Brazil has a developing economy. Facilities for tourism are good in the major cities, but they vary in quality in remote areas. The capital is Brasilia.
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CRIME: Crime rates vary widely throughout Brazil, but tend to be highest in the larger cities, particularly Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The incidence of crime against tourists is greater in areas surrounding beaches, hotels, discotheques, bars, nightclubs and other similar establishments that cater to visitors, especially at dusk and during the evening hours. Street crime can occur both during the day and night, and safer areas of the city are not immune. Incidents of theft on city buses are frequent, and such transportation should be avoided. Several Brazilian cities have established specialized tourist police units to patrol areas frequented by tourists.
At airports, hotel lobbies, bus stations and other public places there is much pick-pocketing, and the theft of carry-on luggage, briefcases, and laptop computers is common. Travellers should "dress down" when outside and avoid carrying valuables or wearing jewelry or expensive watches.
"Good Samaritan" scams are common. If a tourist looks lost or seems to be having trouble communicating, he or she may be victimized by a seemingly innocent and helpful bystander. Care should be taken at and around banks and internationally connected automatic teller machines that take U.S. credit or debit cards.
Very poor neighborhoods known as "favelas," often located on steep hillsides, are found in Rio de Janeiro and throughout Brazil. These areas are the site of uncontrolled criminal activity, and are not patrolled by police. Americans are advised to avoid these unsafe areas at all times.
Sao Paulo: While similar incidents may occur elsewhere, all areas of Sao Paulo have a high rate of armed robbery of pedestrians at stoplights. There is a particularly high incidence of robberies and pickpocketing in the Praca da Se section of Sao Paulo and on the eastern part of the city. As is true of "red light districts" in other cities, the area of Sao Paulo on Rua Augusta north of Avenida Paulista and the Estacao de Luz metro area is especially dangerous. There are regular reports of young women known as "Mickey Finn girls" slipping knock-out drops in men's drinks and robbing them of all their belongings while they are unconscious.
Rio de Janeiro: The city continues to experience a high incidence of crime. Tourists are particularly vulnerable to street thefts and robberies on and in areas adjacent to all the main beaches in the city. Walking on the beaches themselves is very dangerous at night. In Rio de Janeiro, motorists are allowed to treat stoplights as stop signs between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. to protect against holdups while their cars are stopped. All incidents should be reported to the tourist police, who can be reached at 511-5112.
MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical care is generally good, but it varies in quality, particularly in remote areas, and it may not meet western standards outside the major cities.
Arthropod borne diseases:
We recommend to prevent Arthropodborne diseases:
Water and foodborne diseases:
Other diseases:
Vaccinations recommended:
Stay healthy:
Compulsory vaccinations: polio immunisation is required for children between the ages of 3 months and 6 years Yellow fever certificate if arriving within 3 months and have visited or transited through the following countries Africa: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo Dem Rep, French Guiana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone & Sudan Americas: Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru & Venezuela.
Recommended immunisations: diphtheria, hepatitis A, *hepatitis B, *malaria, polio, *TB, tetanus, typhoid, *yellow fever for travellers to rural areas in the states of Acre, Amapa, Amazonas, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Para, Rondonia, Roraima, Tocantins & certain areas of Minas Gerais, Parana & Sao Paulo * recommended in some circumstances, travellers making 3 or more visits per year, stays of more than 3 months in a rural area, high-risk occupational groups & backpackers staying more than 1 month.
Risks: malaria risk is high all year in most forested areas below 900 metres within the "Legal Amazonia" regions of: Acre, Amapa, Amazonas, Maranhao (western part), Mato Grosso (northern part), Para (except Belem City), Rondonia, Roraima & Tocantins). Risk is very high in jungle mining areas & agricultural areas, however the risk is reduced in urban areas. Outside the "Legal Amazonia" region risk is negligible. Rabies.
Blood transfusion & tissue transplantation risk according to UK BTS:
Yellow fever vaccination requirements and recommendations and malaria situation in Brazil
Food and Water Safety
HIV Risk
Check travelers health risks by CDC before, after and while traveling to Brazil and prevention before arrival at Brazil.
Travel data, health safety, warnings and recommendations for Canadian who willing to visit Brazil.