Brazil - Health
Brazil Health for Visitors
In Brazil, the cost of medical care in private hospitals is high. It is strongly advised that you should take out comprehensive travel insurance prior to your trip.
Private hospitals will only accept if you can provide proof of sufficient funds or insurance. Some facilities only accept payment in cash.
Public healthcare is available to tourists in emergencies, but after first aid, the treatment is usually transferred to the private sector. Public hospitals especially those in large cities struggle with overcrowdedness, long wait times, and a shortage of medications.
The quality of dental services is good, especially in bigger cities.
There are emergency stations that are open 24 hours a day in larger cities.
Vaccine-Preventable Diseases:
Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines prior to your trip.
Typhoid vaccine as well as Hepatitis A and B are recommended.
Visitors going to certain areas of Brazil are recommended to take prescription medicine to prevent malaria.
In Brazil, most cases of malaria are concentrated in the Amazon region, comprising the states of Acre, Amapá, Amazonas, Maranhão, Mato Grosso, Pará, Rondônia, Roraima, and Tocantins.
A yellow fever vaccination is not required to enter Brazil but is highly recommended.
For more information, see the following links:
Food and Water Concerns:
Problems have been reported with the tap water supply in Rio de Janeiro. You should only consume bottled water to avoid associated health risks.
Lunch and snacks are safest if freshly cooked and served hot. Always wash fruit and vegetables.
Swimming pools are chlorinated, but Bilharzia is present along riverbanks so keep your footwear on.
In freshwater (i.e. in the Amazon) be aware of the danger of shoals of piranha fish. They are voracious!
Before filling up with water in Brazil, always make sure that you are using the correct water. Some water is only meant for wash-down and is not potable.
Mosquito-borne Diseases:
Cases of Dengue fever, Chikungunya, and Zika virus have increased across the country. See details here.
Because of the risks to pregnancy, travelers should consult the CDC Travelers’ Health website for the most current recommendations for Zika.
Prevention:
- Use a repellent containing 20%-30% DEET or 20% Picaridin on exposed skin. Re-apply according to the manufacturer’s directions.
- Wear neutral-colored (beige, light grey) long-sleeved clothing.
- Pre-soak or spray the outer layer of clothing and gear with permethrin.
- Ensure that the hatch and window screens work properly.
Other Diseases:
Brazil is home to many rabid dogs. However, rabies treatment is frequently accessible if you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other mammal while in Brazil. Rabies vaccination is recommended.
Cases of Oropouche virus (OROV) disease have been reported. Transmission of OROV occurs in forested areas between mosquitoes and non-human vertebrate hosts (e.g., sloths, non-human primates, domestic and wild birds, and rodents). Humans can become infected while visiting forested areas and are likely responsible for introducing the virus into urban environments.
Prescription Drugs:
Numerous pharmacies with a vast selection of medications are available. A valid prescription is required for certain medicines (such as antibiotics). Some medicines can be purchased without a prescription.
Emergency Numbers:
See Emergencies.
In the event of sudden serious illness, dial 192 and ask for an ambulance.
Last updated: September 2024
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Both the Brazil e-visa website an$ th3 US Embassy website say the e-visa requirement for US citizens doesn’t start until April 10, 2024, NOT January 10 b- https://www.gov.br/mre/pt-br/consulado-miami/information-about-visas-in-english/electronic-visitor-visa-e-visa
Karl
S/V Mabel Rose
Thanks Karl for this update – it has indeed been postponed until April. We have updated Noonsite.
WARNING From 10 jan 2024. You will need a visa to visit Brazil. They will not issue a visa in the country. You can apply via VFS for an eVisa.
Thanks for this info. Indeed, the Brazilian Government has reinstated tourist visa requirements for 3 countries that were previously visa-exempt. Nationals from the United States, Canada, and Australia who arrive in Brazil on or after January 10, 2024, will be required to obtain a Brazil eVisa applying online prior to travel.
So, I got a bit settled in Brasil but the limit for foreign boats by default is 90 days, can be extended to 90 days. Permanent importation of second hand boats by foreigners is simply not allowed, apparently even if you were here long enough to gain citizenship. it’s apparently possible to have a temporary importation for 2 years but the boat is not allowed to move. So this explains why the boating and yachting industry is so small here. There’s very few cruising sailing boats, only small domestically produced motor launches.
Be hyper careful with any work done at Salvador. Prices are exhorbitant, inferior materials are used and workmanship is pitiful. Most of what is done will fail..
Reported by Paul Lever – SY Georgia:
We cleared into Noronha.
The island of Fernando de Noronha, Brazil is open to cruising boats. All crew MUST show proof of Covid vaccination. Unvaccinated crew will be sent back to their vessel immediately and not allowed to land. Visas for Brazil are issued for 90 days (for most nationalities). Daily anchoring and environmental fees are not insignificant (you can get one day at no fee). We paid for 2 crew for 4 days at approx, 1,450 Brazilian real. Port Captain and other officials are extremely helpful to cruisers. The anchorage can be rolly.
