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Update April 12, 2024

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Travel Advisory October 19, 2023

Brazil - level 2: exercise increased caution.

Reissued with updates to Country Summary.

Exercise increased caution in Brazil due to  crime . Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Do not travel to:

• Any areas within 150 km/100 miles of Brazil’s land borders with Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and Paraguay due to  crime . (Note: This does not apply to the Foz do Iguacu National Park or Pantanal National Park.)
• Informal housing developments (commonly referred to in Brazil as favelas, vilas, comunidades, and/or conglomerados) at any time of day due to  crime  (see additional information below).
• Brasilia’s administrative regions (commonly known as “satellite cities”) of Ceilandia, Santa Maria, Sao Sebastiao, and Paranoa during non-daylight hours due to  crime  (see additional information below).

Country Summary:   Violent crime, such as murder, armed robbery, and carjacking, is common in urban areas, day and night. Gang activity and organized crime is widespread. Assaults, including with sedatives and drugs placed in drinks, are common. U.S. government personnel are discouraged from using municipal buses in all parts of Brazil due to an elevated risk of robbery and assault at any time of day, and especially at night.

If you decide to travel to Brazil: 

• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
• Do not accept food or drinks from strangers.
• Use caution when walking or driving at night.
• Avoid going to bars or nightclubs alone.
• Avoid walking on beaches after dark.
• Do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewelry.
• Be extra vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs.
• Use caution at, or going to, major transportation centers or on public transportation, especially at night. Passengers face an elevated risk of robbery or assault using public, municipal bus transportation throughout Brazil.
• Use increased caution when hiking in isolated areas.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter .
• Review the Country Security Report for Brazil.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist .
• Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.

International Borders – Level 4: Do Not Travel

U.S. government personnel are not permitted to travel to areas within 150 km/100 miles of the international land borders with Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and Paraguay without advance approval from security officials due to crime. Travel to the Foz do Iguacu National Park and Pantanal National Park is permitted.

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas .

Informal Housing Developments (commonly known as “Favelas”) – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Do not travel to informal housing developments (commonly referred to in Brazil as favelas, vilas, comunidades, and/or conglomerados), even on a guided tour.  Neither the tour companies nor the police can guarantee your safety when entering these communities.  Even in these communities that the police or local governments deem safe, the situation can change quickly and without notice.  While some informal housing developments have clear boundaries or gates, or even names such as “favela”, “vila”, “comunidade”, or “conglomerado”, other such developments may be less obvious, and may be identified by crowded quarters, poorer conditions, and/or irregular construction.  In addition, exercise caution in areas surrounding these communities, as occasionally, inter-gang fighting and confrontations with police move beyond the confines of these communities.  Except under limited circumstances and with advance approval, U.S. government personnel are not permitted to enter any informal housing developments in Brazil. Read the Safety and Security Section on the  country information page  and consult the maps on the Embassy’s website for further information regarding favelas.

Visit our website for Travel High-Risk Areas .

Brasilia’s Administrative Regions (commonly known as “Satellite Cities”) – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Without advance approval from security officials, U.S. government personnel are not permitted to travel to Brasilia’s Administrative Regions of Ceilandia, Santa Maria, Sao Sebastiao, and Paranoa between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. (non-daylight hours) due to crime.

Embassy Messages

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Quick Facts

Must be valid on the date of entry

One page required for entry stamp

Yes, beginning April 10, 2025

None required, but see Health section

More than 10,000 BR must be declared to Customs

Embassies and Consulates

U.S. Embassy Brasilia SES 801- Avenida das Nacoes, Lote 03 70403-900 - Brasilia, DF Brazil Telephone: 011-55-61-3312-7000 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: 011-55-61-3312-7400 Fax: (61) 3312-7651 Email: [email protected]

Embassy Branch Office in Belo Horizonte Avenida do Contorno, 4520 / 2nd floor – Funcionários 30110-028 Belo Horizonte, MG – Brazil Telephone: +55 (31) 3338-4000 E-mail: [email protected] Emergency After-Hours Telephone: Please contact the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia

Consular Agency in Brasilia’s Consular District Manaus Consular Agency Edificio Atrium, Suite 306 Rua Franco de Sá, 310 69.079-210 Manaus, AM Brazil Telephone: 011-55-92-3611-3333 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: Please contact the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia

U.S. Consulate General Porto Alegre Avenida Assis Brasil, 1889 Passo d' Areia 91010-004 - Porto Alegre, RS Brazil Telephone:  011-55-51-3345-6000 Email:  [email protected]

U.S. Consulate General Recife Rua Goncalves Maia, 163, Boa Vista 50070-125 - Recife, PE Brazil Telephone:  011-55-81-3416-3050 or 011-55-81-3416-3080 Emergency After-Hours Telephone:  011-55-81-3416-3060 or 011-55-81-9916-9470 Email:  [email protected]

Consular Agency in Recife’s Consular District U.S. Consular Agency Fortaleza Avenida Santos Dumont 2828, Aldeota, Suite 708 60150-162- Fortaleza, CE Brazil Telephone: 011-55-85-3223-4902 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: Please contact the U.S. Consulate General in Recife

U.S. Consulate General Rio de Janeiro Avenida Presidente Wilson, 147, Castelo 20030-020, Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil Telephone:  011-55-213823-2000 Emergency After-Hours Telephone:  011-55-21-3823-2029 Email:   [email protected]

Consular Agency in Rio de Janeiro’s Consular District U.S. Consular Agency Salvador da Bahia Avenida Tancredo Neves, 1632, Caminho das Arvores Salvador Trade Center-Torre Sul, Room 1401 41820-020 - Salvador, Bahia Brazil Telephone:  011-55-71-3113-2090/2091/2092 Emergency After-Hours Telephone:  Please contact the U.S. Consulate General in Rio de Janeiro: (21) 3823-2029

U.S. Consulate General Sao Paulo Rua Henri Dunant, 500 Chacara Santo Antonio 04709-110 - Sao Paulo, SP Brazil Telephone:  011-55-11-3250-5000 Emergency After-Hours Telephone:  011-55-11-3250-5373 Email:  [email protected]

Destination Description

See the Department of State’s Fact Sheet on Brazil for information on U.S.-Brazil relations.  

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

There are no COVID-related entry requirements for U.S. citizens.

Effective midnight on April 10, 2025 , a visa will be required for U.S. citizens to travel to Brazil, regardless of the purpose of travel. For more information about visa requirements, visit the Brazilian government-authorized website, https://brazil.vfsevisa.com

You will need:

• A valid U.S. passport.
• A valid Brazilian visa or e-visa, beginning April 10, 2025 for tourists and currently for all other types of travel.
• Visit the Brazilian government-authorized website to obtain your e-visa: https://brazil.vfsevisa.com

Find a  Brazilian consulate abroad .           

Brazilian law requires any minor who is a Brazilian citizen (even dual nationals who are both U.S. and Brazilian citizens) to have permission from each parent to travel within Brazil or exit the country. When a minor travels with both parents, no written authorization is needed. When the minor travels with only one parent or without either parent, s/he  must have two original written authorization letters from each absent parent  and carry a copy* of the child’s birth certificate or have an annotation in his/her Brazilian passport authorizing travel alone or with only one parent. Brazilian citizen minors without authorization letters and a birth certificate* or an annotated Brazilian passport likely will not be allowed by authorities to pass through immigration or to board a flight departing Brazil.     

The U.S. Embassy and its consulates cannot intervene in Brazilian immigration matters or request that this requirement be waived for U.S. citizen travelers.

