Travel Insurance for Brazil
What Canadians need to know before travelling to Brazil
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At a glance
- World Nomads offers four travel insurance plans for your trip to Brazil. Plans range from standard to higher-limit protections.
- Coverage may apply to popular activities in Brazil like surfing, hang gliding and hiking.
- Policies for Canadians include protection for medical emergencies, trip cancellations and lost luggage.
Big and bold, Brazil is known for its warm, welcoming culture. From the beaches of Rio de Janeiro to the depths of the Amazon rainforest, it’s a country defined by strong traditions, a deeply social way of life and a rhythm that feels distinct within South America. Beyond the headline sights, you’ll find vibrant cities, colonial towns and a culture shaped by music, food and festivals. No wonder more Canadians are adding Brazil to their travel plans. Travel insurance helps protect your plans, your belongings, and your peace of mind.
Plan Comparisons
Choosing the right travel insurance coverage depends on your trip type and planned activities. Each of our four plans – Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual – offers different coverages and benefit maximums.
| Standard Plan | Explorer Plan | Epic Plan | Annual Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
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Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Covering the basics for your trip to Brazil. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Optional 'Cancel for Any Reason' available. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Optional 'Cancel for Any Reason' available. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Get a quote |
Travel insurance for adventure activities in Brazil
For incredible views over Rio de Janeiro, challenge yourself with a hike up to Pedra da Gávea or try hang gliding over the city and beaches. At Iguazu Falls, boat tours take you close to the base of the falls, while in the Amazon, guided treks and river trips grant you access to remote parts of the rainforest. Along the coast, surf towns from Florianópolis to Bahia are popular for wave riding, and snorkelling and diving in the protected waters around the islands of Fernando de Noronha is a must. For something different, try kitesurfing or sandboard across the dunes of Lençóis Maranhenses.
Coverage for 250 activities you love + more
Common insurance considerations for Brazil
Accidents and emergencies
No one likes imagining the worst, but if you do get seriously sick or have an accident that sends you to hospital, you’ll be thanking your lucky stars you got travel insurance before you left home. Wiped out surfing in Rio and had to go to hospital? Rented a motorcycle but hit a patch of rough road and came off? Ate coxinha in São Paulo and came down with a nasty bout of food poisoning? Emergency assistance is a phone call away.
Trip interruption
No matter how good of a time you’re having in Brazil, things can happen that mean you have to finish your trip early or you’re unable to participate in your full planned itinerary. If you get severely injured or sick while you're travelling, or you get a call from back home and learn that an immediate family member has unexpectedly passed away, you may not be able to complete the rest of your planned trip. World Nomads offers trip interruption coverage that may help you get reimbursed for prepaid, non-refundable travel costs if your plans change for a covered reason.
Trip Cancellation
The best trips are often the ones you’ve planned months in advance, but you can’t predict the future and unexpected situations can arise before you even set off. Trip cancellation coverage is included in all single-trip and annual travel insurance plans offered by World Nomads, which means you can cancel your trip before you depart – but only for covered reasons. Optional Cancel For Any Reason coverage allows you to cancel for any reason that’s not otherwise covered by your plan. Broke up with your partner? You can cancel your trip. Sick dog? You can stay home. Change your mind about travelling? There’s no judgment here. Just make sure you purchase Cancel For Any Reason insurance cover within 15 days of making your first trip payment (like booking a hotel or flight).
Missing luggage
Nothing gets a trip off to a rocky start quite like arriving in Brazil without your bags. If your checked luggage is lost or delayed, travel insurance benefits may help reimburse you for lost items. Keep original receipts for any personal items you buy – like a toothbrush, medication or a change of clothes. The first step is always to report missing luggage to your carrier and check what compensation they may provide.
Tips for travelling to Brazil
- Pickpocketing and bag snatching happens, so keep valuables secure and out of sight – especially in cities and on popular beaches
- Protect against mosquitoes – use repellent and wear long sleeves in the evening, especially in tropical regions
- Avoid walking alone at night and stay in well-lit, populated areas
- Carry a copy of your ID and keep your passport stored securely at your accommodation
- Set off on hikes in the cool of the early morning if hot and humid weather is forecast, and take plenty of bottled water.
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for Brazil. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.
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Do Canadians need a visa to visit Brazil?
Visa requirements for Canadians travelling to Brazil have changed in recent years. Currently, Canadians need to get an eVisa before travelling. Check official government advice before you go.
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Is Brazil safe for tourists?
