Health & safety: Brazil
Tap water
Not safe
Food safety
Caution
Can you drink the tap water in Brazil?
Tap water in major cities (São Paulo, Rio) technically safe but locals prefer bottled or filtered. Rural areas not safe.
Food safety in Brazil
Restaurants safe in major cities. Street food busy stalls OK. Stick to bottled water.
Vaccinations
Required for entry
- Yellow Fever if visiting Amazon/Pantanal/Brasília + many states
Recommended by CDC/WHO
- Yellow Fever (most travelers should get)
- Hepatitis A + B
- Typhoid
- Rabies if outdoor
Always check the CDC traveler's health page 4-6 weeks before departure for current recommendations.
Altitude warnings
Brasília (1,172m). Most coastal areas at sea level.
Mosquito-borne diseases
Dengue + Zika + Chikungunya year-round. Malaria in Amazon Basin. Yellow Fever risk areas.
Heat risk
Northern Brazil + summer Rio 35-40°C+ humid.
Emergency medical infrastructure
Albert Einstein (São Paulo) + Sírio-Libanês world-class. Public hospitals limited.