November 05, 2010
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION:
Brazil is a federation of states with an advanced developing economy. Tourist facilities are excellent in major cities, but vary in quality in remote areas. Read the Department of State Background Notes on Brazil for additional information.
Back to TopSMART TRAVELER ENROLLMENT PROGRAM (STEP) / EMBASSY LOCATION: We encourage U.S. citizens living or traveling in Brazil to sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to obtain updated information on local travel and security. U.S. citizens without Internet access may sign up directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrolling is important; it allows the State Department to assist U.S. citizens in an emergency.
Local embassy information is available below and at the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates. U.S. Embassy, Brasilia
SES 801 - Avenida das Nacoes, Lote 3
Telephone: 011-55-61-3312-7000
Emergency after-hours telephone: 011-55-61-3312-7400
Facsimile: 011-55-61-3312-7676
Consular Agencies in Brasilia’s Consular District:
U.S. Consular Agency Belem
Avenida Conselheiro Furtado 2865, Edificio Sintese 21, Rooms 1104/1106
Telephone: 011-55-91-3259-4566
U.S. Consular Agency Manaus
Rua Franco de Sa, 230, Sao Francisco, Edificio Atrium, Room 306
Telephone: 011-55-92-3611-3333
U.S. Consulate Recife
Rua Goncalves Maia, 163, Boa Vista
Telephone: 011-55-81-3416-3050
Emergency after-hours telephone: 011-55-3416-3060
Facsimile: 011-55-81-3231-1906
Consular Agency in Recife’s Consular District:
U.S. Consular Agency Fortaleza
Avenida Santos Dumont 2828, Aldeota, Suite 708
Telephone 011-55-85-3486-1306
U.S. Consulate General Rio de Janeiro
Avenida Presidente Wilson, 147, Castelo
Telephone: 011-55-21-3823-2000
Emergency after-hours telephone: 011-55-21-3823-2029
Facsimile: 011-55-21-3823-2093
Consular Agency in Rio de Janeiro’s Consular District:
U.S. Consular Agency Salvador da Bahia
Avenida Tancredo Neves, 1632, Caminho das Arvores, Salvador Trade Center - Torre Sul, Room 1401
Telephone: 011-55-71-3113-2090/2091/2092
U.S. Consulate General Sao Paulo
Rua Henri Dunant, 500, Chacara Santo Antonio
Telephone: 011-55-11-5186-7000
Emergency after hours telephone: 011-55-11-5186-7373
Facsimile: 011-55-11-5186-7099
Consular Agency in Sao Paulo’s Consular District:
U.S. Consular Agency Porto Alegre
The Instituto Cultural Brasil-Norteamericano, Rua Riachuelo, 1257, Centro
Telephone 011-55-51-3226-3344
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ENTRY / EXIT REQUIREMENTS: Brazil requires U.S. citizens to carry a valid U.S. passport and a visa when traveling to Brazil for any purpose. You must obtain your Brazilian visa in advance from the Brazilian Embassy or consulate nearest to your place of residence. There are no "airport visas" and immigration authorities will refuse entry to Brazil to anyone not possessing a valid visa. The U.S. Government cannot assist travelers who arrive in Brazil without proper documentation.
Travelers under 18 years of age and their parents should carefully review the visa application requirements for the consular post at which they are applying. The adjudicating official may require a birth certificate and notarized travel authorization. Travelers are subject to local law. Showing contempt to a Brazilian government official at the port of entry, or elsewhere, is a serious offense. Fines for such offenses are based on the offender’s claimed income.
Additionally, if you have recently visited certain countries, including most other Latin American countries (check Brazilian Embassy website linked below), you may be required to present an inoculation card indicating you had a yellow fever inoculation or you may not be allowed to board the plane or enter the country.
Visit the web site of the Brazilian Embassy in Washington, D.C. for the most current visa information.
For current entry and customs requirements for Brazil, travelers may contact the Brazilian Embassy, which is temporarily located at1025 Thomas Jefferson St, NW, Suíte 300W (3rd floor), Washington, DC 20007-5250 Phone: (202) 238-2805. Travelers may also contact the Brazilian consulates in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, or San Francisco. Addresses, phone numbers, web and e-mail addresses, and jurisdictions of these consulates may be found at the Brazilian Embassy website.
