Brazil Travel Insurance Requirements

Key Takeaways

• Our analysis shows that Tin Leg, Travel Insured International, and Seven Corners offer the best travel insurance for Brazil.
• Brazil is known for its lush rainforests, expansive coastlines, and bustling cities, which can pose unique health and travel risks, from mosquito-borne illnesses to delayed domestic flights.
• Many travelers venture into Brazil’s remote regions, including the Amazon basin, where access to healthcare can be severely restricted without evacuation coverage, and traditional U.S. health insurance is not accepted in Brazil.
• Brazil travel insurance can start at as low as $3.71 per day for basic Emergency Medical coverage. However, comprehensive plans with Trip Cancellation coverage may provide greater overall value.
• Try our online travel insurance comparison tool to get quotes from multiple providers at once. For personal assistance, call our award-winning agents at 1-800-240-0369

Our Top Recommended Brazil Travel Insurance Plans

1. Tin Leg – Gold because it offers high medical limits and cancellation coverage, and offers protection for adventurous trips with activities like river cruises and hiking.
2. Travel Insured International – FlexiPAX because it offers strong all-around coverage with customizable benefits that meet or exceed our recommendations for any trip type.
3. IMG – iTravelInsured Choice because it offers the recommended coverage amounts for Medical Evacuation and Emergency Medical insurance.

Do I Need Travel Insurance for Brazil?

While travel insurance isn’t mandatory for Brazil, it is strongly advised.

The country’s healthcare system is a mix of public and private services. Public hospitals may not have English-speaking staff and can lack specialized care in rural areas. Even though private hospitals often offer superior service, they can be costly without insurance.

Also, if a medical evacuation is needed from remote locations like the Amazon rainforest or the Pantanal wetlands, expenses could reach tens of thousands without coverage. And if you’ve caught a bug or an illness, travel medical insurance would offer coverage, too.

Reasons You May Need Travel Insurance for Brazil

Remote Destinations and Limited Medical Access

Many travelers explore remote regions of Brazil, such as the Amazon Rainforest and the Pantanal wetlands, which have been devastated by recent fires. Access to hospitals or urgent care is severely restricted, and evacuation by air or boat may be the only means to reach medical facilities.

✅ Travel insurance that includes the Medical Evacuation benefit covers the high costs associated with airlifts or boat transfers to the nearest appropriate medical center, potentially saving you tens of thousands of dollars.

Adventure Activities in Nature

From ziplining in Tijuca Forest to surfing in Florianópolis or hiking in Chapada Diamantina, Brazil is a haven for outdoor adventure. However, these activities carry a risk of injury, particularly in areas lacking nearby emergency services.

✅ Travel medical insurance covers accidents, and certain plans cover injuries during adventure sports. Many plans also provide 24/7 emergency assistance services to help coordinate care.

Tropical Diseases & Health Risks

Mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue fever, malaria, and chikungunya are prevalent in specific regions, particularly during the rainy season. These diseases may necessitate hospitalization or prescribed treatment.

✅ Travel health insurance includes coverage for diagnosis, treatment, and medications related to unforeseen illnesses overseas, such as tropical diseases. Specific plans may also offer direct payment to private hospitals.

Unpredictable Domestic Travel and Flight Delays

In Brazil, traveling frequently requires several flights, and regional airports can experience weather-related delays, inadequate infrastructure, or alterations in airline schedules. Missing connections can throw off entire travel plans.

✅ Travel insurance covers delays and missed connections, compensating for expenses like hotels, meals, and new flights when your trip is delayed for an insurable reason.

Protecting Trip Costs for International Travel

Travelers coming to Brazil from the U.S. or Europe often spend thousands on international flights, hotels, and eco-tours. We found our travelers usually pay more than $3,100 for an average trip to Brazil, which means canceling could sting your wallet.

✅ Comprehensive travel insurance reimburses up to 100% of your prepaid, non-refundable expenses if you need to cancel your trip due to illness, injury, or another covered reason.

