Go with a plan.

Active notices

• • Global Measles

Tap water safe to drink: Yes

Vaccines

Required: Yellow Fever

Recommended: Chikungunya, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Malaria, Measles, Rabies, Typhoid

LGBT+ travellers

There is no legislation against same-sex sexual activity in Brazil. Same-sex marriage is legal and LGBT+ couples have equal rights in law. São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and other cities hold Pride events, which attract large numbers. These events are usually very peaceful. Brazil is generally tolerant. However, Brazilian society is quite conservative, particularly outside the larger towns and cities. There are reports of discrimination, violence and harassment against the LGBT+ community. Urban areas are usually more accepting. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers .

Staying safe

• •By law, everyone must carry a photo ID at all times.
• •Crime: Brazil has one of the highest rates of violent crime in the world; reports of carjackings, theft, armed robberies, and people (including tourists) being shot are not uncommon.
• •You can drastically reduce the likelihood of being a crime victim by applying the kind of basic street smarts needed in many of the world's cities — don't display signs of affluence, don't l…
• •If you are robbed at gunpoint or knifepoint, give the robber whatever they're asking for. Do not fight back or resist or else you might die or get badly injured.
• •If you want to visit a favela (shanty town) or indigenous village, use a licensed, reputable tour service.
• •Although the situation in the favelas of Greater Rio and Greater Salvador is much worse than in other urban centers of Brazil, it is recommended not to go to slums in any city in the country…

Staying healthy

• •When visiting the Midwestern states of Brazil, the relative humidity can be below 30% during the dry season from June to September.
• •Food from street and beach vendors has a bad hygienic reputation in Brazil.
• •Tap water varies from place to place, (from contaminated, saline or soaked with chlorine to plain drinkable) and Brazilians themselves usually prefer to have it filtered.
• •In airports, bus stations, as well as many of the cheaper hotels and malls, it is common to find drinking fountains (bebedouro), although not always safe.
• •Vaccination against yellow fever and taking anti-malaria medication may be necessary if you are travelling to the Midwestern state of Mato Grosso or the northern (Amazon) regions.
• •Beware that air conditioning in airports, intercity buses etc. is often quite strong. Carry a long-sleeved garment for air-conditioned places.…

SIM / Data

Brazil has international telephone code 55 and two-digit area codes, and phone numbers are eight or nine digits long. Some areas used seven digits until 2006, meaning you might still find some old phone numbers which won't work unless you add another digit. (Mostly, try adding 2 or 3 at the beginning, or if it's an eight-digit number starting with 6 to 9 try adding a 9 at the beginning).

Cash vs. Card

A majority of Brazilian businesses accept major credit/debit cards. However, quite a few online stores only accept cards issued in Brazil, even though they have the international logo of such cards. When you pay using card commonly you will hear the question: "Crédito ou débito?" ("Credit or debit?").