U.S.citizens and other foreign travelers must fill out a small immigration form on arrival that will be stamped and handed back by immigration officials at the airport. It is important to retain this form to hand in to immigration officials upon exit from the country. According to the Brazilian Embassy’s website, visitors who lose this form will have to get clearance from the Brazilian Federal Police to leave the country and may have to pay a fine.
U.S. citizens also possessing Brazilian nationality cannot be issued Brazilian visas and must obtain a Brazilian passport (from the Brazilian Embassy or Consulate nearest to their place of residence) to enter and depart Brazil. Airport officials will check for Brazilian visas upon arrival and departure. In addition to being subject to all Brazilian laws affecting U.S. citizens, dual nationals may also be subject to other laws that impose special obligations on Brazilian citizens.
Brazilian minors age 17 years and under, including minors who have both Brazilian and U.S. citizenship, are subject to strict exit requirements. Brazilian minors departing Brazil, if not accompanied by both parents, must prove that both parents authorized the departure. If accompanied by only one parent, the minor must have a notarized letter from the other parent indicating permission to depart the country, a court order proving that the accompanying parent has sole custody, or a Brazilian court order authorizing the child’s departure. If accompanied by neither parent, the minor must have a notarized letter from the parents authorizing departure or a Brazilian court order authorizing the same. There are no exceptions, even in cases where one parent expected the child to remain in Brazil only a short time. The authorization must be notarized by a Brazilian notary to be considered valid by the Brazilian authorities. If prepared in the U.S., the authorization must be in Portuguese or accompanied by an official translation into Portuguese, and must be either notarized by the Brazilian Embassy or a Brazilian consulate, or notarized by a U.S. notary public and then authenticated at the Brazilian Embassy or consulate. Note that children adopted from Brazil are still considered Brazilian citizens and must be documented as such should they return to Brazil.
Minors age 17 years and under who are not Brazilian nationals are not technically subject to the same strict travel requirements as Brazilian minors. However, there have been cases where the travel of non-Brazilian minors has been delayed or not authorized when accompanied by only one parent or a third party. To avoid potential difficulties, parents of non-Brazilian minors may want to follow the same procedures above if their children will be traveling to Brazil accompanied by only one parent or by a third party.
The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Brazil.
Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.
SAFETY AND SECURITY:
Political and labor strikes and demonstrations occur sporadically in urban areas and may cause temporary disruption to public transportation. Naturally, protests anywhere in the world have the potential to become violent. In addition, criminal organizations in Sao Paulo occasionally stage campaigns against public institutions.
While it is unlikely that U.S. citizens would be targeted during such events, U.S. citizens traveling or residing in Brazil are advised to take common-sense precautions and avoid any large gatherings or any other event where crowds have congregated to demonstrate or protest. Individuals with ties to criminal entities operate along the tri-border area of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. These organizations are involved in the trafficking of illicit goods; some individuals in the area financially support designated foreign terrorist organizations. U.S. citizens crossing into Paraguay or Argentina should consult the Country Specific Information for those countries.
Colombian terrorist groups have been known to operate in the border areas of neighboring countries. Although there have been reports of isolated small-scale armed incursions from Colombia into Brazil in the past, we know of no specific threat directed against U.S. citizens across the border in Brazil at this time.
Colombian groups have kidnapped residents and tourists in border areas of Colombia's neighbors. We urge U.S. citizens traveling or residing in areas of Brazil near the Colombian border to exercise caution, and to take care when visiting remote parts of the Amazon basin and respect local laws and customs. U.S. visitors should ensure that their outfitter/guide is experienced in the Amazon. While it is unlikely that U.S. citizens would be targeted during such events, U.S. citizens traveling or residing in Brazil are advised to take common-sense precautions and avoid any large gatherings or any other event where crowds have congregated to demonstrate or protest. Individuals with ties to criminal entities operate along the tri-border area of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. These organizations are involved in the trafficking of illicit goods; some individuals in the area financially support designated foreign terrorist organizations. U.S. citizens crossing into Paraguay or Argentina should consult the Country Specific Information for those countries.
Colombian terrorist groups have been known to operate in the border areas of neighboring countries. Although there have been reports of isolated small-scale armed incursions from Colombia into Brazil in the past, we know of no specific threat directed against U.S. citizens across the border in Brazil at this time.
