Visa needed?

[pangloss]

I'm a U.S. citizen planning a 1 day visit to the Brazillian side of Iguassu Falls from the Argentinian side. Must I buy a $100 visa, or is there a cheaper day pass option? Brazil tourist bureau says yes; Consulate says no.

[Marcos Wolff]

Yes, it doesn't matter if it's just for one day, you have to get your $100 visa as if you were staying 1 week, 1 month, etc... you'll find more detailed info at http://www.conbrasil.org.ar/consulado/tourist.php. Enjoy! Marcos

[pangloss]

Thanks for the quick response. I'm nevertheless puzzled because I just read a pertinent thread on Trip Advisor. Here's the excerpt from Jack Salinas: " The next day Jose picked us up at our hotel in Argentina and we saw the falls from the Brazilian side. We had been told a visa to Brazil would cost us $100 each, but Jose said a visa wasn’t necessary. He took our passports and handled everything with the officials on the Argentine side. The Argentines were very efficient and we were through in 10 minutes. It’s good we didn’t spend money on Brazilian visas because the one guard on the Brazilian border didn’t stop anyone. At night the Brazilian border post isn’t manned at all."
What do you make of this??

[Marcos Wolff]

I've heard of those practices but I can not recommend and support them because they are illegal. Jose is a taxi driver and he bribes officials to get tourists pass through the authorities without visa.

[pangloss]

Thanks for the advice. I got the visa rather than risk being an illegal alien. I remain puzzled as to why the Brazilian Tourist office gave different advice, but assume it is incorrect.