You may need a visa...
Canadians travelling to Brazil need a visa. There are many types of visas and they all have different requirements, prices, and privileges. These change from time-to-time, so consult the Embassy website http://www.brasembottawa.org/en/consular/visas/index.html for details. I found the Embassy staff very helpful, but like all governments, they have rules and regulations they follow. It takes 5 to 10 days to get a visa and they need to have your passport for the entire time. They only accept certified cheques or money orders for payment! (In 2009 when I applied they would also accept cash in the exact amount required.)
Shots
Brazil only requires a yellow-fever shot if you have travelled in certain countries in the last 90 days. See the website for details.
Your doctor may suggest several other shots/medications you should get. A typical recommendation is to get:
- Tetanus/Polio/Pertussis/Diptheria (1 needle). These need boosters.
- Hepatitis-A (1 needle). Ideally, the Hep-A should be given several months before travel because it is followed up with a second shot 2 months after the first. This provides lifetime protection.
- Cholera (oral vaccine - Dukoral). Two doses taken orally a week apart - both before travel. Must be kept refrigerated before use!
- Malaria (pills - Malarone). One a day starting a week before travel and continuing 2 weeks after travel.
Most of these are not covered by OHIP, so expect to pay a total of about $400.
Depending on where you are going in Brazil, your doctor may suggest more shots/medications:
- Hepatitis-B. This can be combined with the Hep-A injection. Costs about $50.
- Yellow fever. The yellow fever vaccine is only available at a tropical disease clinic and it is $70 to $100. It needs to be given at least 10 days before travel.
- Japanese encephalitis. Cost unknown.
These are generally low risks as long as you stay inside Rio. Yellow fever and Japanese encephalitis are mosquito-borne, and the mosquitos are daytime biters. Use a bug spray with at least 30% DEET for some protection.
Websites
- http://riodejaneiro.com/
- Rio Visitors bureau http://www.rioconventionbureau.com.br/rcvb_ingles/home.htm
- Brazil Tourism office http://braziltourism.org/
Rio
- Weather http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/cities/intl/Pages/BRXX0201.htm
- Traffic webcams http://transito.rio.rj.gov.br/
- Lots of excellent info - hard to navigate - http://www.ipanema.com/
- The local time in Rio is 1 hour ahead of Ottawa time, so at noon in Ottawa, it is 1 PM in Rio - http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/
Categories: travel