Travel to Brazil Vaccinations

Medical services

All foreign visitors will be looked after by the public health service in an emergency and there are private hospitals in the major metropolitan areas. However private medical care is expensive, so it’s advisable you take out insurance before your trip to Brazil.

Brazil vaccinations

Compulsory yellow fever vaccination
If you have visited or transited one of the following countries in the last three months you’ll need to be vaccinated against yellow fever, and be able to provide an international certificate of vaccination:
Angola, Benin, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Republic of Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, French Guiana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Kenia, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Suriname, Tanzania, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Venezuela.

In addition, a yellow fever vaccination is compulsory for all travelers visiting the following Brazilian states:
Acre, Amazonas, Amapá, Distrito Federal, Goiás, Maranhão, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso do Sul, Mato Grosso, Pará, Rondônia, Roraima, Tocantins.

Recommended yellow fever vaccination
A yellow fever vaccination is recommended for travelers visiting the following Brazilian states:
Bahia, Espírito Santo, Paraná, Piauí, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, São Paulo.

Safety and security

As in any city you should be sensible and streetwise to ensure a trouble-free visit. Avoid taking valuables or carrying large amounts of cash with you and make use of hotel safes. Be aware of your bags when you’re out, and your pocket, as pick pocketing still occurs. Watch the street kids in Rio de Janeiro in particular, they’re cute and look innocent but they’re some of the most elusive pick pocketers.

If you’re single you’re likely to hook up at one of the clubs – but beware of taking anyone back to your hotel, it is the easiest way to become a victim of theft or violence. And of course, don’t leave your drink unattended!

See also:

• Colombia