Brazil travel guide for Americans

US citizens do not need a visa for tourist visits to Brazil of up to 90 days. You need a passport valid for the duration of your stay (6 months is recommended), a return or onward ticket, and proof of accommodation. Entry is normally straightforward at major airports.

If you plan to work, study or stay longer than 90 days, you need a visa from a Brazilian consulate before travel. The rules can change, so check the official sources before you book.

For tourism, US citizens enter Brazil visa-free for up to 90 days, extendable once for another 90 days. You must show a passport valid for the duration of your stay and evidence of onward travel. Immigration officers may ask for proof of accommodation and sufficient funds.

If you arrive by land from a neighbouring country, the same visa-free rule applies. For stays beyond 90 days or any paid work, you must apply for a visa at a Brazilian embassy or consulate before travelling. Check the Brazilian government's visa portal for current rules.

The US Embassy is in Brasília, with consulates in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Recife, Porto Alegre and Belo Horizonte. They handle lost passports, emergencies and notarial services. Register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for alerts and to make contact easier in an emergency.

For visa questions about Brazil, contact a Brazilian consulate in the US, not the US embassy. For help while in Brazil, call the US embassy's emergency line.

A typical trip to Brazil costs US$100–150 per day per person for mid-range travel: budget hotels or hostels, local meals, public transport and some tours. Rio and São Paulo are the most expensive; smaller cities and the Northeast are cheaper. Flights from the US to Rio or São Paulo start around US$500–700 round-trip from Miami or Orlando (2026 estimate).

Internal flights between regions are the way to travel; buses are slow because Brazil is larger than the contiguous US. A domestic flight from Rio to Salvador or Manaus typically costs US$80–150 one-way (2026 estimate). Budget for entrance fees at major sights like Iguaçu Falls and for guided tours in the Pantanal or Amazon.

Direct flights to Rio (Galeão) and São Paulo (Guarulhos) operate from Miami, Orlando, New York, Los Angeles, Houston and Atlanta. Flight time from Miami is about 8–9 hours; from the West Coast, add 3–4 hours with a connection. Rio and São Paulo are the main gateways; from there, domestic flights reach all regions.

Use the flight-time planner to compare routes from your home city. Book internal flights separately; they are cheaper when bought in advance.

Brazil uses type N sockets (three round pins) and, in older buildings, type C (two round pins). Voltage varies by city: 127 V in Rio, São Paulo and most of the coast; 220 V in Brasília, Manaus and parts of the Northeast. Check your devices before plugging in; a universal adapter with surge protection is useful.

Restaurants usually add a 10% service charge to the bill; you are not expected to tip on top. For taxis, rounding up is fine. Tour guides and porters appreciate a small tip, but it is not mandatory. In bars, a small tip for table service is common.

Dial 190 for police, 192 for ambulance, and 193 for fire. For tourist police in Rio, call 2332-2924 (check). Save the US embassy emergency line in your phone. In an emergency, call the local number first; the embassy can help with lost passports and legal issues.

Information is based on official US and Brazilian government sources. Check travel.state.gov and the Brazilian visa portal for the latest rules before you go.