Brasilian Visa
After deciding it was worth it to go to Brasil since we were literally kilometers away, we went forward and applied for a VISA. Residents of the US must pay $131 USD and apply for a VISA to visit, unlike most South American countries that let you in after filling out a quick form at customs (although some do charge a fee upon entry or exit and that is the trend). We received our VISAS from the Brasilian consulate in Argentina. The process took 2 days and worked smoothly, aside from the long wait at the Brasilian bank ITAU where we paid the fee. We both received 5 year VISAS with unlimited entry so that was a plus as well! I had heard it could just be for the duration of this visit and nothing more. Another interesting thing I found out, is that a US citizen in Europe would have to pay 131 Euros for a Brasilian VISA. I met a girl that unfortunately had to pay that. Her boyfriend is German and he said it was interesting to see how much cheaper it was for him compared to her with country fees, a US citizen.
The reason for all of these fees is because the US charges Brasilians, etc. to enter the US, even if for a layover in an airport. It´s a reciprocity fee. Brasil decided to take it one step further though, and match the US on requiring a VISA and going through the process…just as the US does to Brasilians. It´s unfair because these countries are just passing the cost onto the common American or Brasilian.
In the south at the town of Chuy, half of the main drag is in Uruguay and the other side of the road is Brasil. I brought my passport with VISA just in case but it was possible to freely walk into Brasil. I´m sure they have border patrol beyond that town, which is a duty free zone. Also, unless you´re a US citizen, it´s not a big deal to pass into Brasil, so it´s not quite a US-Mexico border situation if you know what I mean.
