Brazil is my home and in my opinion the most beautiful country in the world! Brazil is huge, fascinating and it really is one of the most diverse and beautiful places to explore.
You’ll be aware of some of the images and things that have made Brazil famous: the Amazon, Carnival, Samba, Bossa Nova, skimpy bikinis, the Girl from Ipanema, football, Ayrton Senna, burning sugar cane fields, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil nuts, coffee. There’s others to discover: Capoeira (a mythical African dance and martial art), guarana (a fruit and stimulant like coffee), the Pantanal (a stunning, vast wetland famed for its wildlife).
The absolutely stunning over 3000 miles long the Amazon is a must visit location and contains approximately 20% of the worlds fresh water. It takes under a minute for a piranha to strip you to the bone, but surprisingly two thirds of piranha species are vegetarian!
The geography and natural history of Brazil is diverse, with tropical rain forests in the north, dry grasslands in the east, low jungle and swamp in the east and hills and coasts to die for. National parks are havens for animals like the Brazilian tapir (looks like a cross between an elephant and a hippo!), the capybara (looks like a cross between a pig and rat!), jaguars, anacondas and cayman.
On a trip to Brazil you also need to get along to one of the magnificent year-round beaches, visit the pounding Iguaçu Falls, or for those who like to party, Carnival is a must. Rio de Janeiro and Salvador are the best places to join the mayhem, when samba-filled parties erupt through the streets, and revellers dance and celebrate for days on end.
Grab a Caipirinha, put on your best dancing shoes and learn all about Brazil with my handy Brazil travel guide – find out the best places to go, things to see and do, important information, helpful phrases, the dos and don’ts, how to get around, plus a load more about Brazilian tourism so you can make the most of your trip!
Brazil Travel Resources
These are my favourite companies to use when I travel.
• Search cheap flights with Skyscanner.
• Find the best deals on hotels on Booking.com.
Brazil Tours
• Search small group adventure tours with G Adventures or Contiki.
Fast Facts
Population
186,000,000
Languages Spoken
Portuguese is the official language of Brazil.
Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese and English are also spoken, but are less common.
Currency
BRL Real R$
Electricity
The electrical current in parts of Brazil is 127V, such as Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, while in other parts like Recife and Brasilia are 220V. Check with your accommodation if you’re unsure. Most electrical appliances in Brazil use a two round-pinned socket.
Time Zones
There are four different time zones in Brazil:
Brazil standard time (GMT – 3) is used for most of Brazil.
Brazil time +1 (GMT –2) is used on a few islands on the east coast of Brazil
Brazil time –1 (GMT – 4) is used in Amazonas, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Rondonia, Roraima and since mid-2008, Acre.
Country Dialling Code
+55
Measurements and Weights
Metric
Weather
The vast size of the country means that the Brazilian climate can vary greatly from region to region.
The coastal cities of Rio de Janeiro, Recife and Salvador are hot and sticky for most of the year while plateau cities such as Sao Paulo, Brasilia and Belo Horizonte are milder. The southern cities of Curitiba and Porto Alegre can get quite cold during the winter.
Rainy seasons occur from January to April in the north, April to July in the northeast and November to March in the Rio and São Paulo area. The driest part of the country is the northeast, where rainfall is irregular and the evaporation rate very high.
Best Time to Go
If you’re headed to Brazil for Carnival then February is the time to be there. You definitely won’t be alone though so prepare for the crowds. If you’re keen to get away from the hordes visit in March or April, you’ll find the beaches are still amazing. History buffs will find the weather in Brazil best between June and August to avoid the heat.
Brazil Visa Requirements
Get all your Brazil work & tourist visa info right here! Whether you’re wanting to go on holiday or you’re keen to work you’ll find all you need to know before you go about Brazil visa requirements.
Tourism Visa
UK, EU and most passport holders don’t require a visa to enter Brazil, but make sure you have a passport valid for at least six months and a return ticket. Proof of sufficient funds might just be requested on arrival so make sure you have enough money! You’ll be able to stay for up to 90 days.
Working Holiday Visa
Brazil doesn’t currently have any working holiday agreements with other countries but there are plenty of opportunities to volunteer. If you fancy joining the party, why not try your hand at assisting with Carnival preparation in Rio? There’s also the option of renovating favellas, rarely seen by travellers, or the opportunity to do community work with AIDS and HIV children. Or is work experience at a surf school more your thing? There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer in Brazil.
