U.S. Embassy Brasilia 
SES - Avenida das Nacoes, Quadra 801, Lote 03 
70403-900 - Brasilia, DF Brazil 
Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.  telephone:  011-55-61 3550 0774 Monday through Friday from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. telephone 011-55-61-3312-7000 
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: 011-55-61-3312-7400 
Fax: (61) 3312-7651 
Email: BrasiliaACS@state.gov

Embassy Branch Office in Belo Horizonte 
Avenida do Contorno, 4520 / 2nd floor – Funcionários 
30110-028 Belo Horizonte, MG – Brazil 
Telephone: +55 (31) 3338-4000 
E-mail: BrasiliaACS@state.gov 
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: Please contact the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia

Consular Agency in Brasilia’s Consular District 
Manaus Consular Agency 
Edificio Atrium, Suite 306 
Rua Franco de Sá, 310 
69.079-210 Manaus, AM Brazil 
Telephone: 011-55-92-3611-3333 
Email: ManausACS@state.gov
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: Please contact the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia

U.S. Consulate General Porto Alegre 
Avenida Assis Brasil, 1889 
Passo d'Areia 
91010-004 - Porto Alegre, RS Brazil 
Telephone: 011-55-51-3345-6000 
Email: PortoAlegreACS@state.gov 
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: 011-55-51-3345-6000 

U.S. Consulate General Recife
Rua Goncalves Maia, 163, Boa Vista 
50070-125 - Recife, PE Brazil 
Telephone: 011-55-81-3416-3050 or 011-55-81-3416-3080 
Email: RecifeACS@state.gov 
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: 011-55-81-3416-3060 or 011-55-81-9916-9470 

Consular Agency in Recife’s Consular District 
U.S. Consular Agency Fortaleza 
Avenida Santos Dumont 2828, Aldeota, Suite 708 
60150-162- Fortaleza, CE Brazil 
Telephone: 011-55-85-3223-4902 
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: Please contact the U.S. Consulate General in Recife

U.S. Consulate General Rio de Janeiro
Avenida Presidente Wilson, 147, Castelo 
20030-020, Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil 
Telephone: 011-55-21-3823-2000 
Email: acsrio@state.gov 
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: 011-55-21-3823-2029 

Consular Agency in Rio de Janeiro’s Consular District 
U.S. Consular Agency Salvador da Bahia 
Avenida Tancredo Neves, 1632, Caminho das Arvores 
Salvador Trade Center-Torre Sul, Room 1401 
41820-020 - Salvador, Bahia Brazil 
Telephone: 011-55-71-3113-2090/2091/2092 
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: Please contact the U.S. Consulate General in Rio de Janeiro: 011-55-(21) 3823-2029 

U.S. Consulate General Sao Paulo 
Rua Henri Dunant, 500 Chacara Santo Antonio 
04709-110 - Sao Paulo, SP Brazil 
Telephone: (11) 3230-2170 and (11)3958-7007 – Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time  
Email: SaopauloACS@state.gov 
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: (11) 3250-5000

See the Department of State’s Fact Sheet on Brazil for information on U.S.-Brazil relations.  

A visa is required for U.S. citizens to travel to Brazil, regardless of the purpose of travel. You must apply for and be approved for the visa before leaving for Brazil. For more information about visa requirements, visit the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. .  

You will need:

• A valid U.S. passport.
• A valid Brazilian visa or e-visa for all travel.
• Visit the Brazilian government-website to obtain visa information.
• Find a Brazilian consulate abroad.           

Travel with Minors

Parental permission for minor travel: Under Brazilian law any Brazilian citizen minor  (even dual U.S.-Brazilian citizens) must have permission from each parent to travel within or exit Brazil. When traveling with both parents, no written authorization is needed. When a minor travels with only one parent or without either parent, they must have 2 original written authorization letters from each absent parent and carry a copy of the child’s birth certificate*. They can also have an annotation in their Brazilian passport authorizing travel alone or with only one parent. Brazilian authorities will likely not allow Brazilian minor citizens to pass through immigration or board a flight departing Brazil without authorization letters and a birth certificate* or an annotated Brazilian passport.

