President Bolsonaro Waives Brazil Visa Applications

Have you ever worried about Brazil visa applications? We have excellent news! Beginning June 17th, 2019 citizens from the United States, Canada, Australia, and Japan can travel to Brazil for up to 90 days without a visa! This update in travel document requirements is right in line with Brazil’s strong efforts in encouraging tourism.

For example, last year Brazil launched the Brazil eVisa for citizens of the US, Australia, Canada, and Japan. Travelers applauded the seamless and efficient Brazil eVisa online application process. By simply filling out a few forms online, Brazil tourist visas were ready in a matter of days. We thought traveling to Brazil couldn’t get easier after the Brazil eVisa implementation, however, now the visa requirement for Brazil is completely waived for specific countries.

It’s true! Brazil Visa Applications Waived

Citizens of the United States, Australia, Canada, and Japan continue to benefit from Brazil’s visa requirements. Only this time, there aren’t any!  The Official Gazette reports, “President Jair Bolsonaro has signed a decree to waive travel visas for tourists from the United States, Canada, Australia, and Japan who travel to Brazil.” This means, starting June 17th, world explorers can spend less time with paperwork and more time dreaming about Brazil.

Interested in learning more about Brazil?

Get in touch with one of our Expert Travel Consultants. They can provide information about Brazil visa applications, top Brazil destinations, Brazil travel tips, and more.

Entry by Juergen Keller, CEO SouthAmerica.travel | 

After thirty-one years of traveling to and through South America – and now living between Brazil and Argentina, with my many European friends asking me, “Hey, where should I go in South America?” – I decided to write the definitive “Best Places to Visit in South America” entry. It might help many others decide as well.

Admittedly, there are not really “best to visit” countries; rather it is in my opinion places where you must go in South America. Therefore, let me start with my favorite South American places, which from the bottom of my heart, I can recommend seeing.

1. Brazil

I am a bit biased, I must say. I spend most of my time in Brazil. I love its people and the peace-loving history of the country reflected in their spirit. Top of the list is the colorful, culturally diverse heartland of landlocked Minas Gerais state. Tiradentes, Congonhas do Campo, Ouro Preto and not to forget: the breathtaking open-air sensation of Inhotim.

Inhotim

The contrasts could not be bigger: Inhotim, combining a Museum of Modern Art, modern architecture, and modern landscaping – all in one enormous space – contrasting with the colonial gems of the historic towns surrounding it. On top of that, it must be mentioned that the area has the best food in Brazil!

Rio de Janeiro

You’ll likely be flying in- and/or out of Rio de Janeiro, so it’s best to reserve a minimum of 3 nights for “the Marvelous City”. Rio has so much to offer, make sure to see more than just the Corcovado and the Sugar Loaf: the historical city center with lunch in the Palacio Imperial, the “Museum of Tomorrow” in the revitalized port area, Santa Tereza’s Parque das Ruinas and the Botanical Gardens are all not to be missed.

Discovering how this country – bigger than the continental US, and half of the South American continent – got away from the colonial power of Portugal without any war or force, then you’ll understand why Brazilians are such a warm and welcoming people.

Certainly, like any city of Rio’s size petty crime does exist. With minimal precautions however this won’t tarnish your experience as a visitor. Only people looking for trouble – trying to purchase drugs in the favelas, for example – will land you in trouble. I always tell my friends that we would not have lived there so many years if it were a dangerous place.

The Pantanal

The National Park alone is worth a visit, and staying in a Jungle Lodge is no problem either. Do not wait for the Jaguars: these cats are very shy and can perfectly hide in the forest. Animals hiding in the forest? Not in the Brazilian Pantanal! Jaguar watching? Yes! A wet savannah-like flat the size of Texas, surrounded by rainforest, cut by rivers full of fish and occasionally all flooded (Don’t worry, everybody is prepared for when that happens around February!). The perfect hunting ground for all types of animals and birds. The Brazilian caiman, a type of alligator, finds so much food in the rivers that they won’t even bother to look at you. Even horses graze right next to them, not even three feet away.

Then there are the Capivaras, the biggest rodents of the planet, and giant storks… There are perfect Explorer Lodges in the Pantanal, mostly run by ecologically-careful people. Guides are mostly from the area and know all the animals and the right places to see them. Make sure you book an English-speaking guide, for they are locals that learned the language, whereas a German- or French-speaking guide is generally not from the area, with more knowledge of the language than the wildlife. There can be a bit of a trade-off!

2. The Amazon Rainforest

Brazil Amazon Cruise

Recently, for the first time ever, I took advantage of some friends’ request to take an Amazon Cruise, and discovered a new passion. Four days, five nights up the river on a modified Motor Yacht, with only 11 cabins. Being a business owner, the best part was: No internet, no WhatsApp, no news…just nature and animals. The total disconnect. Perfect. Whether on land excursions or just hanging out in my hammock and waiting for dinner, a 100% Zen-Moment!