Brazil’s beaches can pose a threat to the safety of U.S. citizen travelers. Many beaches have very strong and dangerous riptides, including in Rio and Fortaleza. Additionally, there is a higher-than-average probability of shark attacks in the waters of many of the beaches in northeastern Brazil, including those in Recife, Natal, and Maceio. We advise visitors to heed signs posted on any beach they visit in Brazil.
Blackouts in the large cities have struck areas with high concentrations of hotels and resident U.S. citizens. During these blackouts, local authorities responded quickly to increase police presence and maintain public security. In addition, most tourist hotels are equipped with generators, thereby minimizing the impact of a blackout on visitors. Nonetheless, U.S. citizens should use caution in the event of a blackout during their visit to Brazil. Residents should keep flashlights and sufficient supplies of food and potable water in their residences to prepare for possible future occurrences.
Flooding and mudslides can occur throughout the country, and can be fatal. Travelers should monitor news and weather reports and adhere to municipal advisories before traveling to areas prone to flooding or landslides.
The U.S. Embassy restricts travel of U.S. government employees where narcotics traffickers and other criminals have recently resorted to violent actions, usually directed against local security forces, local government authorities, and on occasion against some civilians. These areas include all favelas in Recife, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, any area within 150 km of the borders with Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and Paraguay, and, between the hours of 6:00 pm and 6:00 am, the “satellite cities” of Ceilandia, Santa Maria, Sao Sebastiao and Paranoa in Brasilia. This restriction does not include commonly used transit routes that often pass near or through favelas.
In addition, due to serious incidents in the past few years, including the downing of a police helicopter, the U.S. Mission to Brazil has restricted helicopter travel within the city limits of Rio de Janeiro. These restrictions are under continuous review, and travelers may contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for updated information.
For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs’ website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution.
Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the U.S. and Canada, or by calling a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see our extensive tips and advice on traveling safely abroad.
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CRIME: Crime throughout Brazil has reached very high levels. Brazilian police and media report that the crime rate continues to rise, especially in the major urban centers – though it is also spreading in rural areas. Brazil’s murder rate is more than four times higher than that of the U.S. Rates for other crimes are similarly high. The majority of crimes are not solved.
Street crime remains a problem for visitors and local residents alike, especially in the evenings and late at night. Foreign tourists are often targets of crime and Americans are not exempt. This targeting occurs in all tourist areas but is especially problematic in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and Recife. Travelers are advised to keep a copy of their passport on them when in public and, where possible, to keep their passport in a hotel safe or other secure place. Besides a copy of their passport, U.S. citizen travelers are advised to carry proof of whatever health insurance they may have.
U.S. citizens should use caution with regard to nighttime travel through more rural areas and satellite cities due to reported incidents of roadside robberies that randomly target passing vehicles. Robberies and “quicknappings” outside of banks and ATM machines are common. In a “quicknapping,” criminals abduct victims for a short time in order to receive a quick payoff from the family, business or the victim’s ATM card. Some victims have been beaten and/or raped. Carjacking is on the increase in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Recife and other cities.
The incidence of crime against tourists is greater in areas surrounding beaches, hotels, discotheques, bars, nightclubs, and other similar establishments that cater to visitors. This type of crime is especially prevalent prior to and during Carnaval (Brazilian Mardi Gras), but takes place throughout the year. While the risk is greater at dusk and during the evening hours, street crime can occur both day and night, and even safer areas of cities are not immune. Incidents of theft on city buses are frequent. Several Brazilian cities have established specialized tourist police units to patrol areas frequented by tourists. In Rio de Janeiro, crime continues to plague the major tourist areas (see separate section on Rio de Janeiro).
At airports, hotel lobbies, bus stations and other public places, pick pocketing, theft of hand carried luggage, and laptop computers are common. Travelers 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, a seemingly innocent bystander offering help may victimize them. 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" are found throughout Brazil. Conditions in favelas vary widely, but are often sites of uncontrolled criminal activity and are often not patrolled by police. U.S. citizens should avoid these unsafe areas. Street crime remains a problem for visitors and local residents alike, especially in the evenings and late at night. Foreign tourists are often targets of crime and Americans are not exempt. This targeting occurs in all tourist areas but is especially problematic in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and Recife. Travelers are advised to keep a copy of their passport on them when in public and, where possible, to keep their passport in a hotel safe or other secure place. Besides a copy of their passport, U.S. citizen travelers are advised to carry proof of whatever health insurance they may have.