The U.S. Embassy and its consulates cannot intervene in Brazilian immigration matters or request that this requirement be waived for U.S. citizen travelers.

Written Authorization Letter: If the absent parent is in Brazil, written authorization letters must be in Portuguese and notarized by a Brazilian notary. If the absent parent is outside of Brazil, the authorization must be done at the nearest Brazilian Embassy or Consulate using the form provided by that office. Again, please note that Brazilian law requires 2 original authorizations from each absent parent. 

It is important to travel with the 2 originals. The Federal Police may retain 1 authorization upon the minor’s entry into Brazil. Authorities may then request the second original document upon the minor’s departure. Authorizations written in English or executed before any non-Brazilian notary public are not accepted by the Brazilian Federal Police. Similarly, birth certificates issued outside of Brazil that are not apostilled** and translated by a certified translator may not be accepted.

Brazilian Passport Annotation: Instead of authorization letters, parents of dual U.S.-Brazilian citizen minors may request an annotation in the minor’s Brazilian passport authorizing the minor to travel with only one parent, or to travel alone, or with a third party. This annotation replaces the requirement for written authorization letters until the passport expires. Parents residing in Brazil should contact the Brazilian Federal Police for details on obtaining an annotated passport. Parents residing outside Brazil should contact the nearest Brazilian Embassy or Consulate. The annotated Brazilian passport must not be expired and must always be carried along with the minor’s U.S. passport for Brazilian Federal Police to accept it. There is no such annotation for U.S. passports.

Children who are not dual citizens of Brazil: Even though Brazilian law does not explicitly apply the parental authorization to non-Brazilian minors, Federal Police have sometimes delayed the travel of non-Brazilian minors who lack appropriate authorization from both parents. For this reason, we recommend that families of non-Brazilian minors who may travel through Brazil without one or both parents execute written authorizations (following the instructions in the preceding paragraph) before travel and ensure that the minor, or the minor’s traveling companion, carries the original or notarized copy* of the minor’s birth certificate. 

An exemplar of the form used by Brazilian authorities to document parental permission for minors to travel without one or both parents may be found here.

*If the birth certificate was issued in Brazil, copies must be notarized by a Brazilian notary. If issued outside of Brazil, copies must be apostilled and translated by a certified translator into Portuguese.

** There is a useful pamphlet published by the Hague Conference called “The ABCs of Apostilles.” The Brazilian competent authority that issues apostilles is the Conselho Nacional de Justiça.

HIV/AIDS Restrictions: The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Brazil.

Find information on dual nationality, prevention of international child abduction, and customs regulations on our websites.

Crime: The violent crime rate is high in most Brazilian urban centers. Public transportation, hotel sectors, and tourist areas report high crime rates, but crime can happen anywhere and at any time. Be aware of your surroundings.

