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Brazil travel insurance

Brazil offers diverse experiences for every traveller! There's the colourful streets of Rio de Janeiro, and the chance to soak up the sun on a Florianópolis beach. The Amazon Rainforest is great for hiking, and Christ the Redeemer is one of the seven wonders of the world.

But, to ensure a smooth and worry-free trip, it's essential to consider travel insurance. This is where we come in. Below, we'll take a look at Brazil and what you can expect. From visa requirements, local healthcare, and how much your insurance could cost. If you're ready to compare quotes, select "Get a quote" to get started on your South American adventure. Otherwise, keep on reading!

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Important information

All insurance products exclude cover for known events. These are global events that can disrupt travel and/or put you in danger. The Covid-19 pandemic is an example of a known event.

The exclusion applies if the event was declared as a 'known event' at the time you purchased insurance.

If you travel against Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advice, you won't be covered by any travel insurance you've bought. You also won't be covered by travel insurance you have if you don't meet your destination's entry requirements.

The FCDO currently advises against all but essential travel to parts of Brazil*.

*Correct as of August 2024

Do I need travel insurance to travel to Brazil?

Travel insurance might not be a legal requirement, but it's worth looking into for your Brazilian trip.

Having travel insurance in place can offer protection for the various problems you might encounter while in Brazil. For example, pickpocketing is a well-known problem in carnivals and busy streets. If your purse or wallet is stolen, having a travel insurance policy in place would ensure you’re covered.

Get the right type of travel insurance for Brazil

There's 3 main policy types you can choose between:

Single-trip travel insurance

If your trip to Brazil is your only holiday this year, then a single-trip policy may be the best option for you. It can cover one trip, from the moment you purchase the policy.

Annual travel insurance

Going on more than one trip? Consider annual travel insurance. It can cover multiple trips across various destinations, usually for over 12 months.

Backpacker travel insurance

If Brazil is part of a larger trip, look into backpacker insurance. This can cover a trip to multiple countries, usually for up to 18 months.

What our travel insurance expert says

"Brazil is a huge country with limited rail connections, so the best way to get around is either by bus or by plane. Luckily, travel insurance can cover you for cancelled flights. Plus, it can also cover unexpected events, like medical emergencies and lost baggage.

"With the right policy, you can enjoy Brazil with the peace of mind you're covered should anything go wrong."

Alvaro Iturmendi - Confused.com travel insurance expert
Travel insurance expert Confused.com logo

What does travel insurance for Brazil cover?

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What's normally covered:

  • Medical expenses: If you need to receive emergency medical treatment while you're away. For example, because of sudden illness or injury.
  • Cancellation cover: This can provide cover for your flights or accommodation if you needed to cancel your Brazil trip for an unexpected reason.
  • Travel disruption: If you experience disruption due to bad weather, strikes or mechanical problems.
  • Repatriation: If you fall ill or are injured and need to be returned home to the UK for treatment.
  • Theft, accidental damage and loss: If your personal possessions or baggage are lost, damaged or stolen.
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What isn't normally covered:

  • Undeclared pre-existing medical conditions: Some pre-existing conditions can be covered by insurers under a standard policy. But, you'll need to declare them. If you don't, any claims you make won't be valid.
  • Extreme activities and sports: High-risk sports and activities might not be covered by standard travel insurance. For example, paragliding. You may need a specialist activity travel insurance policy to cover these sports.
  • Incidents that happen under the influence of drugs or alcohol: If illness, injury, or death occurs due to drugs or alcohol.
  • Changing your mind: If you change your mind and decide you don't want to go on your Brazilian trip anymore.

How much is travel insurance for Brazil?

The price of travel insurance can depend on your personal circumstances, as well as the nature of your trip.

The best way to discover the price of travel insurance for Brazil is to get a quote. But, to give you an idea, here's a few examples of the cheapest policies:

Policy type Price
Single-trip travel insurance
£10.541
Annual travel insurance
£23.952
Backpacker travel insurance
£95.983

1The cheapest price for a single-trip travel insurance policy. Based on a 30-year-old with no previous medical conditions travelling to Brazil for 7 days. Confused.com data - August 2024
2The cheapest price for a worldwide annual travel insurance policy, excluding the US, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Based on a 30-year-old with no previous medical conditions. Confused.com data - August 2024.
3The cheapest backpacker travel insurance policy travelling worldwide for 3 months (excluding the US, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean). Based on 1 adult aged 30, with no previous medical conditions. Confused.com data - August 2024.

Medical care in Brazil

You'll be entitled to receive emergency medical treatment in all Brazilian public hospitals.

But public hospitals in Brazil tend to be overcrowded, with long waits for beds and limited medication. So if you are injured or ill, you might prefer to go to a private hospital.

