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Up until 1994 when the
famous Plano Real was introduced, Brazilian inflation was
astronomical, and the country was a very cheap destination for
anyone who had hard currency like the dollar. At a stroke, the Plano
Real stabilized inflation, and the tightly controlled exchange made
Brazil no longer cheap to foreigners. In early 1999, however, the
global markets lost confidence - virtually overnight - in the
Brazilian economy, sending ripples of hardship throughout the
country as prices of imported goods shot up, in some cases doubling,
and property values dropped, along with the value of the real
against the dollar. As a consequence, Brazil has once again become a
relatively inexpensive destination for foreigners, certainly
noticeably cheaper than Europe or the USA.
US dollars are easy enough to change in banks and exchange offices
anywhere, and are also readily accepted as payment by luxury hotels,
up market restaurants, tour companies and souvenir shops in the big
cities. Given the current instability of the real, we quote prices
in this book in US dollars; this should give a reliable idea of what
you'll be paying on the spot. At the time of writing, the Brazilian
real is worth just over half a dollar - R$1.75=US$1 and R$2.80=£1 -
but it is strengthening against it.
The Brazilian currency is the real (pronounced "hey-al"), plural
reais (pronounced "hey-ice"). It's written as R$ and is made up of
one hundred centavos, written ¢. Notes, all the same size but
different colors, are for 1, 5, 10, 50 and 100 reais; coins are 1,
5, 10, 25, 50 centavos and 1 real. Coins are irritatingly similar,
and have to be scrutinized closely to tell them apart.
The cost of living in Brazil is higher than in most other parts of
South America (Argentina excepted) but lower than in the Plano Real
era. Some things, fortunately, are still cheap by European and North
American price levels, particularly budget and mid-range hotels,
most foodstuffs (including eating out in most restaurants), clothes
and bus travel. Other things are more expensive: plane tickets
(unless part of an air pass), film, sun cream and anything
electrical. One hangover from hyperinflation is that prices are
still not quite standardized from place to place, and you can still
find bargains if you have the time and patience to shop around.
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All the same, Brazil is very much a viable destination for the
budget traveler, especially in urban areas. The cheapness of food
and budget hotels - and the fact that the best attractions, like the
beaches, are free - still makes it possible to have a very good time
for under $50 a day. Staying in good hotels, traveling by
comfortable buses and not stinting on the extras will cost you from
around $100 a day
Exchange rates
You will see two rates being quoted for cash: the official, which is
what a bank will pay you, and the tourism, which is what you will
get in a hotel or travel agency; travelers' checks have slightly
lower rates, even in banks. The tourism is usually only two or three
points less than the official and, unless you're changing large
amounts of money, it's often worth living with this lower rate to
avoid the inconvenience of changing your money in a bank.
Google maps
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Brazil
guide
Brazil
Where To Go
Weather
Average temperatures
Getting there
Visas,
consulates
Insurances
Travelers with disabilities
Costs, Money And Banks
Getting Around
Eating And Drinking
Street foods, snacks
Restaurants
Vegetarian/natural
Soft drinks, hot drinks
Traveling with
Kids
Robberies, hold ups, drugs
Women travelers
Gays and
lesbian
Best of Brazil
Health,
vaccinations
Info and
maps
Media
Holidays
-Carnaval
-World
Cup, Festas Juninas
Soccer, football
-Going
to a football match
-Football
teams, clubs, shirts
Nature and
Amazon
Brazilian
music
-Bossa nova
-Bahian
sound
-Contemporary
singers, musicians
-Brazilian
rhythms
-Discography
-Live
and recording |
