Brazil |
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| Still current at: 28 February 2013
Updated: 20 February 2013 |
| No restrictions in this travel advice | Avoid all but essential travel to part(s) of country | Avoid all but essential travel to whole country | Avoid all travel to part(s) of country | Avoid all travel to whole country |
This advice has been reviewed and reissued with editorial amendments. The overall level of the advice has not changed; there are no travel restrictions in place in this travel advice for Brazil.
(see travel advice legal disclaimer)
Travel advice for this country
- Travel Summary
- Safety and security
- Local laws and customs
- Entry requirements
- Health
- Natural disasters
- General
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The rainy season runs from November to March in the south and
south east and from April to July in the north east of the country.
Floods and landslides have affected some cities in the state of Rio de
Janeiro. Monitor local media and follow advice given by the local
authorities. See Natural Disasters
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Levels of crime and violence are high, particularly in major
cities. You should be particularly vigilant before and during the
festive and Carnival periods. Bank card fraud is common. See Crime
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149,564 British nationals visited Brazil in 2011. Most visits are trouble free. See Consular assistance statistics
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There is an underlying threat from terrorism. See Terrorism
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Drug trafficking is widespread in Brazil, and incurs severe penalties. See Local Laws and Customs
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Take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you travel.
There is an underlying threat from terrorism. Attacks, although unlikely, could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by foreigners.
Crime
Crime levels are high. Violence and crime can occur anywhere and often involves firearms or other weapons. You should be particularly vigilant before and during the festive and carnival periods.
Avoid wearing expensive jewellery, watches and clothes. Don’t carry large sums of money. Keep mobile phones and cameras out of sight and leave your passport in a safe place. Be ready to hand over valuables if you’re threatened. Don’t attempt to resist attackers. They may be armed and under the influence of drugs.
Thefts from cars are common, and cases of carjacking occur. There has been an increase in ‘express kidnappings’ in the capital city, Brasilia. Victims are usually held for a short period while criminals empty their bank account using a cash card. When approaching your car have the keys ready to make it easier to get into the car. When driving, deep doors locked and windows closed, and take particular care at traffic lights. In three or more lanes of traffic, consider using the middle lanes. Avoid deserted or poorly lit places, except under reliable local advice. Be aware of people approaching to ask for information, especially at night. The threat of personal attack is lower outside cities, but incidents can occur even in holiday destinations that appear relatively secure.
Rape and other sexual offences are rare, but there have been attacks against both men and women. Some have involved 'date rape' drugs. Buy your own drinks and keep them within sight at all times.
There has been an increase in robberies at ATMs in Sao Paulo. Some ATMs have been fitted with an anti theft device that applies pink coloured ink to the notes of an ATM that has been damaged or tampered with. 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, speak to the bank 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 to get a police report.
Bank and credit card fraud is common. Keep sight of your card at all times. Notify your bank in advance of your trip to avoid your card being blocked.
Mobile phone cloning occurs. Take care of your handset at all times.
Favelas
There are high levels of poverty and very high levels of violent crime in shanty-towns (favelas), which exist in all major Brazilian cities. The state government has implemented a Pacifying Police Force (Unidade de Policia Pacificadora (UPP) in several favelas in Rio de Janeiro. This has improved security, but all favelas are unpredictably dangerous areas, even if you visit with well organised tours. Violence, particularly aimed at police and officials, can occur at anytime. Public transport is likely to be disrupted during periods of unrest. Be alert and make sure you are aware of local conditions at all times.
Local travel
The following websites are maintained by the Brazilian authorities and contain useful information about travelling to Brazil:
Rio de Janeiro
São Paulo
Brazilian Tourism Ministry
Check the integrity and safety standards of any adventure travel companies before you use them.
Public transport
Be vigilant when using public transport, especially during rush-hour as petty crime is common. Generally speaking, the metro systems in Rio and São Paulo are safer than buses. There have been incidents of hijacking and robbery of tour buses in recent years. Both Rio and São Paulo metro systems have English websites. There are frequent bus crashes. Both Rio and São Paulo metro systems have English websites. There are frequent bus crashes.
