While Brazil begs to be experienced, parts of the country aren’t always safe for travellers, and you should remain aware of potential risks and the current political climate before departure. This isn’t to discourage anyone from heading to Brazil – on the contrary, we encourage you to explore this country and others throughout South America!
But your family, money, health and belongings need to be protected while you’re away. Here’s how international travel insurance can help you do that in such a lively country.
When planning to travel in Brazil, a travel insurance policy is always a good idea. Brazil can be safe if you exercise the right level of caution, although tourist areas tend to experience the highest crime rates, as do the shanty towns or ‘favelas.’
With a travel insurance plan, you can improve your peace of mind to better enjoy relaxing at Copacabana Beach or visiting the awe-inspiring statue of Christ the Redeemer.
Travel insurance can provide you with cover if things go wrong! This can include medical costs, cancellations, theft and more. You can find out the inclusions, limits and sub-limits of a policy in the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS). You should consider:
Medical treatment and hospitalisation overseas can be costly, so taking out a travel insurance policy with medical cover is a good idea. You might want to consider a comprehensive insurance policy that covers you for 24/7 emergency assistance, medical evacuation and repatriation in the event of a severe or fatal incident.
In the event of a medical emergency, you may be able to claim back the costs of emergency transport, medical treatment and hospital stays. Luckily, private hospitals in major cities in Brazil are adequate, although treatment is contingent on being able to pay or prove you’re insured. Public hospitals may treat you for free, but any medical professionals will typically not speak English.
By having a travel insurance plan in place for the worst, you can enjoy the best Brazil has to offer knowing that if you’re injured or ill, your trip insurance can cover your medical expenses (subject to the conditions of your policy).
Many roads in Brazil are poorly maintained and frequented by trucks, and motorists may disregard traffic lights in large cities.¹ If your rental car is damaged or stolen and you have a comprehensive travel insurance policy, your insurer may cover the cost if you owe the rental company an excess.
Smartraveller’s travel advice warns you to be aware of potential carjacking and theft and never to resist, as many criminals are armed and dangerous.1 If you’re taking a taxi, only use one you have prepaid for or that is part of the official taxi rank.
Sometimes, unforeseen circumstances lead to delays or trip cancellations. Luckily, a suitable policy may help cover you for costs you incur while getting your trip back on track. This is an important feature to look for in your travel insurance policy’s PDS.
Being prepared for theft by taking out the best travel insurance for your adventure could potentially save you hundreds of dollars. If your luggage, valuables, credit cards or even cash is stolen or lost, you may be able to recoup their value up to varying limits, depending on your policy and your claim limits.
Of course, like any product, travel insurance can’t protect you against everything that goes wrong. It’s important you thoroughly read and understand the PDS of any policy you’re considering for purchase, as limits, inclusions and exclusions can differ between insurers and types of cover.
Here are a few common exclusions you might see in your travel insurance policy for Brazil:
Brazil can be a great place to visit, but it has a high crime rate and can be unsafe for tourists who don’t take the proper precautions. For instance, it’s recommended you don’t travel alone at night.1 You should also avoid all protests or rallies, as they can turn violent and your insurance company may not cover any injuries or losses caused by civil unrest.
Smartraveller lists some great ways you can stay out of trouble, including paying close attention to your surroundings at all times, being wary of how you move from place to place (e.g. avoid unlicensed taxis) and being careful with your belongings.1
When travelling to Brazil, planning your itinerary before departing is important. For example, the Carnaval Festival in Rio de Janeiro is held in either February or March, so plan your travels around this time if this is something you want to see. If you’re wondering what other things to do in Brazil, there is also the Amazon rainforest, and other iconic destinations such as Sao Paulo, Copacabana Beach and Iguazu Falls, which is on the border of Brazil and Argentina.
You must have a visa to enter Brazil and you’ll need to arrange it before you leave on your trip, as you can’t get one once you’ve arrived in the country.¹ If you’re entering Brazil for tourism, business or just transiting, you may be eligible for an electronic visa; otherwise, you’ll need to apply for a visa through the Brazilian embassy or consulate located in the capital city, Brasília.
According to Smartraveller, there are outbreaks of disease in Brazil.¹ These diseases include:
Other diseases prevalent in Brazil include HIV/AIDS, cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, rabies and dengue fever.
Vaccinations are available for several of these diseases, and Smartraveller recommends you get vaccinated before your trip to Brazil. You may need to provide a yellow fever vaccination certificate upon entry into the country.
Looking for travel insurance for your trip to Brazil? Why not start here and now with our free travel insurance comparison service!
It’s an easy process; enter a few details, compare options and see if you can find an option that maximises your cover based on your budget and travel requirements. Simples!
Any lover of travel won’t be satisfied with just one trip, though! No need to stop here, you can explore cover for trips to a number of different countries.
1 Smartraveller. Australian Government: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Brazil. Accessed May 2023.
