Americans traveling to Brazil will need a visa as well as their passport. I was told that there are people each night in Atlanta that cannot make the trip to Brazil because they didn't know a visa was required.

It is the responsibility of the traveler to know what is and is not required to visit a country . . . the visa for Brazil is not a new requirement . . . no sympathy here for those stranded . . .<BR><BR>Isn't anyone responsble for anything anymore?

Mary:<BR><BR>Thanks for the posting and information. Perhaps this will lessen the people stranded.<BR><BR>FWIW - I took your post as informative and giving an example of the importance of needing a visa.

We dealt with our visas (Brazil) (Jan 2002) in Boston driving there and doing it in person. A visa service can be very expensive. We changed planes in Rio and were required to have this visa for around four hours on the ground, not leaving the airport. If you have children you must have photographs notarized or the children at the consulate. You do not need these visas in Chile or Argentina. Yes, without proper visas (consulate holds your passport - we apparently do the same thing to them) and you can worry for a few days. Fed Ex added 15.00, enitre cost just under 100.00. esp

Have you stayed at the Florida Hotel in Rio de Janeiro area. <BR><BR>Thanks, Regina