• Do not travel to these areas due to crime:
  • Informal housing developments in Brazil (commonly referred to in Brazil as favelas, vilas, comunidades, and/or conglomerados), even on a guided tour, at any time. Tour companies and the police cannot guarantee your safety in these areas. Even in places that police or local governments call safe, things can change quickly and without warning. Be careful anywhere near these communities. Gang fights and clashes with police spread outside the borders of these communities.
  • Brasilia’s administrative regions (commonly known as “satellite cities”) of Ceilandia, Santa Maria, Sao Sebastiao, and Paranoa  at night .
  • Anywhere within 160 km/100 miles of Brazil’s land borders with Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and Paraguay. (Note: This does not apply to the Foz do Iguacu National Park or Pantanal National Park.)
• Avoid public buses, especially at night. Passengers are at a higher risk of robbery or assault when using public buses. The U.S. government recommends its employees to avoid public buses throughout Brazil.
• Beware of the widespread use of sedatives to drug and rob individuals, including  U.S. citizens and other tourists. Victims’ drinks are tampered with causing them to lose consciousness. Victims remember little , and their valuables are gone when they regain consciousness. While victims continue to be randomly targeted in bars and nightclubs, foreigners are also targeted through online dating applications. Take the following steps to avoid this type of crime:
  • Avoid going to bars or nightclubs alone and avoid leaving with strangers.
  • Do not accept food or drinks from strangers.
  • Before going on a date with someone you met on a dating app, tell a loved one whom you are meeting, where you are going, and the details of the dating application account.
  • Beware of inviting individuals to your residence. If you invite a new acquaintance to your residence, speak to your door attendant in advance about your invited guest.
  • Trust your instincts – if something does not feel right or if you suddenly feel ill, walk away from the situation.
  • If you believe you may have been drugged, seek immediate medical attention. Some people can have life-threatening reactions to these drugs. After that, report the crime to local police and contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

In addition, be aware of the following situations:

• Traveling Outside Metropolitan Areas After Dark: Travelers are encouraged to travel during daylight hours. Road conditions throughout Brazil can vary widely. Hazards include road debris, horse-drawn carriages, unmarked speed bumps, and other poor infrastructure.
• Armed robberies of pedestrians and motorists can happen, including at or near public beaches. Personal belongings are taken, even if momentarily unattended. If confronted, hand over your personal belongings without resisting. Resisting will increase your risk of injury.
• Carjackings and robberies occur at any time, especially at intersections and in tunnels. Some robberies involve individuals forced to make purchases or to withdraw money from ATMs.
• Crime on public transportation occurs. Registered taxis have red license plates and openly display company information and phone numbers.
• Credit card fraud and ATM scams are common in Brazil. Work with your financial institutions to monitor accounts and keep your credit card in view while it is scanned at a point of sale.
• Do not use ATMs in unfamiliar, secluded, or lightly protected areas. Be aware that criminals often target ATMs and businesses in the early hours of the morning when there are fewer witnesses and law enforcement response times may be delayed. If you use an ATM, select one inside a secure facility, such as an airport, hospital, bank, or government building. 
• Avoid openly displaying your cell phone.  When using a ride share service or taxi, wait for its arrival in a secure area.
• Avoid public events and crowds. Any public event, including concerts and sporting events, can turn violent.

Due to crime risks, U.S. government employees working in Brazil  must obtain special authorization to:

• Travel anywhere within 160 km/100 miles of the international borders with Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and Paraguay. Illegal criminal networks operate along Brazilian borders. Travel to the Foz do Iguaçu National Park and Pantanal National Park is allowed.
• Enter any informal housing developments in Brazil (commonly referred to as favelas, vilas, comunidades, and/or conglomerados ).
• Travel at night to Brasilia’s administrative regions (commonly known as “satellite cities”) of Ceilandia, Santa Maria, Sao Sebastiao, and Paranoa.

To reduce the risk of crime, please also follow this advice:

• Limit the personal belongings you carry with you. Carry your money in your front pockets and limit the number of credit cards you carry. Copy all your personal documents—including your credit cards, license, passport, etc.—and keep the originals in a safe place. This will help if you lose your documents.
• Do not carry or wear valuable items that will attract thieves. If you must wear expensive jewelry or carry a camera, conceal it until you arrive at your destination.
• Be aware of the street environment and avoid those looking for robbery targets. Seek a safer location. Go into a store, bank, or cross the street.
• Do not walk on beaches after dark. Assaults are common.
• Use increased caution when hiking in isolated areas, particularly near popular tourist locations in Rio de Janeiro.

Demonstrations and strikes occur frequently. They may take place in response to political or economic issues. Demonstrations can be unpredictable. Avoid areas around protests and demonstrations. 

• Past demonstrations have turned violent. 
• Check local media for updates and traffic advisories.
• Check the website of the nearest Embassy or Consulate for current information on demonstrations.

