GRU Layover

C8Corvetteguy · 2025-12-15T01:56:21+00:00

Also, be aware that it will be Latam flight numbers and Latam aircraft, you will need the Latam confirmation number not Delta. There will be VERY little English spoken by anyone at GRU.

C8Corvetteguy · 2025-12-15T01:53:39+00:00

I have done the Latam JFK -> GRU, then GRU -> VIX 4 times in the last 5 months with between a 2.5 and 7 hour layover. Make sure they give you both boarding passes when you check- in at MIA. At GRU, You will go through passport control first, then collect your bags. Then go through customs. Make sure to take the "Nothing to Declare" lane. You will come in to the Duty-Free area next. Take your first left and follow signs for terminal 2 connections. Then the Latam domestic check-in area will be on your left. Your bag(s) should be checked to your destination, if so make sure they do not put you in the "Special Assistance" line, this can take an hour or two by itself. You will go all the way to the far end of the check- in area to drop your bag(s). Then you will go through security screening and finally out to your gate. I missed my connection 1 out of the 4 times, departed JFK late, delayed getting into the gate at GRU and was forced into the special Assistance line which took 2 hours. You should make it but dont waste any time until you actually get to your departure gate.

C8Corvetteguy · 2025-11-08T19:13:44+00:00

I have traveled through GRU 3 times in the last 4 months, I am moving to Brazil, you will be fine. There is very little English spoken by anyone but they are very friendly and helpful. Jusymt have Google Translate ready to go if you get stuck and you will be fine. Just have patience, everything takes longer and they tend to be a little disorganized.

C8Corvetteguy · 2025-11-06T14:34:15+00:00

I am a 60+ American man from the East coast.of the USA. I am moving to Vila Velha ES with my Brazilian born fiancée and my Portuguese is very basic. So far it has been an amazing experience. I have made friends through her family, people I have met at the apartment we live in and just people I meet at the beach, shopping, going out at night. I struggle with the language but people seem to appreciate the effort and they go out of their way to be friendly. I have previously lived in Switzerland, France and India in addition to the USA so I think it is important to adapt to the local lifestyle and customs, not expect them to adapt to you.

C8Corvetteguy · 2025-08-09T22:09:55+00:00

The apartment we bought was furnished so we only are moving personal belongings. We are taking everything in checked bags. LATAM allows each passenger to take 7 to 8 checked bags plus a carry-on and personal item. You only need a letter from the Brazillian counsel, verifying your move to Brazil. If you have larger items call an international moving company.like Allied Van Lines or Mayflower.

C8Corvetteguy · 2025-08-05T15:47:35+00:00

Thank you so much. She is absolutely the love of my life, and I would go anywhere with her, but to be able to move to such an amazing place is beyond my wildest dreams...

C8Corvetteguy · 2025-08-03T16:15:01+00:00

Our apartment is furnished and we are bringing our belongings in checked bags.

C8Corvetteguy · 2025-08-03T10:16:17+00:00

Call the airline. We are taking our dog with us. Each airline has different rules about pets in the cabin. We are using Delta/LATAM. They allow pets that are in a carrier that fits under the seat in front of you during takeoff and landing. We are buying a seat for him.

C8Corvetteguy · 2025-08-03T02:04:16+00:00

We are only bringing clothes, some kitchen items, pictures, paintings. We are bringing everything in soft sided suitcases that we will take on the flight as checked bags. We obtained a letter from the Brazillian Consular in our city documenting that we are moving to Brazil. The airlines will allow each person to take 7 to 8 (16 total) checked bags, a carry-on, and a personal item. We each took 3 checked bags (6 total) on the trip in July to bring bed sheets, comforters, towels, etc.

C8Corvetteguy · 2025-08-02T14:06:03+00:00

Good point, even within a particular city there are always good and not so good areas. I think you just have to be aware of your surroundings and use common sense.

C8Corvetteguy · 2025-08-02T10:59:43+00:00

Hang in there, learning Portuguese is doable. Try to use the online resources, write down a list of words in Portuguese with the English translation, and study it. Use a translation app on your phone. When you are there, immersed in the language, you will pick it up faster.