Peru Amazon

As a bird lover, I also loved the Amazon Rainforest in Peru! The Peruvian Amazon sits at a slightly higher altitude than in Brazil and therefore is less dense, which makes it the perfect spot for birding. Talking about Zen: this being a tropical rainforest, there is always a thunderstorm around midday, lunchtime. After that storm, the jungle is awkwardly quiet: no wind, no animals to hear. That is the moment to climb up the canopy tower of your lodge and watch how the forest reawakens from the storm. All the sudden parrots flying by, in pairs, groups of six or more, green, yellow, then red, flying over this broccoli-like canopy of the green rainforest. Pivot around and you’ll see – in Peru – the white snow-capped mountains of the Andes in the background. And all this just 35 minutes flight from Cusco.

3. Peru

Peru, anyway, is maybe the best place for the first visit to South America, even for the not-so-adventurous. Peruvians working in tourism are all very well educated and professional, the infrastructure, hotels, and services are of the highest level and best of all: not much flying necessary. Aside from the 35-minute flight to the rainforest, an overwhelming amount of sights can be seen around Cusco. Best known of them all: Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca, and another of my favorites: Arequipa, the “White City”, and nearby Colca Canyon, with giant Condors circling over your head.

Lima

And then there is the food in Peru! All those ingredients from the mountains infusion with the seafood from the coast. You have never seen bigger and more colorful corn. Or have you seen blue potatoes? Or quinoa: the white, black, and red versions of it? Gotta try it! Food leads me to wine, of course. Peruvian wines have tremendously improved over just the last ten years. But then there is South America’s other gourmet powerhouse: Argentina.

4. Argentina

Buenos Aires

Arguably the best wines of South America or perhaps even of the world! Pair it with a famous Argentine steak, while watching a Tango show in Buenos Aires, the “Paris of the South”. You’ll need to stop there any way on your way to most destinations in Argentina, so take advantage of it, with 3 nights being a minimum!

Mendoza & Patagonia

Then head to the wine-growing region of Mendoza and on to Patagonia. Flying into the airport of El Calafate, where you’ll first visit the glaciers, can connect you easily to the Chilean Patagonia with it’s Torres del Paine National Park. Bariloche in Northern Argentine Patagonia is a heaven for skiers and snow-borders.

Iguazu Falls

For those of you interested more in the warmth of the subtropics, head to the North of Argentina, to the Iguazú Falls (“Iguassu” in Portuguese) You can spend a full day in the National Park, exploring several smaller falls and all the vegetation – and birds – with it. Take a boat ride right under the main thundering falls – you will never forget the experience! The falls and the National Park are shared with Brazil and are therefore the ideal waypoint between the two countries.

Best South America Tours

How to get to all these places? How much time do you have?

Let me outline the best itinerary as a base: Start with Peru! Lima the former Vice Capital of the Spanish Empire, to Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, followed by the day train over to Cusco/Sacred Valley Machu Picchu…11 nights in Peru.

Fly on to Iguassu Falls – Yes, the Brazilian side of the falls has an international airport – on to Rio de Janeiro, to Minas Gerais with Tiradentes, Congonhas, Ouro Preto, and Inhotim fly to Manaus for the Amazon River a number of nights, say to and fly out from Manaus to Miami and onward to the rest of the world. 23 to 25 days for this conveniently circular route with no backtracking.

If you want to add Argentina with Patagonia between Peru and Iguazú, add a week or so. The above mentioned circular route only minimizes flying. Take into account that these are big countries. It is worthwhile coming again and visiting each individual country for two weeks at a time. Driving, for the most part, shows you landscapes anywhere from great, to awesome, to overwhelming! And driving in South America is no longer a big hassle. Just bring your phone’s navigation app and you are set to rent a car if you wish to do so. I still prefer to have a driver: not too expensive, and more than compensating by knowing where the next radar sits – which is often behind some subtropical vegetation!

Before we start this article of What is Patagonia Famous for, try to imagine this for a minute: Mesmerizing Coasts, dense forests, spectacular glaciers and wonderful wildlife – Patagonia’s captured your attention, but where to start? We’ve shortlisted the best highlights of Patagonia for you and answered a very common question every traveler may have: What is Patagonia Famous for? Come explore Patagonia as we uncover facts about Patagonia, Things to do in Patagonia, Best Hikes in Patagonia, Must see destinations in Patagonia and more!

First things first, where is Patagonia?

Patagonia is a distinct geographical region at end tip of South America, covering the lower sections of Argentina and Chile. On the Argentine side, it starts in the province of Rio Negro and expands all the way to Tierra Del Fuego. On the Chilean side, it starts in the Araucanía region extending towards the extreme southern tip of the country.

• Patagonia spans a massive 1,043,076 km squared. It occupies almost half of each country and yet is home to less than 2 million inhabitants.
• The Patagonian region is home to six national parks.
• Near the city of Esquel in Argentina, you can find the second oldest living species here, the 2,600 years old Alerces Tree.
• The total population of Patagonia is about 2 million and the official language of Patagonia is Spanish.
• Most of the time, Patagonia is within one or two hours of USA EST.
• The summer season in Patagonia runs from December to March.