Written Authorization Letter:  If the absent parent is in Brazil, written authorization letters must be in Portuguese and notarized by a Brazilian notary. If the absent parent is in the United States or elsewhere outside of Brazil, the authorization must be done at the nearest Brazilian Embassy or Consulate using the form provided by that office. Again, please note that Brazilian law requires two original authorizations for each absent parent. This is important, because Federal Police may request and retain one authorization upon the minor’s entry into Brazil. Authorities may then request the second original document upon the minor’s departure.  Authorizations written in English or executed before a U.S. (or any non-Brazilian) notary public are not accepted by the Brazilian Federal Police.  Similarly, birth certificates issued outside of Brazil that are not  apostilled * and translated by a certified translator may not be accepted.

Brazilian Passport Annotation:  In lieu of carrying authorization letters, parents of dual U.S.-Brazilian citizen minors may instead request an annotation be placed in the minor’s Brazilian passport authorizing the minor to travel with only one parent, or to travel alone or with a third party. This annotation replaces the requirement for written authorization letters until the passport expires. Parents residing in Brazil should contact the Brazilian Federal Police for details on obtaining an annotated passport. Parents residing abroad should contact the nearest Brazilian Embassy or Consulate. The annotated Brazilian passport must not be expired and must be carried along with the minor’s U.S. passport at all times for Brazilian Federal Police to accept it in lieu of an authorization letter. There is no comparable annotation available in U.S. passports.

Children who are not dual citizens of Brazil: Please note that, while Brazilian law related to travel authorization does not explicitly apply to non-citizens of Brazil, Federal Police have, at times, delayed the travel of non-Brazilian minors who lack appropriate authorization from both parents. For this reason, we recommend that families of non-Brazilian minors who may travel through Brazil without one or both parents execute written authorizations (following the instructions in the preceding paragraph) in advance of travel and ensure that the minor, or the minor’s traveling companion, carries the original or notarized copy** of the minor’s birth certificate.

An exemplar of the form used by Brazilian authorities to document parental permission for minors to travel without one or both parents may be found here.

*There is a useful pamphlet published by the Hague Conference called “ The ABCs of Apostilles .” The Brazilian competent authority that issues apostilles is the  Conselho Nacional de Justiça .

**If the birth certificate was issued in Brazil, copies must be notarized by a Brazilian notary. If issued outside of Brazil, copies must be apostilled and translated by a certified translator into Portuguese.

HIV/AIDS Restrictions:  The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Brazil.

Find information on  dual nationality ,  prevention of international child abduction , and  customs regulations  on our websites.

Safety and Security

Crime:  The violent crime rate is high in most Brazilian urban centers. Public transportation, hotel sectors, and tourist areas report high crime rates, but these incidents can happen anywhere and at any time.  Be aware of your surroundings.

• Informal housing developments in Brazil (commonly referred to in Brazil as favelas, vilas, comunidades, and/or satellite cities), even on a guided tour, at any time of day due to crime. Neither the tour companies nor the police can guarantee your safety when entering these areas. Even in favelas that the police or local governments deem safe, the situation can change quickly and without notice. In addition, exercise caution in areas surrounding favelas, as occasionally, inter-gang fighting and confrontations with police move beyond the confines of these communities.
• Brasilia’s administrative regions (commonly known as “satellite cities”) of Ceilandia, Santa Maria, Sao Sebastiao, and Paranoa during non-daylight hours due to crime.
• Any areas within 150 km of Brazil’s land borders with Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and Paraguay due to crime. (Note: This does not apply to the Foz do Iguacu National Park or Pantanal National Park.)
• Consider avoiding the use of public, municipal buses in Brazil at any time of day, and especially at night. Crime trends indicate an elevated risk of robbery or assault on public bus systems throughout Brazil. The U.S. government recommends against personnel using public, municipal buses in all parts of Brazil.
• Avoid going to bars or nightclubs alone and avoid leaving with strangers.
• Before going on a date with someone you met on a dating app, tell a loved one who you are meeting, where you are going, and the details of the dating application account.
• Be wary about inviting individuals to your residence. If inviting a new acquaintance to your residence, speak to your door attendant in advance about your invited guest.
• Trust your instincts – if something does not feel right or if you suddenly feel ill, walk away from the situation.
• If you believe you may have been drugged, seek immediate medical attention. Some people can have life-threatening reactions to these drugs. After that, report the crime to local police and contact us at the numbers listed below.
• Traveling Outside Metropolitan Areas After Dark: Travelers are encouraged to organize their trips so that they can travel during daylight hours. Road conditions throughout Brazil can vary widely, and travelers must exercise caution due to debris in the road, horse-drawn carriages, unmarked speed bumps, and other infrastructure deficiencies.
• Armed hold-ups of pedestrians and motorists can happen, including at or near public beaches. Personal belongings, left unattended even for a moment, are often taken. If you are robbed, hand over your personal belongings without resisting. Resisting will increase your risk of injury.
• Carjackings and hold-ups can occur at any time of the day or night, especially at intersections and in tunnels. Some robberies involve individuals robbed at gunpoint and taken to make purchases or to withdraw as much money as possible from one or more ATMs.
• Crime on public transportation occurs.  Registered taxis have red license plates and openly display company information and phone numbers.
• Credit card fraud and ATM scams are common in Brazil. Work closely with your financial institutions to monitor accounts and keep your credit card in view while it is scanned at a point of sale.
• Avoid using ATMs in unfamiliar, secluded, or lightly protected areas. Be aware that criminals often target ATMs and businesses in the early hours of the morning when there are fewer witnesses and law enforcement response times may be delayed. If you opt to use an ATM, select those that are located inside of secure facilities, such as an airport, hospital, bank, or government building. 
• Avoid openly displaying your cell phone.  When using a ride share service or taxi, wait for its arrival in a secure area.
• Avoid large groups or events where crowds have gathered. Public events of any nature, including concerts and sporting events, can unexpectedly turn violent.
• Travel to any areas within 150 km of the international borders with Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and Paraguay, except in limited circumstances with the appropriate U.S. Department of State approvals. Individuals with ties to illegal criminal networks operate along Brazilian borders. Travel to the Foz do Iguaçu National Park and Pantanal National Park is permitted.
• Enter any informal housing developments in Brazil (commonly referred to in Brazil as favelas, vilas, comunidades, and/or satellite cities), except in limited circumstances with the appropriate approvals.
• Enter Brasilia’s administrative regions (commonly known as “satellite cities”) of Ceilandia, Santa Maria, Sao Sebastiao, and Paranoa during non-daylight hours.

To reduce the chance of becoming the victim of a crime, in addition to the above recommendations, please review the below precautions:

• Limit the personal belongings you carry with you. Carry your money in your front pockets and limit the number of credit cards you carry. Make copies of all of your personal documents – including your credit cards, license, passport, etc. – and keep them in a safe place. This will be helpful if you lose your documents.
• Do not carry or wear valuable items that will attract the attention of thieves. If you need to wear expensive jewelry or carry a camera, conceal it until you arrive at your destination.
• Be aware of the street environment and avoid contact with those who may be looking for robbery targets. Seek a safer location. Go into a store, bank, or simply cross the street.
• Do not walk on beaches after dark. Assaults are common.
• Use increased caution when hiking in isolated areas, particularly near popular tourist locations in the city of Rio de Janeiro.

Demonstrations  and strikes are common in urban areas, may occur unexpectedly, disrupt transportation, and may escalate into violence.

• Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly become violent. 
• Avoid areas around protests and demonstrations. 
• Check local media for updates and traffic advisories.
• Check the website of the Embassy or Consulate nearest you for current information on demonstrations.

International Financial Scams:  See the  Department of State  and the  FBI  pages for information.

