South America and South Atlantic Islands

Brazil

Still current at: 20 July 2008

Updated: 02 July 2008

Terrorism

There is an underlying threat from international terrorism.  Attacks, although unlikely, could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.  For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.

Crime

Levels of violence and crime are high, 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. You should be particularly vigilant before and during the festive and Carnival periods, as there is often a seasonal upsurge in robberies against foreigners around this time. 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.

Outbreaks of violence, particularly aimed at police and officials, can occur anytime and may be widespread and unpredictable.  Public transport is likely to be disrupted during periods of unrest.  You should remain alert and aware of local conditions at all times.

Slums (“favelas”) exist in all major Brazilian cities; they are characterised by poverty and extremely high levels of violent crime.  Do not venture into a favela even with well-organised tours, as favelas can be unpredictably dangerous areas.

Thefts from cars are common, and cases of car jacking occur, sometimes with the occupants being taken and forced to withdraw money from their accounts at cash machines. Many cash machines often prevent withdrawal of cash from 10 p.m. to early morning to reduce the risk of this occurring around midnight (when a card’s daily limit can be withdrawn twice - just before and after midnight). When in a car you should keep the doors locked and the windows closed, and take particular care at traffic lights.

Avoid venturing out after dark in quiet streets except under reliable local advice.  The threat of personal attack is lower outside the cities.  However, incidents can occur anywhere, even in holiday destinations that appear relatively secure.

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 cloning is common.  UK debit cards are not always accepted by Brazilian cash machines, so ensure you have sufficient funds in a mixture of cash and travellers' cheques (preferably US Dollars or Euros).

Mobile phone cloning occurs.  Take care of your handset.

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.

Political Situation

Brazil Country Profile

 

Local Travel

 

Public Transport

 

Some forms of public transport (e.g. buses, the metro, and trams), can be unsafe, particularly in major cities; there have been instances where gangs have set buses alight leaving passengers inside after robbing them. There are also frequent bus crashes (see the “Road Travel” section).  The risk is lower in São Paulo, but the bus and metro system is complicated. In Rio de Janeiro in 2006 there were two incidents of hijacking and robbing of tour buses transferring British tourists from the international airport to their hotel.  Policing of tourist areas and the expressway from the international airport to the downtown area has been increased since the end of December 2006.  Bus travel between major cities and travel within other cities is relatively safe.

On arrival in Brazil, ensure that you use licensed (rather than unlicensed) 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 telltale sign that a taxi is registered.

 

Road Travel

 

Drive cautiously in Brazil. The style of driving and standards are very different from the UK. Brazil has a high road accident rate; much higher than in the UK.   In 2006  there were  almost 19,000 deaths on the roads (Source: DENATRAN – Brazilian national transport department) compared to 3,336 road deaths in the UK in 2005 (source: Department for Transport).

In June 2008 a new zero tolerance drink driving law was enacted in Brazil.  If you are caught driving whilst under the influence of alcohol, it is likely you will be prosecuted.  The penalties range from being fined and also suspended from driving for 12 months, to imprisonment for up to 3 years.  

 

You are allowed to drive in Brazil on a UK driving licence together with an authorised Portuguese translation. Carry these documents with you and a copy of your passport. 

For more general information see Driving Abroad.

   

Air Travel

   

Following two air crashes since September 2006, the Brazilian civil aviation network is undergoing changes.  Many of these alterations were introduced on 1 October 2007 and they could cause delays to flights and changes to departure and arrival airports. For more general information see Airline Security.

 

Rail Travel

 

The rail and metro infrastructure is limited in Brazil.  In the past there have been some safety and security incidents on these public transport systems.

Sea Travel

 

You should be vigilant of safety procedures on board vessels if travelling on a river or the sea.  

 

There have been cases of both armed and unarmed attacks on merchant vessels, including British flag vessels off the Brazilian coast and in some Brazilian ports, including Amapá, Rio Grande, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and Santos.  

For more general information see River and Sea Safety.

 

Swimming

 

Strong currents and sharks can be a problem off some beaches. You should take local advice before swimming.

Drugs
 
Drug trafficking is widespread in Brazil.  If you are caught trafficking, or in possession, the penalties are severe.

 

Paedophilia and Child Prostitution

 

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. Those arrested and convicted can expect to receive long prison sentences. Legislation in the UK, the Sex Offenders Act 1997, can be used to prosecute in the UK those who commit sex offences against children abroad, and has already been used successfully in cases of British nationals who have committed such offences elsewhere in the world. 