Scams: Internet romance and financial scams are prevalent in Brazil. Review the Department of State and the FBI pages for information.

Technology Usage Abroad: Mobile devices can be compromised, stolen, or damaged anywhere in the world and cellular service is intermittent in more remote parts of the country. Before traveling abroad, it is best to keep all software (operating system and apps) updated. If possible, use a virtual private network and encrypted voice over IP (VoIP) applications. Make sure that all VPN/VoIP are reputable, and U.S. based. Do not connect to unknown open Wi-Fi.  

GPS navigation apps are helpful in getting U.S. citizens around in a foreign country, however, large areas of Brazil have limited to no cellular service coverage. Before using a GPS app, research the route to make sure it is safe as GPS apps may give you the shortest route without safety considerations.   

Victims of Crime: U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate nearest you for assistance.

Report crimes to the local police at 190 and contact the U.S. Embassy or the U.S. Consulate nearest you for assistance. In most instances, you can report crimes to the tourist or civil police. Local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime.

The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Brazil is divided among four services:

190 - Policia (Police)

191 - Policia Rodoviaria (Police on interstate roads)

192 - Ambulancia (Ambulance)

193 - Bombeiros (Fire Department)

Inform the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate: 

the U.S. Embassy at 011-55-61-3312-7000

the U.S. Consulate General in Porto Alegre at 011-55-51-3345-6000

the U.S. Consulate General in Recife at 011-55-81-3416-3050 or 011-55-81-3416-3080

the U.S. Consulate General in Rio de Janeiro at 011-55-21-3823-2000

the U.S. Consulate General in Sao Paulo at 011-55-11-3250-5000

See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas.

We can:

• Help you find appropriate medical care.
• Assist you in reporting a crime to the police.
• Contact relatives or friends with your written consent.
• Provide general information regarding the victim’s role during the local investigation and following its conclusion.
• Provide a list of local lawyers. We do not endorse or recommend any specific attorney.
• Provide information on victims' compensation programs in the United States.
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution.
• Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home.
• Replace a lost or stolen passport.

Domestic Violence: Brazil enacted legislation in 2006 that criminalizes domestic violence against women to include the issuance of restraining orders, special courts to handle domestic violence cases, the creation of women’s shelters in larger urban areas, and a national helpline (dial 180). U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the Embassy for assistance.  

Tourism: The tourism industry is not well regulated. Safety inspections for equipment and facilities are rare. Ask property management about the presence and functionality of safety equipment, such as fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Dangerous areas/activities are marked with signs in major urban centers but may not be marked properly in other places. Staff may not be trained or certified by the host government or recognized authorities. If you get injured, you will likely only find appropriate medical treatment in or near major cities. First responders cannot quickly reach areas outside of major cities to provide urgent medical care. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you break local laws, even if you don't know it, you can be kicked out of the area, arrested, or put in prison. If you want to start a business or work in a job that needs special permits or licenses, you should get information from the local authorities before you start.

Furthermore, some crimes are prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy or Consulate immediately. See our webpage for further information.

Firearms: Brazil forbids importing, exporting, and possessing firearms without prior authorization of the Brazilian Government. U.S. citizens are subject to arrest and prosecution in Brazil for possession of unauthorized firearms or firearm components anywhere in the country, including airports. This prohibition extends to spent shell casings or ammunition, even if inside luggage during transit, regardless of whether those items were legally purchased in the United States or elsewhere.

Counterfeit and Pirated Goods: Counterfeit and pirated goods are prevalent in many countries. They may be illegal according to local laws.  Counterfeit and pirated goods may pose significant risks to consumer health and safety.  You may be subject to fines and/or have to give up counterfeit and pirated goods if you bring them back to the United States.  See the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website and U.S. Department of Justice website for more information. 