Victims of Crime: 

U.S. citizen victims of crime should contact the local authorities to file a Brazilian police report before departing Brazil. In most instances, you can report crimes to the tourist or civil police. U.S. citizens should also inform the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate, but local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

• Police number - 190
• the U.S. Embassy at 011-55-61-3312-7000
• the U.S. Consulate General in Porto Alegre at 011-55-51-3345-6000
• the U.S. Consulate General in Recife at 011-55-81-3416-3050 or 011-55-81-3416-3080
• the U.S. Consulate General in Rio de Janeiro at 011-55-21-3823-2000
• the U.S. Consulate General in Sao Paulo at 011-55-11-3250-5000

See our webpage on  help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

• Replace a lost or stolen passport
• Contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• Help you find appropriate medical care
• Assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution
• Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• Provide information on  victims' compensation programs in the U.S .
• Provide a list of local lawyers who speak English

The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Brazil is divided among four services:

• 190 - Policia (Police)
• 191 - Policia Rodoviaria (on interstate roads)
• 192 - Ambulancia (Ambulance)
• 193 - Bombeiros (Fire Department)

Victims of Domestic Violence or Sexual Assault:  Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate for assistance after contacting local authorities.

Tourism:  The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities are inconsistent. Inquire with property management about the presence and functionality of safety equipment, such as fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Hazardous areas/activities are normally identified with appropriate signage in major urban centers but may not be in other locations. Tourism industry staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, appropriate and timely medical treatment is consistently available only in or near major cities. First responders can face delays accessing areas outside of major cities to quickly provide urgent medical treatment. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties:  You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Individuals establishing a business or practicing a profession that requires additional permits or licensing should seek information from the competent local authorities, prior to practicing or operating a business.  

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on  crimes against minors abroad  and the  Department of Justice  website.

Arrest Notification:  If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy or Consulate immediately. See our  webpage  for further information.

Firearms: Brazil forbids importing, exporting, and possessing firearms without prior authorization of the Brazilian Government. U.S. citizens are subject to arrest and prosecution in Brazil for possession of unauthorized firearms or firearm components anywhere in the country, including airports. This prohibition extends to spent shell casings or ammunition, even if inside luggage during transit, regardless of whether those items were legally purchased in the United States or elsewhere.

Counterfeit and Pirated Goods:  Although counterfeit and pirated goods are prevalent in many countries, they may still be illegal according to local laws. You may also pay fines or have to give them up if you bring them back to the United States. See the  U.S. Department of Justice website  for more information.

Water Hazards:  Many of Brazil’s beaches have very dangerous riptides, even if the water looks safe. Ocean currents and waves are unpredictable, even in popular beaches frequented by tourists. Shark attacks are reported in the waters of some beaches in northeastern Brazil, particularly near Recife. Always observe posted warnings and never swim while under the influence of alcohol. Follow local authorities’ guidance and refrain from swimming alone in areas marked with red warning signs or at beaches where there are no municipal lifeguards or first responder services.

Electricity Blackouts:  Power failures in large urban centers are common and sometimes followed by increased crime. Most tourist hotels are equipped with generators, minimizing the impact of a blackout, but you should remain cautious.

Natural Disasters:  Flooding and mudslides occur throughout the country and can be fatal. Monitor news and weather reports and adhere to municipal advisories before traveling to areas prone to flooding or landslides. Many of Brazil’s larger cities have frequent heavy rainstorms that cause flash flooding and can disrupt traffic.

Customs Restrictions : Contact the Brazilian Embassy in Washington, D.C. or one of Brazil's consulates in the United States for specific information regarding import and export regulations. Please also refer to our  information on customs regulations .

• Brazilian customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporarily importing or exporting items such as firearms, antiquities, mineral samples, tropical plants, wildlife, medications, and business and communication equipment. 
• In the Amazon region, there is special scrutiny of exporting biological material. People raising, growing, or exporting biological materials without permits can be charged with “biopiracy.”

Faith-Based Travelers:  See our following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report  – see country reports
• Human Rights Report  – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTI Travelers:  Brazil does not have legal restrictions on same-sex marriage, relations, or events coordinated by LGBTI organizations. However, according to the 2019 Human Rights Report, violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) individuals was a serious concern, with local NGOs reporting 297 LGBTI persons were victims of hate killings. See our  LGBTI Travel Information  page and section 6 of our  Human Rights report  for further details.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance:  Brazilian law prohibits discrimination against persons with physical and mental disabilities in employment, education, and access to health care. However, accessibility to public transportation and the ability to accommodate the needs of physically disabled persons are limited in most areas. 

Students:  See our  Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers:  See our travel tips for  Women Travelers .

COVID-19 Testing: Brazil is a very large, diverse country with varying medical resources, both private and public, throughout the country. Many private labs perform COVID-19 testing at various prices, typically between $20 and $100.  PCR, serology-based antibody tests, and antigen tests are available.  Turn-around time varies widely depending upon location. Please verify turn-around time with your chosen lab before taking the test.  Express results within 2-4 hours are available in many locations at an increased fee, including in the Guarulhos International Airport in São Paulo and Galeão International Airport in Rio de Janeiro. Testing is available in the private sector without a doctor’s prescription, but a prescription may be required for insurance payment.

In the public healthcare system, each Brazilian state has its own COVID-19 testing plan. We recommend that you  contact local/state authorities for more information.  Typically, a COVID-19 test is ordered by an emergency room physician and then sent to a public lab. Turnaround time is much slower and can take up to seven days, but tests are generally free.  Information on testing sites and procedures is available through the  official app of the Ministry of Health.

COVID-19 Vaccines: The COVID-19 vaccine is available for U.S. citizens to receive in Brazil once they register with the public Unified Health System (SUS) . According to the Ministry of Health, available vaccines include AstraZeneca/Oxford (Fiocruz), CoronaVac (Butantan), Janssen (Johnson & Johnson), and Pfizer (BioNTech). For more information on local availability of COVID-19 vaccines, please see the Brazilian Ministry of Health’s website and also contact local health authorities .  

For emergency services in Brazil, dial 192.

Ambulance services are not present throughout the country or are unreliable in most areas except in state capitals and other large cities. 

We do not pay medical bills.  Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance. 

Medical Insurance:  Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See  our webpage  for more information on overseas insurance coverage. Visit the  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas.

We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

If traveling with prescription medication, check with the  Government of Brazil  to ensure the medication is legal in Brazil. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. 

Vaccinations:  Be up-to-date on all  vaccinations  recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Though the yellow fever vaccine is not required to enter Brazil, travelers wishing to be vaccinated should consider receiving it prior to travel, as local supplies are limited. Please note that the yellow fever vaccine should be administered ten days prior to travel for it to be effective.

Also note that, while yellow fever vaccine is not required to enter Brazil, some neighboring countries (French Guiana, Suriname, Guyana, Bolivia, and Paraguay) do require travelers with recent entries in Brazil to show proof of yellow fever vaccination.

All travelers to the country are advised to carry documentation, such as a vaccination card, that they have been appropriately vaccinated for yellow fever.

The following diseases are prevalent in Brazil:

• Chikungunya
• Leishmaniasis
• Travelers' diarrhea
• Tuberculosis
• Schistosomiasis

In recent years, outbreaks of these diseases have also been detected in certain areas of Brazil:

• Yellow fever

Elective Surgery : Although Brazil has many elective/cosmetic surgery facilities that are on par with those found in the United States, the quality of care varies widely. If you plan to undergo surgery in Brazil, make sure that emergency medical facilities are available and professionals are accredited and qualified. Some “boutique” plastic surgery operations offer luxurious facilities but are not hospitals and are unable to handle emergencies. 

Visit the  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  website for information on Medical Tourism, the risks of medical tourism, and what you can do to prepare before traveling to Brazil.

Non-traditional Medicine: Several U.S. citizens have died while seeking medical care from non-traditional “healers” and practitioners in Brazil. Ensure you have access to licensed emergency medical facilities if seeking such services.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC)

Travel and Transportation

Public Transportation:  Consider avoiding the use of public, municipal buses in Brazil at any time of day, and especially at night. Crime trends indicate an elevated risk of robbery or assault on public bus systems throughout Brazil. The U.S. government recommends against personnel using public, municipal buses in all parts of Brazil.

Public buses are one of the main modes of inter-city road travel. Buses can range (depending on route and price) from luxurious and well-maintained to basic and mechanically unsound. Bus hijacking can occur at random.

