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Brazil beaches map: check which beaches are clean and which are contaminated today
The recent gastroenteritis outbreak that affected several coastal cities in São Paulo and Santa Catarina has raised alarms among tourists and residents. Brazilian health authorities have created an online Brazil beach map to report safe beaches and those presenting contamination levels. If you have a trip planned, checking for contaminated beaches in Brazil before you leave is an essential precaution.
In this article, we explain how to access the contaminated beaches in Brazil map today, what precautions to take, and some tips to enjoy your vacation safely. Before traveling, also check what is needed to travel to Brazil to ensure everything is in order.
Access the updated Brazil beach map from the IMA
Click on the image to access the map
The Environmental Institute of Santa Catarina (IMA) developed an interactive online Brazil beach map that uses a flag system to indicate the water quality of several beaches across the country. This resource is the most reliable tool to consult for contaminated beaches in Brazil before getting into the water.
This map is regularly updated with data collected by the institute, which analyzes the presence of bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), which are harmful to health. Analyses are performed weekly during the high season and monthly throughout the rest of the year.
Each beach receives a rating based on its safety level for swimmers:
Suitable (blue flag): water conditions are safe for swimming.
Unsuitable (red flag
): it is recommended to avoid contact with the water due to high levels of contamination.
Undetermined (grey flag): water conditions cannot be determined with certainty.
How to use the Brazil beach map step by step
You can click on the image we shared above in the article or directly access the IMA's official website through this link.
Once you have done this, 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 the name of the beach.
Check the color indicators according to the flag system explained above.
Verify the date of the last analysis: each point on the map indicates when the last water sample was taken, allowing you to confirm that the data is recent.
If you are planning to visit the beaches of northern Brazil or the best beaches in southern Brazil, consult the map before leaving to confirm current water conditions. You can also check the Florianópolis map with beaches and routes if your destination is in that area.
Which states have bathing water quality data?
While the IMA map mainly covers Santa Catarina, other Brazilian states also publish data on contaminated beaches in Brazil through their local environmental agencies. São Paulo, for example, has the CETESB (Companhia Ambiental do Estado de São Paulo), which updates weekly bathing reports for the entire São Paulo coast.
In Rio de Janeiro, the INEA (Instituto Estadual do Ambiente) serves a similar function. If your trip includes these destinations, search for the official websites of each agency to check the water quality. To plan your complete route, consult the best route to go to Brazil by car.
Gastroenteritis outbreak Brazil: How to protect yourself?
Avoid scares on your vacation to Brazil with these 5 tips:
To prevent food poisoning, do not consume raw vegetables or raw meat.
Do not drink tap water, use mineral water even to brush your teeth. Make sure that any ice you consume is made from bottled water.
Identify and avoid beaches with contaminated water using the IMA's Brazil beach map of bathing quality. It is the fastest way to know which are the contaminated beaches in Brazil in real time.
If you happen to have a problem, in Brazil you can go to a UPA (Unidade de Pronto Atendimento). They offer free medical assistance and are distributed throughout the country.
Get travel insurance, it is essential
the belo app offers you 30% OFF on Pax Assistance to be covered for any unforeseen event and travel with peace of mind.
Before traveling, also check the price guide in Brazil to plan your budget and discover what to do in Florianópolis if your destination is that city.
Free medical care in Brazil
The Unidades de Pronto Atendimento (UPA) are health centers of Brazil's Unified Health System (SUS) that offer 24-hour free medical care. Designed to treat minor to moderate emergencies and urgencies, UPAs are a quick and accessible alternative to resolve health issues without needing to go to a hospital.
How do I know if I have an Emergency Care Unit (UPA) nearby?
Roughly, you have a UPA every 25-30 kilometers. To locate the nearest unit, simply enter "UPA 24 horas" on Google once you arrive at your accommodation.
Use belo to pay with Pix in Brazil
In addition to taking care of yourself on the beaches and preventing unforeseen events, it is key to know how to manage your payments practically and efficiently. With the belo app, you can pay for everything in Brazil using your pesos or crypto by scanning a Pix in Brazil QR code.
It is simple, economical, and saves you from carrying cash or going to an exchange house. It is also highly convenient because of the exchange rate. If you want to know more about how is best to pay in Brazil, visit that article.
So now you know: with prevention, the IMA's contaminated beaches in Brazil map today, and the belo app, you have everything you need to enjoy an unforgettable vacation in Brazil. See you on the next adventure!