Many private hospitals won't accept you unless you can show proof you're going to be able to pay for the treatment you need. This is why it's a good idea to consider getting travel insurance for your trip to Brazil.

If you did need to receive emergency medical treatment, you could show evidence of your insurance policy. Alternatively, you could pay upfront and make a claim on your policy afterward.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition like a heart condition, you'll need to tell your insurer. That way, if you need to receive treatment for it, you'd be able to make a claim on your travel policy.

TravelHealthPro recommends most travellers get Hepatitis A, tetanus and typhoid vaccinations at least 8 weeks before their trip. And, depending on what you're heading to Brazil for, some travellers may also benefit from vaccinations against Hepatitis B, rabies, tuberculosis and yellow fever.*

Top tip: The FCDO has a directory you can use to find English-speaking doctors in Brazil.

Travel insurance for activities while in Brazil

There are some activities and sports that might not be covered by a standard travel policy. So, it’s a good idea to think about what activities you’ll be doing while in Brazil.

But the good news is that when you take out a policy, you can add optional extras to your policy for an additional cost. These include:

  • Golf travel insurance: There’s plenty of places to play golf in Brazil, including the Olympics Golf Course. If you’ll be out on the greens while on your trip, consider adding golf cover to your policy. It covers golf-related problems, like green fees and equipment.
  • Winter sports cover: Traditional skiing on a mountain course might not be possible in Brazil, but there’s plenty of indoor skiing available. If you’ll be on the slopes, you’ll need winter sports cover. This type of cover can cover you for things like lost, stolen or damaged equipment and a lost ski pass.
  • Adventure sports: Thinking about getting your adrenaline pumping? If you’re thinking of doing excursions like paragliding, you’ll need adventure cover. It’s an insurance add-on tailored towards sports and activities insurers consider to be high risk’.
  • Scuba diving cover: Brazil is packed to the brim with diving sites that can cater to every skill level. Most standard travel policies only cover scuba diving to a certain depth, so you'll likely need a travel insurance for water sports add-on to get the level of cover you need.

Top tip: Don't forget, what's covered in a standard policy can vary from insurer to insurer. So, read the policy wording carefully to know what's included. That way, you'll know whether or not you'll need to pay for any optional extras. Sorted!

Do I need a visa to travel to Brazil?

No, you can visit Brazil for up to 90 days visa-free for tourism purposes.

But, if you decide you want to stay longer than 90 days, you'll need to contact the Federal Police.

Despite not needing a visa for trips of less than 90 days, you may need to show the following things upon arrival:

  • The reason why you're in Brazil
  • Proof that you have enough money for the entirety of your stay
  • Details of the accommodation you'll be staying in
  • Evidence of either a return ticket or proof of onward travel.

Helpful hint: Upon arrival, make sure you get your passport stamped. If it isn't stamped, you could be fined at the airport when you leave.

Tips for travelling to Brazil

Flight connections

If you’ll be catching a connecting flight, check your airport’s website for up-to-date information on live departures. Plus, to avoid missed connections, make sure you’ll be able to get to your connecting flight with time to spare. Most airports ask you to arrive ahead of time to get through the airport processes, so you’ll need to take this into consideration.

If you have a ‘through’ ticket, you won’t need to collect and re-check your luggage into cargo for your connecting flight. This means that all you’ll need to do is go through security. But, if you have a ‘separate’ ticket, you’ll likely need to collect and re-check your luggage into cargo for your connecting flight. This can be time-consuming, so do your research before booking to know you’ll have enough time to reach your connecting flight.

Mosquito bites

Mosquito bites can increase your chances of getting malaria, which is a disease caused by parasites. Avoid them as much as you can. Popular ways to repel mosquitoes include wearing insect repellent and using a mosquito net.

Currency

The currency used in Brazil is the Brazilian real. Sometimes, it can be abbreviated to ‘BRL’. It's common to tip good service in places like bars and restaurants.

Staying safe

There’s a few safety risks you should be aware of before you jet off to Brazil:

  • Avoid favelas. It’s recommended to stay away from favelas. They're towns located around popular cities, including Rio de Janeiro. Visiting favelas can be dangerous and unpredictable, so they're better avoided.
  • Be wary of large crowds. Carnivals and other parties are popular throughout Brazil, but particularly in big cities. This raises the risk of street crime, including pickpocketing and muggings.
  • Familiarise yourself with scams and fraud. These can happen across the world, so it’s important to make yourself aware of them. In Brazil, tourist scams are popular, including fake guides and overcharging.
  • Opt for bottled water. To reduce the chances of contracting waterborne diseases or parasites, drink bottled water. If bottled water isn’t available, don't worry. Consider travelling with water purification tablets. Or, boil the water for 15 minutes to get rid of unwanted bacteria.

Language

The official language spoken in Brazil is Portuguese. But, there's plenty of people that can speak English, too.

Travel insurance guides

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