Road Conditions and Safety:  Driving on Brazil's roads poses significant risks. Poor driving skills, bad roads, and high-density traffic make road travel more hazardous than in the United States. Road maintenance is inadequate in many areas and some long-distance roads through the Amazon forest are impassable much of the year due to flooding. 

Apart from toll roads, which generally have their own services, roadside assistance is available only sporadically and informally through local mechanics. The fastest way to summon assistance in an emergency anywhere in the country is to dial 193, a universal number staffed by local fire departments. This service is in Portuguese only.

Traffic Laws:  Travelers planning on staying for more than 180 days should obtain an Inter-American Driving Permit to carry with their valid U.S. license if they plan to drive in Brazil. Such permits can be obtained through AAA or other sources. Please note:

• Everyone in the vehicle must wear a seatbelt. Brazilian federal law requires child seats for all children under the age of 7 ½. From age 7 ½ years to 10, children must only ride in the back seat.
• Drivers must yield the right of way to cars on their right. Compliance with stop signs is rarely enforced, so many motorists treat them as yield signs. It is common for drivers to turn or cross one or more lanes of traffic without warning.
• Drivers often flash their lights or wave their hand out the window to signal other drivers to slow down. 
• Pedestrian crossings are only observed in some places, such as Brasilia. 
• Drivers must have their daytime running lights on during the day and headlights on at night on Federal Highways.
• Under Brazil’s Lei Seca (“Dry Law”),  you cannot operate a vehicle with any measurable blood-alcohol level. Checkpoints are often set up in urban areas, and randomly chosen drivers are required to perform a breathalyzer test. Those in violation are subject to legal penalties and having their vehicle impounded. 

See our  Road Safety page  for more information. Visit the website of Brazil’s  national tourist office  and  national authority responsible for road safety . 

Aviation Safety Oversight:  The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of Brazil’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Brazil’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the  FAA’s safety assessment page .

Maritime Travel:  Mariners planning travel to Brazil should also check for  U.S. maritime advisories and alerts .  Information may also be posted to the   U.S. Coast Guard homeport website , and the  NGA broadcast warnings .

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
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The 10 most incredible places to visit in Brazil

Mar 1, 2024 • 9 min read

The scale of Brazil can be overwhelming but we're here to help with picking the best parts of it to visit © MesquitaFMS / Getty Images

One of the world’s most dazzling destinations, Brazil  is packed with steamy rainforests, tropical savannas, wetlands and exciting cities. 

The ecosystems found in this giant of  South America  are home to the largest collection of plant and animal species found anywhere in the world.

But even if exploring the natural world is not top of your Brazil to-do list, plenty of life can be found in the country’s musical metropolises, too. When it comes to relaxing, Brazil has sand to spare: 2095 beaches, to be precise, dotting its 7242km (4500-mile) Atlantic coastline.

With such a massive footprint and a wide variety of things to do, planning an itinerary here can feel overwhelming. Let us help get you started with our 10 favorite places to visit in Brazil.

1. Ouro Preto and the towns of Minas Gerais 

Ouro Preto (meaning “black gold”) in Minas Gerais was at the heart of Brazil’s 18th-century gold rush.

Nearly two dozen churches, lavishly ornamented with gold filigree, still ring out their bells across the hillsides of this rural town, which at its height was home to 110,000 residents – the majority of whom were enslaved people. 

One of Ouro Preto’s most famous residents was the sculptor Aleijadinho, who studied European baroque traditions and developed his own unique style. His sculptures and reliefs – some of which he carved after losing his fingers to a disease – adorn churches across the region, including in Tiradentes , Congonhas and São João del Rei .

The historical Royal Road links up most of these towns and makes for an adventurous road trip . An essential detour for art lovers is nearby  Inhotim , the world’s largest open-air contemporary art museum.

2. Paraty and the Saco de Mamanguá 

The other terminus of the Royal Road, seaside  Paraty  was where the precious metals extracted from Minas Gerais were shipped out in the early days of Brazil’s gold rush.

The town lost some of this export trade to Rio de Janeiro in the early 1700s, yet its architecture was impeccably preserved – and it’s all the more impressive for being sandwiched between steep, jungle-covered mountains and the warm, clear waters of the ocean. 

A forgotten gem for centuries, Paraty has in recent decades attracted writers and artists from all over the world.

The city plays host to a number of prestigious events, including the literary festival FLIP , a jazz festival and a pinga festival (an excuse to drink lots of pinga , slang for cachaça, the Brazilian cane spirit that’s produced locally).

Getting out on the water to explore some of Paraty’s 65 islands and 300 beaches is a must. Motor boats and schooners can be rented, but for a close-up connection with nature join a kayak tour in the Saco de Mamanguá – a “tropical fjord” – and paddle to deserted beaches, mangroves, waterfalls and Caiçara fishing communities.

3. Amazon rainforest

The Amazon  has a mysterious pull that has fascinated people for centuries.

One of the wildest places on the planet, the region is almost too big to comprehend, spanning about 42% of Brazil and swaths of eight neighboring countries.

Each region offers something different in terms of ecology, tourism and local culture; doing your research before visiting is essential as it’s neither an inexpensive nor easy-to-reach destination. 

You'll gaze at the unending expanse of green for hours as you fly overhead into Manaus , the region’s largest city and a good jumping-off point for many of the lodges and Amazon jungle experiences .

You can try canoeing through flooded forests at Anavilhanas National Park , heading further afield to the recently formed Xixuaú Reserve or spotting river dolphins in the Mamirauá Reserve.

A few hundred miles east, Santarém is another access point for seeing the majestic trees deep in the Tapajós Forest or beach hopping along the banks of the Arapiuns River, a tributary of the Tapajós River near Alter do Chão .

4. Brasília

The city of the future that’s forever stuck in the past, Brasília  is a fabulous paradox. The federal capital officially opened for business in 1960, becoming the ultimate symbol of modernity for an urbanizing nation and a long-hoped-for kick-start for the economic development of the country’s interior. 

Built in the middle of the hot, dry landscape of Brazil’s Center-West, Brasília is an open-air monument to the people who shaped and built it, including urban planner Lúcio Costa and architect Oscar Niemeyer.

Thousands of tons of concrete and steel were poured into a series of Modernist architectural gems that are worth spending a day or two to explore – though not on foot, as the sprawling city was designed for cars not pedestrians.

Niemeyer’s much-loved curves can be spotted everywhere, most notably in the metropolitan cathedral , with its white columns rising up to the heavens in a hyperboloid structure studded with stained glass. 

5. Jalapão 

In a country teeming with rainforests, pristine beaches and other natural wonders, the tropical savanna hinterlands of the Cerrado certainly hold their own. 

While the Cerrado has borne the brunt of Brazil’s agribusiness boom in recent decades, pockets of conservation do exist, including the relatively unexplored Jalapão State Park – 34,000 sq km (13,127 sq miles) of scrubland, grasslands, forest, caves and unusual rock formations.

The best time to visit is the dry season (from May to September) when, despite the dry landscape, water is the main attraction.

Splash in the glassy pools of waterfalls or kayak down rapids – you can also take a dip in the so-called fervedouros (boiling pots), natural springs where the bubbling water buoys swimmers. Sand dunes and chapadas (mountain formations) also make for some spectacular hiking. 

Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park  (400km/248 miles south) and Emas National Park (to the west) are two much larger conservation areas that are home to dozens of species of flora and fauna at risk of extinction.

Lucky hikers might cross paths with giant anteaters, giant armadillos, maned wolves and rheas, South America’s largest bird.

6. Pantanal 

The largest wetland region in the world,  the Pantanal offers the best wildlife spotting in Brazil.

South America’s largest mammal (tapir) and largest bird (rhea) call the Pantanal home, as do more than 230 species of fish and 650 species of bird – plus such apex predators as jaguars, caimans and anacondas.

