Visiting Las Vegas this year? Tips for South American Travelers

Check visa requirements & book your flights in advance

Make sure to check the visa requirements for traveling to the US from your country in South America. You may need to obtain a visa before your trip, so plan ahead and allow plenty of time for processing. In Brazil, The American Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables qualifying nationals to travel to the United States for tourism or business stays for up to, but not exceeding, 90 days.

Flights from South America to Las Vegas can be expensive, so book your tickets as early as possible to save money.

Example Flight Prices from South America to Las Vegas:

From São Paulo – 1-stop flights available from $680 – flight duration 15h 22m.

From Bogotá – 1-stop flights available from $749 – flight duration 11h 17m.

From Santiago – 1-stop flights available from $1223 – flight duration 15h 28m.

Consider using flight search engines like SkyScanner, or travel agents like booking.com to find the best deals. Be aware that Vegas hotels / casinos (known as casino resorts) have resort fees which can all add up.

Research accommodation options

There are many hotels and resorts in Las Vegas, so do some research to find the one that best suits your needs and budget. Keep in mind that hotels on the Strip can be more expensive than those off the Strip.

Recently US president Joe Biden took a swipe at resort fees, calling on Congress to limit certain extra charges that airlines and hotels impose on consumers, a move that could have a significant impact on the US casino land-based casino hospitality industry.

Plan your itinerary

Las Vegas offers a wide range of activities, so plan your itinerary in advance to make the most of your time there. Some popular attractions include the casinos, shows, shopping, formula 1 and some of the top restaurants in America.

Many top entertainers and performers have residencies in Las Vegas, for example Penn & Teller, Katy Perry, Barry Manilow, Adele and Rod Stewart.

Bring appropriate clothing for winter / summer months

“Sin City” is in the desert – it can get very hot in the summer, so make sure to pack light, breathable clothing.

Relevant weather stats:

June: High of 101° / Low of 73°

July: High of 105° / Low of 79°

August: High of 103° / Low of 77°

September: High of 96° / Low of 70°

If you plan on visiting during the winter months, bring layers as the temperatures can drop at night. Many find it hard to believe, but it sometimes snows in Las Vegas!

Read also: Three American Cities Awarded for their Achievements in Public Health

Stay Hydrated

The desert climate of Las Vegas can be dehydrating, so make sure to drink plenty of water to maintain hydration –  and avoid excessive alcohol consumption.  Experts recommend adults drink 8 servings of water of 8 oz. each. Tap water in Las Vegas meets or exceeds US standards Safe Drinking Water Act, so it’s completely safe to drink.

Budget Accordingly

Las Vegas can be an expensive destination, so make sure to budget accordingly. Set a daily spending limit and stick to it to avoid overspending.

Expect to spend up to $350 per day, per person for travel (taxis, buses), meals and shopping.

Stay Safe

Las Vegas is generally a safe city, but it's always a good idea to be aware of your surroundings and take precautions to avoid becoming a victim of crime. Stay in well-lit areas, avoid walking alone at night, and be cautious when using bank machines. If possible don’t carry cash. Credit and debit cards can be used in most hotels, bars, casinos and restaurants.

If gambling, stick to your budget and choose your games wisely

Some casinos offer games with lower house edge than others – so it pays to “shop around”.

Look for 3:2 blackjack (instead of 6:5 blackjack which makes the casino a lot more money in the long-run), and single or double-zero roulette (instead of triple-zero roulette – which decreases players’ odds of winning).

The percentage that a casino will win over the long run in a particular game is known as the house edge. The house advantage in a 6:5 blackjack game is about 2%, versus a ~ 0.5 percent edge at 3:2 blackjack vs players using perfect basic strategy.

Signing up for casino players cards is a good way to get a little cashback, or comped rooms, depending on how much you gamble (think of these cards as “VIP or loyalty-programs”.

Enjoy yourself 

Las Vegas is a fun and exciting city, so make sure to take in all the sights and sounds and have a great time!