I got pickpocketed in Brazil 🇧🇷 (How to avoid it)

I’m still processing this, but I’m sharing my Carnival 2026 experience to give you some essential travel safety tips after I made a mistake at a Carnival block party. Honestly, I made it too easy for them, and as someone who relies on my phone for work, I’m devastated—but I’m choosing to take the lesson out of this. I don’t condone the behavior, but I have hope for my robber. I believe everything happens for a reason. To help you avoid the same pickpocket situation, I spoke with a local who shared some incredible insider travel advice. Don’t let my travel mistake be yours. I’m documenting my journey of bouncing back and sharing more international travel safety secrets so you can stay protected while exploring.