Spanning an area more than half the size of France, the Pantanal can be explored in a number of different ways.

The most accessible is by road, on the Estrada Transpantaneira, though small airplanes and motorboats open the doors to more remote zones and secluded, upscale lodges.

It’s easier to spot wildlife during the dry season, from May to September – but when the water levels rise from October onwards, the rivers flood their banks and inundate the surrounding plains, spurring on an abundance of flora and flocks of wading birds.

The wet season also brings the arrival of river cruises: the sundeck of a 15-cabin boat cruise to the Serra do Amolar mountains near the border with Bolivia is an ideal vantage point from which to contemplate the grandeur of this region. 

7. Fernando de Noronha

An archipelago of islands some 320km (200 miles) off the northeast coast, Fernando de Noronha is high on many honeymoon wishlists.

Of Noronha’s 21 islands, only the largest one is accessible to tourists – and even then, its boundaries lie safely within Brazil’s largest marine park .

Dreamy beaches – including Baía do Sancho , Baía dos Porcos and Praia do Leão – all compete for the top slot on rankings of the best beaches in the country .

Silky-soft sands and clear blue waters would have holidaymakers flocking here if this place were on the mainland; happily, its remote location and a cap on visitor numbers keep the crowds to a welcome minimum. 

Just off the shoreline, Noronha is an underwater paradise that’s home to 230 fish species, 15 varieties of coral, five types of (harmless) shark and the greatest concentration of tropical marine birds in the Atlantic.

You can dive to spot corals and shipwrecks in the marine park or watch hundreds of dolphins doing water acrobatics at sunrise before snorkeling in shallow tide pools. Noronha offers Brazil’s natural beauty at its absolute best, and this place warrants going the extra mile.

8. Rio de Janeiro 

The most-visited city in Brazil, Rio de Janeiro didn’t earn its title of cidade maravilhosa (“marvelous city”) for nothing. In the eyes of Cariocas, it’s the most beautiful place on earth. Visitors would be hard-pressed to disagree.

Dense high-rises are stacked like sugar cubes between mountains cloaked in rainforest and studded with naked granite peaks jutting skywards.

Visitors hit the famous beaches to lounge in the sun, but the locals go to get active – surfing, running, cycling or diving into the sand over a sweaty game of beach volleyball. People-watching is a serious beach sport in its own right. 

Come evening, Rio’s own special blend of tropical rhythms draws the crowds out onto the city’s streets to meet friends at botecos (bars) or join impromptu street parties.

You’ll also discover a wealth of culture and history – the city was the capital of the Kingdom of Portugal in the 19th century, and, until 1960, the capital of Brazil. 

9. Ribeira Valley and the Atlantic Forest 

The Mata Atlântica (Atlantic Forest) is Brazil’s “other” tropical forest. Regrettably, it’s also one of the most endangered biomes in the world, with just 12.5% of it remaining in disparate fragments along Brazil’s southeast-facing coastline.

Teeming with life, the forest has a wider variety of flora and fauna per hectare than the Amazon, with half of its species not found anywhere else in the world. In short, it’s a hidden gem within easy reach of Brazil’s largest cities.

The Ribeira Valley – a 28,489 sq km (11,000 sq mile) river valley straddling the São Paulo – Paraná state border, is home to the largest continuous stretch of remaining Atlantic Forest.

Here, visitors can explore some of the biggest caves in Brazil (at PETAR ), stay at traditional quilombos (communities that were formed by escaped enslaved Africans ), hike through the forest and raft down rivers.

Private nature reserves like the whopping 310 sq km (120 sq mile) Legado das Águas offer a range of ecotourism activities.

An ambitious plan to connect Atlantic Forest conservation areas (including the Ribeira Valley) with one long trail – the Caminho da Mata Atlântica – has been gathering pace in the last few years, though no one has yet attempted to hike its full 4000km (2485 miles) length. 

10. São Paulo

Last but by no means least is South America’s most populous city. São Paulo may not have beaches, vast swathes of forest or even clean rivers, but it has a kinetic charm all of its own.

Poet Mário de Andrade called it “the hallucinated city,” which seems a fitting description for a megalopolis of 20 million residents. It’s a city whose soul is young and restless, a party-mad colossus with cutting-edge theaters, world-class chefs and a fascinating art scene, among countless other draws.

With layer upon layer of immigrant influences and centuries’ worth of boom-and-bust cycles, São Paulo attracts people from all over the world who thrive on its energy.

Its delights are not served up on a plate – visitors have to seek them out. But once you get a taste, you'll be hooked.

This article was first published Jan 5, 2022 and updated Mar 1, 2024.

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Brazil travel guide: Everything you need to know before you go

From eye-popping nature and wildlife experiences to carnival, beaches and much more besides, brazil is a feast for the senses, article bookmarked.

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Brazil is exuberance. Nature is green and lush at every turn, from the ridges and boulder mountains of Rio to the coconut coves of Bahia and the vast rainforest and river-sea of the Amazon . Cities resonate with rhythm: the jiggery two-step of forro in Fortaleza, the heartbeat throb of carnival drums outside the glittering baroque cathedrals of Salvador , the swing of samba and lullabye lilt of bossa nova. Africa, Portugal and Indigenous America swirl together in its people, who are among the world’s warmest and most engaging. And Brazil is resolutely Brazilian, even in this homogenous internet world. The country’s vibrant immediacy is so infectious, visitors can’t help but fall under its life-affirming spell.

Current travel restrictions and entry requirements

Visitors aged 12 and over must present proof of Covid vaccination status. If you are not vaccinated, you can enter Brazil by air or land by presenting one of the following documents:

• proof of a negative PCR test or a negative antigen test, taken no more than 24 hours before boarding or entering by land;
• proof of having recovered from Covid-19 in the last 90 days and two negative Covid-19 tests on entry to Brazil

On 23 November 2022, the Brazilian government reinstated the requirement to use face masks inside airports and on flights as a safety precaution to limit the spread of Covid-19. You should check the website of the airport you are flying into or transiting through to see how this could affect you.

Mask-wearing rules vary from state to state. In general, they are not required in public spaces or on internal flights, but are often mandatory on trains and buses.

Check the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) website for the most up-to-date information.

Best time to go

Brazil is continental, and climate and seasons vary across the country. Rio and the southeast are hot November-April, warm May-October and wettest December-March. Bahia and the northeast is warm the whole year round and hot December-February. The Amazon is good all year round but wettest January-June when the water levels are high and it’s possible to explore the flooded forests. The best time for wildlife-watching in the Pantanal is the dry May-October period.

The liveliest festivals are Carnival (Feb/Mar throughout Brazil) and the Festas Juninas (June – in the northeast and Amazon). Both are spectacular dancing-in-the-street pageants, but book rooms and Sambadrome tickets (for Rio) well ahead. Avoid the mid-December to mid-January domestic high season. It can be hard to find rooms.

Top regions and cities

Rio de janeiro.

Brazil’s unmissable city is also an unmissable state. Visit the city for Christ in the rainforest on Corcovado Mountain, the creamy beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, and the samba clubs in Lapa. Then head south along the Emerald Coast where the jungle-covered ridges of the Serra do Mar mountains drop into a bottle-green, beach-fringed ocean speckled with gorgeous road-free islands. The prettiest is monkey- and toucan-teeming Ilha Grande, cut by jungle trails that run to long, deserted honey-coloured strands and peaks with spectacular views over the jungle-carpeted broken coastline. And don’t miss Paraty, whose cobbles, whitewash cottages, beaches and bell towers provide a backdrop for the FLIP Literary Festival, South America’s Hay-on-Wye.

