Travel Summary
- Severe weather has affected the state of Rio de Janeiro, in particular the Ilha Grande and Angra dos Reis areas. There have been a number of casualties. You should monitor local media reports for updates on the situation.
- Levels of crime and violence are high, particularly in major cities. 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. Remain alert and aware of local conditions at all times. See the Crime section of this advice for more details.
- Around 181,000 British nationals visited Brazil in 2008 (source: Brazilian Ministry of Tourism). Most visits are trouble-free. 77 British nationals required consular assistance in Brazil in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009, the most serious incidents being: deaths (12 cases); hospitalisations (20 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (22 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (59 cases).
- There is an underlying threat from international terrorism. Attacks, although unlikely, could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
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Drug trafficking is widespread in Brazil, and incurs severe penalties.
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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. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.
Safety and security
Terrorism
Crime
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 should be extra vigilant, particularly in major cities. 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.
The crime rate in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, is higher than in many other regions, partly because the district attracts lots of tourists and hosts large events. You should see the Crime section of this advice for more details about crime and violence.
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. For more information see the rape and sexual assault abroad.
Credit card fraud is common. Try to keep sight if 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.
For more general information see victims of crime abroad.
Political Situation
Local travel
Public transport
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.
Road travel
Brazil has a zero tolerance policy on drink driving. Even a small alcoholic drink will put you over the legal driving limit. 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.
Air travel
Rail travel
Sea Travel
For more general information see river and sea safety.
Swimming
Local laws and customs
Drugs
Paedophilia and child prostitution
Gap Year Travellers
Homosexuality
For more general information for different types of travellers see your trip.
Entry requirements
It is important that you retain your immigration landing card (green) that is required to leave the country – if you lose it you could be subject to a R$165 fine payable in cash only. It is also important that you have enough cash to pay the airport tax (R$115 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 your nearest Brazilian Embassy or Consulate. The full contact details of the Brazilian Embassy in London.
Passport validity
Often the Brazilian Immigration Authorities will require dual British/Brazilian nationals visiting Brazil to travel on Brazilian (rather than British) passports.
Yellow Fever Certificate
Travelling with children
Health
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.
Dengue Fever is common to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year. From January to July 2009, the number of Dengue Fever cases reported across several states of Brazil was down 46% compared to the same period in 2008 (approximately 70% of Dengue cases are usually reported between January to May each year). Whilst the authorities seem to have limited the spread of the disease, the following states have registered an increased number of cases: Acre, Amapa, Bahia, Espirito Santo, Mato Grosso, and Mato Grosso do Sul- source: Brazilian Ministry of Health. There is no vaccine to protect against Dengue Fever, and you should therefore use mosquito repellent regularly and cover up with suitable clothing to avoid being bitten. 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.
A number of Yellow Fever cases have been reported. The affected states are Sao Paulo (25 confirmed cases including nine deaths between February and April 2009) and Rio Grande do Sul (18 confirmed cases including 7 deaths between November 2008 and May 2009) - source: Brazilian Health Ministry. Yellow Fever vaccination is recommended at least 10 days prior to visiting some parts of Brazil, including the states affected by this outbreak. In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 710,000 adults aged 15 or over in Brazil were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.6% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%.
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.
For more general health information see travel health.
Natural disasters
Severe weather has affected the state of Rio de Janeiro, in particular the Ilha Grande and Angra dos Reis areas. There have been a number of casualties. You should monitor local media reports for updates on the situation.
Flash floods and landslides, especially in poorer urban areas, occur regularly.
General
Insurance
If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is how we can help.
Registration
Contact details
Office hours (local time):
Mon-Thurs: 0830-1230 and 1330-1645
Fri: 0830-1230 and 1330-1630
Please note that the Consular section is open to the public from 0830-1230, Mon-Fr
The British Embassy in Brazil provides assistance to British nationals in the following states: Goias, Mato Grosso, Rondonia, Acre, Amazonas, Roraima, Para, Amapa, Tocantins.
British Embassy
Setor de Embaixadas Sul
Quadra 801, Conjunto K
CEP 70200-010
Brasilia – DF
Tel: (55) (61) 3329 2300
Website: www.ukinbrazil.fco.gov.ukE-mail: brazil.consular@fco.gov.uk
Fax: (55) (61) 3329 2369
Office hours: (local time)
Mon – Thurs 08:30-1230 and 1330-1730
Fri: 0830-1230 and 1330-1630
Please note that the Consular section is open to the public from 0830-1230 Mon-Fri
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