Safety in Brazil: A Road Trip Experience
In 2024, I set about an ambitious journey across Brazil, equipped with a newly purchased sedan crossover and a spirit of adventure. It just made sense to buy a car instead of renting one. Not quite a home on wheels, but close.
My route took me through six diverse states, covering thousands of kilometers of Brazilian roads – from coastal highways to inland routes, from bustling cities to remote countryside paths. This extensive journey gave me a comprehensive understanding of what it really means to drive in Brazil, and I'm here to share these insights with you.
Let me start by saying this: if you're picturing a white-knuckle drive through the settings of 'City of God' or navigating the crowded streets from 'Elite Squad', you can relax – the reality of driving in Brazil is far less dramatic.
Common Safety Concerns: What You Shouldn't Worry About
There are several things that shouldn't concern you at all:
- Police checkpoints
- Traffic officers looking for speeders
- Bandits
What to Watch Out For
Here's what you should be cautious about and pay attention to:
- Speed cameras (you can rack up quite a few fines if you're not careful)
- Unlit roads with potholes
- Stray wild animals
- Speed bumps
- Driving through ultra-poor areas like "favelas" (especially relevant around Rio de Janeiro)
- Motorcyclists
Practical Solutions for Safe Driving in Brazil
Everything has a solution. Speed cameras are marked with large "Fiscalizaçaão electronico" signs about a kilometer in advance. At this point, you need to reduce your speed to the posted limit. There are apps that beep and announce approaching cameras in advance, such as RadarBot and Waze.
These apps also warn about speed bumps ("lombada"), but not always, so you need to watch carefully, especially at night. Hitting your wheels and chassis against an asphalt bump at 80 km/h is very unpleasant and gradually damages the car.
I've had to brake for cows on country roads. While I haven't seen deer or capybaras on the roads, there were warning signs about them.
Motorcyclists ride very boldly; it feels like they're confident that drivers will try to see and protect them.
Brazil Road Trip Navigation: Maps and Route Planning
Google Maps is recommended for navigation. While other apps can be used, a warning for Waze lovers: it tends to actively reduce route length and travel time. This can lead to unexpected turns into disadvantaged areas or roads in poor condition. While this is acceptable for experts who know when to trust Waze and when not to, it can lead to unpleasant surprises for beginners.
Where to Stay: Pousadas and Accommodation Tips
For 1-2 night stops, I recommend staying in pousadas, which are guesthouses – hostels with a special Brazilian twist. They typically feature a large yard, veranda, covered outdoor restaurant, sometimes a pool, and a shared kitchen. Almost always includes a Brazilian breakfast buffet. Prices start from $25 per night.
Best Times for Driving in Brazil: Safety After Dark
An important observation about driving times: avoid long trips after sunset plus about an hour. From my experience, watching the road becomes significantly more difficult. Roads are often unlit, and you have to rely on headlights.
In the end, I'm very satisfied, full of impressions, and planning to continue next year.
