shschief

Hi All,

We have booked an 3 day/2 night excusion to the Falls from Buenos Aires . We will be staying in Puerto Iguazú. I am confused because:

According the to Lonely Planet Guide p. 263, it say that "by staying at Puerto Iguazú, and making a day trip to the Brazilian side, travelers can avoid buying a Brazilian visa."

But our tour company in BA says that we need to purchase the visa. We are only going to the Brazilian side for 1/2 day. And I don't want to spend the extra $ if it is not necessary. On the other hand, I don't want to be denied access.

What to do?

Thanks in advance,

Shelley

SambaChula

US passport holders (and others) are legally required to have a visa to enter Brazil, from any entry point and for any length of time.
Note: The view from the Brazilian side is that seen in most iconic photos of the falls. The wonderful Bird Park, and the helicopter ride over the falls, are also located in Brazil.
As was recently recounted here on another thread, it is sometimes possible to cross by bus or taxi from Argentina to Brazil at the Iguazu/Iguacu border crossing without stopping at border control to have your passport checked for visa and stamped. And sometimes it is not. And also to return to Argentina, similarly. It's up to you if you feel morally comfortable not getting a required visa, and essentially sneaking into Brazil for a few hours to see the falls. Some do, some don't. You yourself must weigh the risk and embarrassment of possibly getting caught. Some will argue the possibility is low and balances the risk and expense.
If you are going on to Rio or elsewhere in Brazil, without a visa, you will encounter problems on exit at any airport and most land border exit crossings.

SambaChula

Also note that one recent version of a Lonely Planet for Brazil was written by someone who became infamous for writing it apparently without leaving home.

shschief

Hi SambaChula,

Thank you very much for your reply and for helping me understand the conflicting info.

Shelley

SambaChula

If you opt to get the visa, Shelley, think of it this way--- it's good for 10 years and that gives you time to make several more trips to see much more of beautiful Brazil than just the falls.