Water Hazards: Many of Brazil’s beaches have very dangerous riptides, even if the water looks safe. Ocean currents and waves are unpredictable, even at popular beaches frequented by tourists. Shark attacks occur at some beaches in northeastern Brazil, particularly near Recife. Always observe posted warnings and never swim while under the influence of alcohol. Follow local authorities’ guidance and refrain from swimming alone in areas marked with red warning signs or at beaches where there are no municipal lifeguards or first responder services.

Electricity Blackouts: Power failures in large urban centers are common and sometimes followed by increased crime. Most tourist hotels are equipped with generators, minimizing the impact of a blackout, but you should remain cautious.

Natural Disasters: Flooding and mudslides occur throughout the country and can be fatal. Monitor news and weather reports and follow municipal advisories before traveling to areas prone to flooding or landslides. Many of Brazil’s larger cities have frequent heavy rainstorms that cause flash flooding and can disrupt traffic. 

Customs Restrictions: Contact the Brazilian Embassy in Washington, D.C. or a Brazilian consulate in the United States for specific information regarding import and export regulations. Please also refer to our information on customs regulations.

Brazilian customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporarily importing or exporting items such as firearms, antiquities, mineral samples, tropical plants, wildlife, medications, and business and communication equipment. 

In the Amazon region, there is special scrutiny of exporting biological material. People raising, growing, or exporting biological materials without permits can be charged with “biopiracy.”

Faith-Based Travelers: See the following webpages for details:

Faith-Based Travel Information

International Religious Freedom Report – see country reports

Human Rights Report – see country reports

International Volunteers: 

• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

Gay and Lesbian Travelers: Brazil does not have legal restrictions on same-sex marriage, relations, or events coordinated by Gay and Lesbian organizations. However, according to the 2022 Human Rights Report, violence against Gay and Lesbian individuals was a serious concern, with a local NGO reporting 256 deaths.

See our Gay and Lesbian Travelers Information page for further details.

Travelers with Disabilities: Brazilian law prohibits discrimination against persons with physical and mental disabilities in employment, education, and access to health care, and the law is enforced. Expect accessibility to be limited in  public transportation, lodging, communication/information, and general infrastructure, particularly outside large urban areas. Brazil’s urban centers have commercial services for medical equipment, assistive technology, and auxiliary aides and services that are comparable to those available in the United States.  

See our Travelers with Disabilities page.  

Students: See our Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips.

Women Travelers:  

See our travel tips for Women Travelers.  

Brazil is a very large country with varying medical resources, both private and public, throughout the country. For emergency services in Brazil, dial 192.

Ambulance services are:

• not present throughout the country or are unreliable in most areas except in state capitals and other large cities.   
• not equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment.  

Injured or seriously ill travelers outside of major cities may prefer to take a taxi or private vehicle to the nearest major hospital rather than wait for an ambulance.   

See our Health Abroad page for more information. 

• Check the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Traveler Advice for Brazil. 
• Review all sub-sections. These include Travel Health Notices, Vaccines and Medicines, Non-Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, Stay Healthy and Safe, Healthy Travel Packing List, and After Your Trip. 
• We highly recommend that all travelers review the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Travelers’ Health page. CDC Traveler Advice provides advice on medical considerations including: 
• Reasons for Travel (for example: Adventure Travel, Spring Break Travel) 
• Travelers with Special Considerations (for example: Allergies, Long-Term Travelers and Expatriates) 
• General Tips (for example: Traveling with Medications, Travel Vaccines)  

The Department of State, U.S. embassies and U.S. consulates do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance. At private Brazilian medical facilities, you must pay for your care at the time of your appointment. At public medical facilities, costs are covered through Brazil’s universal health care system.

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas.   See our Insurance Overseas page for more information on insurance providers with overseas coverage. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Travel Insurance page for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas. 

• We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation. 

Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. Check with the Government of Brazil to ensure the medication is legal in Brazil. 

