Brazil has a tropical climate, so we recommend that you drink liquids constantly to prevent dehydration.

Wear comfortable clothes and protect yourself from the sun with a hat (or cap), sunglasses, and sunscreen. Avoid direct sun exposure between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Always bring repellent against insects, and use it whenever necessary.

Wash your hands with soap and water several times daily, especially after using public transportation and visiting busy attractions.

Avoid consuming foods that have been poorly prepared or packaged.

Take foods that don’t spoil with the heat during cycling or hiking trips.

Use repellent and long-sleeved clothes (especially in the early morning and late afternoon) to impede the Zika virus mosquito. Suppose you have symptoms such as fever, rashes, headaches, pain behind the eyes, pain in the body and joints, or red spots throughout the body. In that case, the Brazilian Ministry of Health advises you to look for a hospital or health unit and drink plenty of liquids.

The virus is the leading cause of the increase of microcephaly in babies, being a reason for concern mainly among pregnant women and women who plan to become pregnant in the next few months. Regardless of the destination or reason, all pregnant women should consult their physicians before travelling.

Pregnant women are advised to use only drugs prescribed by health professionals, take qualified prenatal examinations for their current stage, and report any changes during pregnancy. In addition to using insect repellent and long-sleeved clothes, it is also recommended to avoid accumulating stagnant water in places such as buckets, vases, old tires, etc.

Brazil has outlined a National Plan to fight the disease, involving different ministries and agencies of the Federal Government in partnership with states and cities.

It is not mandatory to vaccinate against any illness to enter Brazil. However, there are areas with Vaccination Recommendation (ACRV), where it is recommended to vaccinate against yellow fever before your visit. Yellow fever is a disease transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes.

If you have never taken the vaccine, you must do so ten days before your trip (this period is unnecessary if you have been vaccinated before). If in doubt, check the Brazilian Ministry of Health’s website or the British government Foreign Office Travel Advice if you are UK-based.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is a risk of malaria transmission in 96 countries worldwide. Infected people initially have symptoms such as fever, chills, and flu-like symptoms.

In Brazil, the transmission of malaria is concentrated in the Amazon, which covers the States of Acre, Amapá, Amazonas, Maranhão, Mato Grosso, Pará, Rondônia, Roraima and Tocantins. In these areas, it is essential that you take certain precautions during periods of higher activity of the mosquitoes that carry the disease (from sunset to sunrise):
• Use light clothes with long sleeves during periods of high exposure in activities such as canoe trips.
• Apply insect repellent on exposed areas of the skin, always following the manufacturer’s guidelines.
• Pay attention to the appearance of disease symptoms, such as fever, body aches and headaches.
• In case any symptoms of the disease appear, look for the nearest hospital or health unit. Ideally, medical attention should be given within 48 hours after the first symptoms appear.
• It is essential to highlight that Brazil has a public health network structured to diagnose and treat patients appropriately.