What actually happens to travelers here.
Brazil reporting record dengue cases nationwide. Use DEET constantly during the day. Seek care for any fever within 2 weeks of return.
Required for Amazon region, Pantanal, and most of the interior. Recommended for all travelers. Must be administered 10+ days before travel.
Rio and São Paulo have elevated violent-crime rates. Stick to vetted areas, don't flash valuables, use ride-hailing rather than walking at night.
The system.
System: Universal (SUS — Sistema Único de Saúde, free for all; tourists can access but expect long waits). Private healthcare (plans de saúde) provides faster, higher-quality care for those who can pay.
Quality: ★★★☆☆ Good
Public healthcare (SUS) is free but often overcrowded with long wait times. Private hospitals in major cities (São Paulo, Rio, Brasília) offer excellent care comparable to Western standards. Many private doctors speak English. Pharmacies (Farmácias) are everywhere.
Brazil is a well-known medical tourism destination, particularly for cosmetic surgery (Brazil is world-renowned for plastic surgery). Costs in private clinics are 50-70% lower than in the US. Popular destinations include São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Porto Alegre. Choose JCI-accredited hospitals.
Where to actually go.
JCI-accredited. Brazil's top-rated private hospital. International patient department.
Private hospital near Copacabana and Ipanema beaches. English-speaking staff.
Close to Sugarloaf Mountain. Good emergency department.
JCI-accredited hospital in southern Brazil.
Finding what you need.
Access: Easy
Hours: Most pharmacies open 7am-11pm; 24-hour pharmacies available in major cities; chains include Drogaria São Paulo, Pague Menos, and Raia
Prescription rules: A Brazilian prescription is required for prescription medications. Foreign prescriptions are not accepted. Antibiotics and many other drugs are widely available OTC. Carry medications in original packaging with a doctor's note.
Many medications available OTC that require prescriptions in the US. Pharmacists are helpful. Bring a list with generic names. Dengue and Zika prevention: bring insect repellent with DEET. Sunscreen is expensive — bring your own.
Available over the counter
- acetaminophen/paracetamol
- ibuprofen
- antacids
- antibiotics (often OTC)
- antihistamines
- rehydration salts
- sunscreen (expensive, bring your own)
- DEET insect repellent
- basic first aid
Useful pharmacy phrases
- Preciso de remédio para dor de cabeça
- Estou com dor de estômago
- Sou alérgico(a) a...
- Onde fica a farmácia mais próxima?
- Preciso de um médico
Chains you'll see
- Drogaria São Paulo — Blue and yellow signage (Throughout Brazil)
- Drogasil — Red Drogasil logo (Throughout Brazil)
- Pacheco — Drogarias Pacheco — orange signage (Throughout Brazil)
Common OTC medications by local brand
- paracetamol/acetaminophen → Tylenol
Tylenol is the most recognized Brazilian paracetamol brand. - ibuprofen → Advil or Alivium
Both widely available. - loperamide (anti-diarrheal) → Imosec
Imosec is the dominant Brazilian loperamide brand.
What you can't bring in.
Carry a doctor's letter in Portuguese or English listing all medications with generic names. Keep medications in original packaging. For controlled substances, carry original prescriptions and a note explaining medical necessity. Portuguese translation of prescriptions is helpful.
Deep-dive guides for this country's restrictions: Adderall · Codeine · Xanax
Stimulants are controlled substances. Bring original prescription, doctor's letter, and carry only personal-use quantities. Declare to customs if carrying controlled substances.
Codeine is controlled. Some products may be available with prescription. Carry alternatives if possible.
Benzodiazepines require documentation. Carry a doctor's letter explaining medical necessity.
Bring documentation and only the amount needed for your stay.
If something breaks.
Availability: Brazil is world-renowned for dental care. Private dental clinics widely available and affordable compared to the US.
Cost range: R$100-300 ($20-60) for a consultation; R$200-600 ($40-120) for fillings; R$300-800 ($60-160) for extractions
Brazil has more dentists per capita than almost any country. Quality is excellent at private clinics in major cities. Dental tourism is a significant industry.