Safety can vary by region. Popular tourist areas are generally well managed, but petty theft and more serious crime can occur. Stay in well-known areas, use reputable transport and remain aware of your surroundings. Follow Canadian government travel advice about where not to go in Brazil.
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Can I drink tap water in Brazil?
It’s generally best to avoid tap water. Stick to bottled or filtered water and take care with ice and raw foods.
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What currency is used in Brazil and can I use credit cards?
Brazil uses the Brazilian real (BRL). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in cities, but it’s useful to carry cash for smaller purchases.
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Do I need vaccinations for Brazil?
Some vaccinations may be recommended, including protection against hepatitis A and yellow fever, depending on your itinerary. Speak with your doctor before travelling.
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Is it safe to travel in the Amazon in Brazil?
The Amazon is generally safe to visit with a reputable guide or organised tour. Most travellers explore the region through lodges or guided excursions, which help manage risks. It’s important to follow local advice, use insect repellent, consider travel insurance, and stay aware of your surroundings.
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Is Carnival safe in Rio?
Carnival is one of Brazil’s biggest events and is generally safe for travellers, but large crowds can increase the risk of pickpocketing and petty theft. Keep valuables secure, avoid carrying unnecessary items and plan your transport in advance, especially at night. You may want to consider travel insurance that covers theft, just in case the unexpected happens.
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Do I need travel insurance for Brazil?
Travel insurance isn’t mandatory, but it’s strongly recommended. Cover for accidents, medical emergencies, cancellations, delays and lost luggage can help protect you against unexpected costs. Whether you’re in a major city or off adventuring in a more remote location, it’s reassuring to know you can get the help you need – especially when it comes to an accident or sudden illness.
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How do I make a claim?
You can make a claim online 24/7. Have your documents and receipts handy to upload, and get started. If you get stuck, you can call us collect on +1 416 646 3723 or send an email to worldnomads@travelguard.com and we will assist you with your claim.
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What do I do if I need emergency assistance?
No matter where you are in the world, our 24/7 Emergency Assistance partners at Travel Guard are ready to help – 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Whether it’s a medical emergency, stolen gear, missing bags, or a natural disaster, they’re the first call to make. Need a translator? They can help with that too.
When you call, you’ll be asked if you are experiencing a travel emergency. If you are having a medical emergency, you’ll be connected with Emergency Assistance right away. If your situation is not urgent and you are calling outside of normal business hours, you’ll be able to leave a message and be called back.
The contact information for medical emergency assistance is:
Phone: +1 866 878 0192 (toll-free from Canada and the Continental U.S.); or
Phone: +1 416 646 3723 (collect from anywhere else in the world)
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What if my passport gets stolen in Brazil?
World Nomads travel insurance plans cover theft or damage of the following documents:
- Passports
- Driver’s licenses
- Birth certificates
- Travel visas
You can claim up to the maximum limit stated in the policy towards the replacement of your passport or other travel documents.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Insurance protection for your hard earned vacation in the event of unexpected cancellation.
- Standard Plan: $2,500
- Explorer Plan: $10,000
- Epic Plan: $15,000
- AMT Plan: $10,000
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalized?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
We’ll get you to hospital or home quickly.
- Standard Plan: $250,000
- Explorer Plan: $500,000
- Epic Plan: $750,000
- Annual Plan: $500,000
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medevac home?
Help starts here.
Gear & Baggage Protection
Coverage for the theft, damage or delay of your bags, tech and sports gear.
- Standard Plan: $1,000
- Explorer Plan: $2,000
- Epic Plan: $5,000
- Annual Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
Protect your health
- Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
- Bedside Companion Travel and Subsistence
- Emergency Professional Services
- Return of Remains
- Return of Travel Companion/Dependent Children
Protect your trip
- Trip Cancellation
- Trip Interruption
- Trip Delay
- Optional Cancel for Any Reason (Explorer or Epic)
- Trip Exchange (Explorer, Epic or AMT)
- Rental Vehicle Damage (Explorer, Epic or AMT)
Protect your stuff
- Baggage and Personal Effects Theft or Damage
- Baggage and Sporting Equipment Delay
- Travel Documents Theft or Damage
- Sporting Equipment Theft or Loss by a Common Carrier
- Covered Adventure Sports listed in Policy
Assistance Services
- 24/7 Worldwide Emergency Medical Assistance
- Worldwide Travel Assistance
- Personal Security Assistance
- Adventure Traveller’s Hotline
- Bag Trak
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.