🇧🇷 Brazil
Travel Intelligence

Brazil's e-Visa system for US and Canadian passport holders remains fully operational ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but processing times have increased to 10–15 business days due to a significant surge in applications from fans securing match tickets. Travellers are strongly advised to apply a minimum of four weeks before departure and to ensure their passport is valid for at least six months beyond their intended stay. The Brazilian government has also confirmed that visa-on-arrival remains unavailable, making advance e-Visa approval a firm requirement for entry.

Brazilian federal authorities have deployed additional security forces in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Manaus in advance of FIFA World Cup matches, with heightened police presence around stadiums, fan zones, and major transit hubs. Despite these measures, opportunistic theft and pickpocketing remain a serious concern in crowded areas, and travellers should avoid displaying expensive cameras, jewelry, or mobile phones in public. The US State Department continues to advise travellers to use only pre-booked, reputable transportation services and to avoid ATM withdrawals after dark in urban centres.

Brazil's National Institute of Meteorology has issued elevated rainfall advisories for the greater Manaus and Belém regions through late September, with above-average precipitation linked to an early onset of the wet season in the Amazon Basin. Travellers planning ecotourism excursions, river cruises, or jungle lodge stays in the Amazon should confirm access routes with operators, as some remote roads and waterways may be temporarily disrupted. Coastal destinations including Salvador and Fortaleza are currently experiencing more favourable conditions, with warm temperatures and lower rainfall typical for this time of year.

Spring officially begins in Brazil on September 22, and conditions are already shifting across the country. Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo are experiencing rising humidity levels and increasingly frequent afternoon thunderstorms, with rainfall expected to intensify through October. Travellers attending outdoor World Cup fan events or stadium matches should carry rain gear and monitor local forecasts daily, as sudden downpours can cause flash flooding in low-lying urban neighborhoods.

US and Canadian citizens are reminded that Brazil's e-Visa requirement, reinstated in 2024, remains fully in effect as of September 2026. Processing times have extended to 10–15 business days due to elevated World Cup-period application volumes, and travellers are strongly advised to apply well in advance of departure. Airlines including LATAM and American have reported instances of passengers being denied boarding at check-in due to missing valid e-Visa documentation. Ensure your approved e-Visa is saved digitally and in printed form before arriving at the airport.

Brazilian authorities have issued warnings about a rise in so-called 'lightning kidnappings' targeting tourists in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo during the World Cup period, where victims are briefly abducted and forced to make ATM withdrawals. Travellers are advised to use ATMs only inside banks or shopping malls during daylight hours, avoid carrying more than one credit card at a time, and share itineraries with trusted contacts. The US State Department's Level 2 advisory remains active and specifically flags the metropolitan outskirts of host cities as elevated-risk zones after dark.

Brazilian federal authorities have deployed additional security forces across FIFA World Cup host cities including Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Brasília, and Fortaleza ahead of tournament matches. Despite heightened police presence, travellers are urged to remain vigilant in fan zones, on public transit, and near stadium perimeters, where opportunistic theft and pickpocketing historically spike during major events. The US State Department's Level 2 advisory remains active, and solo travellers are specifically advised to avoid displaying expensive electronics, jewelry, or large amounts of cash in public areas. Use of app-based rideshares such as Uber or 99 is strongly preferred over hailing taxis on the street.

The e-Visa requirement for US and Canadian citizens entering Brazil remains fully in effect as of September 2026, with processing times currently averaging 3 to 7 business days through Brazil's official Polícia Federal online portal. Travellers are warned that third-party visa services have been flagged for charging inflated fees and causing processing delays — applicants should use only the official gov.br immigration platform. Upon arrival, biometric data collection including fingerprints is mandatory at international airports, and travellers should allow additional time at immigration queues, particularly at Guarulhos International in São Paulo, which is reporting above-normal passenger volumes due to World Cup arrivals.

Galeão International Airport in Rio de Janeiro and Guarulhos International in São Paulo are both reporting significant congestion due to World Cup-related passenger surges, with check-in and security wait times exceeding 90 minutes during peak morning and evening windows. ANAC has issued guidance to domestic and international carriers to increase ground staff, but several airlines including LATAM and Gol have reported intermittent gate delays averaging 25 to 40 minutes on high-traffic routes. Travellers are advised to arrive at least three hours before international departures and to monitor airline apps closely, as gate changes and tarmac holds are occurring with little advance notice due to afternoon storm activity across southeastern Brazil.

