2016 Summer Olympics in Rio!

To ease travel for the 2016 Summer Olympics, Brazil will allow U.S. tourists to enter the country for up to 90 days without a visa.Despite U.S. passport holders being some of the most powerful (yes, powerful) when it comes to travel, American's can't just come and go as they please.  But tourists traveling to Brazil this summer are now in luck:  In the hopes of drawing people to the country for the 2016 Summer Olympics, held in Rio de Janeiro from August 5-21, Brazilian officials have announced they are temporarily waiving visa requirements for travelers in the country from June 1 through September 18.  In addition to U.S. tourists, the visa waiver also applies to citizens holding passports from Japan, Australia, and Canada.

Why the sudden generosity?  Call it common sense - and a nifty tourism strategy.  Brazil's economy is in a deep recession, and an increase in travelers would both ease logistics in and out of the country surrounding the Olympics and provide a much-needed financial boost.  Brazilian Tourism Minister Henrique Eduardo Alves has high hopes for the three month initiative, saying that the goal is for leisure travelers from the four countries to increase by 20 percent.  Flights to South America have been on the rise this year, and Brazilian airline Azul made an all-you can fly fly pass available in country as added incentive to visit.  But outside of this visa-waive period, getting to Brazil can typically be a hassle:  U.S. citizens still have to make an appointment at their nearest Brazilian consulate; arrive with a valid passport, extra photo, completed application and copy of their round-trip ticket; and cough up the $160 fee.  Now you won't have to trek to a consulate to apply for a visa - saving yourself time and cash that can be better used on beachside caipirinhas.  What's Portugese for "thank you"?

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