Getting to Brazil
Travel to Brazil, flying from London to São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro takes around 11 hours. Flights aren’t cheap but you can save money by breaking up the journey and booking well in-advance. You could even include Brazil on a Round the World ticket itinerary.
Transport & How to Get Around
Air
The size of the country means that the best Brazil transport option is usually by air. There are a number of national carriers as well as low cost airlines to get you from A to B. If you’re visiting during Carnival (or Christmas, New Years) make sure you book well in advance!
Bus
If you’re on a budget and have a bit more time to spare the bus can be a good way to get around. But remember there are some mighty distances involved! Fortaleza to Rio de Janeiro for example is 44 hours away by bus.
Rail
The rail network in Brazil is a limited one, with 17,500 miles of rail lines compared with over one million miles of roads. Hence don’t rely on rail to travel the country, but there are several scenic routes that are worth exploring.
Organised Tours
Organised small group tours are a great way to see the sites and soak up the local culture – especially if you’re travelling alone or are a first-time traveller.
Best Places to Visit in Brazil
Check out my list of top rated attractions in Brazil, including tourist hotspots and all the best places to go sightseeing. This is just a taste of what this great country has to offer!
Rio is fantastically multi-cultural with warm and fun-loving residents. The tropical beaches such as Copacabana and Ipanema are great for sunbathing, water sports or even just people-watching. The most recognised figure of the city is Christ the Redeemer, elected one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Climb 710 m up Corcovado (Hunchback) Mountain where you will be greeted by the 30 m statue and glorious views out over Rio.
Sao Paulo is a large sprawling city of around 20 million, and the tourist attractions are spread out. Enjoy the art and the shops while the sun is shining and soak up the rich culture, food and bars by night. Laze by the lakes in Ibirapuera Park where you can even borrow books from the unique Bosque de Leitura (Reading Woods). Another highlight is the Snake Farm where you can see snakes, scorpions, and spiders from around the world.
The planned city of Brasilia was built in only four years and was designed to impress. Houses along the wings of the airplane shaped city all look out onto park and wide boulevards lead to the centre. Take the time to check out the modernist architecture such as the Square of the Three Powers, the Palace of Justice and Brasilia Cathedral.
Give in to the charms of Salvador, the old colonial capital built on a peninsula overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and Todos os Santos Bay. The beaches in the bay are calm with long stretches of sand, while the Atlantic beaches are good for surfing.
The tourist epicentre is Pelourinho, the ‘city within a city’, with cobblestone streets, churches and brightly-painted buildings as well as bars, restaurants and other attractions.
Further south from Salvador is the popular town of Itacare, with beautiful beaches, nature, sports and it is well worth adding to any north eastern Brazil itinerary.
Recife
The busy seaport of Recife is a commercial and trading centre where looming high rises overlook the inlets, canals and bridges the city is built around. Because of this it is known as the ‘Venice of Brazil’. Discover Recife’s artistic and folkloric traditions, and lap up the arts and entertainment on offer.
Buzios
Buzios has come far from its days as a fishing village. Since Brigitte Bardot and Mick Jagger visited in the 60s it has grown to international fame, offering sun-worshippers gorgeous beaches, an all-season climate, great nightlife, shopping, sports and of course, a sun tan. With over 20 beaches on offer there’s one to suit every taste – from calm waters to a surfers heaven.
São Luis
Sao Luis is one of the liveliest and most photogenic urban areas of Brazil, offering great beaches, delicious seafood and a thriving live music scene. If you’re into reggae you’ll be right at home in Sao Luis as there are regular live outdoor performances and weekend parties. Wednesday’s have also been established as a big reggae night.
Jericoacoara
Jericoacoara, known colloquially as “Jeri”, is a remote destination located in the tropical sand dunes of north east Brazil; it can be reached by car from Fortaleza within a few hours.
Over one hundred beaches grace the coast of Florianopolis. Head to Praia Mole in summer for a touch of Ibiza, when international dance-music DJs play outdoor sets. Praia Joaquina is a great place for sand boarding, as the dunes reach speed-gathering heights behind the pretty beach. Or try Praia Brava, a great spot for surfing.
Manaus
Manaus is in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, 1000 miles from the mouth of the river. Once in Manaus it is easy to arrange some visits to the jungle, enjoy canoe rides on the river, visit settlements or get up close and personal with the amazing wildlife.
