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Basic Health and Safety
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Important Links to Remember
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In this section, you will find information on how to stay well while in Brazil. The process of wellness starts before you go to Brazil with a visit to your doctor. You may need to get inoculations to protect yourself from infectious diseases endemic in Brazil and the countries you will visit.
General Travel Safety
Planning for a Healthy and Safe Time Abroad: Learn all you can about the health and safety issues of all the countries where you plan to study and travel. This includes reading about the cultural and political climate of those countries, as well as learning about how others view people from your country, race, ethnic group, religion, gender and sexual orientation.
Travel Safety in Brazil
Planning for a Healthy and Safe Time in Brazil: Preparation for your time in Brazil should include an understanding of the current political, cultural and religious events of the country as well as the region, and an awareness of the social climate. Students are advised to be alert to their surroundings, and be particularly aware of any health and safety advisories for the areas in which they will be studying.
Getting a Balanced Perspective on Health and Safety in Brazil: In order to gain a more objective perspective on exactly how safe travel to Brazil really is, view the health and safety reports on Brazil from a variety of sources. We have provided a table below with links (on the left) to the Australian, Canadian and British governments’ country advisories on Brazil. On the right side of the table are links to those same governments’ perspectives on safety in the United States, which you can use to compare health and safety issues in Brazil and the United States.
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Comparing Safety in Brazil and
the United States |
 Top Ten List of Health and Safety Issues: Visit this page to see the top ten health and safety issues you should be aware of before you depart for Brazil and the other countries to which you may be traveling.
 Infectious Diseases and Inoculations: Find out about the infectious diseases endemic in Brazil and countries to which you will be traveling, and get the appropriate shots and pills, and take the appropriate medications with you if your doctor thinks it's necessary. Find out about any potential side-effects of shots and pills that you may take. For more information on diseases prevalent in Brazil, please see the CDC link in the Resources section of this Handbook. Physicals and Check-ups: Get a complete physical, eye exam and dental check-up before going to Brazil. The quality of dental and medical care may be different in Brazil and/or more expensive than similar care would be in the United States.  Can You Drink the Water?: Find out if water is safe to drink in regions of Brazil and in the countries to which you will be traveling. Some first-time travelers to Brazil suffer from diarrhea after they drink Brazilian tap water, brush their teeth with sink water, or have ice cubes in their beverages. To avoid diarrhea and other bacteria, purify unsafe water before you drink it. Make sure water bottles come sealed when you buy them. Food Safety: Poor refrigeration, undercooked meat, and roadside/outdoor vendors could pose problems related to food contamination. Such roadside food carts are popular eateries for many Brazilians, but your stomach may not tolerate the same food as well. If you get diarrhea or food poisoning, remember to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. As with any illness, consider seeing a doctor if your condition worsens. Give your body time to adjust to new types of foods you will be eating. Laws and Codes of Conduct: Make yourself aware of both the rules and regulations of your study abroad program sponsor, and the local laws and customs of Brazil and the countries which you will be visiting. Understand that you will not only have to conform to the legal system of Brazil, but also obey the codes of conduct required of program participants. Also recognize that certain laws may vary from region to region or even city to city.  Mental and Physical Health: Consider your own mental and physical health issues when applying for a study abroad program, and make all your necessary health information available to your program's administrators in the U.S. and abroad so they can assist you with any special needs, or advise you on the risks you might face. Study abroad may include both physical and mental challenges for students, so make sure you establish a support network of program administrators, family and friends who can help you.  Prescriptions: To be cautious, get a doctor's signed prescription for any medication you have to bring with you to Brazil, and get it translated into Portuguese. However, if you can, take a supply large enough to cover your stay while abroad, just in case you can’t fill your prescription while abroad. Contact the U.S. Embassy in Brazil or your program administrator/advisor to find out if and how much U.S. prescription medication is allowed into Brazil. Also include a copy of your prescription for your glasses or contact lenses. Bring an extra pair of glasses. First-Aid Kit: Consider a well-stocked first-aid kit as a first line of defense. Some items to include are: sunscreen, bandages, flashlight, sterile pads, insect repellent, adhesive tape, aspirin, antacid, anti-diarrhea tablets, anti-malarial medication, extra bottled water, feminine protection, condoms, rubber gloves, etc.  Fitness and Exercise: Try to get fit in the time you have before departing for Brazil. A healthy body can help you fight off illness and recover faster if you do get sick. Even though it may be harder to follow a structured workout routine, try to stay fit while in Brazil. Exercise also helps to increase energy levels and combat depression. Get a good pair of comfortable walking shoes. Without access to a car or public transportation in Brazil, you may have to do quite a bit of walking. Break in your shoes before you go. Emergency Contacts: Keep your program staff and your emergency contacts at home and in Brazil well informed of your whereabouts and activities, and provide these people with copies of your important travel documents (i.e. passport, visa, plane tickets, traveler's checks, and prescriptions, etc.).  Air Travel: When you travel by air, drink a lot of non-alcoholic fluids, stay away from caffeine, eat light, and stretch often to avoid jetlag. Many airlines are now required to show an in-flight video of stretching exercises you can do on the plane in order to avoid the potential formation of blood clots, which can be caused by cabin pressure. A direct flight is usually easier for most travelers, but flights broken up by stops can also lessen jet lag. Transportation: Accidents involving in-country travel, whether by air, bus, train, taxi, car, etc., are a major cause of injury to students abroad. It is important to understand what the safe modes of travel are in Brazil and in the countries to which you plan to travel. For more information on transportation in Brazil, please visit the U.S. Department of State.
