Brazil Questions.. visa and boat

[Homer Susan]

Hiya,
I'm hoping that there is someone out there who has crossed into Brazil from Venezuela lately and can tell me what the boarder was like. Could you get the Brazilian visa at the boarder easily? I'm a yank and am a little worried I'll have to do the paper work in Caracas.

My other question is about transport from Manaus to Belem. Does anyone have a good company to recommend? I hope to be in Manaus the first week in June and would like to have those details sorted out before I get to the boarder.

Thanks
Susan

[Big Red]

Hi Susan,
Grant F here, back home in Oz. As an Aussie, I needed a Brasil visa which was easy enough to get in Caracas, where the consulate was surprisingly friendly.
At the border, it was also friendly enough, with laughing about the futbol.
And the trip down the river? We opted for the air-conditioned cabins on the big "Amazon Star" which departs weekly. Ignore the touts, just go to the booking agency at the main wharf and it's the same price anyway. Try to arrange to load your bike on at the beach, rather than the wharf, because it'll cost you a lot less.....you can almost ride it straight on, otherwise at the wharf you'll be paying to have guys manhandle it straight onto the bow over scary little planks.
There's cheaper boats than the "Amazon Star" but the whole process was pretty easy with that vessel, and it's the biggest ship on the route.

We struck a ***** of a Customs officer at the Belem end though, which was the only slight problem, but we just had to be patient with him.
Have a great trip!

[Homer Susan]

Hey Grant,
Good to hear from you. I should have known to write you directly. Thanks for the information. I guess I will have to spend another day in Caracas for the visa. No worries. Good to know about loading the bike on the beach.
Hope your shop's doing well.
Cheers
Susan

[ente]

Hey,
I´m now in Manaus and looking for a boot. In 2 days, I know more. Now, I have a price for 400 Real for me and my bike. Staying in a hammock. Or for 500 Real staying in a cabin. More infos later...

The boarder crossing... It was really easy and fast. I didn´t need a visa (I´m German). I didn´t need copy's, pay nothing.....
I hope, it helps a little bit...
See you!
Oliver

[Homer Susan]

Hey Oliver
Thank you for the information. You lucky Germans. Sorry to miss you in PLC. It sounds like you made good time to the boarder. Congrats.
Susan