U.S. citizens should use caution with regard to nighttime travel through more rural areas and satellite cities due to reported incidents of roadside robberies that randomly target passing vehicles. Robberies and “quicknappings” outside of banks and ATM machines are common. In a “quicknapping,” criminals abduct victims for a short time in order to receive a quick payoff from the family, business or the victim’s ATM card. Some victims have been beaten and/or raped. Carjacking is on the increase in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Recife and other cities.
The incidence of crime against tourists is greater in areas surrounding beaches, hotels, discotheques, bars, nightclubs, and other similar establishments that cater to visitors. This type of crime is especially prevalent prior to and during Carnaval (Brazilian Mardi Gras), but takes place throughout the year. While the risk is greater at dusk and during the evening hours, street crime can occur both day and night, and even safer areas of cities are not immune. Incidents of theft on city buses are frequent. Several Brazilian cities have established specialized tourist police units to patrol areas frequented by tourists. In Rio de Janeiro, crime continues to plague the major tourist areas (see separate section on Rio de Janeiro).
At airports, hotel lobbies, bus stations and other public places, pick pocketing, theft of hand carried luggage, and laptop computers are common. Travelers 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, a seemingly innocent bystander offering help may victimize them. Care should be taken at and around banks and internationally connected automatic teller machines that take U.S. credit or debit cards.
Travelers using personal ATMs or credit cards sometimes receive billing statements with non-authorized charges after returning from a visit to Brazil. The Embassy and Consulates have received numerous reports from both official U.S. Government employees and U.S. tourists who have had their cards cloned or duplicated without their knowledge. Those using such payment methods should carefully monitor their banking online for the duration of their visit.
While the ability of Brazilian police to help recover stolen property is limited, we strongly advise you to obtain a "boletim de ocorrencia" (police report) at a "delegacia" (police station) whenever any possessions are lost or stolen. This will facilitate your exit from Brazil and assist with insurance claims. Be aware, however, that the police in tourist areas are on the lookout for false reports of theft for purposes of insurance fraud. In 2009, there were several prominent cases of insurance fraud involving foreigners in Rio.
In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available. Transactions involving such products may be illegal under local law. In addition, bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines. More information on this serious problem is available at the website of the Computer Crime & Intellectual Property Section of the U.S. Department of Justice.
BRASILIA:
Once spared the crime rates of other Brazilian cities, Brasilia now has significant crime problems. Following the citywide trend of previous years, reports of residential burglaries continue to occur in the generally affluent residential sections of the city. Public transportation, hotel sectors and tourist areas are still the locations with the highest crime rates, but statistics show that incidents can happen anywhere and at anytime. The “satellite cities” which surround Brasilia have per-capita crime rates comparable to much larger cities such as Sao Paulo or Rio de Janeiro. Police reports indicate that all types of crime, including “quicknappings,” have risen dramatically in Brasilia in the last two years.
RIO DE JANEIRO:
The city continues to experience a high incidence of crime. Tourists are particularly vulnerable to street thefts and robberies in areas adjacent to major tourist attractions and on the main beaches in the city. Violence and crime are most likely to occur in establishments and neighborhoods near favelas without a visible police presence. In August 2010, 10 armed gang members entered a popular five-star hotel in the wealthy Sao Conrado area of Rio after a firefight with police spilled into the hotel.
Rio’s favelas are a subject of curiosity for many U.S. citizen visitors. However, most favelas exist outside the control of city officials and police. You should avoid Rio’s favelas, even those that have been recently “pacified” by the state government. Several local companies offer “favela jeep tours” targeted at foreign tourists. Be aware that neither the tour company nor the city police can guarantee your safety when entering favelas, and that favela tour fees may ultimately be used to support criminal gang activities. In May, 2010, one U.S. tourist and two others were stopped by youths holding AK-47’s and a rocket launcher and held for 20 minutes while the tour guide negotiated with the favela’s leadership.
Do not to take valuable possessions to the beach. Pay close attention to your surroundings and the behavior of those nearby; there have been incidents of robbers and rapists slipping incapacitating drugs into drinks at bars, hotel rooms, or street parties.
While crime occurs throughout the year, it is more frequent during Carnaval and the weeks prior. In the weeks before Carnaval 2009, robbers ransacked two tourist hostels. Two U.S. citizens were also shot and killed by off-duty policemen outside of nightclubs after altercations in 2007 and 2008. Though the vixctims were unarmed, in 2010 the courts upheld verdicts of not guilty by reason of self-defense. Be aware of your surroundings. If robbed, do not attempt to resist or fight back, but ratherrelinquish your personal belongings. Choose lodging carefully, considering security and availability of a safe to store valuables, as well as location.