Read more: The ultimate guide to Rio de Janeiro

The great river Amazon flows through nine different countries, but only in Brazil is it as broad as the eye can see, hovered-over by giant thunderclouds and rainbows, and dotted with more islands than the entire Caribbean. River turtles by the hundreds of thousand nest here, manatees graze water hyacinth meadows and bubble-gum pink dolphins chase piranhas through mazes of submerged roots. These are riverscapes like no other on Earth, watched over by a forest which is half as large as the United States. And for those concerned with conservation, there has never been a more important time to visit. With Brazil’s environmental agencies starved of federal funds, it is local companies practicing genuine conservational tourism that offer a way to use purchasing power to make a difference, just as ecotourism has in Costa Rica. Book tours with Araca Expeditions and Rumo Norte .

Read more: Brazil’s Rio Negro: Exploring the largest swathe of protected rainforest in South America

South America ’s largest wetland savannah is where to go for wildlife. In the May-October dry season, you’ll see metre-long blue macaws nesting in the trees, ostrich-like rheas striding elegantly through the grasslands, and lakes wriggling with caiman crocodiles. Stay at the sleek, safari-chic Caiman Refuge ; thanks to their pioneering Onçafari conservation programme , nowhere on Earth offers a better chance of seeing jaguars and ocelots in the wild.

“Poor Niagara” said Eleanor Roosevelt on visiting South America’s greatest waterfall. It’s more than three times as wide as its North American rival and set in a protected jungle over 10 times larger than Manhattan. And if you stay at the Hotel das Cataratas Belmond , the only hotel in the national park right next to the falls, you can have those views to yourself at sunset, sunrise and, if you time it right, under a full moon.

Best under-the-radar destinations

Crowd-free Caribbean-white sand outside your chic-shack beach boutique? You’ll find it in laid-back but luxe Trancoso village, where forest flitting with hummingbirds and kitten-sized marmoset monkeys fringes an Atlantic wild enough for humpback whales and nesting green turtles.

The Desert Coast

Brazil has its Outback too: the Sertão. Located in the northeastern states of Ceará and Maranhão, it runs through copper-coloured canyons and lake-pocked ergs of shifting sand right to the Atlantic. Stay in Atins, a hamlet squeezed between the dune-desert of the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park and a seemingly endless talc-soft beach.

This waterfall-dripping tabletop mountain and wildlife refuge may be off the radar but it’s just a few hours drive from Rio. Come to see maned wolf and South America’s largest monkey, the muriqui. Critically endangered, it has been brought back from the brink thanks to the work of the Ibiti Comuna , a huge private reserve with boutique hotel, offering comfortable rooms in a gorgeous old ranch house.

Recife-Olinda Carnival

When it comes to South America’s biggest party, Rio hogs the limelight, but Carnival is a nationwide event, and nowhere is it brighter or truer to its African roots than in these twin cities on the northeast’s sunniest stretch of coast. You’ll see Rio’s glitz and glitter parades from the stands in a purpose-built stadium, but in Recife-Olinda they’re in the streets and everyone can join in. And the music is some of Brazil’s best – from the pounding maracatu drum orchestras that parade through Recife’s old Dutch centre, to the acrobatic frevo dancers skipping over the cobbles in church-filled Olinda.

Best things to do

See the wildlife.

Just like Africa , South America has its Big Five animals: the jaguar , anteater, giant otter, tapir and maned wolf. And they are even more elusive. Nowhere offers a better chance of seeing them than Brazil’s ‘big three’ safari reserves. Trijunção in the perfumed dry forests of the Cerrado is a refuge for dusty red maned wolves; the Caiman refuge in the Pantanal has jaguars, tapirs and giant anteaters; and Cristalino Lodge in the southern Amazon is one of the best places on the continent to see giant otters and myriad species of threatened and endangered monkeys and birds. Ultimate Travel offer all three locations on their Wild Brazil package .

Drive the dune coast

Little fishing hamlets with sultry beachside boutique hotels set on seemingly endless empty beaches, rolling lake-pocked dunes, river deltas scattered pink with scarlet ibis: Brazil’s far northeast is a treasure. The best way to see it is on one of Journey Latin America’s overland trips , between the surfer-chic beach village of Jericoacoara and the Unesco-listed Portuguese colonial city of São Luis.

Getting around

Brazil is bigger than Australia and there are no intercity train services, so to get the most out of a visit, you will need to fly. The country has an extensive domestic network. For the greenest flights, use local carrier Azul, whose new Embraer E2 jets are the cleanest small jets in the world, cutting emissions by over 30 per cent from previous generation aircraft. Intercity buses are frequent, cheap and comfortable.

How to get there

Flying with TAP via Lisbon will cut down your air miles and carbon footprint. While other carriers fly into either Rio or São Paulo in the Southeast (BA go direct to both from Heathrow), TAP has flights to many other Brazilian cities, meaning you can fly into the northern beaches and back home out of the southeast without having to double-back and burn more fuel.

Money-saving tip

Rooms are hard to find and more than double their normal price over the Carnival (Feb or March), and Christmas and New Year periods. Room prices drop in Brazil’s low season (April-late June).

What’s the weather like?

All of Brazil lies in the tropics, so weather is by and large Caribbean-warm. But there are some regional and seasonal variations. The south and southeast is cooler May-September (with temperatures sometimes reaching single figures above 800 metres). The south and southeast are wettest December to March and the northeast April-June.

What time zone is it in?

Most of Brazil is GMT-3. The Central Amazon is GMT-4 and the state of Acre in the extreme west is GMT-5.

What currency do I need?

Brazil uses the Real (£1=R$6.4)

What language is spoken?

Portuguese is the primary language in Brazil. Spanish and English are understood only in tourist hotels.

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UNWTO in Brazil to Begin Work on First Regional Office for the Americas

• 18 Dec 2023

UNWTO has continued to scale up its support for its Members across the Americas, with plans for a first Regional Office for the region advanced during an official visit to Brazil.

Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili led the UNWTO delegation to Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia (13-17 December), recognizing Brazil's strong support and commitment to tourism for development. In Brazil, Secretary-General Pololikashvili enjoyed bilateral meetings with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and with the country's Minister of Tourism Celso Sabino.

First UNWTO Office for the Americas

At the 25th UNWTO General Assembly (Samarkand, Uzbekistan, 16-20 October), Member States voted to establish a first Regional Office for the Americas in Rio de Janeiro. The office will further enhance UNWTO's global presence on the ground, adding to a Regional Office for the Middle East in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, a Regional Office in Nara, Japan, and its headquarters in Madrid, Spain.

The UNWTO Regional Office for the Americas will help guide tourism development not only in Brazil but across the whole region

• Secretary-General Pololikashvili joined Minister of Tourism Celso Sabino and other high-level delegates to visit the location and oversee the first plans for the Regional Office.
• Building on the plans set out at the General Assembly, UNWTO and the Government of Brazil hosted a special ceremony to celebration the official agreement for the Regional Office.
• The start of the project has been heralded as a major opportunity to enhance Brazil's status as a tourism leader for the Americas as well as one of the leading global destinations.
• The Regional Office for the Americas will focus on strengthening the promotion of investments. One of the first key outputs will be guidelines aimed at boosting green investments, recognizing the importance of biodiversity for tourism in the Americas. The Rio office will also develop a strategy around technical training for youth, allowing them to gain the professional skills they need to grow the sector throughout the region.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: "The UNWTO Regional Office for the Americas will help guide tourism development not only in Brazil but across the whole region. Rio de Janeiro will be a true hub of leadership and ideas, with a focus on growing and targeting investments into the sector and harnessing tourism's power for sustainable and inclusive growth."

UNWTO talks tourism with President Lula

Reflecting the recognition of UNWTO's mission at the very highest political level in Brazil, Secretary-General Pololikashvili was warmly welcomed by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Their bilateral talks focused on shared priorities, including growing investments in tourism in both Brazil and across the region, and making the sector a driver of growth and opportunity.

