Contents
Summary
Entry and exit requirements
Safety and security
Local travel
Laws that apply to you
Health issues
Where to get help
Additional information
Summary
- We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Brazil because of the high levels of serious and violent crime, particularly in major cities.
- Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
- Heavy rains and seasonal flooding are affecting parts of southern and south-eastern Brazil, including areas in Rio de Janeiro state and Minas Gerais state. Australian travellers should seek local advice and familiarise themselves with the local situation before travelling to flood affected areas. Australians in southern and south-east Brazil should monitor local media for up to date information and follow the instructions of local authorities.
- You should avoid all demonstrations and protests as they may turn violent.
- Be a smart traveller. Before heading overseas:
- organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy
- register your travel and contact details, so we can contact you in an emergency
- subscribe to this travel advice to receive free email updates each time it's reissued.
Entry and exit
Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Brazil for the most up to date information.
The Brazilian Government strongly enforces immigration and entry laws. You should ensure you have a proper and valid visa prior to your arrival and remain aware of your visa status while in the country. You should carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.
Australians will be detained on arrival for not having the correct visas and will be prohibited from entering Brazil. A visa will not be granted on arrival. If you have any concerns about the status of your Brazilian visa, you should contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Brazil.
Brazil is listed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as endemic for yellow fever (see Health section). Some airlines may require passengers to present a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate before being allowed to board flights out of the country. If in doubt, check with your airline.
If you have visited Brazil in the last six days prior to your date of return to Australia, Australian Customs officials will ask you to present a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate on entry into Australia.
If you intend to leave Brazil and return during your trip, you should obtain a multiple entry visa before leaving Australia. You should also ensure that an exit stamp is placed in your passport by Brazilian immigration authorities when you depart Brazil. On arrival you must complete an arrival card, which has a carbon copy. The carbon copy must be retained and presented to immigration authorities on departure. Failure to do so may result in delays and possibly a fine when departing Brazil.
If you are travelling to Brazil through the United States of America (USA), or if you are transiting in Honolulu or other USA points of entry, you are required to meet USA entry/transit requirements. Make sure you check with your nearest Embassy or Consulate of the United States your visa requirements well in advance of your travel. You should also read our travel advice for the United States of America. For information about some recent changes to United States border entry procedures, including the use of Emergency Passports and Documents of Identity, please see our travel bulletin on entry into the United States.
On 12 January 2009, the United States Government introduced an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) which applies to all Australian passport holders visiting or transiting the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. For further information, please see our travel bulletin on entry into the United States.
Brazilian law requires that for all travel, Brazilian children (including dual nationals) travelling alone or with one parent must carry a letter of consent from the non-travelling parent(s) authorising travel. The letter must be in Portuguese and certified by the Brazilian embassy or consulate in Australia or by the Juvenile Court in Brazil. There is an office of the Juvenile Court at all airports in Brazil.
Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity from your planned date of return to Australia. You should carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.
Safety and security
Terrorism
Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.
Civil unrest/political tension
You should avoid political and labour strikes, protests and demonstrations as they may turn violent.
Crime
We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Brazil because of the high levels of serious crime. Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
The incidence of violent crime, including muggings, armed robbery and sexual assault, is significant and continues to increase, particularly in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Recife, Salvador and other large cities. Carjacking is also common, particularly in major cities. Tourists are often targeted by criminals, especially directly prior to and during public festivals such as Carnaval. If you are robbed you should cooperate and not resist as these situations can quickly turn violent. Victims have been seriously injured or killed when resisting perpetrators. It is unlikely Brazilian police will be able to recover stolen property, however, we strongly recommend you obtain a “boletim de ocorrencia” (police report) at a “delegancia” (police station) if any of your possessions are lost or stolen. In most cases, you will require a police report to lodge a travel insurance claim related to lost or stolen possessions.
Violence and crime, often involving firearms or other weapons, can occur anywhere. You should be vigilant, particularly in major cities. You are advised to avoid wearing jewellery and expensive watches, or carrying valuable items such as laptop computers. You are advised to dress down, as victims are often targeted for perceived wealth or value of personal possessions.
