Brazil



Travel advice for this country



  • Police in Rio de Janeiro began a strike on 10 February. Follow advice given by the authorities and monitor local media.
  • Levels of crime and violence are high, particularly in major cities. You should be particularly vigilant before and during the festive and Carnival periods. Instances of bank card fraud are common. Always notify your UK bank before you travel to avoid your card being blocked when you try to use it in Brazil. See Safety and Security -Crime section. 
  • Around 167,000 British nationals visited Brazil in 2010 (source: Brazilian Ministry of Tourism). Most visits are trouble-free. See General - Consular Assistance Statistics.
  • There is an underlying threat from internationalterrorism. Attacks, although unlikely, could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  • Drug trafficking is widespread in Brazil, and incurs severe penalties.
  • The rainy season in Brazil runs from November until March in the south and south east and from April until July in the north east of the country. Heavy rains can often disrupt infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. You should monitor local media reports for the latest information before travelling.
  • You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. See General - Insurance. 
Safety and Security - Terrorism
There
 is an underlying threat from international terrorism.  Attacks, although unlikely, could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.  For more general information see our Terrorism Abroad page.

Safety and Security - Crime
Levels
 of Levels of violence and crime are high. Shanty-towns (“favelas”) exist in all major Brazilian cities; they are characterised by poverty and extremely high levels of violent crime. The state government has implemented a Pacifying Police Force (Unidade de Policia Pacificadora (UPP) in several “favelas” throughout Rio de Janeiro. This has brought more safety to these areas, however, all “favelas” can be unpredictably dangerous areas, even if visited with well organised tours. Outbreaks of violence, particularly aimed at police and officials, can occur at anytime and may be widespread and unpredictable.  Public transport is likely to be disrupted during periods of unrest. You should remain alert and aware of local conditions at all times.

You should be particularly vigilant before and during the festive and Carnival periods, as there is often a seasonal upsurge in robberies around this time. Violence and crime can occur anywhere and often involve firearms or other weapons. You are advised to dress down, avoid wearing jewellery and expensive watches, and only carry small sums of money.  Conceal mobile phones and cameras. You should be ready to hand over your valuables if threatened; do not attempt to resist attackers as they will often use their weapons, particularly if under the influence of drugs. Safeguard valuables at all times, including your passport.

Thefts from cars are common, and cases of car jacking occur, sometimes with the occupants being taken and forced to withdraw money from their accounts at cash machines. When in a car you should keep the doors locked and the windows closed, and take particular care at traffic lights. In three or more lanes of traffic, consider using the middle lane(s), where safety may be higher. Avoid venturing out after dark in quiet streets except under reliable local advice. The threat of personal attack is lower outside the cities.  However, incidents can occur anywhere, even in holiday destinations that appear relatively secure.

The incident of rape and other sexual offences is statistically low, but there have been reports of attacks against both men and women, and some have involved 'date rape' drugs - you should purchase your own drinks and keep them within sight at all times to avoid them being drugged. See our rape and sexual assault abroad page.

There has been an increase in robberies of ATM machines in Sao Paulo. The Brazilian Banks Federation installed in a number of ATMs an anti theft device that colours the notes of an ATM that has been damaged or tampered with using pink ink. Any pink coloured note will not be accepted in the market and automatically loses its value. If you withdraw cash at an ATM and it has any sort of pink marks you should speak with the bank manager straight away to get it changed. If outside bank hours or not in a bank branch you should get a bank statement from the ATM showing the withdrawal and take it with the marked note to a police station and get a police report, with this you can go to a bank to get the note changed.
You can find pictures of what the coloured notes look like here.

Credit card fraud is common. Try to keep sight of your card at all times. Additionally, with the possibility of theft, consider keeping a spare credit card for emergencies in your hotel safe, if there is one, in a sealed envelope (for extra security- to indicate fraudulent access to the safe).

Mobile phone cloning occurs. Take care of your handset.

