Athletes may be vying for gold at next month's Rio de Janeiro Olympics, but that doesn't mean you have to pay the equivalent of gold to travel to Brazil to watch the games. Planning a trip to Rio at this time, although certainly on short notice, is still actually feasible for those with extra cash on hand. While it's always fun to watch the games from the comfort of your home, there's certainly nothing like watching the Olympics in person.
The Rio Olympics will certainly be a tournament to remember as it will be the first time that a South American country will host the Games. After overcoming a series of setbacks in preparation, the International Olympic Committee has made it clear to Brazil that traveling to the country is safe and well worth it.
If you're traveling from the United States, Canada, Japan, or Australia, you're in luck—Brazil is making it easier to get to the Olympics. According to Great Atlantic Sports , the Brazilian government allows tourists from these places to enter the country without a visa for up to 90 days. It’s just one step you have to take to get to the Olympics. If you don't have a U.S. passport yet, you can expedite one for $170, which ensures it arrives before your departure.
Of course, the next part is where things get more expensive. You'll probably hand over at least some silver or bronze medals in exchange for a plane ticket. But the costs don’t have to be completely outrageous. Kayak.com lists round-trip fares ranging from about $1,000 to over $3,000, depending on the number of stops you make and how long you're in the country. This is a flight from New York City's JFK Airport to Rio de Janeiro, but it may be cheaper to fly from another airport to a neighboring city, rather than Rio itself. Hotels in the area can also cost between $200 and $600 per night so close to the game.
Next is the cost of attending the Olympics itself. Tickets are surprisingly cheap. A ticket for the diving preliminaries costs about $80, while a ticket for the gymnastics rhythm competition is just over $100. Although some of the most popular sports, such as swimming, are already sold out.
So all in all, this is going to be a vacation that you might want to save up for. But being able to witness something as historic as the Olympics is certainly worth it.
