid unnecessary trouble while traveling.

Testimonials

What our users are saying

Travelers who used BST to move around with more context and more peace of mind.

“I arrived in Rio without knowing the neighborhoods, and BST helped me avoid areas with more theft. That is the kind of context a tourist simply does not have on their own.”

“The guidance is short, direct, and practical. Before leaving the hotel, I already knew what to avoid and how to ask for help more safely.”

“I used the Portuguese audio messages and it reduced a lot of my anxiety. The app gave me more confidence to move around and better understand the local context.”

Maikel

made with love by a solo traveler

Why I built BST

In 2025 I saw a news report about two British tourists who were drugged and robbed in Brazil. They lost nearly 3,000 euros in a scam every Brazilian knows: Boa Noite Cinderela.

Cases like that happen again and again, but they are completely avoidable. Those travelers were caught off guard simply because they did not know that kind of thing existed.

Traveling to an unfamiliar country with no local context at all leaves you completely vulnerable.

I built BST so travelers can identify these risks before they happen, enjoy their trip more safely, and focus on the best that Brazil has to offer.

- Maikel Galvao

Frequently asked questions about Brazil travel safety

Answers to the most common questions travelers ask before visiting Brazil.

Brazil is generally safe for tourists who prepare in advance. Most incidents involve petty theft and common scams that are avoidable once you know what to watch for. BST helps you identify higher-risk areas and understand local scam patterns.

The most common scams targeting tourists include drink spiking (Boa Noite Cinderela), cell phone snatching, card machine fraud, and distraction theft in crowded areas.

Yes, thousands of Americans visit Brazil safely every year. The key is knowing which neighborhoods require extra caution and how local scams work.

Rio is safe for tourists who stay aware of their surroundings and avoid higher-risk areas, especially at night. BST uses geolocation to highlight zones that require extra caution.

Travel insurance is not legally required but strongly recommended. Medical costs for foreigners can be high, and insurance covers emergencies, trip cancellations, and theft.

Safety information, scam descriptions, and Portuguese audio phrases are available within the app. Location-based features require an active connection.

Travel safer with context

Get home safe. Download BST now

Get clear alerts, practical guidance, and local context before a simple situation turns into a real problem.