Treatment abroad: Brazil 

Brazil is a burgeoning destination for medical tourism, offering top-notch healthcare services in fields such as cosmetic surgery, dentistry, and fertility treatments, amidst the backdrop of its vibrant culture and natural beauty.

Brazil’s growing reputation as a preferred health and medical destination sees it welcoming visitors from around the world seeking remedies for a range of medical needs and for cosmetic surgery.Braziloffershigh standards ofcosmetic surgery and infertility treatment at a fraction of the prices you can obtain in Europe or the US. Brazil isa goodoption to consider whenlooking for affordable treatment in combination with a South American break.

Why consider Brazil for cosmetic surgery?

When you think of Brazil, the Amazon rain forest, magnificent beaches, football and samba beats will probably spring to mind, but Brazil is also a world-renowned location for plastic surgery and its growing medical reputation is now attracting medical tourists from all over the world. You too can take advantage of the competitively priced, high quality cosmetic surgery and other private treatments while also enjoying a holiday in this exotic, pulsating country.

Brazil is an excellent consideration for cosmetic surgery with breathtaking scenery and warm hospitable people and is known all around the world for its professionalism and the expertise of its plastic surgeons, who undertake eleven years of intensive study and training in order to practice. Looking good is very important to the Brazilians and due to the favourable exchange rate cosmetic surgery is available at very competitive prices. The medical tourist in Brazil can expect to pay €1,550 for rhinoplasty and a facelift can cost under €2,000.

The bulk of plastic and cosmetic surgery clinics are located in the cities of Rio de Janeiro, So Paulo and Recife and, in fact, Recife is known as the plastic surgery capital in the world and the most popular city in the north east. Clinics are also now cropping up in other parts of the country, for example, in Fortaleza in the north east where clinics offer cosmetic surgery at slightly lower prices than in Rio and So Paolo.

Private clinics/hospitals in Brazil have modern operating and anaesthesiology equipment and must adhere to the government’s high standards of hygiene. Portuguese is the national language but it will probably sound quite different to the Portuguese you may have heard on holiday in the Algarve – both in intonation and accent, but medical staff who work in the private Brazilian clinics and hospitals do speak English, or have qualified bilingual assistants to hand.

Brazil’s seasons are opposite to Europe. So Paulo, Braslia and Belo Horizonte have mild climates averaging 19 degrees Celsius while Rio de Janeiro, Recife, Natal and Salvador on the coast have warmer climates balanced by the Trade Winds.

Reasons to choose Brazil

Fifth largest country in the world

World-renowned location for plastic surgery

Highly affordable prices for Americans and Europeans

Huge choice of clinics in Rio de Janeiro, So Paulo and Recife

Rio will host the 2014 world cup and 2016 Olympic Games

Copacabana Beach is a world famous party experience

Accreditation and qualification of cosmetic surgeons and doctors in Brazil

Plastic surgeons in Brazil study for six years at medical school, then two years in general surgery, followed by a further three years in plastic surgery. They usually attend three to four plastic surgery symposiums in Brazil and abroad each year to ensure they are updated on changes and advancements in technology and procedures.

Medical facilities should be accredited by the Federal and State Medical Councils of Brazil (The Conselho Federal de Medicina – CFM, and the Sonselho Regional de Medicina – CRM). TheBrazilian Ministry of Health(Brazilian site only) is the governmental body responsible for the country’s health system and oversees all clinics and hospitals. Cosmetic surgeons should be members of theBrazilian Society of Plastic Surgery(SBCP), which is the second largest plastic surgery society in the world, and on its web site visitors can easily search for members to check credentials. Other organisations include theBrazilian Medical Associationand surgeons may also be accredited with theInternational Society of Aesthetic and Plastic Surgeons(ISAPS) and theAmerican Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery(ASAPS).

