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Brazil - Consular Information Sheet
September 14, 1999
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Brazil has a developing economy. Facilities for
tourism are good in the major cities, but vary in quality in remote areas.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: A passport and visa are required. Brazilian visas
must be obtained in advance. Immigration authorities will not allow entry into
Brazil without a valid visa. Minors (under 18) traveling alone, with one parent
or with a third party, must present written authorization by the absent parent(s) or legal guardian, specifically granting permission to travel alone,
with one parent or with a third party. This authorization must be notarized,
authenticated by the Brazilian Embassy or Consulate, and translated into
Portuguese. For current entry and customs requirements for Brazil, travelers may
contact the Brazilian Embassy at 3009 Whitehaven St. N.W., Washington, D.C.
20008; telephone (202) 238-2700. Internet: http://www.brasilemb.org/. Travelers may
also contact the Brazilian consulates in Boston, Houston, Miami, New York,
Chicago, Los Angeles or San Francisco.
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS: Brazil customs authorities may enforce strict
regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Brazil of items
such as firearms, antiquities, tropical plants, medications, and business
equipment. It is advisable to contact the Embassy of Brazil in Washington or one
of Brazil’s consulates in the United States for specific information regarding
customs requirements.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: Political demonstrations occur sporadically in
urban areas and may cause temporary disruption to public transportation. There
is no evidence that U.S. citizens might be targeted during such events. However,
citizens traveling or residing in Brazil are advised to take common sense
precautions and avoid any large gatherings or any other event where crowds have
congregated to demonstrate or protest. When these events do occur, additional
advice may be obtained from the U.S. Embassy or nearest Consulate at the
telephone numbers listed below.
CRIME INFORMATION: The incidence of crime against tourists tends to be
greater in areas surrounding hotels, discotheques, bars, nightclubs and other
similar establishments that cater to visitors, especially at dusk and during the
evening hours. Incidents of theft on city buses are frequent and such
transportation should be avoided. Several Brazilian cities have established
specialized tourist police units to patrol areas frequented by tourists.
Rio de Janeiro continues to experience a high incidence of crime. Tourists
are particularly vulnerable to street thefts and robberies in areas adjacent to
all the main beaches in Rio. All incidents should be reported to the tourist
police, who can be reached at tel. 511-5112.
All areas of Sao Paulo have a high rate of armed robbery of pedestrians and
motorists at stoplights. At airports, hotel lobbies, bus stations, and other
public places there is much pickpocketing, and the theft of carry-on luggage,
briefcases, and laptop computers. Travelers should closely protect these items.
Travelers should "dress down" when outside and avoid carrying valuables,
especially any jewelry or expensive watches.
A number of violent assaults have been registered in the hotel district in
Brasilia in recent years, and it is advisable for visitors staying there to take
taxis to their destination when going out at night. Also, the U.S. Embassy has
noted that certain areas of the Lago Sul district in Brasilia, where many U.S.
citizens live, are prone to being targeted for burglary. Travelers considering
taking lodging or establishing a residence in Lago Sul may wish to consult with
the U.S. Embassy in advance.
The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to
the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. U.S. citizens can
refer to the Department of State’s pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad
for ways to promote a more trouble-free journey. This publication and others,
such as Tips for
Travelers to Central and South America are available by mail from the
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.
20402, via the Internet at http:www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs,
or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov/.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is
subject to that country’s laws and regulation, which sometimes differ
significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections
available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can
be more severe than in the United States for similar offences. Persons violating
Brazil’s laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned.
Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Brazil are
strict, and convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and heavy
fines.
MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical care varies in quality, particularly in
remote areas. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical
evacuation to the United States can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Doctors
and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services and U.S.
medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. U.S. Medicare
and Medicaid programs do not provide payment of medical services outside the
United States.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: Uninsured travelers who require medical care
overseas may face extreme difficulties. Please check with your own insurance
company to confirm whether your policy applies overseas, including provision for
medical evacuation. Please ascertain whether payment will be made to the
overseas hospital or doctor or whether you will be reimbursed later for the
expenses that you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for
psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death.
Useful information of medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance
programs, is provided in the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs
brochure Medical Information
for Americans Traveling Abroad available via the Bureau of Consular
Affairs home page or autofax: (202) 647-3000.
OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION: Information on vaccinations and other health
precautions may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention's hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP
(1-877-394-8747); fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299); or via their Internet
site at http://www.cdc.gov/.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S.
citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in
the United States. The information below concerning Brazil is provided for
general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location
or circumstance.
Safety of Public Transportation: Good
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance:
Good
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor
Availability of Roadside
Assistance: Poor
Road conditions in Brazil are not what one would expect from the world’s
tenth largest economy. No U.S. standard interstate highways exist. There are
some stretches of divided highways but signs, shoulders, exits and merge lanes
are all haphazard. All major routes are clogged with heavy truck traffic and,
for the most part, have two lanes. Road maintenance is a problem. There are many
potholes, often marked with a tree branch protruding from the hole, and uneven
surfaces. Many municipalities have erected speedbumps that may be unpainted and
unmarked. Pedestrians, bicyclists, and horsedrawn vehicles all pose hazards on
even the most major routes. Travel after dark outside city centers is not
recommended. Dirt roads are the rule in non-urban areas. These vary in quality
and are often impassable in rainy weather. Passenger car traffic is normally
safe, but truck and passenger bus hijacking, normally non-violent, erupts from
time to time and place to place, more commonly in the Rio de Janeiro and Sao
Paulo metropolitan areas. Anyone traveling extensively in Brazil should consult
the "Guia Quatro Rodas" for the information available on road conditions. Most
traffic accidents in Brazil are attributable to driver error, and caution should
be exercised whether in a vehicle or on foot.
For specific information concerning Brazilian driver’s permits, vehicle
inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, travelers may contact Embratur,
the Brazilian National Tourist Organization, on the Internet at http://www.embratur.gov.br/. Embratur
does not have an office in the United States, but Brazil does have eight
consulates in the U.S. and an embassy in Washington, D.C.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) has assessed the Government of Brazil’s Civil Aviation Authority as
Category 1 -- in compliance with international aviation safety standards for
oversight of Brazil's air carrier operations. For further information, travelers
may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at tel.
1-800-322-7873 or visit the FAA’s Internet website at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa/index.htm.
The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air
carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information
regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact DOD at
618-229-4801.
CHILDREN’S ISSUES: For information on international adoption of
children, international parental child abduction, and international child
support enforcement issues, please refer to our Internet site at http://travel.state.gov/children's_issues.html
or telephone (202) 736-7000.
REGISTRATION/EMBASSY AND CONSULATE LOCATIONS: Americans living in or
visiting Brazil are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S.
Embassy or Consulates in Brazil and obtain updated information on travel and
security in Brazil. The U.S. Embassy is located in Brasilia at Avenida das
Nacoes, Lote 3; telephone (011-55-61) 321-7272; website at http://www.embaixada-americana.org.br/.
There are Consulates in Rio de Janeiro at Avenida Presidente Wilson 147,
telephone (011-55-21) 292-7117, web site at http://www.consulado-americano-rio.org.br/rio.htm;
in Sao Paulo at Rua Padre Joao Manoel 933, telephone (011-55-11) 881-6511,
website at http://www.amcham.com.br/consulate;
and at Recife at Rua Goncalves Maia 163, telephone (011-55-81) 421-2441. There
are also Consular Agencies in Belem at Rua Oswaldo Cruz 165, 66 017-090 Belem,
Para, Brazil, telephone (011-55-91) 223-0800; in Manaus at Rua Recife 1010,
Adrianopolis, telephone (011-55-92) 633-4907; in Salvador da Bahia at Rua
Pernambuco 51, Pituba - Cep 41.830-390, telephone (011-55-71) 345-1545 and
345-1548; in Fortaleza at the Instituto Brasil-Estados Unidos (Ibeu), Rua
Nogueira Acioly 891, Aldeota, telephone (011-55-85) 252-1539; and in Porto
Alegre at the Instituto Cultural Brasil-Norteamericano, Rua Riachuelo, 1257,
Centro, telephone (011-55-51) 226-3344. There is also a Commercial and
Agricultural office at Belo Horizonte, Rua Fernandes Tourinho 147-14th Fl.,
telephone (011-55-31) 281-7271.
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This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated June 29, 1999.
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