High riskAmericas · South AmericaBrazil Travel Health Guide
High risk
Brazil carries a CDC Level 1 travel health notice. Malaria risk exists in certain areas of Brazil. Key travel vaccines: COVID-19, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B.
Compiled by Voyax Health from CDC Travelers' Health: Brazil. Editorial sections reviewed by Voyax Health pharmacists ·
Overall risk
High risk
Malaria
Present
Best time to visit
Rio and the south are best May to October (dry, cooler). The Amazon is wet year-round; the Pantanal's dry season (July to October) is best for wildlife. Dengue peaks January to May.
Travel health in Brazil
Brazil is continental, and its health advice depends on which Brazil you visit. Dengue is the headline: the country records millions of cases in a bad year, including in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, with a peak from January to May. Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for nearly the whole country, now including the states of Rio and São Paulo, though not the cities' beaches specifically; anyone visiting Iguaçu Falls, the Pantanal, the Amazon or Minas Gerais should be vaccinated. Malaria is confined to the Amazon basin. Travelers' diarrhea is moderately common, and Brazil's raw and grilled food culture is generally safe in cities.
Recommended vaccines
Routine Vaccines
Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines including chickenpox, DTP, flu, MMR, polio, and shingles.
COVID-19
All eligible travelers should be up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.
Hepatitis A
Recommended for unvaccinated travelers 1 year and older. Infants 6-11 months should also get vaccinated.
Hepatitis B
Recommended for unvaccinated travelers under 60. Those 60 and older may choose to get vaccinated.
Measles
Cases of measles are rising worldwide. All international travelers should be fully vaccinated with MMR vaccine at least 2 weeks before departure.
Typhoid
Recommended for most travelers, especially if staying with friends/relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.
Yellow Fever
Vaccine recommended for travelers 9 months and older going to most states including major cities like Brasília, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo, plus Iguaçu Falls. Not recommended for travel limited to Fortaleza and Recife. Not required for entry.
Chikungunya
There is elevated chikungunya risk in Brazil. Vaccination may be considered if staying 6 months or more.
Rabies
Dogs infected with rabies are sometimes found in Brazil. Consider pre-exposure vaccination if you'll have increased animal exposure or limited access to treatment.
Disease risks
Malaria
Malaria risk exists in certain areas of Brazil. High risk in Amazon states (Acre, Amapá, Amazonas, Rondônia, Roraima). Moderate risk in parts of Maranhão, Mato Grosso, Pará. Low risk in rural/forested areas of several other states. No risk in major cities like Brasília, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, or at Iguaçu Falls. Chloroquine-resistant malaria present.
Traveler's Diarrhea
Amazon region, rural areas; low risk in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília.
Malaria risk
Malaria risk is limited to certain areas. Whether you need antimalarial medication depends on your itinerary — see details.
Malaria risk exists in certain areas of Brazil. High risk in Amazon states (Acre, Amapá, Amazonas, Rondônia, Roraima). Moderate risk in parts of Maranhão, Mato Grosso, Pará. Low risk in rural/forested areas of several other states. No risk in major cities like Brasília, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, or at Iguaçu Falls. Chloroquine-resistant malaria present.
Seasonal timing
When health risks peak through the year — plan around them.
Peak
January to May
Dengue
Nationwide including Rio, São Paulo and Minas Gerais. Record years have seen over six million cases. Daytime repellent is essential.
Peak
December to May (sylvatic transmission)
Yellow fever
Outbreaks since 2016 have reached São Paulo, Rio and Minas Gerais states. Vaccination is recommended for almost all itineraries beyond the beach strips of Rio and Fortaleza.
Peak
Year-round
Malaria
Amazon basin only (Amazonas, Pará, Acre, Rondônia, Roraima, Amapá). None in Rio, São Paulo, Salvador, Iguaçu or the Pantanal.
Water & food safety
Water
Do not drink tap water; even locals in major cities use filtered water. Bottled water and filtered dispensers are everywhere. Ice in restaurants and bars in cities is generally safe.
Food
Churrascarias, por-kilo buffets and pastel stands are generally safe when food is hot and turnover is high. Take care with açaí and juices in rural areas, raw seafood, and buffet items sitting out in the heat.
Medications
Pharmacies (Drogasil, Droga Raia, Pacheco) are on every block in cities and stock most medications; many are available without prescription and antibiotics require one. Bring controlled medications with prescriptions in original packaging.
On the ground
Medical facilities
São Paulo (Albert Einstein, Sírio-Libanês) and Rio have world-class private hospitals; Brasília, Belo Horizonte, Salvador and Curitiba are good. The public system (SUS) treats anyone free of charge but can be overcrowded. Care in the Amazon interior is minimal.
Travel insurance
Travel medical insurance with evacuation cover is advised; Brazil's private hospitals are excellent but expensive without it.
Emergency numbers
Police
190
Medical / Ambulance
192
Fire
193
U.S. Embassy
+55-61-3312-7000
Brazil travel health FAQ
Do I need the yellow fever vaccine for Rio de Janeiro?▼
The CDC recommends yellow fever vaccination for the state of Rio de Janeiro, following outbreaks since 2017, and for São Paulo state, Minas Gerais, Iguaçu Falls, the Pantanal and the Amazon. Only a few coastal cities are excluded. Because most Brazil itineraries include at least one recommended area, most travellers should be vaccinated at least 10 days before departure.
Do I need malaria pills for Brazil?▼
Only for the Amazon basin, including Manaus and river cruises. Rio, São Paulo, Salvador, Iguaçu Falls, the Pantanal and the northeast beaches have no malaria. Dengue is the mosquito disease to prepare for everywhere.
How bad is dengue in Brazil for tourists?▼
Brazil has the world's highest dengue caseload, and tourists do get infected, particularly from January to May. Most cases are unpleasant rather than dangerous, but severe dengue is a medical emergency. Use DEET or picaridin repellent every morning, wear long sleeves at dawn and dusk, and choose air-conditioned or screened rooms.
More country guides
ArgentinaLow riskArgentina carries a CDC Level 1 travel health notice. No malaria risk. Key travel vaccines: COVID-19, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B.
BoliviaModerate riskBolivia carries a CDC Level 2 travel health notice. Malaria risk exists in areas below 2,500m elevation. Key travel vaccines: COVID-19, Chikungunya, Hepatitis A. Required for entry (applies below 2300m)
ChileLow riskChile carries a CDC Level 1 travel health notice. No malaria risk. Key travel vaccines: COVID-19, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B.
Plan your Brazil trip
Get vaccines, prescriptions and a personalized health plan for Brazil — matched to your itinerary and travelers.
Build my Trip KitSources: CDC Travelers' Health: Brazil · WHO International Travel and Health. Last updated 2026-07-31. Health conditions and entry rules change — verify with the CDC, WHO and your destination’s authorities before travel. This page is informational and not a substitute for advice from a travel-medicine provider.