Plastic surgery in Brazil: Travel and accommodation

International flights from Europe and the US land at the international airports of So Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Recife or Salvador, where there are connecting flights to most other major Brazilian cities and rather than flying directly into Rio, most scheduled flights from Europe fly first to So Paulo and then go on to Rio de Janeiro. Rio’s international airport is called Galeo, and is also known as Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport. It was the country’s main international airport but So Paulo’s International airport,Guarulhos, took its place in the eighties. Galeois located approximately 14 miles north of central Rio, on Governor’s Island and So Paulo’s International airport,Guarulhosis located 18 miles north east of the city. Rio and So Paulo both also have airports closer to their city centres which are used for the 55 minute air-shuttle between the two cities and other regional services.

Getting to / from the airports

The Avenida Brasil and Linha Vermelha link Rio’s airport with its city centre and taxis can be hailed from outside the terminal building. For taxi journeys get a pre-paid taxi ticket from the State Tourism Authority counter, these are usually slightly more expensive but they will ensure there is no confusion over journey prices. Alternatively, an airport shuttle bus leaves every hour and serves major hotels and beach areas, (journey time around 45 minutes), and a public bus goes to into the city centre every 30 minutes between 6am and 9pm.

From So Paulo airport prepaid radio taxis also serve the terminals and an airport bus connects with Congonhas Domestic Airport and the city centre. A shuttle minibus also runs to the city centre as well as an executive city bus (located on the arrivals floor), for which tickets must be pre-paid. The journey time into the city centre is between half an hour to an hour depending on traffic.

In Brazil taxis are meter run and are plentiful in most of the cities, in Rio for example, one in three cars is a taxi. The regular, metered yellow cabs can be flagged on the streets while “Taxi Especial” (special taxis) are larger vehicles with air conditioning so are more expensive and usually located at airports, outside hotels or booked by phone. Although the meter is used in the taxis hailed on the streets, the driver will also refer to a chart taped to the rear side window of the vehicle upon arriving at your destination. Both Rio and So Paolo have efficient and fast Metro trains which are an easy way to get around town. Driving isn’t recommended in Rio.

Travelling within the country

Long distance journeys in Brazil are generally done by air or bus with the faster option obviously being by air. Brazil has several domestic airlines offering inexpensive fares fromTam, Vasp and Varig as well as no frills airlines;Gol, Fly andOcean Air. If you’re intending to do more than a few flights in Brazil ask your travel agent/tour operator about the ‘Airpass’, this is an economical way to travel within the country, is valid for 21 days and can incorporate up to nine internal flights with VARIG, TransBrasil, TAM and VASP Airlines, however it must be purchased before arrival in the country.

Instead of train travel, Brazil has an extensive bus network with modern buses linking major cities with services between Rio de Janeiro and So Paolo every 15 minutes. Bus stations in Brazil are called ‘Rodovirias’, and you’ll find departures to virtually anywhere at any time of the day. Bus travel may be cheap but the distances can be quite considerable even on the luxurious (leitos) buses. Fortaleza, in the north east, for example, is as far from Rio de Janeiro as Buenos Aires is so for really long journeys it’s worth booking a seat on one of the more expensive buses with seats which stretch out like beds.

The usual rental car companies are located at the airports and driving is on the right. Driving standards in Brazil are not considered to be very good so if you are planning to travel around Brazil by car the tourist office recommends getting a copy of the “Quatro Rodas Guia Brasil” which is published by Editora Abril and is effectively Brazil’s Michelin guide.

Accommodation

There are a wide range of hotels in Rio to suit all budgets. The average cost for a double room on the famous Copacobana beach for example in a three or four star hotel is €60.00, including buffet breakfast. There are also apartments available from €35.00 per night which can be more convenient home from home experience for medical tourists staying more than a week. For more information about accommodation in Brazil, Brazilian Wave Tours lists a wide range of hotels in Rio, and the rest of Brazil.

The Brazilian monetary unit is the Real (BRL) with 100centavosto thereal. €1 = approximately 3 R$ (BRL).

