How Much Does Brazil Cost
10-day budget for Rio and major cities
💰 Budget Traveler
| Item | Per Day | 10 Days |
|---|
| Hostel | R$80-150 | R$800-1,500 |
| Food | R$60-100 | R$600-1,000 |
| Transport | R$20-40 | R$200-400 |
| Attractions | R$50-100 | R$500-1,000 |
| TOTAL | R$210-390 | R$2,100-3,900 |
USD (R$1=$0.20): $420-780 | Per day: $42-78
💎 Mid-Range
| Item | Per Day | 10 Days |
|---|
| 3-star Hotel | R$250-450 | R$2,500-4,500 |
| Food | R$150-250 | R$1,500-2,500 |
| Transport | R$50-100 | R$500-1,000 |
| Attractions | R$100-200 | R$1,000-2,000 |
| TOTAL | R$550-1,000 | R$5,500-10,000 |
USD: $1,100-2,000 | Per day: $110-200
💡 Money-Saving Tips
- Kilo restaurants: R$40-60/kg - pile plate high with fresh food!
- Beach vendors: Beer R$8-12 (vs R$15-20 at kiosks)
- Supermarkets: Water R$3, snacks R$5-10 (vs R$8-15 tourist shops)
- Free beaches: ALL beaches free, no sunbed fees (unlike Europe!)
- Happy hour: Beer R$5-8 + free snacks (after 5pm weekdays)
- Christ + Sugarloaf combo ticket: Save 15% buying together
- Stay Flamengo/Botafogo: 30% cheaper than Copacabana, same metro
📍 Regional Costs
- Rio de Janeiro: Expensive - R$300-600/day budget
- São Paulo: Very expensive - R$350-700/day
- Salvador: Moderate - R$250-500/day
- Florianópolis: Expensive (beaches) - R$300-600/day
- Foz do Iguaçu: Moderate - R$250-450/day
- Northeast (Fortaleza/Natal): Cheaper - R$200-400/day
🍽️ Food Costs Reality
- Pão de queijo: R$3-6 (cheese bread breakfast)
- Açaí bowl: R$15-30 (filling, healthy)
- Feijoada: R$50-80 (national black bean stew)
- Picanha steak: R$80-120 per kg at restaurants
- Churrascaria rodízio: R$80-150 all-you-can-eat meat
- Caipirinha: R$15-35 (national cocktail - must try!)
- Beach coconut water: R$8-15 fresh from coconut
- Coxinha/pastel: R$5-10 (fried snacks)
⚠️ Important Cost Notes
- Carnival: Prices TRIPLE during Carnival week (Feb/Mar). Book 6+ months ahead!
- Summer (Dec-Feb): High season, prices up 30-50%
- Currency: Real (R$) fluctuates. Check current rates. USD/EUR exchange widely available.
- Credit cards: Widely accepted. Visa/Mastercard best. Small vendors cash only.
- ATM fees: R$15-25 per withdrawal. Take larger amounts to minimize fees.