Brazil: stick to bottled or filtered water — tap water isn't recommended.
Want more than this one check? Get the complete Health & Safety Bundle for Brazil — every health & safety check combined into one PDF, free.
Stick to bottled or filtered water throughout Brazil — tap water quality varies significantly and isn't reliable for travelers.
Extend the same caution to ice as to tap water in Brazil — it's easy to overlook, but ice carries the same risk unless you know it's made from purified water.
Brushing your teeth with tap water is usually fine even where drinking it isn't recommended, but if you want to be extra cautious in Brazil, use bottled water for that too.
Sealed bottled water from a reputable brand is widely available and the simplest safe option in Brazil — just check the seal is intact before drinking.
Hospital bills abroad are the single most expensive travel surprise — and exactly the kind of risk pages like this one can't protect you from. For trips to Brazil, a travel medical plan like SafetyWing Nomad Insurance covers new illnesses and injuries, hospital stays, emergency evacuation and lost luggage across 180+ countries, works on a flexible 4-week subscription, and can even be bought after you've already left home.
Check SafetyWing prices →Disclosure: if you buy through this link, TravelSmarter may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It keeps our tools free.