See our victims of crime abroad page. 

Safety and Security - Political Situation

Brazil Country Profile

Safety and Security - Local travel
Public transport

Be vigilant when using public transport, especially during rush-hour as petty crime can be common. Generally speaking, the metro systems in Rio and São Paulo are safer than bus services. There are also frequent bus crashes (see the “Road Travel” section of this advice), with buses very often not responding to traffic lights or “Stop” signs. Bus travel between and in major cities is relatively safe, although there have been incidents of hijacking and robbery of tour buses in recent years. Both Rio and São Paulo metro systems have English websites.

The public transport systems in major cities are often not completely integrated.  For example in both São Paulo and Rio, the Airports have no train connections.

On arrival in Brazil, ensure that you use licenced (rather than unlicenced) airport taxis. You can pick up licensed taxis from the many recognised taxi ranks around Brazilian cities - a driver’s photographic licence on display is a good indication that a taxi is registered. Most Brazilian airports have licensed taxi desks inside the baggage reclaim areas.  You can pay for your taxi in advance using a credit card or cash inside the airport rather than at the curb.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Road Travel
Brazil has a high road accident rate. In many rural areas the quality of roads away from the main highways, and the poor standard of driving especially of trucks and buses, requires particular vigilance.

Brazil has a zero tolerance policy on drink driving. If you are caught driving whilst under the influence of alcohol, it is likely that you will be prosecuted. The penalties range from being fined and also suspended from driving for 12 months, to imprisonment for up to three years.

For more general information see driving abroad.

Safety and Security - Air Travel 
Always use recognised national air carriers. There have been some recent accidents involving light aircraft, which sometimes have poor maintenance standards.  Make sure you allow plenty of time to arrive at the airport for your flight. Traffic in the cities of São Paulo and Rio can be very heavy, especially in rush hour, resulting in extended journey times to the airports. The infrastructure in most major airports in Brazil is currently overloaded and a major programme of refurbishment and expansion works is currently underway.  As a result, check-in and transit times through the airports can often be longer than normal.

For more general information see airline security.

Safety and Security - Rail Travel 
The rail and metro infrastructure is limited in Brazil.  In the past there have been some safety and security incidents on these public transport systems.

Safety and Security - Sea Travel
 

You should be vigilant of safety procedures on board vessels if travelling on a river or the sea. In particular, boat accidents on the Amazon River are not uncommon. In the past there have been cases of both armed and unarmed attacks on merchant vessels, including British flag vessels off the Brazilian coast and in some Brazilian ports.

For more general information see river and sea safety.

Safety and Security - Swimming 
Strong currents and sharks can be a problem off some beaches. You should take local advice before swimming.
Local Laws and Customs - Drugs
Drug trafficking is widespread in Brazil. If you are caught trafficking the penalties are severe, often involving long prison sentences in a Brazilian prison. The penalties for possession of drugs for personal use range from educational classes to community service.

Local Laws and Customs - Paedophilia and child prostitution
The sexual abuse of children is a serious crime and widespread in Brazil. The UK and Brazilian authorities are committed to combating travelling child sex offenders and the Brazilian Government continues to crack down on those who commit such offences. Those arrested and convicted can expect to receive long prison sentences. Legislation in the UK, the Sex Offenders Act 1997, can be used to prosecute in the UK those who commit sex offences against children abroad. This has already been used successfully in cases of British nationals who have committed such offences elsewhere in the world.

Local Laws and Customs - Gap Year Travellers 
See our gap year page.

Local Laws and Customs - Homosexuality 
There is no legislation against homosexuality in Brazil. The country has a tradition of tolerance towards homosexuality. However in recent years some unprovoked attacks on homosexual couples have occurred.  Gay travellers should be generally aware of local sensitivities. Since May 2011, Brazilian law recognises homosexual stable unions and gives homosexual couples the same rights as heterosexual couples.