Hello cruisers !
We are actually planning to go South to Patagonia via Bresil, Argentina and will be leaving soon. Interested to share ideas of possible stops along the way either for re provisioning or weather shelter. Our contact is jiujiu@myiridium.net
Chris and Sudy on SV Jiujiu
Planning to cruise Brazil in 2022 down to Uruguay , if anybody could give us any good advices or stories it would be very appreciated .
Thank you already ..!
Hi Bernard, our contact in South America, Omar Sanchez, is currently assisting a US boat sailing south. See: https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/SweetRuca/. Omar can be contacted on wetdoc@gmail.com. Also check out our Brazil reports: https://www.noonsite.com/place/brazil/related-reports/, and our Uruguay reports: https://www.noonsite.com/place/uruguay/related-reports/. Do let us know how the trip goes and a report on your passage would be welcome for Noonsite if you’d like to contribute. Fair winds.
Hi Bernard.
We spend more than one year cruising Brazil between Salvador and Rio de la Plata. Feel free to browse our website http://www.chulugi.de/category/segelroute/brasilien/ for some inspirations (in German, but you’ll find a translate button). If you need any help in the Rio/Ilha Grande area, please contact us. We still have a lot of friends there – in Buenos Aires too.
Cheers,
Marcel and Joanna, SY CHULUGI
Hi Bernard,
We’re in Cape Town, just waiting for Brazil to reopen it’s ports. We also want to sail to Rio/Ilha Grande and then work our way down to Patagonia and the Beagle channel (for next Austral summer). We can be reached at yachtbarbaraann@gmail.com. Please contact us. Anyone else headed that way? Please get in touch with us.
Cheers,
Jack & Jackie Hunt
Any update on arriving in Brazil? I hear that it is possible to make landfall if you have the intention to leave the country (within how many days? Not clrear) and on return to Brazil a visa is granted hence possible to continue cruising along the Brazilian coast? Anybody with this experience?
Ports are still closed in Brazil, but the Task-Force set up by local sailors and authorities at the start of the pandemic to provide support to yachts entering or exiting the Brazilian coastal territory during the COVID-19 health emergency – is still operating. Contact: Silvio P. Ramos (OCC and CA Port Officer) – matajusi@gmail.com. He tells me that they have helped some 40 foreign yachts to provision or, leave the boat and fly home. Some ports and marinas are easier then others. They have had more success with Jacaré Marina in Cabedelo and in the Angra dos Reis area.
Piracy in Fortaleza (State of Ceará). Brazil
Two weeks ago, a Brazilian crew was robbed by armed locals, with the loss of all money, documents and electronics.
Police, Navy did not help at all.
The Northeastern coast from Salvador to Amapá should be avoided by foreign boats.
South of Salvador, safety is fairly good.
Taking a long shot here.
I’m a US citizen who has been traveling the world on my motorcycle for several years, currently stranded in Brazil due to the COVID pandemic.
I am looking to find passage for me and my bike back to the US (any port) and figured it was worth asking around. Are there any ships capable of carrying my bike and I that are leaving Brazil any time soon headed north?
I can be reached at pokenaut@aol.com.
Thanks
Dan Byers
Hi Daniel, Noonsite users are cruising yachts (typically between 40 andn 60 feet in length). They would not be capable of helping to ship a heavy motorbike and we don’t cover commercial shipping schedules. Sorry we can’t help. Best of luck.
When is the best time to sail from the Lesser Antilles to Brazil?
Our Brazil weather section might help a little with this – https://www.noonsite.com/place/brazil/#weather-section. This report too will be useful – by cruisers who sailed south in the winter – https://www.noonsite.com/report/a-summary-of-our-brazilian-cruise/.
Hello! The best time is from january to april, when the NE tradewinds are stable, stay at minimum 500 NM from the continent to avoid the currents and then change tack to head directly to Cabedelo. I did that in September, it was quite tough. It’s definitly better from january to april.
Marina Itajai is excellent. Very good new equipment, professional operation and extremely friendly to foreigners.
We lifted out and repainted our 30m carbon rotating rig, which was a delicate anxious operation but I had complete trust in the crane and forklift operators and the yard in general is very well run.
Hello–this is probably a ridiculous question but does anyone know whether private boats entering Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru are required to carry insurance? Thanks!
Hi Max…i have not been asked
Je cherche un port pour hiverner mon voilier, un Allures 45, entre juin et septembre 2019 avec une relative sécurité et à un tarif acceptable dans la région de Salvador de Bahia de todos os santos. Si quelqu’un a une idée…?
Merci d’avance
Christian Translation:I am looking for a port to winter my sailboat, an Allures 45, between June and September 2019 with relative security and at an acceptable rate in the region of Salvador de Bahia todos os Santos. If someone has an idea…?thank you in advanceChristian
I spent a couple of months in Bahia de Todos os Santos, and visited all the marinas. And I mean All of Them.
