Visas
Because of Brazil's
Reciprocity Law, if your country asks Brazilians to get a Tourism Visa before
entering (e.g. USA), then you will also need to apply for a Tourist Visa before
traveling to Brazil.
To check if you need to
apply for a visa, click here.
Flights to Rio
Traveling to Brazil is not
as complicated as one might think. Nowadays there are direct flights from most
worldly cities to Brazil, although often times direct flights head to São
Paulo. Nonetheless there are also connections (usually considered "non-stop")
from international flights to Rio in São Paulo.
American Airlines has two
flights to Rio de Janeiro, one from Miami (direct) and one from New York (JFK -
stops in São Paulo).
Continental has two
flights to Rio de Janeiro, both stop over in São Paulo, but you don't do immigration/baggage claim there, since it's done in Rio, making the flights somewhat "direct." The flights leave from New
York (Newark Airport) and Houston.
TAM is a Brazilian
airline. It has pretty good service and is the only airline flying direct from
New York to Rio de Janeiro.
TAM has flights to Rio de
Janeiro from New York (JFK...2 flights a day, morning flight goes through São
Paulo, evening flight is direct) and Miami (direct).
United has flights to Rio
de Janeiro from DC Dulles, Chicago O'Hare, and Miami. The only direct flight to Rio is through Miami, the other two stop over in São Paulo, but you don't have to go through immigration/baggage claim there, since you do that in Rio. During high season (Christmas through Carnaval) the DC Dulles flight is direct.
US Airways has just
inaugurated a new direct flight from Charlotte, NC to Rio de Janeiro. I have
never taken it, but I have heard plenty of complaints regarding flight delays.
However, it is one of the cheaper options.
Labels: Visiting Rio