Now that we have explored Where is Patagonia, Facts about Patagonia and Patagonia Map, let us discover What is Patagonia Famous for. First up on our list is..

#1. Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glacier National Park, El Calafate

#2. El Chalten and Mt Fitz Roy

#3. Torres Del Paine National Park

#3. Puerto Madryn 

#4. Tierra del Fuego and Ushuaia

#5. EcoCamp

But wait! Here are few more things on our list of What is Patagonia Famous for!

#6. Cueva de las Manos

#7. Dinosaur route

The Dinosaur route in northwest Patagonia is one of the many reasons why Patagonia is famous. In the Chubut region, archaeologists have found the largest ever dinosaur fossils, measuring 42m in length and weighing 76 tons, buried in this region’s red-rock badlands.

#8. Punta Tombo

 #9. Ruta 40 or Carretera Austral

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One of the advantages of SouthAmerica.travel being well-connected throughout South America includes the opportunity to bring our customers savings at some of the most luxurious hotels on the continent. Thanks to our special relationship with the Belmond family of hotels, we are able to offer 5-star accommodations without the 5-star price tag. Read on to learn more about the Belmond Copacabana in Rio and the Hotel das Cataratas at Iguazu Falls, and complete the contact form at the end of this article if you are ready to book and save on your customized tour of Brazil!

Belmond Copacabana Palace

Just as the name suggests, the 5-star luxury Belmond Copacabana sits right on the world famous Copacabana beach and boardwalk. Opened in 1923, the Art Deco-style hotel has hosted the rich and famous visiting Rio from all over the world. The Palace features one of the largest and most beautiful pools in the city, complete with dedicated pool assistants to fetch you a towel, drink or snack. This personal level of attention isn’t just contained to the pool, however. The hotel also provides Beach Service, making sure you have everything you need when you cross the street, from sunblock and umbrellas to water and snacks. Take advantage of other Palace amenities including the tennis court, fitness center and even two boutique shopping centers within the hotel — Villa Copa and 1923.

The Palace Spa is a true urban sanctuary, featuring a wide array of services using organic ingredients. There is also a salon, sauna and steam bath in addition to a nutritious spa menu for healthy snacks. Copacabana Palace knows that 5-star luxury accommodations require 5-star dining options, of which there is no shortage.

The Belmond Copacabana das Cataratas Cipriani Restaurant (named after the famous Venice, Italy hotel) is considered one of the best restaurants in all of Rio, dishing up top quality Northern Italian cuisine. Here you will also find the Chef’s Table, located in the middle of the Cipriani, where exclusive dishes are paired with hand-selected wines. Foodies be prepared though, as 48-hour notice is required to have a chance of enjoying this experience. MEE offers the top pan-Asian cuisine in the city, complete with sake cocktails.

The Copacabana Piano Bar, open Wednesday through Saturday, is a place for Rio’s A-list personalities to meet for specialty drinks and jazzy beats. Lastly, the Pergula Restaurant, which overlooks the famous swimming pool, fuses Brazilian and international cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere. This is the place to catch Sunday Brunch as well as Saturday Feijoada (a traditional dish of rice, beans and meat).

Belmond Hotel das Cataratas

The Belmond das Cataratas only hotel located inside the Parque Nacional do Iguaçu (Iguazu National Park), das Cataratas allows for the quickest and easiest access to the world famous Falls. This placement is also a great advantage over other hotels in the area, as guests are afforded exclusive access when the park is closed. For instance, Belmond guests are able to explore the park at dawn and again after dark, while outside visitors must settle for the great pictures they took.

The hotel was designed in a Portuguese colonial style of architecture, making for a relaxed (some might even say lazy) atmosphere. However, the hotel also offers a wide variety of activities for those who need a little action and adventure in addition to some rest and relaxation. Guests can choose from activities like rafting, repelling, rock climbing, speed boat and helicopter rides, canopy walks and jungle treks.

There is a lot of wildlife to be seen as well including colorful toucans and giant butterflies. Great food is a major part of the Belmond experience.The Belmond Cataratas, also is famoud the Ipe Grill for breakfast and for gaucho-style barbecues after dark. Itaipu Restaurant blends Brazilian and international cuisine into exciting fusion dishes. This fine dining experience is perfect for foodies who love waterfalls too! Dine inside in a cozy, private setting, or out on the veranda in the glorious natural surroundings. Bar Taroba is a sociable place to start your evening with a caipirinha or other festive cocktail. Take a seat on the veranda with friends new and old to take in the magnificent sunset over the park. The Blmond Cataratas Spa enjoys one of the most picturesque locations for a luxury spa in all Brazil. The spa uses ingredients responsibly collected from the lush Amazon Rainforest and the therapies offered are designed to comfort, cleanse and energize guests. Ready to book? Complete the below contact form and a member of our Travel Team will contact you within 24 hours to begin planning your dream Brazil vacation!