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Until mid March, Brazil required that all US Citizens visiting Brazil–even those visiting less than 90 days–obtain a visa that required both money and time to get. In 2018 Brazil made it easier to obtain by giving us the option to process the visa online and dropped the price from $160 to $40.
As of June 17, 2019, all US citizens can visit Brazil for up to 90 days for free without any official documents aside from a passport. Brazil’s new president Jair Bolsonaro made the move to drop visa requirements before visiting the US earlier in March.
Visa requirements will also disappear for Canadian, Australian, and Japanese tourists on June 17.
Brazilian Trip Reports
Brazil is a one of my favorite and most-traveled countries in the world. Read one of our many trip reports to get inspired.
- Bonito (trip report by Scott)
I’ve also traveled to all of the following Brazilian destinations, so feel free to ask any questions in the comments or by email if planning a trip to one these places:
- Salvador
- Morro de Sao Paolo
- Ilha de Boipeba
- Chapada Diamantina
- Rio de Janeiro
Getting to Brazil with the Least Miles
Top Economy Options by Alliance
Oneworld
- 20,000 Alaska miles one way on American Airlines flights specifically to Manaus, which is a jumping off point for the Amazon (all other Brazilian destinations will cost more miles)
- 20,000 Etihad miles one way on American Airlines flights from March 1 – May 31 or August 16 – November 30
SkyTeam
- 22,500 Virgin Atlantic miles one way on Delta flights
Star Alliance
- 25,000 Asiana miles one way, but the Business Class price is so cheap, if you’re able, why not just pay 10,000 more miles?
- 55,000 ANA miles roundtrip (only roundtrip, no one ways with ANA partner awards)
Top Business Class Options by Alliance
Oneworld
- Business Class for 50,000 Etihad miles on American Airlines flights from March 1 – May 31 or August 16 – November 30
- Business Class for 30,000 Alaska miles on American Airlines flights specifically to Manaus, (all other Brazilian destinations will cost more miles)
SkyTeam
- Business Class for 45,000 Virgin Atlantic miles one way on Delta flights
Star Alliance
- Business Class for 35,000 Asiana miles on United flights (Scott’s experiences booking this award, and my experience booking this award)
- Business Class for 88,000 ANA miles roundtrip (only roundtrip, no one ways with ANA partner awards)
Bottom Line
Come June 17, US citizens will not be required to process a visa to enter Brazil as a tourist. Now that there’s no monetary or time commitment holding you back, what are you waiting for? Boa viagem!
I am a Brazil superfan. Contact me at sarahpage@milevalue.com if you want to plan a trip and have questions!
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We live in Rio de Janeiro, and its cheerful to hear you talking about our country. We´re a travel blogger family affictioned on flying Usa, and Itll be a pleasure receiving U when U come back. Contact us!!!
Lovely! The next time I’m in Rio, I’ll reach out!
Is the Alaska Manaus option just from Miami or can you add on a domestic AA flight for the same miles? And can you add UA domestic legs to the Polaris US to Brazil flights? They would probably have to allow mixed cabins since The United domestic probably wouldn’t be available
The Alaska miles Manuas option would indeed allow a domestic AA segment for the same miles as long as it was sAAver level. The rule with Alaska partner awards is you can have either Alaska + partner, or just all partner.
And yes, adding a United domestic segment to those options listed above should not change the mileage price either.