In bilateral talks with Minister of Tourism Celso Sabino, UNWTO emphasized the enormous potential of tourism in the Americas…

Celebrating Tourism Excellence in Brazil

During the official visit, the UNWTO delegation joined in celebrations of the best tourism talent and leaders in Brazil. The National Tourism Awards ceremony (Brasilia, 16 December) recognized individuals and initiatives transforming the sector. UNWTO also joined the official opening of National Hall of Tourism.

First Regional Office for the Americas

Rio de janeiro, brazil, related links.

• Download the News Release on PDF
• UNWTO General Assembly Endorses Growing Presence on the Ground: Regional Offices in Americas and Africa On the Way
• UNWTO Regional Department for Americas

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1.Consular services

For consular services, such as visa and passport, please contact a consulate of Brazil near you

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For tourist information about foreign destinations, contact the government offices below. Several no longer list phone numbers, so information is through their website only. For information about a country not listed, call the United Nations at (212) 963-1234, dial 0 and ask for the number of the country’s U.N. mission or delegation.

A helpful website is the Tourism Offices Worldwide Directory, https://www.towd.com .

Anguilla: Anguilla Tourist Board, (877) 426-4845, https://www.ivisitanguilla.com .

Antigua and Barbuda: Antigua and Barbuda Department of Tourism, (888) 268-4227, https://www.antigua-barbuda.org.

Argentina: Argentina Tourism Office, (212) 603-0443, https://www.turismo.gov.ar .

Armenia: Embassy of the Republic of Armenia, (202) 319-1976, https://www.armeniaemb.org .

Aruba: Aruba Tourism Authority, (800) 862-7822, https://www.aruba.com .

Australia: Tourism Australia, (800) 333-0262, https://www.australia.com .

Austria: Austrian Tourist Office, (212) 944-6880, https://www.austria.info/us .

Bahamas: Bahamas Tourist Center, (800) 224-2627, https://www.bahamas.com .

Barbados: Barbados Tourism Authority, (800) 221-9831, https://www.visitbarbados.org .

Belarus: Consulate General of the Republic of Belarus, (212) 682-5392, https://www.usa.belembassy.org.

Belgium: Belgian Tourist Office, (212) 758-8130, https://www.visitbelgium.com .

Belize: Belize Tourism Board, (800) 624-0686, https://www.travelbelize.org .

Bermuda: Bermuda Department of Tourism, (800) 223-6106, https://www.bermudatourism.com .

Bolivia: Embassy of Bolivia, (202) 483-4410.

Bonaire: Bonaire Government Tourist Office, (800) 266-2473, https://www.tourismbonaire.com .

Bosnia-Herzegovina: Embassy of the Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina, (202) 337-1500, https://www.bhtourism.ba .

Botswana: Embassy of the Republic of Botswana, (202) 244-4990, https://www.botswana-tourism.gov.bw.

Brazil: Brazil Tourism Office, (310) 341-8394, https://www.braziltour.com .

Britain: VisitBritain, (800) 462-2748, https://www.visitbritain.com .

British Virgin Islands: British Virgin Islands Tourist Board, (800) 835-8530, https://www.bvitourism.com .

Bulgaria: Bulgarian Consulate, (202) 387-7969, https://www.bulgariantourism.com.

Cambodia: Indochina Services, Tourist Office of Cambodia, (415) 434-4015, https://www.tourismindochina.com .

Canada: Canadian Tourism Commission, (604) 638-8300, uscw.canada.travel.

Caribbean: Caribbean Tourism Organization, (212) 635-9530, https://www.caribbeantravel.com .

Cayman Islands: Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, (212) 889-9009, https://www.caymanislands.ky .

Chile: Embassy of Chile, (202) 785-1746, https://www.visit-chile.org .

China: China National Tourist Office, (818) 545-7507 or (800) 670-2228, https://www.cnto.org .

Colombia: Embassy of Colombia, (202) 387-8338 or (305) 374-3144 (Proexport Colombia for tourism, etc.), https://www.colombia.travel .

Cook Islands: Cook Islands Tourism Corp., (310) 545-3529, https://www.cookislands.travel .

Costa Rica: Costa Rica Tourism Board, (866) 267-8274, https://www.visitcostarica.com .

Croatia: Croatian National Tourist Board, (800) 829-4416, https://www.croatia.hr .

Cuba: Cuba Tourist Board office in Canada, (416) 362-0700 (in Canada), https://www.gocuba.ca .

Curaçao: Curaçao Tourist Board, (800) 328-7222, https://www.curacao.com.

Cyprus: Cyprus Tourism Organization, https://www.cyprustourism.org .

Czech Republic: Czech Tourism, (212) 288-0830, https://www.czechtourism.com .

Denmark: See Scandinavia, https://www.visitdenmark.com.

Dominica: Discover Dominica Authority, (866) 522-4057, https://www.dominica.dm .

Dominican Republic: Dominican Republic Tourism Board, (888) 374-6361, https://www.godominicanrepublic.com .

Dubai: Dubai Department of Tourism, (888) 584-7070, https://www.definitelydubai.com .

Ecuador: Ecuador Tourist Board, (800) 328-2367, https://www.ecuadortouristboard.com .

Egypt: Egyptian Tourist Authority, (877) 773-4978, https://www.egypt.travel .

El Salvador: Embassy of El Salvador, (202) 265-9671, https://www.elsalvador.org or https://www.elsalvador.travel .

Estonia: Consulate General of the Republic of Estonia, (212) 883-0636, https://www.nyc.estemb.org or https://www.visitestonia.com/en.

Ethiopia: Embassy of Ethiopia, Consular Affairs, (202) 364-1200, Add: https://www.tourismethiopia.org.

Fiji: Fiji Visitors Bureau, (800) 932-3454, https://www.fijime.com.

Finland: See Scandinavia, https://www.visitfinland.com.

France: French Government Tourist Office, https://www.us.franceguide.com .

French Guiana: See France.

French Polynesia: See Tahiti.

Germany: German National Tourist Office, (212) 661-7200, https://www.cometogermany.com.

Ghana: Embassy of Ghana, (202) 686-4520, https://www.touringghana.com.

Greece: Greek National Tourism Organization, (212) 421-5777, https://www.visitgreece.gr.

Grenada: Grenada Board of Tourism, (800) 927-9554 (for brochures), https://www.grenadagrenadines.com.

Guadeloupe: See France or https://www.antilles-info-tourisme.com/guadeloupe.

Guatemala: U.S. Embassy in Guatemala, guatemala.usembassy.gov and https://www.visitguatemala.com , No U.S. phone number.

Haiti: Consulate General of Haiti, (212) 697-9767, https://www.haitianconsulate-nyc.org.

Honduras: Honduras Institute of Tourism, (800) 410-9608, https://www.letsgohonduras.com.

Hong Kong: Hong Kong Tourism Board, (323) 938-4582 or (800) 282-4582 (for brochures), https://www.discoverhongkong.com.

Hungary: Hungarian National Tourist Office, https://www.gotohungary.com.

Iceland: See Scandinavia, https://www.goiceland.org.

India: Government of India Tourist Office, (213) 380-8855, https://www.incredibleindia.org.

Indonesia: Indonesian Consulate General, (202) 775-5200, https://www.indonesia.travel/en.

Ireland: Tourism Ireland, (800) 223-6470, https://www.discoverireland.com.

Israel: Israel Ministry of Tourism, (323) 658-7463, https://www.goisrael.com.

Italy: Italian Government Tourist Board, (310) 820-1898, https://www.italiantourism.com.

Jamaica: Jamaica Tourist Board, (800) 233-4582, https://www.visitjamaica.com.

Japan: Japan National Tourism Organization, (213) 623-1952, https://www.jnto.go.jp.

Jordan: Jordan Tourism Board North America, (877) 733-5673 or (703) 243-7404, Add: https://www.visitjordan.com.

Kenya: Kenya Tourist Board, (310) 545-3047, https://www.magicalkenya.com.

Laos: Laos Embassy, (202) 332-6416, https://www.tourismlaos.org and https://www.ecotourismlaos.com.