Petty Theft in Tourist Areas

Large cities such as Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Salvador are vibrant and culturally rich, but they are also known for pickpocketing in crowded areas, such as beaches, buses, and metro stations.

✅ Travel insurance covers lost baggage and personal items, reimbursing replacement costs for stolen belongings such as phones, passports, and cameras. It also offers emergency assistance for lost travel documents.

Environmental Events & Weather-Related Interruptions

In Brazil, hazards such as flooding in the Amazon, landslides in mountainous regions, and city heat waves pose significant risks. These occurrences can disrupt or postpone travel plans, particularly during the rainy season.

✅ Travel insurance protects against trip cancellations, interruptions, and delays caused by severe weather. It can also cover emergency evacuations due to natural disasters.

More Details on the Best Travel Insurance for Brazil

Best Overall Travel Insurance

Travel Insured International

• Recommended Plan: FlexiPAX
• Emergency Medical: $100,000
• Medical Evacuation: $500,000
• Trip Cancellation: 100% of trip costs
• Great for add-ons and coverage upgrades

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Best Luxury Travel Insurance

Tin Leg

• Recommended Plan: Gold
• Emergency Medical: $500,000
• Medical Evacuation: $500,000
• Trip Cancellation: 100% of trip costs
• Covers a wide-range of adventure sports & activities

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Best Travel Insurance for Seniors

IMG

• Recommended Plan: iTravelInsured Choice
• Emergency Medical: $100,000
• Medical Evacuation: $500,000
• Trip Cancellation: 100% of trip costs
• Reliable coverage for pre-existing conditions

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How Much Does Brazil Travel Insurance Cost?

The average cost of travel insurance for Brazil in 2025 is $12.50 per day, based on internal sales data from travelers who used Squaremouth to protect their purchased trips to Brazil over the last 12 months. That said, medical travel insurance coverage is the primary concern for travelers heading to Brazil. These policies can provide more affordable coverage options for travelers who don’t need cancellation coverage, and averages just $3.71 per day.

The average traveler spent $225 on a comprehensive travel insurance plan to cover an average stay of 18 days in the country and an average trip cost of $3,167.41.

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What Travel Coverage Do You Need for Brazil?

Consider basic travel medical coverage if you’re traveling in Brazil—Rio’s beaches, the Amazon, or Salvador’s historic streets. A comprehensive travel insurance plan provides broader protection and peace of mind for prepaid, non-refundable expenses when visiting Rio’s beaches, the Amazon, and Salvador’s historic streets. We recommend purchasing a plan with at least $100,000 in Emergency Medical coverage and $500,000 in Emergency Medical coverage.

Check out the top benefits to look for when buying travel insurance for Brazil:

Travel Medical (Emergency Medical) Coverage

U.S. health insurance and Medicare are not accepted in Brazil, and while private hospitals offer good care in urban centers, services can be expensive. Public hospitals are available but may not provide English-speaking staff or timely care.

✅ A travel medical policy covers doctor visits, hospital stays, and prescriptions. We recommend a plan with at least $100,000 in emergency medical coverage, especially if visiting rural or jungle areas.

Medical Evacuation Coverage

In Brazil’s remote regions—such as the Amazon, Pantanal, or interior jungles—emergency evacuation by air or boat may be the only way to access appropriate medical care.

✅ Choose a plan with at least $250,000 in medical evacuation coverage, including airlifts, transportation to major hospitals, and repatriation back to the U.S. if necessary.

Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Insurance

International flights, eco-tours, Amazon cruises, and multi-city Brazil itineraries can add up. If you cancel or shorten your trip due to illness, injury, family emergency, or weather disruptions, Trip Cancellation insurance can reimburse non-refundable expenses.

✅ Most comprehensive plans provide 100% reimbursement for cancellations and up to 150% for interruptions, helping you recoup costs from unused hotel stays, tours, and transportation.

Insurance for Baggage and Personal Items

Petty theft is common in crowded tourist areas like Copacabana Beach, public buses, and urban metro stations.

