Travel Costs in Brazil
All figures are approximate estimates in USD for comparison.
- Budget / day
- $45
- Mid-range / day
- $120
- Luxury / day
- $350
- Budget meal
- $5
- Coffee
- $2
- Local transport
- $1
- Budget hotel
- $20
- Mid-range hotel
- $70
Overview
Brazil sits at a mid-range level of expense for South America, with costs varying dramatically between major cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro versus smaller towns or the interior. The Brazilian real's fluctuation against the dollar can work in travelers' favor, but tourist-heavy areas, international-standard hotels, and domestic flights can push budgets higher than expected. Food and local transport remain relatively affordable, while accommodation and intercity travel are the biggest cost drivers.
Notes
Opt for the ubiquitous pay-by-weight (quilo) lunch buffets found across Brazil for filling, cheap, and fresh meals; also use the Uber app instead of street taxis in major cities to avoid metered surcharges and scams.