Brazil Travel Insurance Plans

In this article:

• Travel Insurance Plans for Brazil
• Brazil Travel Tips and Safety Information
• Other Brazil FAQs

Travelers are not required to have a travel insurance plan to enter Brazil; however, getting coverage for your vacation can ease the burden of certain unexpected situations that may come up which may include flight delay, baggage loss and much more. A trip to Brazil is an amazing experience. Help protect your trip investment with a Travel Guard travel insurance plan, so you can focus on enjoying it.

Travel Guard has comprehensive travel insurance plans to help protect your trip to Brazil. Our Deluxe Plan is a great option since it includes the highest benefit limits for coverages such as trip cancellation and trip delay, baggage coverage, medical expense coverage and more. The access to healthcare in Brazil can vary depending on where in the country you’re visiting, so having Travel Guard’s 24-hour emergency travel assistance can be especially helpful. 

Travel insurance plans typically costs between 5-7% of the total price of your trip. Several factors come into play when it comes to pricing your plan, which may include the product you choose and the number of travelers in your party. For more details on pricing, check out our article on how much travel insurance costs.

To ensure travelers to Brazil are as safe and informed as possible, Travel Guard has compiled some popular questions asked by tourists visiting the country.

For the latest information related to COVID-19 travel requirements for Brazil, please visit the official U.S. Embassy website for Brazil.

Though there is plenty of beauty and adventure for tourists visiting Brazil, travelers are advised to stay vigilant due to the levels of crime, civil unrest and kidnapping in the country. Both petty and violent crimes are common, and criminals are often armed and will not hesitate to use force if resisted.

Prior to traveling, research areas to avoid, as certain locations within major cities such as Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro are very unsafe. In particular, visitors should avoid travel to favelas (informal settlements within urban areas), even if local tour operators offer guided visits. 

For best practice, avoid driving and walking at night, especially in secluded areas like beaches. Be vigilant when using ATMs and only withdraw cash in secure locations such as banks and major hotels. Do not visit bars or clubs alone, avoid carrying large amounts of cash or wearing valuables and always stay aware of your surroundings. Theft of unattended items on beaches and from parked vehicles is common, so visitors should keep all belongings secure. Finally, use only licensed taxis ordered through taxi ranks or a mobile app, but avoid using a mobile phone on the street due to risks of theft. Monitor local news and avoid any areas where protests are taking place.

Visit the U.S. Department of State website for up-to-date information on travel advisory levels and safety information for travelers to Brazil.

All U.S. travelers should consider enrollment in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), a free service offered to U.S. citizens traveling and living abroad. Enrolling in this program allows you to receive important information from the embassy as well as helps the embassy contact you in an emergency.

The official currency of Brazil is the Brazilian real(R$); unlike other countries in South America that accept the USD, Brazil only accepts its own currency. When traveling to Brazil, visitors can exchange currency before departure at most U.S. banks or at an airport kiosk which can typically be done before and after arrival. Credit and debit cards are accepted throughout most of the country, however; smaller venues and markets may not take cards, so it’s important to carry a small amount of cash when going out. Before departure, be sure to inform your bank of your travels to avoid interruption.

The official language of Brazil is Portuguese. English is spoken by less than five percent of the population and though its likely you’ll encounter English speakers while in larger cities, it’s important to practice common sayings and phrases in Portuguese as well as download a translation app that works offline to best avoid confusion.

U.S. citizens visiting Brazil are not required to have a visa unless planning to take residence in the country. Travelers will need to have a passport that is valid upon your arrival date as well as one blank page for your entry stamp.

The U.S. Embassy in Brazil is in Brasilia. Visit the official U.S. Embassy government website for a list of up-to-date phone numbers and addresses.

Brazil has an equatorial climate making it hot year-round with a great deal precipitation. The seasons are reversed to the typical seasons we see in the U.S., with a peak rainy season occurring from December to March in its tropical zones. Rain is abundant all year with the Amazon rainforest getting up to 100in of rain per year. If you are hoping to see the sunshine in Brazil, try visiting the northeastern coast where there is about 3,000 hours of sunshine yearly as opposed to the 1,650 hours the western Amazon sees.

September to November is considered to be the best time to visit Brazil as its temperatures are not too extreme, however; this means there are likely to be more crowds than if you were to visit in the off-season. May to August tends to be the least busy time of year as it’s the country’s winter season and the beaches are closed; however, you can still experience much of what Brazil has to offer with lower prices and fewer crowds.

If looking to experience the country’s culture, consider visiting in February for Rio de Janeiro Carnival which takes place before Lent every year. This spectacular event is a celebration that brings in close to two million people daily and hosts live music, masquerade balls and more for five days of excitement. Be sure to dress for warm temperatures though since February is typically the hottest month of the year.

Brazil’s country code is +55 which is used to connect to cell phones and landlines in the country. When calling from the U.S. use the exit code of +11 and include the area code of the city or town you’re calling. When contacting someone back home while on vacation in Brazil, remember to use the U.S. country code +1 followed by the 10-digit number you’re trying to reach. Be sure to inform your cellular company of your travels to avoid interruption and surprise fees.

Travelers will need to bring a voltage transformer to properly use their electronics as Brazil uses a different voltage type than the U.S. Visitors will also need a plug adaptor to charge and use their electronics as normal. We recommend a universal charger that is guaranteed to work on other trips you may take in the future.

Travel to other countries from Brazil is possible so long as you provide the proper documentation for the entry and exit requirements to your desired destinations. Travel by on-road vehicles is not recommended due to crime at the country’s borders. For the most up-to-date safety information visit the official U.S. Department of State website.

Brazil has plenty of activities for people of all ages to enjoy, including snorkeling, interactive museums, natural wonders to explore and more. While certain areas in Brazil are unsafe for tourists, there are many opportunities to safely explore the country so long as you research your intended destination and follow safety protocols.

Travel Guard offers comprehensive and customizable travel insurance plans for travelers visiting Brazil. With excellent coverage and specialized emergency travel assistance representatives ready to help you at any time, Travel Guard is there for you. Compare our popular plans and find the best one for you!