Vaccinations

It’s a good idea to check the validity of your vaccinations some weeks (or even months) prior to departure. The one vaccination that is required for Brazil is yellow fever. This is absolutely essential for visiting the Amazon region, but there have been isolated but recent occurrences in the Pantanal, Brasília, and even Minas Gerais and Bahia. Be sure to bring an international certificate of vaccination since Brazilian authorities will sometimes ask for proof of vaccination for travelers going to and from the Amazon.

If you’ve been in any other South American country (with the exception of Chile and Argentina) 90 days prior to coming to Brazil (as well as some African ones) you will also need proof of yellow fever vaccination. Since it takes 10 days for the vaccine to take effect, you can either have it at home or, if you’re going to spend time in a big city or the coast before heading to the Amazon, you can easily get the vaccine in Brazil at any public posto de saúde (health clinic)—ask at any pharmacy for the nearest location—where it will be administered free of charge. Other recommended vaccines include hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, and rabies shots (many domestic animals in Brazil aren’t always vaccinated against rabies).

What to Bring

Bring any prescription medication that you’re taking in its original packaging. Just in case, ask your pharmacist or doctor to give you the generic names for any medication. You will usually be able to purchase the same drug at any Brazilian pharmacy (although the brand name will be different). Not only can you get many prescription drugs over the counter in Brazil, but they’re often a lot cheaper than in North America or Europe. Do, however, bring plenty of mosquito repellent, sunscreen, and aspirin or Tylenol (which are more expensive in Brazil). Aloe vera or other relief for sunburn is also a good idea, as is calamine lotion or witch hazel to take the irritating itch out of any mosquito bites.

Insurance

If you have medical coverage, check and see if it covers you for expenses incurred overseas. If not, you might want to consider buying travel insurance. In either case, find out if the insurer will make payments directly or reimburse you afterwards. Most insurers do the latter. Regardless, most of the best Brazilian clinics and hospitals (which are private) will make you pay for service up front.

© Michael Sommers from Moon Brazil, 2nd Edition