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South America Travel Health Guide

Essential Health Guide to South America for UK Travellers

South America offers a wealth of travel experiences, from the Amazon rainforest to the Andes mountains, ancient Inca ruins, and vibrant cities. However, to ensure a safe and healthy journey, proper vaccination and health preparation are essential. This guide provides comprehensive information on recommended vaccinations and health precautions for British travellers visiting South American countries.

Essential Vaccinations for South America

Routine Vaccinations

Ensure your routine vaccinations are up-to-date before travelling to South America:

  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella): Ensure you’ve had two doses
  • Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis: Booster recommended if you haven’t had one in the past 10 years
  • Polio: Typically included in childhood vaccinations in the UK
  • Seasonal flu vaccine: Recommended if travelling during flu season

Highly Recommended Vaccinations

Hepatitis A

  • Recommendation: Strongly recommended for all travellers to South America
  • Why: Hepatitis A is transmitted through contaminated food and water
  • Timing: Ideally 2-4 weeks before travel, though can be given up to the day of departure
  • Protection: A single dose provides protection for approximately one year

Find out more about our Hepatitis A Vaccination.

Typhoid

  • Recommendation: Recommended for most travellers, especially those visiting smaller cities, rural areas, or staying with locals
  • Why: Protects against typhoid fever, which is spread through contaminated food and water
  • Options: Available as an injection or oral capsules
  • Protection: 2-3 years, depending on the vaccine type

Find out more about our Typhoid Vaccination.

Hepatitis B

  • Recommendation: Recommended for travellers who may have close contact with locals, healthcare exposure, or sexual contact
  • Why: Transmitted through blood and body fluids
  • Timing: Requires multiple doses over 3-6 months (accelerated schedules available)
  • Protection: Long-term protection after completing the series

Find out more about our Hepatitis B Vaccination.

Country-Specific Requirements

Yellow Fever

Yellow fever vaccination is particularly important for South America travel:

Yellow Fever Vaccination Requirements for South American Countries

Country Requirement Status Notes
Bolivia Required for certain areas Required for travellers aged ≥1 year entering from countries with risk of YF transmission
Brazil Recommended for most areas Required for travellers entering from countries with risk of YF transmission
Colombia Recommended for most areas Especially for areas below 2,300m
Ecuador Recommended for certain areas Required for travellers entering from countries with risk of YF transmission
Peru Recommended for certain areas Required for travellers entering from countries with risk of YF transmission
Venezuela Recommended for most areas Required for travellers entering from countries with risk of YF transmission
Argentina Recommended for certain areas Northern and northeastern forested areas
Paraguay Recommended for all areas –

Important: Yellow fever vaccination must be obtained at least 10 days before travel to be valid for entry requirements. An International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) must be carried as proof.

Find out more about our Yellow Fever Vaccination.

Rabies

  • Recommendation: Consider for travellers planning extensive outdoor activities, especially in rural areas
  • Why: Rabies is present in dogs, bats, and other mammals in South America
  • Pre-exposure vaccination: Requires 3 doses over 21-28 days
  • Note: Even with pre-exposure vaccination, medical treatment is needed after potential exposure

Find out more about our Rabies Vaccination.

Region-Specific Health Risks

Amazon Basin (Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia)

  • Malaria: Antimalarial medication recommended
  • Yellow Fever: Vaccination strongly recommended
  • Dengue Fever: No vaccine available; prevention through mosquito bite avoidance
  • Leishmaniasis: Risk in forested areas
  • River blindness: Risk in some areas

Andean Highlands (Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia)

  • Altitude sickness: Risk above 2,500m
  • Limited malaria risk: Generally not needed above 2,000m
  • Sunburn: High UV exposure at altitude

Southern Cone (Argentina, Chile, Uruguay)

  • Generally lower risk for tropical diseases
  • Hantavirus: Risk in rural areas
  • Tick-borne diseases: In outdoor/rural settings

Malaria Prevention

Malaria risk varies significantly across South America:

  • High-risk areas: Amazon basin regions of Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Guyana, French Guiana, Suriname
  • Low-risk areas: Urban areas and higher elevations
  • No risk: Chile, Uruguay, and most of Argentina

Antimalarial options for South America include:

  • Atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone)
  • Doxycycline
  • Mefloquine (areas with no chloroquine resistance)

Your travel medicine specialist will recommend the most appropriate option based on your specific itinerary, medical history, and current resistance patterns.

