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Money & currency

Money in Brazil

Updated 2026-09-24

Money & Currency
R$

Brazilian Real (BRL)

Currency code: BRL

Practical Money Tips

Currency in Brazil

Brazil uses the Brazilian Real (BRL, R$). The Real fluctuates significantly against major currencies — check current rates before travel. ATMs offer the best exchange rates; avoid airport currency exchange counters (which charge 5–10% commissions). Banks in Brazil exchange currency but with limited hours and paperwork. The Banco do Brasil exchange desks at major airports (Guarulhos/GRU in São Paulo, Galeão/GIG in Rio) offer reasonable rates as a first option on arrival. Street money changers are illegal and risky — avoid them entirely.

ATM Availability

ATMs (caixas eletrônicos) are widespread in Brazilian cities — at banks (Banco do Brasil, Itaú, Bradesco, Santander, Caixa Econômica Federal), shopping centres and airports. However, many Brazilian ATMs do NOT accept international cards. The reliable options: Banco do Brasil (look for the yellow logo) and Bradesco ATMs most consistently accept Visa and Mastercard international cards. Banco24Horas network ATMs (found in convenience stores and shopping centres) also work with international cards. Daily withdrawal limits are typically R$1,000–1,500 per transaction. ATM fees: your home bank charges plus a local fee of R$6–10 per withdrawal. For safety: use ATMs inside banks or shopping centres during business hours, never standalone street ATMs at night. Always decline Dynamic Currency Conversion.

Card Acceptance

Card acceptance in Brazil has improved significantly — Visa and Mastercard are accepted at most restaurants, shops, supermarkets, hotels and petrol stations in cities. Contactless payment (Apple Pay, Google Pay) is growing but less ubiquitous than in Europe. American Express has limited acceptance. Many Brazilian businesses offer parcelamento (instalment payments by card) — you'll be asked “débito ou crédito?” (debit or credit) at every transaction, and sometimes how many instalments. Always choose “à vista” (single payment) to avoid confusion. Cash remains important for: street food, market stalls, beach vendors, small shops in favelas and peripheral neighbourhoods, and tipping. Carry R$100–200 in small notes (R$10, R$20, R$50) at all times.

Tipping Customs

Tipping in Brazil is moderate — most restaurants add a 10% service charge (taxa de serviço or couvert) to the bill, which is technically optional but almost always paid. If no service charge is included, leaving 10% is standard. At bars and casual restaurants, rounding up or leaving R$2–5 is sufficient. Hotel porters: R$5–10 per bag. Taxi: round up to the nearest Real. Tour guides: R$20–50 per person for a full day. Housekeeping: R$5–10 per day. Beach vendors and juice bar staff: not expected but R$1–2 appreciated. At self-service (por quilo/by-weight) restaurants — a uniquely Brazilian institution — no tip is expected.

Note: Always check current exchange rates before traveling. Currency exchange is available at airports, banks, and authorized money changers.

Common Money Questions

What is the currency of Brazil?

The Brazilian Real (BRL, symbol R$, plural Reais). Banknotes: R$2 (blue, sea turtle), R$5 (purple, heron), R$10 (red, macaw), R$20 (yellow, golden lion tamarin), R$50 (orange, jaguar), R$100 (turquoise, grouper fish), R$200 (grey, maned wolf — introduced 2020). Coins: 5, 10, 25, 50 centavos and R$1. Brazilian notes feature native wildlife — a beautiful design that doubles as a wildlife identification guide.

How much should I budget per day in Brazil?

Budget travelers: R$200–350/day (~€35–60; hostel, street food and por-quilo restaurants, local transport). Mid-range: R$500–900/day (~€85–155; mid-range hotel, restaurant meals, Uber, attractions). Upscale: R$1,500+/day (~€260+; boutique hotel, fine dining, guided tours, domestic flights). Key costs: coffee (cafezinho) R$3–6, açaí bowl R$12–25, por-quilo lunch R$25–45, restaurant dinner R$50–120, beer (chopp) R$8–15, Uber ride R$15–40, hostel R$60–120, mid-range hotel R$250–500. Rio and São Paulo are the most expensive. The northeast (Salvador, Recife, Fortaleza) and interior cities offer significantly better value. The weak Real makes Brazil increasingly affordable for visitors with EUR, USD or GBP.

Do I need cash in Brazil?

More than in most Western European countries. While cards work in most established businesses in cities, cash is essential for: street food (the best food in Brazil), beach vendors, market stalls, smaller shops, some taxis, and many businesses in peripheral neighbourhoods. The further from major tourist areas you go, the more cash-dependent the economy. Carry R$100–200 in small notes (R$10, R$20, R$50 — R$100 notes can be hard to break at small vendors). In cities, Uber and rideshare apps (99) work with cards and reduce the need for cash on transport.

Is Brazil expensive?

Brazil has become increasingly affordable for international visitors as the Real has weakened against major currencies. A full meal at a por-quilo (by-weight) self-service restaurant — a uniquely Brazilian institution with diverse buffet options — costs R$25–45 (~€4–8). Street food is exceptionally cheap: a coxinha R$5–8, a pastel R$6–10, an açaí bowl R$12–20. Fine dining in São Paulo rivals the world's best at a fraction of Paris or Tokyo prices. Accommodation ranges from budget hostels (R$60–120/night) to luxury hotels. The most expensive items: domestic flights (book ahead for deals), tourist-oriented services in Rio (especially during Carnival when prices triple), and imported goods (electronics, wine). The northeast coast offers the best value-for-money beach destinations in the Americas.

What is a por-quilo restaurant?

The por-quilo (“by weight”) restaurant is a uniquely Brazilian institution and the traveller's best friend. You serve yourself from a buffet — rice, beans, grilled meats, salads, vegetables, farofa, pasta, sushi, desserts — and your plate is weighed at the cash register. You pay per kilo (typically R$50–80/kg) or per 100g. A generous plate costs R$25–45 (~€4–8) — a full, varied meal that would cost €15–25 at a comparable restaurant in Europe. Por-quilo restaurants exist everywhere in Brazil, from business-district lunch spots to neighbourhood joints. They are the default lunch option for most working Brazilians and the best way to eat well on a budget. Look for signs reading “Self-Service” or “Por Quilo”.

Should I exchange money before traveling to Brazil?

Having R$200–300 (~€35–50) for immediate expenses on arrival is practical. The Banco do Brasil exchange desk at Guarulhos (São Paulo) and Galeão (Rio) airports offers reasonable rates. Avoid other airport exchange services — rates are poor. The best ongoing strategy: withdraw Reais from Banco do Brasil, Bradesco or Banco24Horas ATMs using your international card. If your bank charges high international fees, set up a Wise card before departure — it offers near-interbank BRL rates. Do NOT exchange at street money changers — it's illegal and you risk counterfeit notes or robbery.

Entry rules, visa types and practical notes live on the Brazil overview.

Visaja keeps this page's contact details and visa guidance under continuous review — still, requirements can change at short notice, so confirm the essentials with the mission or the official government portal before you travel.