Expect colonial charm and beautiful beaches in Paraty, which is one of the hidden gems of Brazil.
Iguazu Falls
Iguazu, meaning ‘great waters’ is surrounded by national parks on both the Argentina and the Brazil sides. The falls themselves are divided into 275 separate falls, the highest being the Devil’s Throat, higher than Niagara Falls at 70 m. Jump on a boat that will take you right under the falls, an awesome experience.
Paraná
Journey off the beaten path through Paraná’s rural coast, visiting remote villages and interacting with the communities, learning about age-old practices, while engaging in reflection activities to process the previous seven weeks and gain perspectives from each individual experience that the majority of those who visit Brazil rarely get the opportunity to see.
You will be swept into the wilderness by train through the Brazilian Atlantic coast rain forest to the coast where you will visit and stay in several historic villages, each with its own unique characteristics, traditions, and ecological diversity.
From paddling on a caiçara canoe carved out of a single tree trunk and hiking through a preserved island forest to learning how to process the cassava flour and about the fishing art and its production chain that sustains the community, you will gain intimate access to the daily lives of these coastal villages and how they welcome a growing effects of the globalizing world while still preserving the storied traditions of their culture.
Curitiba
As the Ecological Capital of Brazil, Curitiba is one of the most prosperous and organized cities in this hugely diverse, Portuguese-speaking country. It is also a worldwide example in urban solutions, education, and environment.
The capital of the state of Paraná was founded in the 17th century as a gold mining camp, and its two million people is a synthesis of several cultures of immigrants that arrived in the city during the 19th century and early 20th century. This built a city of eclectic culture, strongly influenced by these Italian, German, Polish, and Ukrainian immigrants, from which the majority of the population is descended.
On the coast, Caiçaras, or traditional inhabitants descended from the indigenous people mixed with Europeans and Africans, live a traditional way of life based on subsistence agriculture, hunting and fishing.
Heritage Sites
Brazil has a wealth of UNESCO World Heritage sites within its vast borders. UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) awards this special status to sites – cultural or natural – which meet strict definitions in terms of their significance and the protection offered to them by the government of the country.
Some of Brazil’s finest Baroque architecture is preserved in the old centres of towns like Ouro Preto and Olinda, while Salvador’s heritage includes some outstanding Renaissance buildings, dating back to its period as capital, from 1549. Natural sites include unusual places like Serra da Capivara, with its 25,000-year-old painted rock shelters, and conservation sites of global importance like the Amazon basin and the Pantanal.
Cultural Sites
• Historic centres of Diamantina, Goiás, Olinda, Salvador de Bahia and São Luís
• Historic Town of Ouro Preto
• Ruins of the Guarani Jesuit Missions
• Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Congonhas
Natural Sites
• Atlantic Forest Southeast Reserves
• Atlantic Islands: Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas Reserves
• Central Amazon Conservation Complex
• Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks
• Discovery Coast Atlantic Forest Reserves
• Iguazu National Park
• Pantanal Conservation Area
• Serra da Capivara National Park
Best Beaches in Brazil
Brazil beaches are simply extraordinary. Over 5000 miles of changing scenery with crashing waves for surfers and calm emerald coves for the leisurely traveler, the Brazilian coastline boasts literally thousands of beaches, from the internationally famous to the seductively secluded.
Adventure lovers will have their adrenaline soaring as they can indulge in diving, surfing and sailing.
The whole point of going to the beach in Brazil is to show off your body to the entire world. Expect to see some of the tiniest bikinis and swimming trunks imaginable.
Some of the best beaches include:
Copacabana
Copacabana is one of the top 10 most famous beaches around the world today. It has over 4 kms of pristine, spotless, wide white sand to relax on. There is plenty of local accommodation available at very affordable rates. Activities on Copacabana beach include volleyball, water sports and all night partying! Copacabana is also the home of futevolei: foot volleyball. Copacabana is the jewel in the crown of Brazil beaches.
Ipanema
Located very close to Copacabana, Ipanema has a reputation of being a little more sedate than its neighbor. Although this is more famously known as the family beach among Brazil beaches, it is nevertheless the beach to go to if you want to see the girls parading the latest designs in tropical swimwear. Indeed Ipanema beach is the spiritual home of the tangas – the mini-bikini!
