Health

Vaccinations

No mandatory vaccinations for entry from Germany — but strongly recommended:

• Yellow Fever: MANDATORY for the Amazon, Pantanal, and Central Brazil! The vaccination must be administered at least 10 days before entering the affected areas. The international vaccination certificate is checked on domestic flights to risk areas. The vaccination is valid for life. Recommended for Rio, São Paulo, and the Northeast, but not checked.
• Hepatitis A: Strongly recommended (transmission through food/water).
• Hepatitis B: For longer stays.
• Typhoid: For travel to rural areas.
• Rabies: For travelers who might have contact with animals in the Amazon or rural areas.
• Update standard vaccinations: Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio, Measles.

Mosquito Protection & Tropical Diseases

In tropical lowland regions, there is Dengue Fever (nationwide, even in cities!), Zika, Chikungunya, and Malaria (only in the Amazon). Dengue is the greatest danger — Brazil had a massive epidemic in 2024.

• DEET mosquito spray (at least 30%) — apply morning and evening. Brazilian brand "Exposis" is very effective.
• Long clothing at dawn and dusk.
• Mosquito net in the Amazon and in simple Pousadas.
• Malaria prophylaxis: Recommended only for the Amazon (consult a tropical doctor).

Drinking Water

Tap water in Brazil is NOT drinkable — buy bottled water everywhere. In restaurants and hotels, bottled water is always served. In good hotels, the water is safe for brushing teeth.

Medical Care

In São Paulo, Rio, and large cities, medical care in private clinics is excellent (Hospital Sírio-Libanês and Albert Einstein in São Paulo are among the best in the world). Public hospitals are often overcrowded. Pharmacies (Farmácias) are everywhere, many medications are available without prescription.

Travel health insurance with repatriation is MANDATORY!