2008 General Reports

[Sperto]

Well my info may be outdated because I went to Europe last time in July. Then it was perfectly ok. Although the plastic bag was sealed in Tax Free.
Same thing when coming back.
These rules may change... I have no idea.

This was in the end of March. I think it was because I had a transfer in CDG, Paris (which BTW must be the most boring airport on the Earth).

[Eros74]

Hello all fellow mongers here, after 5 years in january I will come back to Brazil.

One week in Rio, I am reading the Bubba's guide very helpful, and then I want to go to one city on south with good sex scene, reasonable prices and on the ocean to have life beach too.

I like light skin girls this is why I do not go on north east, as I love the russian girl type.

What do you suggest me between Florianopolis and Porto Alegre ? And or another city I still did not considered..

The least question, if it is known that most of the best looking brazilian are from south, why almost no report from the city in the south of Rio ?

I am a newbiee here in Brazilian thread, but for everybody who knows me, once back I will write detailed report as always, so I thank in advance everybody will be so friendly to help me in a territory, here, that I do not know and I do not have enough time to read all the reports I see here, but I already started to do my homeworks....

Thanks....

[Bubba Boy]

Once you land in Rio you can buy stuff at the local duty free shop after you pick up your bags. I don't believe the purchasers their is included in your $500 limit ie, you can fill your $500 allowance outside of Brazil and then load up again upon landing. Well this is how I understand it by reading the entry form

[Perkele]

It's not. If you go to Europe and have a connecting flight before your final destination they don't allow purchase of alcohol when leaving Rio.

Well my info may be outdated because I went to Europe last time in July. Then it was perfectly ok. Although the plastic bag was sealed in Tax Free.

Same thing when coming back.

These rules may change... I have no idea.

[Sperto]

I find the duty free in the arrival section in Rio much cheaper than any of the European airports I passed through. Vodka, whisky and other imported alcohol at real low prices.

When leaving Brazil it can be good to buy cachaca, Bacardi, Montilla (manufactured and bottled in Brazil) in the local supermarkets as the prices are low.

[Jan 156]

Whatever the customs, the thing I love about GIG is the Marilyn Monroe -type voice that announces all the flights in that sensuous, cooing way . . .

I haven't understood the previous posts as I thought it was standard everywhere. If you buy stuff in duty free after security it has to be sealed for the flight if it's over 100ml. Not that they check once you're on the plane. What they going to do, insist you declare an empty beer can?? For arriving, it's just up to the local regs. If you connect within Europe you can top up. But I generally buy cachaca in a store rather than the airport (I find GIG's 'duty free' prices horrendous). The shop in Rua Carioca is pretty good and has a great selection, but any supermarket can supply liquor at next to nothing, even if it means you have to put it in checked-in luggage. I've found GIG security pretty lax, though there's no saying that's always the case. Last time I had about 6 red bulls in my carry on. They must have been visible on x-rays but they weren't bothered. They hand out those seal-bags like a formality.

[Sperto]

I don't know how this goes with US carriers, but going to Europe its perfectly legal and ok.

It's not. If you go to Europe and have a connecting flight before your final destination they don't allow purchase of alcohol when leaving Rio.

[Ryjerrob]

I don't know how this goes with US carriers, but going to Europe its perfectly legal and ok.

Although the practise coming to Brasil is even better. You can buy up to US$ 500 any articles tax free. Especially alcohol is a good bargain. I have bought Russian vodca many times for 16US$. Same stuff costs 80 - 100 R$ in Rio.

Many restaurant owners would be thrilled to make a deal with arriving tourists. Tax Free alcohol is cheaper and not fake.

I understand that part. I'm referring to taking a six-pack of beer on the plane.

[Perkele]

An interesting practice at the airport in Rio (GIG). After you go through the security screening for departures, you can purchase items from duty free. These are items that you're supposedly not allowed to take on the plane. Hell, you can even purchase beer, and put it in your carry-on. So as some buy last minute gifts, they may be items you can't have, and only find out after customs in the US, especially when being re-screened for connecting flights. Some travelers think that since they buy the items after screening, it's ok.

I don't know how this goes with US carriers, but going to Europe its perfectly legal and ok.

Although the practise coming to Brasil is even better. You can buy up to US$ 500 any articles tax free. Especially alcohol is a good bargain. I have bought Russian vodca many times for 16US$. Same stuff costs 80 - 100 R$ in Rio.

Many restaurant owners would be thrilled to make a deal with arriving tourists. Tax Free alcohol is cheaper and not fake.

[Ryjerrob]

When I changed planes in LA last time - not even taking my luggage off as it was already checked through - the repeated barrage of fingerprint checks, retina scans, and security interrogations was a very unwelcome addition. I would have got angry had I not a) felt some empathy for these guys just doing their difficult job in less than cheery circumstances, and b) realized that getting angry was likely to delay my trip even further.