Jericoacoara
Although a bit out of the way and not the easiest beach to access, Jericoacoara is well worth the trip, as it affords the visitor a view of the most beautiful sunsets in Brazil. This particular beach is always very clean, and offers golden sand. Jericoacoara has been described by the Washington Post and others as one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in the world. My my tips for visiting Jericoacoara.
Costa Verde
Costa Verde translates to “Green Coast” and it is a serene beach, one of the most untouched by commercialism in Brazil. It offers golden sandy beaches and a glimpse of the rainforest fauna that has overgrown to encroach on the beach dunes.
Guarujá
Guarujá is a lesser known destination located around 2 hours east of Sao Paulo. There are lots of beaches like Praia Tombo that can be enjoyed as well spots for nature lovers. For something slightly more tourist you might like to visit Santos beach which is famous for its beach gardens that span an astounding four miles!
Pipa Beach
Located in Natal, Pipa Beach is where you can witness dolphins at play in the blue green waters of the Atlantic. Pipa Beach is also famous for its wild buggy rides over the sandy dunes. While this beach can tend to be a bit crowded, arriving early in the day will assure you get a good spot on the sand, and allow you to see the dolphins.
Best Things to Do in Brazil
Dance the Night Away at Rio Carnival
All tourists need to explore Rio de Janeiro – The Marvelous City. Often known as the World’s Greatest Party, Rio Carnival is for anyone who wants to add a little fiesta to their life.
For months Samba Schools are fiercely preparing for their biggest event of the season – Rio Carnival, held at the Sambadrome in February. Watch the spectacular parade, with huge colourful floats and dancers shimmying their way down the catwalk.
Aside from the parade itself there are a huge amount of street parties (blocos) to enjoy a caipirinha or two. Grab your best costumes, pack your dancing shoes and get ready for the party of a lifetime!
Iguazu Waterfalls
Despite its wilderness location, Iguazu is a major tourist destination, catering to hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. And if you want to travel in South America, you really need to go here.
It is possible to view the falls from every possible angle and on both sides of the border – even by helicopter. Jetboat rides under cascading water near a section called Garganta del Diablo – or Devil’s Throat – are especially popular.
See Wildlife in the Pantanal
Travel to the broad plains of the Pantanal (another UNESCO World Heritage site), in southern Brazil, to the ecotourism hub of Bonito, where mineral-laden springs pump crystal-clear streams through cave systems in the lush rainforest. Drifting lazily on the current with snorkel and mask for an hour or two is a fine way to witness the region’s distinctive aquatic life.
Brazil Travel Tips
Have an awesome time while on your trip but remember to respect the local culture in Brazil. Here are a few Brazil travel hints & tips to help you with any possible culture shock!
At the Beach
Ladies – Brazilian beachwear tends to be brief so go for the g-string bikini if you’re feeling brave! Topless sunbathing isn’t common as you might think and it tends to be foreigners that do this rather than the Brazilians, who find tan lines much sexier anyway. Brazilian males tend to wear Speedos or the equally figure-hugging hot pants so do the same if you want to fit in (and look hunky too of course!).
Clothing
The Brazilians tend to dress very casual, so do the same if you want to fit in. It’s best not to wear yellow and green together as these are the colours of the Brazilian flag.
Body Language and Gestures
Making the ok sign with your hand is considered a very rude gesture in Brazil; so unless you really want to make someone angry, avoid it!
Greetings
Men tend to shake hands with each other while women tend to kiss each other in greeting, starting with the left cheek. Guys, you can shake a woman’s hand if she extends it to you. If you’ve become familiar with some of the locals you can expect hugs and pats on the back when they greet you.
Food and Drink
If you like alcohol try a few caipirinhas (Brazil’s national cocktail made with rum, lime juice and sugar).
Money & Budget
The currency in Brazil is the Brazil real (plural reais, which is pronounced “hay-ice”). The Brazil real is easily purchased in advance from most travel agents or bureaux de change in the UK, and many high street banks and post offices also stock the brazil real.
Alternatively, you can use the wide network of cash machines in Brazil (they are basically as widespread as in the UK) and withdraw money while you are there – this can be preferable as you don’t have to take a large amount of cash with you. Many shops and restaurants will accept card payments, although smaller cafes or shops may not.
You can also purchase currency online, and you can see the live exchange rate for British pounds to the Brazil Real which is approximately R$6.00 = £1 at the moment.