Attacks against motorists continue, both in Rio and in smaller towns. There have been attacks, including shootings, along trails leading to the famous Corcovado Mountain, on the Red-line road (Linha Vermelha) linking the airport and the Southern Zone of the city. In Rio de Janeiro City, motorists are allowed to treat stoplights as stop signs between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. to protect against holdups at intersections. Travelers should follow police instructions in the event of road closures, and report all incidents to Rio’s tourist police (DEAT) at (21) 2332 2924. The tourist police have been very responsive to victims and cooperative with the U.S. Consulate.
Manhole cover explosions occur in all areas of Rio. In one 16 day period in 2010, there were three explosions, and in June two U.S. citizens were seriously burned when a manhole cover exploded in Copacabana.
SAO PAULO:
All areas of Sao Paulo have a high rate of armed robbery of pedestrians and vehicle drivers at stoplights. There is a particularly high incidence of robberies and pickpocketing in the Praca da Se section of Sao Paulo and in the eastern part of the city. As is true of "red light districts" in other cities, the areas of Sao Paulo on Rua Augusta north of Avenida Paulista and the Estacao de Luz metro area are especially dangerous. There are regular reports of young women slipping knockout drops in men's drinks and robbing them of all their belongings while they are unconscious. Armed holdups of pedestrians and motorists by young men on motorcycles (“motoboys”) are an increasingly common occurrence in Sao Paulo. Victims who resist run the risk of violent attack. Laptop computers are a robber’s first choice in Sao Paulo. Efforts of incarcerated drug lords to exert their power outside of their jail cells have resulted in sporadic disruptions in the city, violence directed at the authorities, bus burnings and vandalism at ATM machines. While, these occurrences have not resulted in any injuries to U.S. citizens, be aware of your surroundings and exercise caution. Respect police roadblocks and be aware that some municipal services may be disrupted.
As in Rio de Janeiro (see above), favela tours have recently become popular among foreign tourists. While the Consulate has to date received no reports of incidents involving U.S. citizens, we advise U.S. citizens to avoid Sao Paulo’s favelas, as neither the tour company nor the city police can guarantee their safety when entering favelas. In addition, favela tour fees may ultimately be used to support criminal gang activities.
RECIFE:
Deceptively tranquil, Recife now has one of the highest per capita murder rates in all of Brazil. As in Rio de Janeiro, tourists in Recife should take special care while on the beaches, as robberies may occur in broad daylight. In the upscale Boa Viagem neighborhood, carjackings can occur at any time of the day or night.
VICTIMS OF CRIME:
If you are the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate (see the end of this sheet or see the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates). This includes the loss or theft of a U.S. passport. The embassy/consulate staff can, for example, help you find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds may be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime are solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.
The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Brazil is 190 for police or 193 for firefighters and medical emergencies.Please see our information on victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES:
While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Brazilian laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Brazil are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States. In November 2008, Brazil passed a series of laws designed to strengthen protection of children against sexual exploitation. Brazilian police in tourist areas such as Rio de Janeiro are on the lookout for foreigners inappropriately touching or photographing minors.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:
Brazilian customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Brazil of items such as firearms, antiquities, mineral samples, tropical plants, medications, and business equipment. In the Amazon region, there is a special concern for the export of biological material, which could have genetic value. People propagating or exporting biological material without proper permits run the risk of being accused of “biopiracy,” a serious offence in Brazil. It is advisable to contact the Embassy of Brazil in Washington or one of Brazil's consulates in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements. Please see our information on customs regulations.
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION:
Medical care is generally good, but it varies in quality, particularly in remote areas, and it may not meet U.S. standards outside the major cities. Expatriates in Brazil regularly use the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo. It is inspected and certified by the Joint Commission International and offers international service assistance. The hospital phone is (55-11) 3747-1233. Prescription and over the counter medicines are widely available. Emergency services are responsive. Travelers may call a private ambulance company or call 193 and request an ambulance for a public hospital. Callers must stay on the line to provide the location as there is no automatic tracking of phone calls.