What you actually need.
🛡️ Recommended
Average cost: $30-60/week
Travel insurance is essential. Private hospital care can cost $1,000-$5,000+/day. Medical evacuation coverage is important, especially in the Amazon region. Ensure coverage includes tropical diseases (dengue, Zika, yellow fever complications). COVID-19 coverage is also advisable.
Filing a claim
Private hospitals in Brazil often require payment upfront or credit card guarantee. SUS (public healthcare) is free but quality varies. Keep all notas fiscais (invoices) and laudos médicos (medical reports). Request English documentation from private hospitals. File claims within your policy deadline.
What it costs out of pocket.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Doctor visit (private) | $25-60 |
| ER visit | $80-300 |
| Overnight hospital stay | $150-500 |
| Ambulance | $30-150 |
Estimated typical out-of-pocket costs at private or international facilities. Public-system rates can be much lower (or free for residents). Actual costs vary by city, facility, and exchange rate.
When local won't cut it.
Primary destination: São Paulo
Secondary destination: Buenos Aires or Miami
Typical cost band: $30,000-100,000
Common providers: Global Rescue, MedJet, International SOS
Local hospitals handle routine cases; for complex care that exceeds local capacity, regional referral options are well-established. São Paulo (Hospital Albert Einstein, Sírio-Libanês) is the leading South American medical hub. Buenos Aires and Santiago handle southern-cone cases.
What to get done before you fly.
Recommended
- Yellow Fever (required for travel to certain states/regions; recommended for Amazon and rural areas; some areas require proof of vaccination)
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Typhoid
- Routine vaccinations (MMR, DTaP)
- COVID-19
- Rabies (for animal exposure risk)
Yellow fever vaccination is required or strongly recommended depending on region — check current requirements for your specific destinations. Especially important for Amazon basin, Pantanal, and parts of Minas Gerais, São Paulo, and Rio states. Get vaccinated at least 10 days before travel.
The Bali belly prevention guide.
Tap water: Use caution — Tap water is generally safe in major cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, but bottled water is recommended in smaller towns and rural areas. Avoid tap water in the Northeast region and rural Amazon. Use bottled water for brushing teeth if unsure.
Food safety
In restaurants and hotels, food is generally safe. Be cautious with street food vendors. Avoid raw salads or unpeeled fruits from informal vendors. In tourist areas of Rio, São Paulo, and coastal resorts, restaurants maintain good hygiene. Be cautious with seafood from street vendors.
In crisis abroad.
English / international line: WhatsApp support also available through CVV
English-speaking therapists: English-speaking therapists available in São Paulo and Rio through international clinics and online platforms like BetterHelp.
Public mental health services (CAPS) are available through SUS but mainly in Portuguese. Private English-speaking therapists charge R$200-500 per session.
International crisis support: findahelpline.com — crisis lines in 130+ countries.
Getting around with mobility needs.
Brazil has accessibility laws but enforcement varies. Major cities are improving but sidewalks and older buildings can be challenging.
Hospital accessibility: Private hospitals are generally wheelchair accessible. Public hospitals vary in accessibility.
Accessible transport: Metro systems in São Paulo and Rio have elevators and priority seating. Accessible buses available on main routes. Uber Assist available in major cities.
Beach wheelchairs (cadeiras anfíbias) are available at some beaches in Rio and other coastal cities. Book accessible accommodations well in advance.
Entry rules + local status.
Entry requirements: No COVID testing or vaccination requirements for entry.
Mask policy: No mask mandates. Masks may be required in some healthcare settings.
Testing availability: Antigen and PCR tests available at pharmacies and labs. Cost: R$80-250 for PCR.
Brazil removed all COVID entry restrictions. Dengue and Zika remain more significant current health concerns than COVID.
Brazil travel health, answered.
What we checked.
- US Department of State — travel advisory for this country
- CDC Travelers' Health
- US Embassy Brazil
- Brazil Ministry of Health (ANVISA)
- WHO International Travel and Health