Only use licensed taxis. You can pick up a licensed taxi from the many recognised taxi ranks around Brazilian cities. Most 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 in the street.
Most major cities in Brazil have facilities adapted for disabled travellers, including easy-access public buses and lifts to tube stations and platforms.
Road travel
Brazil has a high road accident rate. In many rural areas the quality of roads away from the main highways is poor, and standards of driving, especially trucks and buses, is low.
Brazil has a zero tolerance policy on drink driving. If you are caught driving under the influence of alcohol, you will probably be prosecuted. Penalties range from fines and a suspension from driving for 12 months, to imprisonment for up to 3 years.
Air travel
Always use recognised national air carriers. There have been accidents involving light aircraft, which sometimes have poor maintenance standards. A list of recent incidents and accidents can be found on the website of the Aviation Safety network.
We can’t offer advice on the safety of individual airlines. However, the International Air Transport Association publishes list of registered airlines that have been audited and found to meet a number of operational safety standards and recommended practices. This list is not exhaustive and the absence of an airline from this list does not necessarily mean that it is unsafe.
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.
Rail travel
The rail and metro infrastructure is limited. In the past there have been some safety and security incidents on these systems.
Sea travel
Be wary of safety procedures on board vessels. Boat accidents on the Amazon River are not uncommon.
There have been armed and unarmed attacks on merchant vessels, including British flag vessels off the Brazilian coast and in some Brazilian ports.
Swimming
Strong currents and sharks can be a danger off some beaches. Take local advice before swimming.
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.
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. If you commit sex offences against children abroad you can be prosecuted in the UK.
There is no legislation against homosexuality in Brazil. The country has a tradition of tolerance, but in recent years some attacks on homosexual couples have occurred. Since May 2011, Brazilian law recognises homosexual stable unions and gives homosexual couples equal rights.
Visas
British nationals can normally enter Brazil without a visa as a tourist. For further information about visas see the website of the Brazilian Consulate in London.
Make sure you comply with Brazilian immigration laws on arrival in the country. You must satisfy the Federal Police (the Brazilian immigration authority) of your intended purpose of visit. You will need to be able to demonstrate that you have enough money for the duration of your stay, and provide details of your accommodation and evidence of return or onward travel. Make sure your passport is stamped. If it is not, you may be fined on departure. Keep your immigration landing card. You’ll need it when you leave. If you lose it you may be fined.
If you wish to extend your stay while you are in Brazil you should apply to the Federal Police for an extension. If you overstay your visa, you are likely to be given notice to leave the country at your own expense and you may be fined or deported.
Passport validity
Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Brazil.Dual nationality
The Brazilian immigration authorities often require dual British/Brazilian nationals visiting Brazil to travel on Brazilian (rather than British) passports.
Travelling with children
There are additional requirements for all children under 18 entering or transiting Brazil without their parents or legal guardian, or travelling with one parent only. Contact the Brazilian Consulate in London for further information and advice.
UK Emergency travel documents
UK Emergency travel documents (ETDs) are accepted for entry, airside transit and exit from Brazil. Your ETD must be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Brazil.
Contact your GP around 6 weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or other preventive measures. Country specific information and advice is published by the National Travel Health Network and Centre, and useful information about healthcare abroad, including a country-by-country guide of reciprocal health care agreements with the UK, is available from NHS Choices.
Foreign nationals are entitled to emergency medical treatment in Brazilian public hospitals. 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. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
Dengue fever is common, particularly during the rainy season.
The sun can be extremely strong and UV levels are higher than in the UK.
If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 192 and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.
The rainy season 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 common during heavy rains. Monitor local media and follow any instructions given by the local authorities.
Consular assistance statistics
149,564 British nationals visited Brazil in 2011 (source: Brazilian Ministry of Tourism). Sixty-four British nationals needed consular assistance in Brazil in the period 1 April 2011 - 31 March 2012 for the following types of incident: 20 deaths; 12 hospitalisations; and 16 arrests.