Many insect borne-illnesses are present, including Yellow Fever, Malaria, Dengue, and Leishmaniasis. Insect precautions are encouraged in all areas of Brazil. Schistosomiasis is present in many areas. Travelers should avoid freshwater exposure.
The CDC recommends Yellow Fever vaccination for persons over 9 months of age for travel to all rural areas of all states, including Iguaçu Falls tourist resorts, and for travel to Brasilia and Belo Horizonte. Cities in jungle areas are considered rural, not urban, in nature. Yellow fever is not a currently thought to be a risk for travel to major coastal cities from Fortaleza to the Uruguay border, including the major tourist/business destinations of Sao Paulo, Salvador, Rio, Recife, and Fortaleza. However, there has been a recent increase in yellow fever cases, including deaths, in Brazil. This has involved some areas in Brazil not previously at risk, such as the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul. Travelers are advised to consult with their medical provider or travel clinic for up to date advice on the risks versus the benefits of yellow fever vaccination.Many insect borne-illnesses are present, including Yellow Fever, Malaria, Dengue, and Leishmaniasis. Insect precautions are encouraged in all areas of Brazil. Schistosomiasis is present in many areas. Travelers should avoid freshwater exposure.
Dengue fever is an infection transmitted by the mosquito aedes aegypti and is an affliction seen in many parts of Brazil. The typical “season” for dengue is from December to June, but it is possible to be infected at any time of the year. An increase in dengue fever cases in early 2008 led to a number of deaths, mainly around Rio. In early 2009, an outbreak occurred in Belo Horizonte. In late 2009, tests in Fortaleza found larvae of the aedes aegypti mosquito present in 95% of the city’s neighborhoods.
Malaria is present throughout the year in forested areas of the Amazon region. There is also some risk on the periphery of cities and towns in the Amazon region. There is little to no risk of malaria in all other areas of Brazil. For details on malaria risk in Brazil, please see the CDC’s Brazil travelers’ page.
Tuberculosis is an increasingly serious health concern in Brazil. For further information, please consult the CDC's information on TB.
Plastic and other elective/cosmetic surgery is a major medical industry in Brazil. While Brazil has many plastic surgery facilities that are on par with those found in the United States, the quality of care varies widely. Make sure when arranging plastic surgery that emergency medical facilities are available, as some “boutique” plastic surgery operations offer luxurious facilities, but are not hospitals and are therefore unable to deal with unforeseen emergencies.
Several U.S. citizens have died while visiting non-traditional healers outside of urban areas. While this is not surprising given that this type of treatment often attracts the terminally ill, U.S. citizens are advised to ensure they have access to proper medical care when visiting such sites.
In the unfortunate event of a death, relatives or friends of any deceased U.S. citizen are advised to immediately contact the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia or the U.S. Consulate in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, or Recife, and not to contract with local mortuary services before seeking embassy assistance.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC's web site. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad and for general health information for travelers, consult the World Health Organization (WHO) website. The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.
MEDICAL INSURANCE:
The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to determine whether their policy applies overseas and whether it covers emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. For more information, please see our medical insurance overseas page.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS:
While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Brazil is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
Travelers should consider obtaining an Inter-American Driving Permit to carry along with their valid U.S. license if they plan to drive while in Brazil. Such permits can be obtained through AAA or other sources.Road conditions in Brazil vary widely throughout the country. State roads (especially in the south) are often excellent, while federal, interstate roads (designated ‘BR’) are often very poor due to lack of maintenance. There are occasional stretches of modern divided highway that rival European or U.S. roads. In municipal areas, however, signs, shoulders, exits, and merge lanes tend to be haphazard. There are many potholes and surfaces are frequently uneven and bumpy. Some stretches of federal roads and rural state roads are so potholed that high-clearance vehicles are needed to traverse them. Pedestrians, bicyclists, and horse-drawn vehicles all pose hazards and can be encountered even on major routes. Travel after dark outside city centers is not recommended because of animals and disabled vehicles. Dirt roads are the rule in remote areas. These vary widely in quality and may quickly become more dangerous, even impassable, in rainy weather. Passenger car travel can be reasonably safe in most areas if one takes into account the prevailing conditions described above and exercises due prudence and caution. Passenger-bus hijacking, usually non-violent, occurs at random in some areas of the country.
