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Check the map of contaminated beaches in Brazil today
The recent gastroenteritis outbreak that affected several coastal cities in São Paulo and Santa Catarina set off alarm bells among tourists and residents. But don’t panic! Brazil’s health authorities created an online map to inform people about the safe beaches and those that are contaminated
In this article, we explain how to access the contaminated beaches map, what precautions to take, and some tips to enjoy your vacation to the fullest
The map of contaminated beaches in Brazil today
Click on the image to access the map
The Santa Catarina Institute of Environment (IMA) developed an online interactive map that uses a flag system to indicate water quality of several beaches in Brazil
This resource is updated regularly with data collected by the institute, which analyzes the presence of bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), which can be harmful to health.
Each beach receives a rating according to its level of safety for swimmers:
Suitable (blue flag): water conditions are safe for swimming.
Unsuitable (red flag
): contact with the water is not recommended due to high levels of contamination.
Unknown (gray flag): the water condition cannot be determined with certainty.
How to access the contaminated beaches map in Brazil
You can click on the image we shared above in the article or go directly to the IMA official site, through this link
Once you've done that, you just have to:
Select your destination: the map covers beaches throughout the state of Santa Catarina. You can search by region, city, or even by beach name.
Check the indicators
Gastroenteritis outbreak in Brazil: How to take care of yourself?
Avoid scares on your trip to Brazil with these 5 tips:
To prevent food poisoning, do not eat raw vegetables or meat.
Do not drink tap water; use bottled water even to brush your teeth. And don't forget to make sure the ice you consume is made from bottled water.
Identify and avoid beaches with contaminated water using the IMA beach suitability map.
If you end up having a problem, in Brazil you can go to a UPA (Urgent Care Unit).
They offer free medical assistance and are everywhere.Get travel insurance, it's essential
the belo app gives you a 30% OFF at Pax Assistance so you're covered against any unexpected issue and can travel with peace of mind.
Free medical care in Brazil
Urgent Care Units (UPA) are health centers of Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS) that offer free 24-hour medical care. Designed to handle mild or moderate urgent and emergency cases, UPAs are a quick and accessible alternative for solving health problems without needing to go to a hospital.
How do I know if there's an Urgent Care Unit (UPA) near me?
Roughly, there's one UPA every 30/25 kilometers. To find the nearest unit, just search “UPA 24 hours” on Google when you arrive at your accommodation.
Use belo to pay with Pix in Brazil
In addition to keeping you safe on the beaches and preventing unexpected issues, it’s key to know how to manage your payments in a practical and efficient way. With the belo app, you can pay for everything in Brazil with your pesos or crypto, by scanning a Pix QR code.
It’s simple, affordable, and saves you from carrying cash or going to a currency exchange. It’s also extremely convenient because of the exchange rate. If you want to learn more about this feature, we recommend going to this article
So now you know: with prevention and the belo app, you have everything you need to enjoy an unforgettable vacation in Brazil. See you on the next adventure!