Spring officially begins in Brazil on September 22, and forecasters are already tracking increased rainfall and humidity across the southeast, including São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Travellers visiting during the FIFA World Cup tournament window should anticipate afternoon and evening thunderstorms that may cause short-notice delays at Guarulhos and Galeão airports. The Amazon basin and northern states including Pará and Amazonas are entering the wet season transition, with river levels beginning to rise — a consideration for those planning jungle or ecotourism excursions. Light, breathable clothing and a compact rain jacket are strongly recommended for all itineraries.

FIFA World Cup 2026 demand has driven domestic airfares between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo to elevated levels, with many economy class seats on peak match-day routes selling at two to three times standard pricing. LATAM and Gol have added supplementary flights on the Galeão–Guarulhos corridor, but capacity remains tight and travellers should book onward domestic connections well in advance. Ground transport between stadiums and city centres is experiencing significant congestion on match days, and Rio's metro system has extended operating hours but is reporting severe crowding — travellers should allow an additional 60 to 90 minutes of transit time on match evenings.

US and Canadian citizens are reminded that the e-Visa requirement for Brazil, introduced in 2025, remains firmly in effect and that processing times have extended to 5–10 business days during the World Cup period due to a significant surge in applications. Travellers must ensure their e-Visa is approved and linked to their passport before purchasing flights, as airlines are conducting verification at check-in and boarding. Passports must be valid for at least six months beyond the intended date of departure from Brazil. Travellers arriving without a valid e-Visa are being turned away at port of entry and returned on the next available flight at their own expense.

FIFA World Cup 2026 match days in host cities Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo have prompted heightened police deployments across fan zones, transport hubs, and stadium perimeters. Pickpocketing and opportunistic theft typically surge significantly during large-scale sporting events, and travellers should avoid displaying expensive cameras, jewellery, or mobile phones in crowded public areas. The Brazilian Federal Police have established dedicated tourist assistance units at Galeão International Airport and Guarulhos International Airport through the duration of the tournament. Travellers are advised to use only licensed taxis or verified rideshare apps such as 99 or Uber rather than unmarked vehicles, particularly late at night.

Brazil's e-Visa requirement for US and Canadian nationals, introduced in January 2024, remains fully in force as of September 2026, with no announced changes to the application process or fee structure. Processing times have extended to 7–15 business days during the World Cup period due to high application volumes, and travellers are strongly advised to apply a minimum of three weeks before departure. Visas must be secured before booking non-refundable flights, as entry without a valid e-Visa will result in denied boarding. Applicants should use only the official Brazilian government portal at gov.br to avoid fraudulent third-party services charging inflated fees.

Domestic flight demand across Brazil has reached peak levels in September 2026, driven by World Cup tournament travel between host cities including Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Brasília, and Manaus. LATAM and Azul have both added supplementary domestic frequencies on key routes, but flights are selling out rapidly and last-minute fares have risen sharply. Travellers connecting between cities for match fixtures should book domestic legs well in advance and allow a minimum three-hour connection buffer at Guarulhos due to elevated congestion and extended security queuing times. Galeão Airport has activated its expanded Terminal 2 international processing hall to manage increased passenger volumes.

Brazil's wet season is approaching earlier than average in 2026, with INMET forecasting above-normal rainfall across the Southeast and Central-West regions beginning mid-October. Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo are expected to experience heavy afternoon downpours and potential flash flooding through November, coinciding with the latter stages of FIFA World Cup fixtures. Travellers attending outdoor events or match-day fan zones should carry waterproof gear and monitor local weather alerts closely. Municipal authorities in Rio have pre-activated landslide warning systems in hillside favela communities following elevated soil saturation levels recorded in August.

Domestic flight demand has surged significantly ahead of FIFA World Cup group-stage matches, with ANAC reporting load factors above 94% on routes connecting São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, Manaus, and Porto Alegre through late October 2026. Both LATAM and GOL have introduced temporary fare surcharges on peak match-day travel windows, and last-minute bookings on key corridors are increasingly unavailable. Travellers are strongly advised to book connecting domestic flights well in advance and build generous transfer buffers at Guarulhos and Galeão airports, where ground delays averaging 35–50 minutes have been reported due to elevated passenger volumes and enhanced security screening protocols.

Brazilian federal police have issued warnings regarding a spike in so-called 'lightning kidnapping' incidents targeting foreign visitors in Belo Horizonte and Fortaleza, both FIFA World Cup host cities, with victims typically forced to make ATM withdrawals before being released. Both the US State Department and UK FCDO have updated their Brazil country pages to specifically flag this trend in the context of the tournament influx of foreign nationals. Travellers are advised to use hotel in-room safes, withdraw only small amounts of local currency, and rely on app-based payment methods where possible. Avoid hailing taxis from the street; use only verified rideshare apps such as Uber or 99 with trip-sharing features activated.