Brazil's inter-city roads are widely recognized as among the most dangerous in the world. As is the case elsewhere in the region, poor driving skills, bad roads and a high density of trucks combine to make travel considerably more hazardous than in the United States. There are no laws requiring truckers to take mandatory rest stops and they often drive for excessive periods of time. All major inter-city routes are saturated with heavy truck traffic and for the most part have only two lanes. Road maintenance is inadequate and some long-distance roads through the Amazon forest are impassable much of the year. There are few railroads and passenger train travel is almost nonexistent. Private cars and public buses are the main modes of inter-city road travel. Buses can range (depending on the route and the price) from luxurious and well maintained to basic and mechanically unsound.
The Brazilian Federal Government maintains a (Portuguese language) website with up-to-date information on road conditions throughout Brazil; the site also has downloadable state roadmaps. A private Brazilian company, Quatro Rodas, publishes road maps that contain local phone numbers to ascertain the current conditions of roads on the map. Apart from toll roads, which generally have their own services, roadside assistance is available only very sporadically and informally through local private mechanics. The fastest way to summon assistance in an emergency anywhere in the country is to dial 193, a universal number staffed by local fire departments. This service is in Portuguese only. Many motorists in major urban areas and more developed parts of the country carry cellular phones, and can be asked to assist in calling for help.
Brazilian traffic laws impose severe penalties for a number of traffic offenses. Enforcement ranges from sporadic to non-existent, so motorists should not assume that others will necessarily follow even the most fundamental and widely accepted rules of the road. Some important local rules and customs include the following:
Seat Belts:
All states have seat belt laws, but enforcement varies from state to state.
Child Car Seats:
Some states require child car seats, but they are not universally available or affordable, and enforcement is also lax. As a result, most children are not secured in car seats.
Speed Limits:
The maximum speed limit on major, divided highways is 120kmph (74 mph). Lower limits (usually 60kmph or 40 mph) are often posted in urban areas, depending on the road and the nature of the neighborhood. Speed limits are widely ignored and rarely enforced. Many towns and cities have marked electronic/photographic devices ("Fiscalisacao Electronica"), which verify speed and snap photos of violators' cars and license plates as a basis for issuing speeding tickets. Brazilian drivers tend to brake suddenly when encountering these devices. Many cities and towns have erected speed bumps, which are sometimes severe and may be unpainted and unmarked.
Yielding the Right of Way:
Drivers must yield the right of way to cars on their right. Compliance with stop signs is rarely enforced; so many motorists treat them as yield signs.
Driving Under the Influence:
As of June 2008, drivers with any measurable content of alcohol in their blood are in violation of the law. Checkpoints are often set up in urban areas where randomly-chosen drivers are required to exit their vehicles and perform a breathalyzer test.
Turns at Red Lights:
Not permitted, except for right turns where there is a sign with an arrow pointing right and the words "Livre a Direita."
Penalties for Drivers Involved in an Accident Resulting in Injury or Death: In addition to possible criminal charges and penalties, compensatory and punitive damages may also apply.
Local Driving Customs:
Drivers often use flashes or wave a hand out of the window to signal other drivers to slow down. Drivers will often brake suddenly to slow down for the electronic speed traps mentioned above. In addition, pedestrian "zebra" crossings are strictly observed in some places (especially in Brasilia) and ignored most everywhere else.
For specific information concerning Brazilian driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax, and mandatory insurance, please contact the Brazilian National Tourist Organization offices in New York.
Additional information, in Portuguese only, can be found on the websites of the Brazilian Federal Highway Police and Ministry of Transportation.
Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT:
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Brazil’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Brazil’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA's safety assessment page.
Brazil continues to transition its oversight of air transportation from military to civilian control. Both international and domestic flights can occasionally experience delays or cancellations leading to rerouting of travelers and disruptions to travel plans. American citizens living in or traveling to Brazil are advised to prepare for sufficient customs and immigration processing time at Brazilian Ports of Entry to ensure domestic flight connections are met. Foreigners may be asked to show passports for identification on internal flights.
Brazil continues to transition its oversight of air transportation from military to civilian control. Both international and domestic flights can occasionally experience delays or cancellations leading to rerouting of travelers and disruptions to travel plans. American citizens living in or traveling to Brazil are advised to prepare for sufficient customs and immigration processing time at Brazilian Ports of Entry to ensure domestic flight connections are met. Foreigners may be asked to show passports for identification on internal flights.
CHILDREN’S ISSUES:
For information see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.
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