Gang-related violence is common throughout the State of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Most incidents have been directed at police, security officials and related facilities but gangs have recently also attacked official buildings, set alight public buses and robbed several banks. Recently, there have been a number of violent clashes between police and gangs in the ‘favela’ (shanty town) areas of Rio de Janeiro. These clashes are not confined to the favelas and have occurred in places frequented by tourists, including in an international hotel. The local authorities are attempting to counter this increase in violence by placing more police in the affected areas. Outbreaks of violence, mainly aimed at police and local officials, are unpredictable and widespread. You should remain alert and aware of local conditions at all times.
Criminal activities related to drug trafficking and trafficking of illicit goods are common along border areas, including the states of Amazonas, Acre, Rondonia, and Mato Grosso as well as the tri-border area of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay.
Crime levels in shanty towns or ‘favelas’ are very high. Tourists should avoid these areas.
During peak tourist seasons, large, organised criminal gangs have reportedly robbed and assaulted beachgoers. You should take a minimal number of personal belongings to the beach and leave passports, wallets and other valuables in a secure place. Isolated areas on the beach should be avoided, particularly in the early evening, when a high number of robberies occur. Sexual assaults have been reported in coastal tourist areas.
Due to the risk of HIV/AIDS, victims of violent crime, especially rape, are strongly encouraged to seek immediate medical assistance.
'Express kidnappings', where individuals are abducted and forced to withdraw funds from ATM machines to secure their release, are common in major cities including Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Brasilia, Salvador and Recife.
Tourists have been robbed and assaulted when using unregistered taxis. Use of a prepaid taxi ticket on arrival at the airport or taxis from registered taxi ranks may reduce the risk of robbery. As a guide, licensed taxis are generally required to have their photographic licence displayed.
Travellers should avoid leaving food and drinks unattended in bars and places of entertainment as there have been incidents of drink spiking.
Petty crime such as pickpocketing and bag snatching is common. Thieves operate in outdoor markets, in hotels and on public transport.
Mobile phone cloning occurs in Brazil. You should take care of your handset at all times.
Piracy occurs in the coastal areas of Brazil. See our travel advice on travelling by sea. The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) issues a piracy report that displays all Piracy and Armed Robbery incidents reported to the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre.
Money and valuables
Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Australian currency and travellers' cheques are not accepted in many countries. Consult with your bank to find out which is the most appropriate currency to carry and whether your ATM card will work overseas. Banking facilities such as ATMs, EFTPOS and credit card machines may be unreliable. Credit card fraud is widespread in Brazil. We recommend travellers using ATM or credit cards in Brazil check billing statements for unauthorised charges.
Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.
While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves (refer to Crime section).
As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.
Australians are required to pay an additional fee to have their passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.
Local travel
Delays of domestic flights are common in Brazil. You should check with your travel agent to ensure that itineraries take this into account and be prepared for the possibility of extended waits at airports.
There is a significant risk of becoming lost or injured while trekking in remote parts of Brazil, including the Amazon border regions and the Pantanal wetlands. We recommend use of an experienced guide to reduce these risks.
Driving in Brazil is hazardous due to aggressive driving habits, poorly maintained roads and large numbers of trucks and other slow vehicles on main routes. For further advice, see our bulletin on Overseas Road Safety.
Airline safety
Please refer to our travel bulletin for information about Aviation Safety and Security.
Laws
When you are in Brazil, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.
Penalties for possession or trafficking of illegal drugs in Brazil are severe and include lengthy imprisonment in local jails.
It is a legal requirement to carry your passport or a form of identification issued by the Brazilian Government at all times.
Penalties for driving with a blood alcohol level greater than zero are severe.
Homosexual activity is not illegal in Brazil, however gay and lesbian travellers should be aware of local sensitivities, particularly in rural communities.
Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money, laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism, child pornography, and child sex tourism, apply to Australian overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.
Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism and child pornography laws. These laws provide severe penalties for up to 25 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in child sexual exploitation while outside of Australia.
Information for dual nationals
Australian/Brazilian dual nationals must enter and exit the country using their Brazilian passport.
Australian/Brazilian dual national males aged 18 years or older who reside long-term in Brazil are required to register for military service. Dual nationals are advised to contact the nearest Brazilian Embassy or Consulate for further advice regarding military service obligations.