Find out more about our Malaria Medication.

Additional Health Precautions

Food and Water Safety

  • Drink only bottled or purified water
  • Avoid ice made from tap water
  • Eat thoroughly cooked food served hot
  • Avoid raw fruits and vegetables unless you can peel them yourself
  • Be cautious with street food

Insect-Borne Diseases

Beyond malaria, protect yourself from:

  • Dengue fever: Increasingly common throughout South America
  • Zika virus: Risk varies by country and season
  • Chikungunya: Present in many countries
  • Chagas disease: Transmitted by triatomine bugs in rural areas

Prevention measures:

  • Use insect repellent containing 20-30% DEET or 20% Picaridin
  • Wear long-sleeved shirts and long trousers
  • Consider permethrin-treated clothing for high-risk areas
  • Use bed nets in rural accommodations

Altitude Sickness

When visiting high-altitude destinations like Cusco (3,400m), La Paz (3,640m), or Quito (2,850m):

  • Allow 2-3 days to acclimatise
  • Consider acetazolamide (Diamox) as prophylaxis (prescription required)
  • Stay hydrated and avoid alcohol
  • Recognise symptoms: headache, nausea, fatigue, dizziness
  • Descend if symptoms worsen

When to Get Vaccinated

  • Plan ahead: Ideally, schedule a travel consultation 6-8 weeks before departure
  • Late planning: Even last-minute appointments are valuable
  • Consider timing: Some vaccines require multiple doses over several weeks
  • Yellow fever vaccination: Must be obtained at least 10 days before travel to meet entry requirements

Travel Health Kit Essentials for South America

  • Prescription medications in original packaging
  • Antimalarial drugs (if prescribed)
  • Antibiotic for traveller’s diarrhoea (prescription required)
  • Antidiarrhoeal medication
  • Oral rehydration salts
  • Motion sickness remedies
  • Altitude sickness medication (if applicable)
  • Basic first aid supplies
  • Hand sanitiser
  • Insect repellent
  • Water purification tablets/device

Special Considerations

Pregnant Travellers

  • Some vaccines are contraindicated during pregnancy
  • Yellow fever vaccine should be avoided if possible
  • Zika virus presents significant risks; consider postponing travel to affected areas

Travelling with Children

  • Special consideration needed for vaccine dosing and timing
  • Some vaccines have minimum age requirements
  • Yellow fever vaccine is not recommended for infants under 9 months

Travellers with Chronic Conditions

  • May have special vaccine considerations
  • Should carry a letter from their doctor describing their condition
  • May need additional preparation and insurance coverage

Current Health Advisories

Health situations can change rapidly. Before travelling to South America:

  • Check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice
  • Review current disease outbreaks on the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website
  • Consult TravelHealthPro for country-specific updates

Consultation and Booking

It’s essential to consult with a travel health professional before your journey to South America. At Park Private Clinic, our travel health specialists can:

  • Assess your specific health needs based on your itinerary
  • Review your medical history and current medications
  • Provide personalised vaccination recommendations
  • Issue Yellow Fever certificates
  • Prescribe appropriate antimalarials and other medications
  • Offer comprehensive pre-travel advice

Book your pre-travel consultation at least 6-8 weeks before departure for optimal protection.

Find out more on our Nottingham Travel Clinic page.

View our price list for vaccines and medicines here.

Resources for Further Information

This information was last updated in June 2025. Please note that travel health requirements and recommendations are subject to change. Always consult with a healthcare provider for the most current advice before travelling.