Brazil's federal government has deployed additional National Force troops to São Paulo's Guarulhos International Airport and central neighbourhoods ahead of FIFA World Cup matches scheduled through October 2026. Pickpocketing and phone-snatching incidents near Paulista Avenue and the Consolação metro station have increased significantly in Q3 2026, with tourists disproportionately targeted. Travellers are strongly advised to use digital wallets rather than carrying physical cards, keep mobile phones out of sight in public, and avoid walking alone after 22:00 in unfamiliar districts. The US State Department Level 2 advisory remains in effect nationally.

Brazil's Receita Federal has confirmed that all US and Canadian nationals must present a valid approved e-Visa upon arrival, with paper confirmation or digital screenshot required as border officers have reported intermittent system outages affecting real-time verification. Processing times for the e-Visa have extended to 10–15 business days as of September 2026 due to high World Cup-related application volumes, up from the standard 3–5 days. Travellers are urged to apply well in advance and carry printed documentation as a backup. Incomplete or pending applications have resulted in denied boarding at several North American departure airports.

Brazil's southeastern region, including Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, is entering its spring transition period with INMET issuing yellow-level alerts for heavy localised rainfall and flash flooding through late September 2026. Travellers should be aware that landslide risk in Rio's hillside favela communities remains elevated following above-average August precipitation, and some secondary roads in the Serra dos Órgãos area may be intermittently closed. The Amazon basin is concurrently experiencing an unusually dry season, with air quality advisories in effect for Manaus and Belém due to increased wildfire smoke. Travellers with respiratory conditions should consult a physician before visiting northern Brazil.

Rio de Janeiro state authorities have intensified security operations in the lead-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying finale matches, with increased federal police presence at major transit hubs including Galeão International Airport and Santos Dumont. Travellers should remain vigilant in Copacabana, Lapa, and Santa Teresa neighbourhoods after dark, as opportunistic theft and express kidnapping incidents have been reported at elevated frequency through Q3 2026. The US State Department reaffirms its Level 2 advisory and specifically warns against displaying expensive electronics, jewellery, or cash in public spaces. Use only pre-booked app-based taxis such as 99 or Uber rather than hailing street cabs.

Brazil's Amazon basin and the Pantanal wetlands are currently experiencing the tail end of the dry season, with above-average heat and elevated wildfire risk across Mato Grosso and Pará states through October 2026. INMET has issued air quality advisories for Manaus and Cuiabá due to smoke from regional fires, and travellers with respiratory conditions should monitor air quality indexes before departure. The wet season is forecast to return to the Amazon region from late October, which will significantly affect river access routes and jungle lodge availability. Coastal destinations including Florianópolis and Salvador are currently experiencing mild spring conditions with low rainfall, making September an optimal travel window for the northeast and south.

LATAM Airlines has expanded direct service between Miami and Brasília to daily frequency as of September 2026, complementing existing São Paulo and Rio routes and providing travellers with an alternative gateway that avoids congestion at Guarulhos International. Azul has added new domestic connections linking Belém to Manaus and Santarém, improving access to Amazon entry points ahead of the wet season rush. Travellers should note that Guarulhos International (GRU) Terminal 2 is undergoing expansion works until mid-2027, with check-in and baggage claim processes slower than usual — allow a minimum of three hours for international connections.

Brazil e-Visa fully integrated with airline departure systems since early 2026 — boarding passes will not be issued to US, Canadian, or Australian nationals without a valid e-Visa. Apply at gov.br — $80.90, multiple-entry valid 10 years, 90 days per stay, 180 days per year. UK citizens and most EU nationals (except France) remain visa-free. Yellow fever vaccination certificate required if arriving from a risk country or travelling to Amazon regions.

Palácio Tangará São Paulo retains its position as South America's finest city hotel in Condé Nast Traveller 2026 — L'Arôme by Jean-Georges remains Brazil's only Michelin-starred French restaurant. Copacabana Palace confirms full summer operations. Hotel das Cataratas Iguassu Falls booking at capacity for August — book September and October visits now. UXUA Casa Trancoso continues its Travel + Leisure World's Best streak entering its seventh consecutive year.

LATAM Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, and United operate direct US services to Rio de Janeiro Galeão (GIG) and São Paulo Guarulhos (GRU). British Airways and LATAM operate direct London to São Paulo. Miami to Rio de Janeiro approximately 8 hours. New York to São Paulo approximately 10 hours. Iguassu Falls served by domestic flights from Rio (2h) and São Paulo (1h 30m) — fly directly to Foz do Iguaçu Airport (IGU). Trancoso accessible via Porto Seguro Airport from São Paulo or Rio.