✅ Travel insurance can reimburse the cost of replacing lost, stolen, or damaged items such as electronics, passports, and luggage. Some plans offer emergency assistance to replace travel documents or arrange temporary accommodations.

What Isn’t Covered by Brazil Travel Insurance Plans?

Travel insurance can provide valuable protection, but it doesn’t cover every situation.

Here are standard exclusions travelers should be aware of when heading to Brazil:

• Alcohol or Drug-Related Incidents: Claims involving injuries or accidents that occur while intoxicated are typically excluded from coverage.
• Unapproved Adventure Sports: While many plans offer optional adventure or sports upgrades, activities, like hang gliding, deep jungle trekking, or scuba diving may not be covered by default.
• Pre-existing Medical Conditions: Unless you purchase a plan with a pre-existing condition waiver shortly after your first trip payment, any complications tied to existing health issues may not be eligible for coverage.
• Civil Unrest and Travel Warnings: If the U.S. State Department issues a Level 2 travel advisory for parts of Brazil, travel insurance may not cover those regions.

Tips for Getting the Best Travel Insurance for Brazil

Use a Comparison Tool

Squaremouth makes it easy to compare dozens of plans and providers side-by-side. Whether hiking in Chapada Diamantina or cruising the Amazon, filtering for the right benefits helps you find coverage tailored to your trip.

Read the Fine Print

Not all plans offer the same benefits. Review exclusions carefully—especially for adventure activities, pre-existing conditions, or medical evacuation limits. Always check for provider networks in Brazil’s major cities and tourist destinations.

Tailor Coverage to Your Itinerary

Are you heading into the rainforest or sticking to the cities? Or are you heading out on a jungle tour or just planning beach time? Customize your plan to match your risk level and destinations.

Choose Adequate Coverage Limits

We recommend at least $100,000 in Emergency Medical coverage and $250,000 for evacuation. High hospital bills and air evacuations are rare but not unheard of, especially if you’re far from urban areas.

Is Travel Insurance for Brazil Worth It?

Absolutely! Brazil poses a host of adventure, excitement, and travel challenges, from health risks like dengue to travel disruptions, theft, and emergency evacuations in remote regions. But travel insurance helps mitigate those risks, offering financial protection, 24/7 assistance, and peace of mind while you explore one of the planet’s most biodiverse and culturally rich destinations.

FAQ: Brazil Travel Insurance

Is Brazil safe to visit?

Brazil is generally safe for tourists, but petty crime and health risks vary by region. Exercise caution in crowded areas, use reputable tour operators, and stay updated with U.S. travel advisories.

Is travel insurance mandatory for Brazil in 2025?

No, travel insurance is not required for U.S. citizens visiting Brazil, but it is strongly recommended due to medical and logistical challenges.

What travel insurance benefits do I need to explore the Amazon rainforest?

Due to frequent weather-related disruptions, you’ll need at least $100,000 in Emergency Medical coverage and $250,000 for Medical Evacuation, Travel Delay, and Trip Interruption benefits, which are also helpful. Remember that you’ll always have 24/7 assistance services.

Will my U.S. health insurance work in Brazil?

Most likely not. U.S. health insurance, including Medicare, does not cover medical treatment abroad. Travelers must pay out of pocket or have a valid travel medical plan.

How much travel medical insurance do I need for my Brazil trip?

We recommend at least $100,000 in Emergency Medical coverage and $250,000 for Medical Evacuation, especially if your itinerary includes adventure travel or rural destinations.

What documents are required to travel to Brazil?

U.S. travelers need a valid passport. As of early 2025, Brazil is expected to implement a visa requirement for U.S. citizens. Check the Brazilian consulate or embassy for the most current information.

Do I need a visa or a passport to travel to Brazil?

Yes, you’ll need a valid passport, and starting in April 2025, U.S. travelers will likely need to apply for an e-visa before departure.

Does Brazil require COVID insurance?

As of 2025, COVID-specific insurance is not required, but most travel insurance policies continue to include coverage for COVID-related medical expenses, cancellations, and delays.