U.S. citizens need a U.S. passport in addition to a visa. You may read more about which visa applies to you by clicking here. You will need not only your passport and a completed visa application but also proof of a roundtrip air ticket (such as a letter from your Travel Agent or a photocopy of the air ticket) and one photo. In addition, your passport must be valid for 6 months after your departure from Brazil - if it is not you must first obtain a new passport.

Visa inquiries/information: Tel, (305) 285-6200  -  from 3 to 4  pm only
Email: visa@brazilmiami.org

Applications: 10 am to 12 pm only
Visa pick up: 3pm to 4 pm only

The Consulate General of Brazil in Miami is located at:

80 SW 8th Street - 26th Floor
Miami, FL 33130-3004
Click Here for Map and Directions

For Additional Contact Information - click here

Rio has gotten a lot of press coverage on crime, and often a bad rap. However the last few years have seen great efforts by Rio to alleviate the problem, and there is a special multi-lingual, easily visible police "tourist force" in tourist areas such as the major beaches. As in any big city anywhere, you should use normal precautions - don't go out alone at night, don't venture into less desirable neighborhoods, don't flash money, jewelry or camera equipment. Big cities pose more potential for thieves than smaller cities and countryside towns. The Brazilians created the "around the waist bag", often called the "fanny pack" but definitely not worn in the back. This keeps your valuables in a compact place, in front of you and snug to your body, all of which make it less desirable and more difficult for would-be thieves. Best solution: leave your valuables at home or in your in-room safe at your hotel or use one of the convenient leg pouches, belts or over the shoulder pouches worn inside your clothing.

The seasons are reversed from the United States, so when you are freezing up here during our winter, it is their summer. In general Brazil is tropical but within that framework the weather changes from north to south and from coast to interior. Only the southern states experience any major seasonal changes and can experience cool weather.

Rio's summer season (December-March) is extremely humid and can have daily downpours which are welcomed as they cool things down, but the sun is never far away. Temperatures average in the 80's but the 90's are not unusual. In Rio's winter (June-August) temperatures are generally in the 70's and rain can be persistent.

The Amazon is hot and humid all year long so it boils down to "the rainiest months". The heaviest rains are December through March, causing the river to rise, the creeks and lakes to flood and the animals to seek dry land. In their "dry season" (June through August) it still rains but not as much or as heavy and the heat is less oppressive.

The Pantanal is best visited May through September because it is the dry season as well as a major nesting and migratory season - the wildlife is more likely to be clustered together around water or nesting areas, and thus easier to see.