Latvia: Embassy of the Republic of Latvia, (202) 328-2840, https://www.latvia.travel.

Libya: Libyan Liaison Office, (202) 944-9601, https://www.libyanbureaudc.org.

Liechtenstein: Liechtenstein Tourism, https://www.tourismus.li.

Lithuania: Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania, (202) 234-5860, https://www.travel.lt.

Luxembourg: Luxembourg National Tourist Office, https://www.visitluxembourg.com .

Macao: Macao Government Tourist Office, (866) 656-2228, https://www.macautourism.gov.mo.

Madagascar: Madagascar National Tourism Board, (202) 265-5525 (Embassy of Madagascar), https://www.madagascar-tourisme.com.

Malaysia: Tourism Malaysia, (800) 336-6842 or (213) 689-9702, https://www.tourism.gov.my.

Maldives: Maldives Tourism Promotion Board, https://www.visitmaldives.com .

Malta: Malta Tourism Authority, https://www.visitmalta.com.

Marshall Islands: Consulate of the Marshall Islands, (202) 234-5414, https://www.visitmarshallislands.com.

Martinique: See France or https://www.martinique.org.

Mauritius: Embassy of the Republic of Mauritius, (202) 244-1491, https://www.mauritius.net.

Mexico: Mexico Tourism Board, (800) 446-3942, https://www.visitmexico.com.

Micronesia: Embassy of the Federated States of Micronesia, (202) 223-4383, https://www.visit-fsm.org.

Monaco: Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Bureau, (800) 753-9696, https://www.visitmonaco.com.

Mongolia: Embassy of Mongolia, (202) 333-7117, https://www.mongoliatourism.gov.mn.

Montenegro: National Tourism Organization of Montenegro, https://www.montenegro.travel.

Morocco: Consulate General of the Kingdom of Morocco, (212) 758-2625, https://www.visitmorocco.com.

Myanmar: Embassy of the Union of Myanmar, (202) 332-4350, https://www.myanmar-tourism.com.

Namibia: Embassy of the Republic of Namibia, (202) 986-0540, https://www.namibiatourism.com.na.

Nepal: Nepal Tourism Board, https://www.welcomenepal.com.

Netherlands: The Netherlands Board of Tourism and Conventions, (212) 370-7360, us.holland.com.

New Zealand: Tourism New Zealand, (866) 639-9325, https://www.newzealand.com.

Nicaragua: Consulate General of Nicaragua, (202) 939-6531, https://www.visitanicaragua.com.

Nigeria: Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, (202) 822-1500, https://www.tourism.gov.ng.

Northern Ireland: Tourism Ireland, (800) 223-6470, https://www.discovernorthernireland.com and https://www.discoverireland.com.

Norway: See Scandinavia, https://www.norway.org.

Pakistan: Consulate General of Pakistan, (310) 474-6861, https://www.tourism.gov.pk.

Palau: Palau Visitors Authority, (925) 300-7252 (U.S. representative), https://www.visit-palau.com and https://www.visit-palau.blogspot.com.

Panama: Embassy of Panama, (202) 483-1407, https://www.visitpanama.com.

Papua New Guinea: Papua New Guinea Tourism Office, (310) 545-8915, https://www.pngtourism.org.pg.

Paraguay: Embassy of Paraguay, (202) 483-6960, https://www.senatur.gov.py.

Peru: Consulate General of Peru, (202) 833-9860, https://www.peru.info.

Philippines: Philippine Department of Tourism, (213) 487-4525, https://www.experiencephilippines.org.

Poland: Polish National Tourist Office, (201) 420-9910, https://www.poland.travel/en-us.

Portugal: Portuguese National Tourist Office, (800) 767-8842 or (646) 723-0200 (dial 3 for tourism), https://www.turismodeportugal.pt.

Romania: Romanian National Tourist Office, (212) 545-8484, https://www.romaniatourism.com.

Russia: Russian National Group, (877) 221-7120, https://www.russia-travel.com.

Saba: https://www.sabatourism.com .

St. Barthélemy: See France.

St. Kitts: St. Kitts Tourism Authority, (877) 533-1555, https://www.stkittstourism.kn.

St. Lucia: St. Lucia Tourist Board, (800) 456-3984, https://www.stlucianow.com.

St. Maarten: St. Maarten Tourist Bureau, https://www.vacationstmaarten.com/en.

St. Martin: St. Martin Tourism Office, https://www.st-martin.org.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines: St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ministry of Tourism and Culture, (800) 729-1726 or (212) 687-4981, https://www.discoversvg.com .

Samoa: Samoa Tourism Authority, (212) 599-6196, https://www.samoa.travel.

Scandinavia: Scandinavian Tourist boards for Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, (212) 885-9700, https://www.goscandinavia.com.

Senegal: Senegal Tourist Office, https://www.senegal-tourism.com.

Serbia: Consulate General of the Republic of Serbia, (312) 670-6707, https://www.scgchicago.org and https://www.serbia.travel.

Seychelles: Permanent Mission of the Seychelles to the U.N., (212) 972-1785, https://www.seychelles.travel.

Singapore: Singapore Tourism Board, (323) 677-0808, https://www.yoursingapore.com .

Slovakia: Embassy of the Slovak Republic, (202) 237-1054, https://www.slovakia.travel.

Slovenia: Slovenian Tourist Board, (202) 386-6601 (consular), https://www.slovenia.info.

Solomon Islands: Solomon Airlines and Tourism, https://www.visitsolomons.com.sb and https://www.flysolomons.com.T

South Africa: South African Tourism, (800) 593-1318, https://www.southafrica.net.

South Korea: Korea Tourism Organization, (323) 634-0280, https://www.visitkorea.or.kr.

Spain: Tourist Office of Spain, (323) 658-7188, https://www.spain.info.

Sri Lanka: Embassy of Sri Lanka, (202) 483-4025, https://www.slembassyusa.org and https://www.srilanka.travel.

Sweden: See Scandinavia, https://www.visitsweden.com.

Switzerland: Switzerland Tourism, (877) 794-8037, https://www.myswitzerland.com.

Syria: Syrian Embassy, (202) 232-6313, https://www.syriatourism.org.

Tahiti: Tahiti Tourism, (310) 414-8484, https://www.tahiti-tourisme.com.

Taiwan: Tourism Representatives of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, (213) 389-1158, https://www.go2taiwan.net.

Tanzania: Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania, (202) 939-6125, tanzaniatouristboard.com.

Thailand: Tourism Authority of Thailand, (323) 461-9814, https://www.tourismthailand.org.

Togo: Embassy of the Republic of Togo, (202) 234-4212, https://www.republicoftogo.com.

Tonga: Tonga Consulate General, (415) 781-0365, https://www.tongaholiday.com.

Trinidad and Tobago: Tourism and Development Co. Ltd. of Trinidad and Tobago, (800) 816-7541, https://www.gotrinidadandtobago.com.

Tunisia: Tunisian National Tourism Office, (202) 466-2546, https://www.tourismtunisia.com.

Turkey: Turkish Government Tourist Office, (877) 367-8875 or (323) 937-8066, https://www.tourismturkey.org.

Turks and Caicos: Turks and Caicos Tourist Board, (800) 241-0824, https://www.turksandcaicos.tc.

Uganda: Embassy of the Republic of Uganda, (202) 726-7100, https://www.visituganda.com.

Ukraine: Embassy of Ukraine, (202) 333-0606 or (202) 223-2228, https://www.traveltoukraine.org.

Uruguay: Consulate General of Uruguay, (310) 394-5777, https://www.turismo.gub.uy.

Venezuela: Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, (202) 342-2214, https://www.venezuela-us.org.

Vietnam: Embassy of Vietnam, (202) 861-0737, https://www.vietnamtourism.com.

Zambia: Embassy of the Republic of Zambia, (202) 265-9717, https://www.zambiatourism.com.

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