Safety and mosquitoes in Brazil

Hi there,

I’m heading to Brazil soon—Rio, Iguazu, Paraty, Ilha Grande.

Two things are worrying me: - Mosquitoes and the nasty diseases they carry: are there a lot of mosquitoes and risks in these areas in May? - Safety: what’s the current situation in the tourist areas I mentioned?

Thanks for any info!

Virginie

hi, for mosquitoes in Rio, there aren’t many. You’ll only find them if you go into the Amazon rainforest. Besides, I don’t remember seeing mosquito nets in Rio hotels. As for Iguazu, though, yes—you’ll definitely need mosquito repellent or ask the hotel for a mosquito net, since the falls are in a truly tropical environment. Oh, and off-topic, you might spot caimans on the Argentine side.

When it comes to safety, it’s mainly a concern in Rio—stick to busy areas. On Copacabana or Ipanema beaches, no problem, but again, if there’s nobody on the beach, don’t go. It’s better to stay on Avenida Atlântica.

Hi there,

I don’t recall any mosquito problems in Rio, Angra dos Reis, or Paraty, where I traveled with my 7-year-old son. Same for Iguaçu during another trip. If needed, bring along a mosquito repellent spray—something like "Special Tropics."

For safety in Rio, avoid deserted or poorly frequented areas, and in crowded places (like markets), steer clear of wearing flashy jewelry and keep a close eye on your belongings. The "grab and run" technique is pretty common. I was a victim of it in Recife (north), but back then I could run really fast and caught the thief! 😏

Good evening Mathews,

Thanks for helping me sort out what’s real and what’s just the alarmist stuff I’ve read elsewhere.

Have a great evening,

Virginie

Good evening Jean-Michel,

Thanks for reassuring me. Since I’ve stopped running, I’ll be careful 😉.

Have a good evening,

Virginie

Regarding mosquitoes: repellent 😉 Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are around all year. You can avoid 'popular' areas (where people might be a bit less careful with waste, leading to more mosquitoes breeding in stagnant water), but the risk still exists. I’ve had dengue twice in 22 years here, with no consequences. On the other hand... did you know dengue and chikungunya are already circulating in France too?

Hi Ivan. Thanks for your reply. True, we’re not totally spared in France either. Here’s my feedback from my trip to Brazil from May 7th to 22nd: we had a few mosquitoes on Ilha Grande, and we met a French woman who was attacked by mosquitoes in Rio. Have a good evening