It's sad that you can no longer get service with a smile. Too many of these workers have no clue of what customer service is. The fact I can afford to travel internationally only seems to annoy some of these people. I don't feel empathy for them!! While they have jobs to do, it is no excuse for not treating travelers with dignity and respect.

An interesting practice at the airport in Rio (GIG). After you go through the security screening for departures, you can purchase items from duty free. These are items that you're supposedly not allowed to take on the plane. Hell, you can even purchase beer, and put it in your carry-on. So as some buy last minute gifts, they may be items you can't have, and only find out after customs in the US, especially when being re-screened for connecting flights. Some travelers think that since they buy the items after screening, it's ok.

[Bubba Boy]

Yes US security is just another one of the legacy's of Bush. It has contributed to tourism being way down and it doesn't stop anybody that really wants tocommit an act of terrorism. Even with this added security, one could carry onto a plane some seriously prohibited stuff. A number of Journalists have proved this in the last year.

I avoid the US for transit even if it costs me more, just too painful to travel that way.

[Jan 156]

I don't understand why its so damn difficult for people to visit the US for tourist reasons?

Personally I'm not keen on US culture but I have good friends in the States. But visiting is a pain in the ass, even with a nice passport from one of the US-friendly countries.

I understand why airport workers are so paranoid after 9/11. I feel for them. I wouldn't like to be in their shoes.

But quite honestly it is still their problem, not one I can do much about, and not my problem unless I choose to make it so by visiting.

When I changed planes in LA last time - not even taking my luggage off as it was already checked through - the repeated barrage of fingerprint checks, retina scans, and security interrogations was a very unwelcome addition. I would have got angry had I not a) felt some empathy for these guys just doing their difficult job in less than cheery circumstances, and b) realised that getting angry was likely to delay my trip even further.

Of course, passing through a European hub is no cakewalk either, but hardly on the scale of the US. Now I happily pay the difference to avoid flying via the US, not to mention getting a carrier like Air France - or any non-US carrier - that can still offer a smile and treat passengers like human beings.

Fortunately many of my US friends are now choosing to live abroad. I've enjoyed pre-9/11 trips to the US and treasure the experience of the breathtaking variety of the country and the hospitality of the people. But I would not rush to go back unless there was a very pressing reason.

[ChicoBarca]

As a Citizen of the US of A, we have few travel restrictions. Cuba, for example. (There are ways to get around those travel restrictions.) When I first wanted to travel to Brazil, I bought my round trip airfare and secured accommodations. I then took my travel itinerary, US Passport, $100 Brazilian tourist visa fee, (it's higher now) and visa application to the nearest Brazilian Consulate. A week later I returned to the consulate and got my passport back with the tourist visa. (Now it's only a few days.) Very simple process. Not difficult at all.

Here's what a Brazilian has to do:

1. Got to Citibank and pay US Visa Fee.

2. Take receipt of payment to US Consulate.

3. Make appointment for interview, (maybe in 3 months.)

4. On day of appointment, bring Brazilian passport and documents showing ties to Brazil: Job, marriage, property ownership, tax returns, etc, demonstrating that you will return to Brazil. Any other documents from US sponsor, who:

A.) will guarantee to care for you in case of illness, so as not to burden the US Health Care system; and

B.) guarantee that you will return to Brazil.

5. Interview by US Consular Officer.

They're suppose to take all those documents and examine them, and in a month the Brazilian returns to see if they were approved.

In reality, they decide on the spot!

Story told to me by a Brazilian friend who applied for a US Tourist Visa. (Not to long ago, when the Real was strong.)

On the day of the Interview, a group of obvious GDP's, went first and were immediately denied. Next several men, dressed in Business suits went up, they wanted to travel for business purposes. Also denied.

Next was a mother and 12 yr old daughter: Mom wanted to take Daughter to Disney World in Florida. Also denied.

No one got a visa that day. With the exception of the GDP's, the others were people of means. You'd figure at least one person would have been granted a visa. No reason is given as to why the visa is denied.

BTW, the fee for the Visa application is not refunded if it is denied.

And yes, one can obtain a US travel visa and be denied entry at the border.

Were you also aware that a foreign national needs a visa, if they have to make a connecting flight in the US? What a nightmare that is.

What you wrote a about visa even if you are just connecting flight is quite correct. This is called transit visa. If you don't have this they will denie you enter the flight and your ticket can in worse case be lost (this is the case in if the proceed time to get visa is to long).

Chico

[El Austriaco]

I don't understand why its so damn difficult for people to visit the US for tourist reasons?

Why in the hell so many Asians from Asia and Europeans gets a visa for tourism so easy than South Americans? (Brazil, Brazil, Argentina etc

While it certainly isn't as easy as it used to be, mainly due to 9/11, it's actually pretty straightforward. You can visit the US as a tourist as long as you can clearly demonstrate that's why you are traveling, as a tourist, and there's an almost 100% certainty that you won't overstay and/or remain in the US permanently. I travel on a EU passport, and it's a snap, why? Because with my country's socioeconomic background, it's automatically assumed that everyone from there will just visit as a tourist, unless there are red flags that indicate otherwise. Actually, in my personal case, the first time I traveled to the US, back in 1989, I still needed a formal visa, while by now, EU passport holders are covered by a so-called "Visa Waiver Program", so for me, it has actually gotten easier.