Vaccinations: Be up to date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

The yellow fever vaccine is not required for entry to Brazil. If travelers want to be vaccinated for yellow fever, they should do so before travel as local  supplies are limited. To be effective, the yellow fever vaccine must be administered 10 days prior to travel.

Other countries (including Colombia, French Guiana, Suriname, Guyana, Bolivia, and Paraguay) require travelers with recent entries into Brazil to show proof of  vaccination for yellow fever and/or other diseases. U.S. citizens visiting Brazil and planning visits/transit through other countries before returning to the United States should review vaccination requirements for those countries before travel and carry proof, such as a vaccination card, that they have received required vaccines. 

Further health information: 

• World Health Organization Travel advice page
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Travelers’ Health page

Air Quality:
Air pollution can be a significant problem in many destinations overseas.

• Check NASA’s Air Quality Forecast. It uses AI, historical data, and global pollution models to create a 3-day air quality forecast for Brazil.
• For information about common air pollutants, check the CDC’s Air Quality page.
• For information about the U.S. Air Quality Index and health guidance, check out the EPA’s AirNow.
• For general health information, visit the “Your Health Abroad” page.

The U.S. Embassy maintains a list of doctors and hospitals by consular district. We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic.

Health facilities in general: 
Adequate health facilities are available throughout Brazil but health care in rural areas may not be the same as you would typically find in the Unites States. 

Public medical clinics may lack basic resources, supplies, and staffing. Public ambulances called via 192 provide transportation free of cost.

Private hospitals and doctors require payment “up front” prior to service or admission and generally accept credit cards. 

Medical staff may speak little or no English. 

In the event of a hospitalization, although not required, U.S. citizens may wish to hire a private nurse or have a family member spend the night with a patient, especially a minor child. Patients bear all costs for transfer to or between private hospitals. 

Psychological and psychiatric services are limited, even in larger cities. Hospital-based care is only available through government institutions.  

Medical Tourism and Elective Surgery: 
U.S. citizens have suffered serious complications or died overseas during or after having cosmetic or other elective surgery.  

Medical tourism is a fast-growing industry. If you want healthcare in another country, you need to know that foreign medical systems are different from those in the United States and don't follow the same rules and procedures. Before you travel for medical reasons, talk to your doctor. 

Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for information on medical tourism, possible risks, and how to prepare before traveling to Brazil.

We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation in the event of unforeseen medical complications.  

Your legal options in case of malpractice may be limited in Brazil if you do not speak Portuguese.   

Although Brazil has many elective/cosmetic surgery facilities that are on par with those found in the United States, the quality of care varies widely. If you plan to undergo surgery in Brazil, make sure that emergency medical facilities are available and that professionals are accredited and qualified. Some “boutique” plastic surgery operations offer luxurious facilities but are not hospitals and cannot handle emergencies. 

Pharmaceuticals:
Exercise caution when purchasing medication overseas. Common U.S. over-the-counter medications can generally be purchased in Brazil, although often under a different name. Some medications that require a prescription in the United States can be purchased in Brazil without a prescription. Counterfeit medication is common and may not work, have the wrong strength, or have dangerous ingredients. You should buy medication with the help of a medical professional and from trusted sources.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Food and Drug Administration have rules for bringing medication back to the United States. Medication bought abroad must meet their requirements to be legally brought back. The medication must be for personal use and approved for use in the United States. Visit the websites of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Food and Drug Administration for more information.

U.S. citizens should review Ministry of Health information to understand Brazilian laws on importation of medication and controlled medications/substances. The Ministry of Health offers contact information for further guidance in Portuguese.

Non-traditional Medicine: U.S. citizens have suffered serious complications or died while seeking medical care from non-traditional “healers” and practitioners in Brazil. Ensure you have access to licensed emergency medical facilities in such cases.

Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy:
If you are considering traveling to Brazil to have a child through use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) or surrogacy, please see our ART and Surrogacy Abroad page. 