My recommendation would be to leave your boat in Jacaré instead. Prices are really low (a fraction of what you pay in Salvador) and the marinas are safe. You have a big airport in Joao Pessoa, so you can fly everywhere. You can also check in and out with the Authorities.
Bonjour Christian,
Je suggère la Marina Jacaré Village à Cabedelo. Endroit tranquille et abrité, équipe hyper compétente et sympathique. Possibilité de réaliser de nombreux travaux, mise au sec également. J’y ai laissé mon bateau plus d’un an et en suis très content.
New website to download the official nautical charts in Raster format:
https://www.marinha.mil.br/chm/chm/dados-do-segnav/cartas-raster
And new web for the notice to the navigators, in English and Portuguese:
https://www.marinha.mil.br/chm/dados-do-segnav-aviso-aos-navegantes-tela/notices-mariners
https://www.marinha.mil.br/chm/chm/dados-do-segnav-aviso-aos-navegantes-tela/avisos-aos-navegantes
Omar Sanchez, Wetdoc
Yellow Fever in Brazil:
Alert in Rio de Janeiro and Angra.
The outbreak of yellow fever is no longer a health alert and has become a real problem. Therefore, the vaccine should be included in the plans of the tourists, without diminishing the use of other measures: repellent, mosquito net, insecticide, trousers, and long sleeves, etc.
The evolution is so rapid that the usual sources of information like the CDC of the USA or the travelers’ medicine websites and their maps are outdated. The news portals of Brazil follow the problem more closely.
The area of Rio de Janeiro and Angra dos Reis, historical nautical destinations, have been punished punctually in recent days. Mortality in Angra is the data of the day: 7 out of 12 reported cases. The overall mortality in the state of Rio de Janeiro is 45%.
The rest of the statistics:
Minas Gerais 225 cases with 76 deaths.
São Paulo with 181 cases and 53 deaths.
Rio de Janeiro with 74 cases and 33 fatal.
Updated map of the risk areas:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DWcnjaVXUAAqILi.jpg
Omar Wetdoc
We’re on anchor in ıtaparica for almost 4 months now and haven’t been anywhere else so comfortable so far. You can leave your dinghy at the marina, get fresh water for free, and people are very friendly if you’re friendly. Had no safety problems so far, however, we lock the boat has been warned by many people.
It’s also lovely to sail around, to Rio Paraguacu, Tororo waterfall etc..Nature is amazing, loved it all…Just finding yachting equipment even in Salvador is very very difficult. So if anyone has any experience finding rigging materials, would be great to learn.
banu, S/Y Gezi
We spend 5 months in Brazil and thoroughly enjoyed it! Three months at Terminal Nautico, Salvador, two weeks in Recife and four weeks at Jacare Village Marina in Cabedelo. Nor once did we feel threatened in any way nor did we encounter any difficulties. Everybody was helpful and mostly went out of their way to be of assistance. We extensively sailed around the Salvador (Bahia de Todos Santos) area and visited many popular and remote anchorages. We hired a vehicle and drove over 2400 kilometers visiting many inland towns and villages. Everywhere we went, we met generous and helpful people across the entire spectrum – rich and poor, old and young.
Marcello Brochini from Bahia Boats in Salvador went out of his way to show us more of Brazilian life – he can also assist in importing spare parts and yacht equipment duty-free. Crime is certainly not as common some people would want you to believe and we have seen far worse in some sophisticated first world countries. Learn a few Portuguese words (hardly anybody can speak English), relax, take it easy, mix with the laid back Brazilian people, don’t expect things done in a rush, make sure to stock up on their Cachaca – you will have a great time and then some more!
Salvador and Bahia de Todos Santos are brilliant. Everyone is friendly, welcoming and helpful. We have been here for two months and loved every minute. We have stayed at the Terminal Nautica in Salvador and sailed to many places in the bay. We have visited many places in Salvador by bus and on foot and been to Chapada Diamantina NP. We have felt safe and had no problems – only friendship and generosity. Come to Brazil, you’ll love it. Don’t let the security column put you off, just take the precautions you would anywhere. And learn a bit of Brazilian on the crossing, it will go a long way. Kath, Caramor, Salvador de Bahia
I’m in Itiparica for one week. During this time one boat was boarded during the night and robbed (the owners and their dog were on the boat sleeping and the boat was open, they noticed the theft the next morning), one couple was attacked by 4 locals with machetes whilst on the beach to the left of the marina during the afternoon, and their bag was stolen and one boat was boarded during the day while the owners were at the marina. Luckily another boat noticed the thieves on board and chased them in their dinghy.
Whilst these thieves were caught and hopefully, the nightmare is over, cruisers should be careful.
All of the involved boats are in the anchor field directly outside the marina.
I will tell the 3 couples about noonsite and see if they can send in first-hand reports.
Tom
Itiparica, 30.03.2015