Destination guide
Travel vaccines for backpacking South America
From the Amazon and the Andes to the cities and coast — get protected before you go. Our Timperley travel clinic is a registered Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre serving Manchester and the North West.
Why plan ahead
Big adventure, a little preparation
South America is one of the world's great backpacking destinations — but it covers an enormous range of environments, from steamy Amazon rainforest and tropical lowlands to high-altitude Andean cities and remote rural trails. Each brings its own health considerations.
The headline issue for most travellers is yellow fever, which is present in jungle and Amazon-basin risk zones and can affect entry and onward-travel rules. Beyond that, food- and water-borne illness, altitude, and mosquito-borne diseases all deserve attention. The good news: with a consultation around 4–6 weeks before you leave, you can travel with confidence. The advice below is general guidance, not a personalised recommendation.
Registered Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre
Yellow fever: the headline issue
As a registered Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre, we can vaccinate you and issue the official International Certificate of Vaccination (ICVP) you may need for South America. Yellow fever is present in the Amazon basin and other jungle risk zones, and proof of vaccination is required for entry to some countries — and for onward travel to many neighbouring countries.
Official ICVP certificate issued at your appointment
Certificate becomes valid 10 days after vaccination
Recommended for the Amazon and jungle risk areas
We check the latest entry and onward-travel rules for your route
Yellow fever risk areas in South America include the Amazon basin and surrounding lowland jungle across countries such as Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia and Ecuador.
What to consider
Recommended vaccines for South America
Your exact recommendations depend on your destinations, activities and medical history. Below is a general guide to the vaccines most commonly discussed for backpackers.
Yellow Fever
Required / recommended for risk zones
Recommended for travel to risk areas including the Amazon basin. A certificate is mandatory for entry to some countries and for onward travel.
Hepatitis A
Recommended for most
Spread through contaminated food and water — advised for almost all backpackers across South America.
Typhoid
Recommended for most
A real risk where food and water hygiene is variable, especially on longer or rural itineraries.
Tetanus, Diphtheria & Polio
Booster
Make sure your combined tetanus, diphtheria and polio booster is up to date before you travel.
Hepatitis B
Longer trips
Worth considering for longer stays, adventure activities or possible medical/dental contact abroad.
Rabies
Risk-dependent
Advised for rural travel, remote areas and anyone likely to have contact with animals such as dogs, bats or monkeys.
Chikungunya
Newer vaccine — ask us
A mosquito-borne viral illness found in parts of South America and the Caribbean. A chikungunya vaccine is now available and may be suitable for some travellers — ask us if it's right for your trip, alongside mosquito-bite prevention.
Cholera
Basic conditions
Considered for backpackers visiting areas with poor sanitation or during outbreaks and humanitarian situations.
Mosquito-borne illness
Malaria, dengue & Zika
Lowland, tropical and Amazon regions carry mosquito-borne disease risk. Prevention combines the right precautions with bite-avoidance — covering up, repellent and treated nets.
- Malaria: antimalarial tablets may be advised for jungle and lowland areas
- Dengue: no routine vaccine for travellers — focus on avoiding daytime bites
- Zika: no vaccine — important bite-avoidance and pregnancy-planning advice
- Use DEET repellent, cover skin at dawn and dusk, and sleep under nets
Stay well on the road
Altitude, food & water safety
Beyond vaccines, a few simple habits keep most backpackers healthy. Altitude, hygiene and a well-stocked travel kit make all the difference on a long trip.
- Acclimatise gradually in Cusco, La Paz and the Andes; ascend slowly and hydrate
- Drink bottled or treated water; be cautious with ice and salads
- Choose freshly cooked, hot street food and peel your own fruit
- Pack a travel health kit: rehydration salts, plasters, hand gel and any medicines
Timing
When to book
Leave enough time for courses to take effect and for your yellow fever certificate to become valid before departure.
4–6 weeks ahead
Book your consultation around four to six weeks before you travel so there is time to complete any recommended vaccines.
10-day certificate rule
A yellow fever certificate only becomes valid 10 days after vaccination — plan ahead if a certificate is needed for entry.
Multi-dose courses
Some vaccines, such as hepatitis B and rabies, are given as courses over several weeks, so earlier is always better.
4–6
Weeks to book ahead
10
Days for YF certificate
1
Registered YF centre
FAQ
South America travel vaccine FAQs
For many South American itineraries, yes. Yellow fever is present in risk zones including the Amazon basin and parts of Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia and Ecuador. Whether it is recommended or required depends on exactly where you are going, so it is best to confirm at a consultation 4–6 weeks before you travel.
Some South American countries require proof of vaccination for entry, and many neighbouring countries require an International Certificate of Vaccination if you are arriving from, or have recently visited, a yellow fever risk area. Requirements change, so we check the latest entry rules for your specific route as a registered Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre.
The Amazon basin is one of the main yellow fever risk areas in South America. If your trip includes the Amazon or other jungle regions, yellow fever vaccination is strongly recommended in line with NHS and TravelHealthPro guidance.
It depends on the regions you visit. Malaria risk is focused in low-lying, jungle and Amazon areas rather than high-altitude cities such as Cusco. We assess your itinerary and advise whether antimalarial tablets are recommended, alongside mosquito-bite prevention.
Both are recommended for most backpackers in South America because they are spread through contaminated food and water. They are an easy, sensible precaution for street food, rural travel and longer trips.
Rabies vaccination is worth considering if you will be in rural or remote areas, travelling for longer periods, or likely to be around animals such as dogs, bats and monkeys. It also simplifies treatment if you are ever bitten or scratched far from medical care.
Aim to book 4–6 weeks before departure. Some vaccines need more than one dose over several weeks, and a yellow fever certificate only becomes valid 10 days after vaccination. If you are short on time, still get in touch — we can often help.
Destinations like Cusco, La Paz and the Andes sit at high altitude. We can give general advice on acclimatising gradually, staying hydrated, ascending slowly and recognising symptoms, and discuss whether preventive medication is appropriate for your trip. This guidance is general and not a substitute for a personal consultation.
Ready to plan your South America trip?
Book a travel consultation at our Timperley clinic near Manchester, or get in touch with any questions about vaccines, yellow fever certificates or malaria prevention.