U.S. citizens considering IVF options involving surrogacy overseas should be aware of restrictions and limitations that exist in Brazil. Brazil’s surrogacy structure only permits a relative (mother, daughter, grandmother, sister, aunt, niece, or cousin) of one of the prospective parents to serve as a surrogate. Any other arrangement requires prior authorization from the Regional Council of Medicine (CRM) in Brazil. Brazilian surrogacy legislation falls under the Federal Constitution’s prohibition on the commercialization of organ and tissue transplantation and trafficking, and a surrogate’s own eggs or embryos may not be used, and donors cannot be paid. If money is involved, surrogacy is considered criminal, with punishment of three to eight years in prison and a fine.

Water Quality & Food Safety:
In many areas, tap water is not potable. Bottled water and beverages are generally safe. You should be aware that many restaurants and hotels serve tap water unless bottled water is specifically requested. Be aware that ice for drinks may be made using tap water. 

Adventure Travel:
Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Adventure Travel website for more information about Adventure Travel.

Public Transportation: Avoid the use of public municipal buses in Brazil at any time of day, and especially at night. Passengers are at a higher risk of robbery or assault on public buses in Brazil. U.S. government employees are advised not to use public municipal buses in Brazil. 

Public buses are one of the main modes of inter-city travel. Buses can range (depending on route and price) from luxurious and well-maintained to basic and mechanically unsound. Bus hijacking can occur at random.

When using metro/subway systems in Brazil’s major cities, use caution and be aware of petty crime. U.S. government employees working in Brazil are encouraged to use Uber that include safety features for riders, including traceable operations. Avoid accepting rides from drivers with few or low ratings. When using taxis, travelers should use marked taxis, such as those found at major hotels. Ask hotel staff to call the cab if possible. If you hail a cab from the street, make sure that you note the license plate and the number of the cab. Know the route to your destination and do not get into a taxi if there is anyone else but the driver inside. 

Road Conditions and Safety: Driving on Brazil's roads poses significant risks. Poor driving skills, bad roads, and high-density traffic make road travel more hazardous than in the United States. Road maintenance is inadequate in many areas. Flooding makes some roads through the Amazon impassable much of the year. 

Apart from toll roads, which generally have their own services, roadside assistance is available only sporadically and informally through local mechanics. The fastest way to summon assistance in an emergency anywhere in the country is to dial 193, a universal number staffed by local fire departments. This service is in Portuguese only.

Traffic Laws: You should obtain an Inter-American Driving Permit to carry with your valid U.S. license if you plan to stay more than 180 days and drive in Brazil. Such permits can be obtained through AAA or other sources.

Please note:

• Everyone must wear a seatbelt. Brazilian federal law requires child seats for children under the age of 7 ½. From age 7 ½ years to 10, children must only ride in the back seat.
• Drivers must yield the right of way to cars on their right. Compliance with stop signs is rarely enforced, so many motorists treat them as yield signs. It is common for drivers to turn or cross one or more lanes of traffic without warning.
• Drivers often flash their lights or wave their hand out the window to signal other drivers to slow down. 
• Pedestrian crossings are only observed in some places, such as Brasilia. 
• Drivers must have their daytime running lights on during the day and headlights on at night on Federal Highways.
• Under Brazil’s Lei Seca (“Dry Law”), you cannot operate a vehicle with any measurable blood-alcohol level. Checkpoints are often set up in urban areas, and randomly chosen drivers are required to perform a breathalyzer test. Those in violation are subject to legal penalties and having their vehicle impounded. 

See our Road Safety page for more information. Visit the website of Brazil’s national tourist office and national authority responsible for road safety. 

Aviation Safety Oversight: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has found that  Brazil’s Civil Aviation Authority meets international safety standards for aviation oversight. FAA’s website includes more information on its assessment program.

Maritime Travel: Mariners and passengers planning travel to Brazil should  check for U.S. Maritime Advisories and Alerts. The NGA Navigational Warnings website may also provide relevant information.