Safe areas in the north of Brazil, coastal or close to the coast.

@ltoby955

Are you only looking for North, or Northeast as well close to Recife? Research Itamaraca Tourism for one suggestion...

@Peter Itamaraca

Yes to be honest north of Recife.

@Peter Itamaraca

We will be looking to rent, the area you mentioned is it safe and is property affordable and available to rent?  Many thanks

@ltoby955

Yes - I have been living here for 18 years. Just search Itamaraca Tourism and you should be able to find more information about the island, or send me a pm...

So, the question of "safe" is subject to many factors. I've been coming to the northeastern coast (southeast as well) since 1981 and have lived in the northeast's interior since 2009 - I "feel" pretty safe all of the time, perhaps even more than many places I've been to in the USA (try exiting the main hwy in mid-Detroit to find gas at 2 a.m.).

Yet the security cam footage that pretty much every local news station broadcasts daily is evidence that it isn't so safe. Here in João Pessoa few dare (and might be totally unaware) to visit communities just a short distance from their paradise beach homes. There are some serious problems, economic, dependencies, violence. In those 44 years (since 1981) I've been visiting, it has moved significantly in a positive direction.

But then, this article describes a new problem spreading here. Search on this title. places mentioned: São Miguel dos Milagres, Porto de Galinhas, Jericocoara, Pipa.......

Paraísos dominados: como facções transformaram destinos turísticos do Nordeste em um grande negócio

or

Dominated Paradises: How Factions Turned Northeast Tourist Destinations into Big Business

by Vitor Tavares, BBC

28 July 2025

https://www.bbc.com/portuguese/articles/cgmwpmg4ydeo

mberigan

29 July 2025

I suspect that petty crimes will happen where there are areas where there is a lot of wealth.  Drug gangs and violence will occur where there is a value chain or market.  But in general, a large population will have a larger per capita report of issues (duh... more people, more crime).  I am sure that there are pockets of very safe areas where everyone knows everyone and they treat each other with respect.  Even then, it is expected that there will be incidents of disturbances but those should be few and far apart.

I guess that the definition of "safe" will depend on how much you feel you want to be bothered by what is happening outside.

BTW, that was something that I was worried about too - but quickly found out that Brazil is quite safe if you take the usual precautions - like not wearing anything that attract attention like expensive jewelry (duh....).

Good luck.

@mberigan

Thank you, I have spent time in the South of the country where it is not particulary safe. I was looking at these areas as my partner wants to move back to Brazil and wants to be north which I have no problem with.

@Pablo888

Thank you for your reply, safety, healthcare and cost of living are quite important, I currently life in Portugal with my Brazilain partner. I speak Portuguese. Thank you for your thoughts.

@ltoby955 I live in a small village of less than 3k 20 minutes away from Jericoacoara. In the three years I have been here in Northeastern Brazil (6 hours from Fortaleza) I have only had very friendly friends and Neighbors and have not witnessed any crimes in fact no traffic accidents either.

Depending where you are there can be plentiful land to build on. I know it is the thing to rent or buy a house but, on our property, we built 3 houses, swimming pool and Sorvete Shop with room for more homes.

Roddie in Retirement. 😎

@roddiesho

Thank you, I might buy but possibly rent, I am too old to consider building but thanks for the advice

@ltoby955 We built my house on the property as well as another house on the property (we have 3) in about 2 months each. In our area all the homes are built and there are now well-known experts of building homes in our village, so they knock them out pretty quick.

Roddie in Retirement😎