Need a doctor in Rio de Janeiro? Your options as a foreigner

Rio de Janeiro is one of the world's great tourist destinations, and each year thousands of visitors need medical help while they are there. If you fall ill or need a prescription in Rio, you have three main options: the public system, private hospitals, and an online consultation with an English-speaking doctor — often the quickest and easiest.

Healthcare in Rio de Janeiro: public, private and online

  • Public system (SUS): free, and emergency care is provided to anyone — including tourists — but waits can be long and English-speaking staff are rare.
  • Private hospitals: Rio has well-known private hospitals with international-patient support, such as Hospital Copa D'Or, offering shorter waits and a better chance of English-speaking doctors — but you pay out of pocket, so travel insurance is recommended.
  • Online consultation (telemedicine): for common problems and prescriptions, an online consultation with a doctor licensed in Brazil is fast and affordable — you speak by video from your hotel or apartment anywhere in Rio.

Emergencies in Rio de Janeiro

For a life-threatening emergency, call 192 (SAMU) for an ambulance, or go to the nearest pronto-socorro. For minor urgent issues, a public UPA (24-hour urgent care unit) is often faster than a hospital emergency room. Emergency numbers are free and available 24 hours.

Watch out for dengue in Rio

Dengue, spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, is common in Brazil and has been reaching central and tourist areas of Rio. Symptoms usually appear 2–7 days after a bite and include high fever, headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, nausea and a rash. If you develop these symptoms, use repellent, rest, keep hydrated, and speak to a doctor — an online consultation can assess your symptoms and advise whether you need in-person testing or care.

See an English-speaking doctor online from Rio

Pharmacy staff in Rio usually do not speak English, and a prescription from your home country is not accepted for controlled medicines. An online consultation solves both: an English-speaking doctor licensed in Brazil assesses you by video and, when appropriate, issues a digital prescription valid across Brazil. No Brazilian ID (CPF) or local phone number is required, and you can be seen from anywhere in the city.

When to choose online, and when to go in person

Online care works well for respiratory infections, urinary symptoms, travelers' diarrhea, allergies, anxiety, minor skin issues, suspected dengue assessment and continuing a treatment. For chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe injury, or any life-threatening symptom, go to a pronto-socorro or call 192 immediately.

Frequently asked questions about seeing a doctor in Rio de Janeiro

Can I see an English-speaking doctor in Rio today?

Yes — an online consultation with a Brazilian-licensed, English-speaking doctor can usually be arranged quickly, from your hotel or apartment.

Do I need a CPF or Brazilian phone number?

No. An online consultation can see you without a CPF or a local phone number.

I think I have dengue in Rio — what should I do?

Rest, hydrate, use mosquito repellent and avoid anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen until dengue is ruled out. Speak to a doctor promptly; an online consultation can assess you and advise whether in-person testing is needed. Seek urgent in-person care for warning signs such as intense abdominal pain, persistent vomiting or bleeding.

What is the emergency number in Rio de Janeiro?

Dial 192 for SAMU (ambulance). For minor urgent issues, a UPA (24-hour urgent care unit) is often faster than a hospital emergency room.