Health
Although major cities have water treatment, you should avoid drinking tap water without filtrating it first. Drink only filtrated or mineral water. Also, go easy on the typical dishes: yes, they are good, but they may be spicy and strong.
Keep in mind that the sun in Brazil may be extremely strong in certain areas. See below the usual recommendations for sunbathing:
Avoid sun exposure from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sun exposure is more intense at high altitudes, tropical locations and near water.
Use a sun block when you are outdoors. Products with a sun-protective factor (SPF) of 15 or more are usually recommended for better protection (the ones with lower SPF allow tanning but protect less). Reapply the product after swimming or after prolonged exposure, even if it is water- and perspiration-resistant. Baby oil, mineral oil or cocoa butter offer no protection from the sun.
Be especially thorough to protect nose, ears, back of the neck and back of the legs with sun block.
Cover your head with a hat or cap (note that mesh caps and hats may not protect the head appropriately).
Lying in a shade on the beach may not be enough, as sunlight reflects from water and sand.
If you insist on tanning, limit your sun exposure on the first day to 5 to 10 minutes on each side. Add 5 minutes per side each day.
Keep hydrated.
As of May 2010, Brazil does not require a yellow fever International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis for entering the country. Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for travelers who plan to visit the following Brazilian states: Acre, Amazonas, Rondonia, Roraima, Amapá, Pará, Tocantins, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Goiás, Distrito Federal, Maranhão and Minas Gerais, in addition to the south of Piauí, the west and south of Bahia, the north of Espírito Santo, the northwest of São Paulo and the west of the states of Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul. Keep in mind that most of the coast of Brazil is not a risk area for yellow fever, from Rio Grande do Sul in the south all the way up to Piauí, except for the north of Espírito Santo and the south of Bahia. Also keep in mind that the vaccine should be taken at least 10 days prior to departure.
The Consulate-General of Brazil in New York is not a Tourism Office, nor is equipped to provide individuals with detailed information. These pages are for basic information, general purpose only. * We’re not a tourism office * please look at the information above on the left for more detailed help with your questions about Brazil.