Bus: Because Brazil is such a large country, exclusively traveling by bus may not be the best option, unless time is not an issue. However, if you are looking to travel for less than the cost of an airplane ticket, the bus may be a good alternative. Bus stations are called Rodoviárias, and some of the major bus companies include Águia Branca, Bomfim, Itapemirim, and São Geraldo. Generally, buses are reliable, and you can expect fair to good service. However, breakdowns and local delays can interrupt service. Long-distance luxury buses (leitos) are available, with fully reclining seats and service, but you will pay more. Plan to reserve seats ahead of time as same-day travel is not a common practice.  Train/Metro: Passenger rail travel in Brazil is basically non-existent as the rail networks have not been developed and most Brazilians travel by road (either bus or car) or air. Air: Within Brazil, air travel can be a good value compared to a long bus ride. Especially if road travel is unsafe due to poor road conditions and you are short of time, then air travel can be a safe and pleasant option. International flights will fly into either Guarulhos International Airport (outside of Sao Paulo) or Tom Jobim International Airport (outside of Rio de Janeiro). If you are planning on doing a lot of travel within Brazil, you may find that it is both time-saving and economical to buy an air pass, available from VARIG Airlines, TransBrasil, TAM and VASP Airlines. However, you must buy these passes outside of Brazil, as they are only available to foreigners and Brazilian expatriates. The Mercosur Air Pass allows for a certain amount of travel at one price between Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay. Price depends on length of travel, miles flown, stopovers and countries chosen. Boats: If you'd like to take a cruise down the Amazon river or travel between the cities of Rio Sao Fransisco, you can find a cruise service from Manaus or Belem without too much difficulty. If you're only interested in the cruise experience and not the time it takes to get there, you can take a flight from most major Brazilian cities (Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Manau, etc) to the airport just north of Belem (Aeropuerto Internacional Val de Cans).
Cars (Driving): Due to the unpredicable nature both of Brazilian drivers and roads, we strongly advise students traveling to Brazil NOT to drive while abroad. While some roads are modern and well-maintained according to U.S. standards, the majority are questionable, and contain potholes, poorly delineated lanes, no shoulder, poorly marked signs and exits, and uneven surfaces at best. Many roads in rural areas are unpaved, and can be hazardous to impassable depending on the weather. Brazilian drivers are also dangerous, as many fail to follow even basic rules of the road, and can be unpredictable. U.S. driver's licenses are valid in Brazil, although you can obtain an Inter-American Driver's License from AAA. Brazilian insurance is required for all vehicles, including rental vehicles. You should obtain full coverage insurance when renting vehicles in Brazil. If a driver is involved in a vehicle accident resulting in damages or injuries to another party, the driver may be arrested and detained by Brazilian authorities until a settlement is arranged with the injured party. Furthermore, depending upon the extent of damages or injuries to the other party, you may face charges filed by the Brazilian judicial authorities. For more health and safety information about driving abroad, the Association for Safe International Road Travel offers road travel reports, seasonal hazards, safety tips and common driver behaviors for travel abroad.  Alcohol and Drugs: Use and abuse of alcohol and drugs abroad can increase the risk of accident and injury. Many study abroad accidents and injuries are related to the use and abuse of alcohol and drugs abroad. This is especially true in Brazil, which is a popular Mardi Gras and Carnival party destination for students. Violating drug laws in Brazil may result in very serious consequences. In some countries you may visit, being found guilty of violating drug laws can result in consequences as serious as death. Setting an Example: Set a good example. Remember you are like an ambassador for your U.S. college or university, as well as your culture and country. Behave in a way that is respectful of others' rights and well-being and encourage others to do the same.
GlobalScholar.us: Go to Course 1, Module 9, Task 1 – “Best Practices for Health and Safety” about staying healthy while abroad.
AllAbroad.us – Health: Mentors address any health concerns that students may have while overseas.
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