About Brazil

Brazil is located in South America and is the largest Latin American country and the fifth largest country in the world. It is bordered by French Guiana, Surinam, Guyana, Venezuela and Colombia in the north, with Uruguay and Argentina in the south and Paraguay, Bolivia and Peru to the west. The Atlantic Ocean extends along the entire eastern side of the country, giving Brazil hundreds of miles of coastline.

Brazil is the powerhouse of South America, with a landmass that covers almost half of the continent and more than 200 million inhabitants. It has steadily risen to prominence in the world over recent years, growing to become one of the largest economies on the planet, although it is currently struggling with high inflation and rising interest rates threatening to spoil the party.

Not that much spoils the party in Brazil, where partying is a way of life. Few countries in the world know how to enjoy themselves quite like Brazil does, and its annual Carnival is legendary. Starting on the Friday before Ash Wednesday (normally mid to late February) the Carnival goes on for days (and nights), with exuberant floats, crazy costumes and non stop music and dancing. The Rio Carnival is the most famous, but every town and city hosts Carnival celebrations, and all put their heart and soul into having the most fun possible.

Although Brasilia is the capital of Brazil, Rio de Janeiro is the cultural capital, and is a sophisticated city with a very relaxed lifestyle. With an average temperature of around 26 degrees Celsius (which reaches the high 30s and low 40s in the height of summer) Rio is a popular year round destination but the city really springs into life in February for its exuberant four day Carnival and awe-inspiring samba parade which starts on a Saturday usually in late February, and ends on Mardi-Gras Tuesday. During this time flights and accommodation are more expensive and in demand.

Cariocas (the term used for Rio’s locals) come from all over the world, including Europe and Africa and live for beach life, football, dance, music, fun and sunshine, and Rio certainly has plenty of beautiful beaches. Copacabana Beach is world famous and boasts two miles of white sands, some great surf and plenty of scantily clad bodies! Ipanema and Pepe beaches also attract sociable crowds to bask in the sunshine and enjoy some sport. Stunning panoramic views over the amazing city can be enjoyed on a trip up to Corcovado where the celebrated statue of Christ reigns majestically over the city.

There is plenty to see and do in this naturally beautiful country. Diving enthusiasts will be in their element as Brazil hosts some of the best diving locations in the world, for example, the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha, the coast of Pernambuco near Recife, and the marine park of Abrolhos near Bahia are all great dive spots. Visitors could also be inspired to learn a new skill in Brazil such as Capoeira (the national martial art/dance), or salsa dancing. While in Brazil why not dine in a typical Churrascaria (barbeque house) and sample some traditional Brazilian food; the national dish, Feijoada, is a bean dish prepared with various meat including beef, sausage, tongue, pig’s ears and tails, garlic, and chilli peppers and possibly not to everyone’s taste! Or settle down in a bar/caf to enjoy a Caipirinha (sugar cane spirit with fresh lime and sugar) or an energising Guaran drink with the mellow sound of bossa nova in the background.

Brazil has no less than 12 cities with over a million people, with Rio de Janeiro home to a staggering six million souls in a very small space. Most cities are strikingly split, with an expanding middle class living alongside abject poverty in the shanty towns or Favelas, and the further north you go, the less developed the country becomes, so you need to be prepared to see some disturbing sights, despite the developments of recent years.

Brazil is famous for the Amazon rainforest, an area of one billion acres that is home to countless species of insects, birds and mammals. Although parts of it are under threat, there is a vast area of the rainforest that is untouched. Majestic, magnificent and breathtakingly beautiful, visiting the Amazon is a truly moving experience and if you get the opportunity to venture into the interior, you should not pass it up.

Staying in the cities, there is plenty to entertain you, with a visit to the colourful spectacle of a football match a must, whether you like sport or not. Brazilians are uniquely passionate about the game, and you may find yourself watching the crowd more than the match itself. Such is the passion for the game that Brazil was chosen as host for the 2014 WorldCup. It was also the venue for the 2016 Summer Olympics, underlining the country’s rising status in the world.

From the cosmopolitan Copacabana Beach, to the heart of the lush rainforest, Brazil has so much waiting to be discovered and enjoyed. So join the party!