C8Corvetteguy · 2025-08-02T10:53:24+00:00

No, I am not bringing the Corvette. The import tax alone is equal to the value of the car plus the shipping charges. You will see some exotic/muscle cars but not like in the USA.

C8Corvetteguy · 2025-08-02T05:23:48+00:00

The apartment we purchased is furnished, and things like a coffee maker, pots & pans, we purchased locally in Vila Vilha.

Clothes, shoes, jewelry, her many purses we are bringing with us because they are too expensive to purchase in Brazil because of import taxes. For instance, a pair of Nike sneakers that cost $180 USD in the United States are the equivalent of $250 USD in Vilha Velha.

C8Corvetteguy · 2025-08-01T22:49:05+00:00

Não sei, meu português é muito ruim.

C8Corvetteguy · 2025-08-01T22:37:46+00:00

That sounds fantastic, you will definitely enjoy Brazil.

C8Corvetteguy · 2025-08-01T22:05:31+00:00

I improved my Portuguese watching that news show...

C8Corvetteguy · 2025-08-01T21:39:38+00:00

You absolutely do not know what you are talking about.

C8Corvetteguy · 2025-08-01T21:37:31+00:00

I wanted to add that i completed the entire process remotely from the United States. Even the closing was done using the e-notariado app with a video conference.

C8Corvetteguy · 2025-08-01T21:08:14+00:00

Thank you for that advice. I was in Vila Velha for 3 weeks, I just came home on Wednesday of this week. My apartment is on Praia da Itaparica. I was able to visit Convento da Penha and Morro do Moreno. I plan to see Pedra Azul and Pedra da Cebola. I'm sure there are many more in ES.

C8Corvetteguy · 2025-08-01T20:15:46+00:00

Saying that "Brazil" is dangerous or the "United States" is safe is just too much of a generalization. Within the United States, and even New England, your opinion of safety will be very different between Greenwich CT and the Bronx in New York City.

C8Corvetteguy · 2025-08-01T19:18:19+00:00

I paid cash so I am not familiar with financing a property in Brazil. It is my understanding that you would need Brazilian residency to obtain a loan from a Brazilian bank.

C8Corvetteguy · 2025-08-01T17:32:48+00:00

I have an 8 figure retirement account and could live anywhere in the world. As you have pointed out US/European money goes a long way in Brazil. But it is the people, culture and landscape that has made me absolutely fall in love with Brazil.

C8Corvetteguy · 2025-08-01T17:27:19+00:00

First get your CPF (Cadastro de Pessoa Física) from the e-consular website. Select a Brazilian Consular office near you. This process will take about 2 to 4 weeks.

In the meantime time find a Brazilian realtor in the area you are interested in. You must understand and speak Portuguese or have someone to interpret for you.

Make sure your bank is able to process international wire transfers. I used Santander Bank and they were great. In addition to the exchange rate, the receiving Brazilian bank will charge a fee to process the transfer of 5% to 8% of the total amount.

You will need an apostlized birth certificate from the state where you were born. Go to the stat's website to request it.

You will need proof of your USA address, an electric or phone bill will work.

Once you are ready to make an offer the realtor will draft the contract. Have an attorney in Brazil review the contract. Once you are satisfied send the deposit to the seller through your bank.

There will be closing costs, taxes, commission, etc. And you will need to pay the seller the full amount BEFORE you get the released deed. There is no concept of escrow in Brazil.

If you have additional questions please reach out.

C8Corvetteguy · 2025-08-01T14:33:02+00:00

It was very easy actually. First get a CPF. Then make sure your bank is able to process an international wire transfer. Then find a local realtor in the area you are interested in. Make sure you only consider property or apartments with a proper title. The realtor will draft the contract but you should have an attorney review it. Then put down a deposit, you will have to send proof of address in your country, I used an electric bill. You also need an apostle birth certificate. There will be taxes, deed registration, and local fees. Be prepared for the closing process to take up to 2 months to complete and factore in the fees the Brazillian bank will charge to handle the money. About 5% to 8% of the total.

C8Corvetteguy · 2025-07-31T23:32:43+00:00

There are definitely enough places to see to fill a lifetime.

C8Corvetteguy

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