 

Gap Year Travellers

 

Please read:  GOGAPYEAR.COM

 

Homosexuality

 

There is no legislation against homosexuality in Brazil.  The country has a tradition of tolerance towards homosexuality, and Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo are regarded as destinations for gay travellers.  However, gay travellers should be generally aware of local sensitivities.

For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.

Visas

 

British nationals can normally enter Brazil without a visa as tourists for an initial maximum stay of 90 days.  However, it is important that you comply with Brazilian immigration laws on arrival in country and satisfy the Federal Police (the Brazilian immigration authority) of your intended purpose of visit.  It is particularly important to be able to demonstrate that you have sufficient money to fund the duration of your stay, and that you also have details of your accommodation and a return airline ticket or evidence that you are going to leave the country by other means of transport.  If you do not, then you risk being denied entry into the country.

  

If you wish to extend your stay you should apply to the Federal Police for an extension in advance of your 90-day period.  If you overstay the validity of your visa, you are likely to be given notice to leave the country at your own expense and risk fines and/or deportation.

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 $R165 fine payable in cash only.  It is also important that you have enough cash to pay the airport tax ($R115 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).

Since 2007, some Brazilian immigration officials have been restricting the stay up to 30 days for male tourists aged 25-50 travelling alone, particularly in the North East region, in an effort to combat sex tourism.

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 is:  Brazilian Representation in the UK.
 

Passport validity

 

Your passport should be valid for at least 90 days to comply with Brazilian immigration rules.  However, there are occasions when immigration authorities in some Brazilian states will require passports to have up to six months validity; you are recommended to check with your travel agency or airline in advance of your departure date.

 

Yellow Fever Certificate

 

If you have recently visited a country, which is known to suffer from outbreaks of Yellow Fever, you will need to show that you have been vaccinated against the disease. Please see the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel.

 

Travelling with children

 

There are additional requirements for all children under 18 entering and/or transiting Brazil without their parents or legal guardian (including on school trips).  You should contact your nearest Brazilian Embassy or Consulate for up-to-date advice on requirements.

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.  In 2008, an increase in cases has been reported from several states of Brazil compared to 2007.  The state of Rio de Janeiro has recently experienced a serious outbreak of Dengue Fever, with over 162,700 cases reported in the first five months of 2008 (source: Secretary of Health, Rio de Janeiro). The state authorities now seem to be limiting the spread of the disease.   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 seek medical advice. 

 
There is also an outbreak of Yellow Fever in Brazil.  In the first three months of 2008 there have been 38 confirmed cases of Yellow Fever that have led to 21 deaths (source: Brazilian Ministry of Health).  The affected areas are the states of Distrito Federal, Goiás, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Pará and Parana.  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 2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 610,000 adults aged 15 or over in Brazil were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.5% 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

Flash floods and landslides, especially in poorer urban areas, occur regularly.

Insurance

 

We strongly 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. For more general information see Travel Insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is How We Can Help.

Registration

Register wiht the British Embassy online if you intend to travel or live in Brazil.

Aternatively register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.  More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
 
Contact Details

 

The British Consulate in Rio de Janeiro provides assistance to British nationals in the following states: Rio de Janeiro, Espirito Santo, Bahia, Sergipe, Alagoas, Pernambuco, Paraiba, Rio Grande do Norte, Ceara, Piaui, Maranhao.

 

British Consulate-General

Praia do Flamengo, 284/2

22210-030

Rio de Janeiro RJ

 

Tel:  (55) (21) 2555 9600
E-mail:  brazil.consularenquiries@fco.gov.uk
Website:  www.ukinbrazil.fco.gov.uk

 

Fax:  (55) (21) 2555 9670

 

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 0830-1330, Mon-Fri.

The British Consulate in Sao Paulo provides assistance to British nationals in the following states: Sao Paulo, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Parana, Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul.

 

British Consulate-General

Rua Ferreira de Araujo, 741 – 2 andar

Pinheiros

05428-002

Sao Paulo –SP

 

Tel:  (55) (11) 3094 2700

E-mail:  brazil.consularenquiries@fco.gov.uk
Website:  www.ukinbrazil.fco.gov.uk

Fax:  (55) (11) 3094 2717

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 0830-1330, Mon-Fri.

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
E-mail: brazil.consularenquiries@fco.gov.uk
Website: www.ukinbrazil.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.