For more general information for different types of travellers see ouryour trip page.
Entry Requirements - Visas
British nationals can normally enter Brazil without a visa as tourists. For further information see the website of the Brazilian Consulate in London.

It is important that you comply with Brazilian immigration laws on arrival in country and satisfy the Federal Police (the Brazilian immigration authority) of your intended purpose of visit. It is particularly important to be able to demonstrate that you have sufficient money to fund the duration of your stay, that you have details of your accommodation and a return airline ticket or evidence that you are going to leave the country by other means of transport. If you do not, then you risk being denied entry into the country. If you wish to extend your stay you should apply to the Federal Police for an extension in advance of your 90-day period. If you overstay the validity of your visa, you are likely to be given notice to leave the country at your own expense and risk fines and/or deportation.

It is important that you retain your immigration landing card that is required to leave the country – if you lose it you could be subject to a fine. It is also important that you have enough cash to pay the airport tax (R$65 payable in cash only) if this has not been paid with your airline ticket, which is a requirement to leave the country.

The Brazilian Immigration Authorities are vigilant to foreigners claiming to be visitors when in fact their intention is to work in Brazil (e.g. by undertaking training and equipment maintenance).

For further information about entry requirements for Brazil, you should contact the Brazilian Consulate in London.

Entry Requirements - Passport validity

You must hold a valid passport to enter Brazil. Your passport must be valid for a minimum period of six months from the date of entry into Brazil.

Often the Brazilian Immigration Authorities will require dual British/Brazilian nationals visiting Brazil to travel on Brazilian (rather than British) passports.  

Entry Requirements - Yellow Fever Certificate

If you have recently visited a country, which is known to suffer from outbreaks of Yellow Fever, you will need to show that you have been vaccinated against the disease. Please see the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel.

Entry Requirements - Travelling with children

There are additional requirements for all children under 18 entering and/or transiting Brazil without their parents or legal guardian (including on school trips), or if travelling with one parent only.  You should contact the Brazilian Consulate in London for up-to-date advice on requirements.
Foreign nationals are entitled to unforeseen emergency medical treatment in Brazilian public hospitals. However, you are not obliged to offer treatment for existing illnesses or care after you have been stabilised. Public hospitals in Brazil, especially in major cities, tend to be crowded. Private hospitals will not accept you unless you can present evidence of sufficient funds or insurance.

Due to the rainy season (December – March) and the elevated temperatures in the summer it is common for the number of dengue cases to increase. Symptoms of dengue fever usually begin 7 to 10 days after being bitten and include high fever with aching joints and bones and a headache. If you develop these symptoms, you should consult a doctor. There is no vaccine to prevent dengue. You can reduce the risk of infection by taking precautions to avoid mosquito bites such as using insect repellents, wearing appropriate clothing to cover up - such as long sleeve tops and trousers and taking appropriate advice from your doctor or a travel health clinic at least 6-8 weeks before you travel so you know the risks and how to protect yourself from illness.

You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Brazil and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

See our travel health page.
Natural Disasters - Rainy Season 
Heavy rains have caused severe floods in the state of Santa Catarina (south Brazil) and up to a million people in over 90 municipalities have been affected. According to the local Civil Defence over 15,000 people are homeless. Please monitor local media and official government websites for further information.

The rainy season in Brazil runs from November until March in the South and South East and from April until July in the North East of the country.  Heavy rains can often disrupt infrastructure, particularly in rural areas.  Flash floods and landslides, especially in poorer urban areas, are not uncommon during heavy rains. You should monitor local media reports for the latest information and follow any instructions given by local authorities in these situations.

We advise you to check the integrity and safety standards of any adventure travel tour you may use, before embarking on the journey.

The sun in Brazil can be extremely strong and UV levels can be higher than at home. Always take sufficient precautions when going out in the sun and drink lots of water to avoid dehydration.

General - Insurance
We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see travel insurance