Sample Prices
It is always a good idea to budget for a trip so you don’t run out of money. Here are a few sample prices so you have plenty of dosh for your Brazil trip:
• Caipirinha (Brazil’s national cocktail) = R$5
• Men’s hot pants (swimwear) = R$30
• See the views from Sugarloaf Mountain = R$44
• Football game at Maracanas stadium = from R$80
• Hang gliding in Rio = R$200
• Average room prices = you’ll pay around R$35 for cheap accommodation, R$80 – $100 for something mid-range, and R$128 and upward if you’re going all out.
• Average meal prices = R$8 for a cheap dish, R$20 at a mid-range restaurant, and R$40 and upwards if you go somewhere swanky.
These prices are in Brazilian Real and are subject to change.
Tipping
It would be rare to find a hotel that didn’t add a 10% service charge to the bill, as with restaurants. Generally taxi drivers aren’t tipped but some people will often round up the total.
Banking
The normal banking hours in Brazil are from 10 am till 4 pm, Monday to Friday with the exception of holidays. Credit cards are accepted but some restaurants may only accept visa. Traveller’s cheques don’t offer the best value for money and you will lose money when you cash them in.
Food
Brazilians often seem to have more of a zest for life than the rest of us, and that is certainly true when it comes to their food!
Brazilians love eating and drinking, whether it’s in a restaurant, in their homes or in the street, and the food tends to be tasty, simple and eaten with great gusto. There’s very little pretentiousness about food, even in the best restaurants, but what you will always find is great food, served (and eaten!) with great gusto.
There’s great variety too, as you might expect from such a huge country. You can grow more or less anything at least somewhere in Brazil, so don’t be surprised to find just about every ingredient you’ve ever seen at some point during your trip, and usually at least a few that you’ve never even heard of!
So with that in mind, have a look at my quick guide to some of the most famous and typical dishes you’re likely to see in Brazil, but please don’t take this by any means for an exhaustive list – I started feeling hungry about halfway through and had to nip out for some Pao de Queijo…
Meet the Meat
Brazilians love their meat, and although it’s perfectly possible to eat well as a vegetarian, you will be missing out on the real traditional dishes. Chief among these, and something that you’ll find just about everywhere in Brazil is feijoada – a meat and bean stew which is hearty and flavourful.
This is a real staple of Brazilian life so although the exact details can vary, you’ll certianly see it again and again. On the coast, similar stew-type dishes are usually available as well, such as Moqueca Caixaba, a fish and tomato stew popular in the south-east, and Pato no tucupi, a duck stew widely eaten across the north.
Specialist meat restaurants known as Churrascarias also cater to Brazil’s largely carnivore tastes, with many offering all you can eat specials where servers circulate with freshly cooked cuts for you to enjoy. There are salads as well, and we think we saw a Brazilian eat one once. He did explain he was poorly though…
Vegetarians in Brazil
That said, Vegetarians actually have an easier time of it in Brazil than in many other South American countries. This is partly due to the wide availability of pasta and pizza, and partly due to the uniquely Brazilian phenomenon that is the “eat by the kilo” restaurant.
You can find these places up and down Brazil, and they offer a mouth-watering variety of freshly-cooked dishes. Everything is self-service so you can – crucially – see exactly what you’re getting and it’s really easy to load your plate up with the wide range of veggies and fruit on offer, usually alongside salads, fresh pasta and lots of other tasty treats.
As well as for vegetarians, this also comes in handy if you have other dietary requirements.
Italian, Middle Eastern and Japanese food in Brazil
Many Brazilians are of Italian, Middle Eastern or Japanese origin, particularly in the south-east of the country, and this is reflected in both the number and the standard of restaurants specialising in these types of cuisine. Italian food is popular and good all over the country, while many Middle Eastern dishes such as Kibbeh from Lebanon are national staples as well.
Meanwhile, the Japanese restaurants in the Liberdade district of Sao Paulo have to be some of the best in the world… In the interests of accuracy, we will also point out that Brazil had many immigrants from Germany during the early 20th century as well. For some reason their restaurants don’t seem to have taken off…
Drinking in Brazil
Whether it’s a quick beer with a friend over some Pao de Quejio (cheese bread) or a long lazy lunch, Brazilians also love a few beers. In fact, surprisingly little wine is either produced or drunk in Brazil, although this is starting to change. A wide variety of domestic beers are available, and imported European and American lagers are also available in the larger cities.