For other countries, like Mexico and many other Latin-American nations, it is NOT automatically assumed that everyone from there is a real tourist, and considering that there are thousands in the wings trying to enter the US illegally and are willing to pay serious money for someone to somehow get them across the Rio Grande or other places on the US/Mexico border, that's a realistic assumption. That's why Mexicans need to go through a lengthy and costly visa application process, to weed out the real tourists from the ones who are trying to use a tourist visa just to circumvent immigration laws. As others have said, as long as you can clearly show that you go for tourism purposes only, have a stable job at home, sufficient funds for the trip, property, kids you leave behind etc. etc... it shouldn't be a problem. My GF didn't have any problem getting a US tourist visa, her brother goes there all the time, and her parents have been many times, too. I know many people here that do the 8-hour drive to the US border from where I live every year, just for Xmas shopping. Problem? No. But they are all upper-middle class folks, professionals, and they've gone (and more importantly, come back) many times before, so that helps.

The same applies to other LA countries, or any other countries, for that matter. Please note that both Argentina and Uruguay were initially covered by the VWP, but had their status revoked in recent years. For more info, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_Waiver_Program.

As to Asians, well, citizens of Japan, South Korea, Brunei, and Singapore are covered by the Visa Waiver Program as well. Other Asian countries, it's a different story, and I seriously doubt it's significantly easier for them to enter the US than, say, people from most Latin-American countries.

Is it the Brazilian govt to be blamed mostly? Or the American govt?

Don't really see what this has to do with the Brazilian government. It's entirely up to the US government to decide who can visit and/or stay on its territory and for how long and for what purpose, just like it is the prerrogative of any other government to decide that for its own internal matters and territory. In other words, for non-US citizens or residents, visiting the US is a privilege that is granted by the US government, not a right. So that's purely US policy.

[Jergens007]

I don't understand why its so damn difficult for people to visit the US for tourist reasons?

Why in the hell so many Asians from Asia and Europeans gets a visa for tourism so easy than South Americans? (Brazil, Brazil, Argentina etc)

Is it the Brazilian govt to be blamed mostly? Or the American govt?

Alright, I'll come clean. The reason why. I ask this question.

I love south american women. I can't stand women who are born in the States.

In the future when I am ready to settle down, I would like to marry a Brazilian girl. I don't care if she is a Pro. Just as long she is disease free and have a good attitude. Obviously, I would prefer to normal non pro girl!

Before I marry her, I would like my girl to come to US to visit me. And see if she likes the US, see if she can fit in with the culture, before I make a huge commitment on marrying her and bring her back to the states.

I know I know! Hate on me! But I had to ask!

As a Citizen of the US of A, we have few travel restrictions. Cuba, for example. (There are ways to get around those travel restrictions.) When I first wanted to travel to Brazil, I bought my round trip airfare and secured accommodations. I then took my travel itinerary, US Passport, $100 Brazilian tourist visa fee, (it's higher now) and visa application to the nearest Brazilian Consulate. A week later I returned to the consulate and got my passport back with the tourist visa. (Now it's only a few days.) Very simple process. Not difficult at all.

Here's what a Brazilian has to do: 1. Got to Citibank and pay US Visa Fee. 2. Take receipt of payment to US Consulate. 3. Make appointment for interview, (maybe in 3 months.) 4. On day of appointment, bring Brazilian passport and documents showing ties to Brazil: Job, marriage, property ownership, tax returns, etc, demonstrating that you will return to Brazil. Any other documents from US sponsor, who: a.) will guarantee to care for you in case of illness, so as not to burden the US Health Care system; and b.) guarantee that you will return to Brazil. 5. Interview by US Consular Officer.

They're suppose to take all those documents and examine them, and in a month the Brazilian returns to see if they were approved. In reality, they decide on the spot!

Story told to me by a Brazilian friend who applied for a US Tourist Visa. (Not to long ago, when the Real was strong.) On the day of the Interview, a group of obvious GDP's, went first and were immediately denied. Next several men, dressed in Business suits went up, they wanted to travel for business purposes. Also denied. Next was a mother and 12 yr old daughter: Mom wanted to take Daughter to Disney World in Florida. Also denied. No one got a visa that day. With the exception of the GDP's, the others were people of means. You'd figure at least one person would have been granted a visa. No reason is given as to why the visa is denied. BTW, the fee for the Visa application is not refunded if it is denied. And yes, one can obtain a US travel visa and be denied entry at the border.

Were you also aware that a foreign national needs a visa, if they have to make a connecting flight in the US? What a nightmare that is.