Brazil Travel Guide

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Brazil Health Care and Vaccinations

Title	Special precautions
Yellow Fever	Yes**
Typhoid	Yes
Tetanus	Yes
Rabies	Sometimes
Malaria	Sometimes*
Hepatitis A	Yes
Diphtheria	Yes


* Malaria risk exists throughout the year at altitudes below 900m (2,953ft) in the states of Acre, Amapá, Amazonas, Maranhão, Mato Grosso, Pará, Rondônia, Roraima and Tocantins. Risk is also present in some urban fringe areas, including parts of Porto Velho, Boa Vista, Macapá, Manaus, Santarém, Rio Branco and Marabá. There is no malaria risk in major coastal cities such as Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Salvador or Recife. ** Yellow fever risk exists in many inland and jungle areas of Brazil. Vaccination is recommended for travellers visiting affected regions and may be required if arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission.

* Malaria risk exists throughout the year at altitudes below 900m (2,953ft) in the states of Acre, Amapá, Amazonas, Maranhão, Mato Grosso, Pará, Rondônia, Roraima and Tocantins. Risk is also present in some urban fringe areas, including parts of Porto Velho, Boa Vista, Macapá, Manaus, Santarém, Rio Branco and Marabá. There is no malaria risk in major coastal cities such as Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Salvador or Recife.

** Yellow fever risk exists in many inland and jungle areas of Brazil. Vaccination is recommended for travellers visiting affected regions and may be required if arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission.

Brazil has a mixed public and private healthcare system, with standards varying widely across the country. Major cities such as São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília and Belo Horizonte have well-equipped private hospitals and clinics that provide a high standard of care, often comparable to those in Europe or North America. In contrast, facilities in rural areas and remote regions, particularly in the Amazon, may be limited.

Public healthcare is available to residents and visitors through Brazil's national health system, but waiting times can be long and English may not be widely spoken. Most travellers choose private healthcare, which is generally efficient and accessible, provided costs can be covered.

Comprehensive travel health insurance is strongly recommended, covering medical treatment, hospitalisation and medical evacuation if necessary. Visitors should carry details of their insurance policy and emergency contact numbers at all times. Pharmacies are widespread in urban areas, and many medications are available without a prescription, though travellers should bring essential medicines with them.

Food and drink:

Tap water in Brazil is not consistently safe to drink, so visitors should use bottled or filtered water for drinking and brushing teeth. Ice served in reputable hotels, restaurants and bars is generally made from treated water and is usually safe, but caution is advised in smaller or informal establishments.

Food hygiene standards are generally good in restaurants, particularly in major cities and tourist areas. Street food is popular and can be safe when freshly prepared and served hot, but travellers should avoid food that has been left standing in the heat. Raw or undercooked meat, seafood and unpasteurised dairy products should be consumed with care.

Other risks:

Brazil's climate and geography present a few additional risks for travellers. Heat and humidity can be intense, especially in the Amazon and coastal regions, so dehydration and heat exhaustion are common concerns. Sun protection is essential year-round.

Mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, Zika and chikungunya occur in many parts of the country, including urban areas. Using insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and staying in accommodation with screens or air conditioning can help reduce risk.

Visitors should also remain aware of personal safety in large cities, avoiding poorly lit areas at night and following local advice. Natural hazards such as heavy rain and flooding can occur during the rainy season and may disrupt travel plans.

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