However, the national drink is a spirit called Cachaça, which is drunk either neat as a shot, or mixed with sugar and crushed ice as the world-famous Caipirinha. You really haven’t been to Brazil until you’ve had at least a few of these – just so you can appreciate the difference between the mass-produced stuff and the artesanal varieties, you understand! Check out my guide how to make a Caipirinha.
Recipes
If all of this has you hankering to have a go at some Brazilian food and drink yourself, or if you’re just back from Brazil and want to try out some of your favourite Brazil recipes at home, then have a look at my Brazil recipes posts for some ideas!
Useful Phrases
The official language in Brazil is Portuguese, and outside tourist areas there is very little English spoken so it’s worth picking up at least a few key phrases. The Portuguese spoken in Brazil is grammatically almost identical to ‘European’ Portuguese and most vocabulary is the same, but the pronunciation is quite different so it will sounds very different to Portugal for example!
However, the good news is that most people find Brazilian Portuguese rather easier to understand, as Brazilian speakers of Portuguese tend to pronounce all the consonants rather than ‘swallowing’ them! Most tour guides speak both English and Portuguese, as will staff in hotels and many restaurants.
If you’ve ever been to Spain or South America and learnt a bit of Spanish, well great, but you won’t be able to use it in Brazil! Portuguese is the national language here. English is more prevalent in the tourist hot spots but learn a bit of Portuguese and you’ll go far.
Check out some of the best Brazilian words and phrases below to get you started:
Obrigado/Obrigada
Thank you. A bit of politeness goes a long way! If you’re male you say ‘obrigado’ whereas females say ‘obrigada’.
Fala inglês?
Do you speak English?
Quanto custa isto?
How much is this?
Quero uma cerveja
I would like a beer (no doubt you’ll be doing some drinking…)
Lindo maravilhoso!
Beautiful or marvellous. Brazilians like to gush about beauty and how amazing things are.
É mesmo?
A reaction to an interesting new fact, it’s like saying ‘really’.
Pois não?
A common phrase you might hear when you enter a shop. Pois não means can I help you? It’s a funny phrase, because it literally means ‘because no?’ which doesn’t really make much sense at all…
Fique tranquilo
If something doesn’t work out someone will probably say ‘fique tranquilo’ which means don’t worry! If the bus takes off just as you arrive to the bus stop, don’t worry. Fique tranquilo, there’ll be another one in ten minutes. And you can make friends while you wait.
Você quer dançar?
Would you like to dance?
Gringo/gringa
What the Brazilians call foreigners, gringo for a male, gringa for a female. This isn’t an insult!
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!
Health
I’m sure that you want to make sure your Brazil trip are as enjoyable as possible, and as with any holiday, that means being well-prepared for any potential health problems. I always recommend that anyone going to South America with us visits their doctor or (even better) a specialist travel clinic before setting off as they will have up-to-the-minute advice on how to make sure you are medically ready for your holiday in Brazil. However, I know it’s always useful to have a few pointers, so here is some information we hope you find useful when planning a trip in Brazil!
Jabs and Immunisations
No immunisations are currently compulsory for those going on holiday in Brazil. However, as with travel to any developing country, it is always recommended that you make sure your immunisations for the following are up-to-date:
Tetanus
Typhoid
Polio
Hepatitis A
In addition to these common immunisations, it is usually advised that you have a yellow fever jab as most areas of Brazil present some risk of this serious condition. In addition, some medical professionals also recommend that you have been innoculated against Hepatitis B. As always, check with your travel clinic for the best advice but most professionals advise that these jabs aren’t necessary for most holiday-makers in Brazil.
Malaria
If you are travelling in jungle or agricultural areas, for example on an Amazon Adventure trip, then your travel clinic will probably advise you to take a short course of anti-malaria medication. New products are available which have no side effects and so this certainly needn’t be a barrier to enjoying the Amazon or the Pantanal!
Travel Insurance
Of course, you should always make sure you carry appropriate medical insurance. Brazil does have good hospitals, particularly in the major cities but it is a largely private health system and so you must ensure that you are covered for all eventualities – particularly if you’re thinking of enjoying any adventure sports in Brazil. Accidents happen – and they can happen in the strangest places at the strangest times, like on the beach in Copacabana or during Carnival in Rio. Travel insurance can cover you for all sorts of mishaps during your travel, and even before you leave.