Our Dual Nationals brochure provides further information for dual nationals.
Health
On 10 August 2010, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced it had moved to a post-pandemic period in response to pandemic (H1N1) 2009. The virus is expected to remain as a seasonal influenza virus and local outbreaks may occur. For more information see the WHO website.
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. The Australian Government will not pay for a traveller's medical expenses overseas or medical evacuation costs.
Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our 'Travelling Well' brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.
The standard of private medical facilities in large cities such as Brasilia, Sao Paulo, Campinas, Rio de Janeiro and Curitiba is comparable to Australia. Other larger cities in Brazil also have small private hospitals providing adequate services. Outside of major cities, however, facilities can be very limited. Treatment at private clinics and hospitals is very expensive. Doctors and hospitals may expect cash payment prior to providing medical services, including for emergency care. In the event of a serious illness or accident, medical evacuation to one of Brazil's large cities would be necessary. Costs would be considerable (in the tens of thousands of dollars).
Malaria is a high risk in Brazil throughout the year. Other insect-borne diseases (including dengue fever, yellow fever, filariasis and leishmaniasis) are also a risk to travellers, with a higher incidence during the wet seasons (May to August and November to January). You should consult your doctor or travel clinic about prophylaxis against malaria and take measures to avoid insect bites, including using insect repellent at all times.
Water-borne, food-borne and other infectious diseases (including cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, leptospirosis and rabies) are prevalent with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before travelling. We recommend you boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, avoid ice cubes and raw and undercooked food. Do not swim in fresh water to avoid exposure to certain water-borne diseases such as schistosomiasis. Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.
HIV/AIDS is also a significant risk in Brazil. You should exercise appropriate precautions if engaging in activities that expose you to risk of infection. You can find out more information at the World Health Organization website.
The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.
Where to get help
In Brazil, you can obtain consular assistance from the:
Australian Embassy, Brasilia
SES QD 801
Conjunto K, Lote 07
BSB, DF 70200-010,
Brasilia, Brazil
Telephone: 55 61 3226 3111
Facsimile: 55 61 3226 1112
E-mail: embaustr@dfat.gov.au
or
Australian Consulate-General, Sao Paulo
Edificio Trianon Corporate – Cerqueira Cesar
Alamenda Santos 700
9th Floor, Unit 92
Sao Paulo, 01418 100, Brazil
Telephone: 55 11 3171 2851
Facsimile: 55 11 3171 2889
Limited consular assistance may be obtained at the:
Australian Consulate, Rio de Janeiro
Veirano e Advogados Associados
Av. Presidente Wilson, 231, 23rd Floor
Rio de Janeiro, RJ 20030-021, Brazil
Telephone: 55 21 3824 4624
Facsimile: 55 21 2262 4247
The São Paulo Tourist Police can be contacted at (11) 3120 4447 and (11) 3151 4167. In Rio de Janeiro, tourist police can be contacted at (21) 2332 2924, (21) 2332 2511 and (21) 2332 5112.
In Rio de Janeiro, there is a dedicated police unit for tourists:
Special Police Unit for Tourism Support
Av. Afrânio de Melo Franco, 159 - Leblon
Rio de Janeiro - RJ
Delegado Mr. Fernando Vila Pouca
Phone: (21) 2332-2924/2885/2889
Phone/Fax:(21) 2334 6802
e-mail: deat@pcerj.rj.gov.br
If you are travelling to Brazil, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency – whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.
In a consular emergency if you are unable to contact the Embassy you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.
In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.
Additional information
Natural disasters, severe weather and climate
Heavy rains and seasonal flooding are affecting parts of southern and south-eastern Brazil, including areas in Rio de Janeiro state and Minas Gerais state. Australian travellers should seek local advice and familiarise themselves with the local situation before travelling to flood affected areas. Australians in southern and south-east Brazil should monitor local media for up to date information and follow the instructions of local authorities.
Storms, flash flooding, and landslides are common in the wet season between December and March. They can result in loss of life and property damage.
If a natural disaster occurs, monitor the media and follow the advice of local authorities. Information on natural disasters can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service.
Wildlife
Australians are advised to respect wildlife laws and to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.
For parents
For general information and tips on travelling with children see our Travelling with Children brochure.
If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.
Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.