How to plan a trip to Brazil on a budget
Are you planning on traveling to Brazil on a budget?
This country is known as one the most expensive countries in South America, so naturally many travelers are wondering if it’s actually possible.
How to plan a trip to Brazil on a budget
Having been there ourselves and done Brazil on the cheap, we’ve made our fair share of mistakes and have learnt some helpful tips that we will share in this guide.
However the most important thing to keep in mind is first knowing yourself well, and where you tend to splurge when traveling.
For example if you’re a heavy drinker and want to try and keep costs low in Brazil, then your plan will be to buy local brands from supermarkets rather than spending more on beers in hostels (which tend to get marked up in price).
Whilst it sounds like common sense, you’d be surprised at the amount of travelers we met who stayed ignorant and ran through their travel budget much quicker.
Language and Currency
Let’s now look at some important elements of budgeting in backpacking Brazil that most travelers will need to consider at some point during their trip.
Language
Unlike the rest of South America, Brazil is the only country where the dominant language is Portuguese.
This often catches out travelers who have been around the rest of the continent for a while who are used to hearing and speaking Spanish.
Now whilst it’s quite different, you can actually get away with speaking Spanish in some parts of Brazil, especially in the south like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro (this mix of languages is locally known as Portuñol).
Again like when heading anywhere new where you don’t know the local language, even learning just a tiny bit can really enhance your experience.
Locals are already friendly here, but will be even more so when they hear a simple “Bon Dia” or “Cómo está voce?”. You can brush up your Portuguese skills like we did but using Duolingo. Or, if you’re serious about learning carry this Portuguese phrase book with you.
There’s also over 200 indigenous languages spoken throughout the country, although most are found within the deep depths of the Amazon Rainforest.
Currency
In Brazil they use the Real, which is amongst the stronger currencies in South America (hence why things are more expensive here compared with countries like Peru and Bolivia).
When budgeting it’s really important to work out exactly how much you’re spending in Real, otherwise you’ll burn through your finances much quicker.
At this current time of writing, $1 US Dollar equals roughly 5 Real, so this should give you a better idea of what you’re spending (of course please look up current rates on Google before and during your trip). You can also check currency sites such as XE who provide up-to-date and accurate exchange rates.
Getting Around Brazil
The easiest (and most common) way for travelers to access Brazil is to fly into São Paulo. This airport is a real giant, and is the best connected in all of Latin America.
Rio de Janeiro is another good one to also look into, given prices can sometimes be cheaper when heading directly here.
Many travelers can also cross land borders into the country with a bus. The major routes are from Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay to the south, as well as Bolivia, Peru and Colombia to the north. There’s also crossings from Venezuela and Guyana too.
Buses in Brazil
Getting around the country is best by bus, however travel times can rapidly add-up (anywhere from up to 18-30 hours on the longer legs). It’s wise to make stops along the way, or it’s easy to get burnt out by the distances.
Domestic flights are also a good option given pretty much every major destination has its own airport. You’ll need to fly into Manaus for example, unless you decide to head to or from a memorable boat ride from Belém.
Costs and Budgeting
One of the most important factors to plan before heading off is your budget.
Costs in Brazil can quickly add up given travel distances and the overall fact that it’s more expensive than most other Latin countries.
Let’s take a look at how much things tend to be, as well as how to plan a both reasonable and realistic budget. The costs we listed here are correct as of July 2023.
Brazil Travel Costs
Let’s take a look at the typical costs that you’ll be spending on a day to day basis in Brazil.
Remember these can and will vary depending on where you are! For example areas along the north of Brazil tend to be much cheaper than popular districts in the south such as Copacabana and Vila Madalena.
- Average Dorm Bed = £7-13
- Private Single Room in a Hostel = £18-25
- A Street Food Dish = £2-3
- A Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant = £6-15
- Beer at a Local Bar or Dive = £1-£2.00
- Beer at a Touristy Bar = £2.00-3.50
Brazil Travel Budget
As previously mentioned, it’s important to properly budget before hitting Brazil. This way you’ll be more prepared for the costs, and also know how you can save in certain places.
The average backpacker will be spending roughly £25-35 a day. This includes staying in a nice hostel, eating local meals as well as getting around the cities. This is also what we recommend when following our customized 2 week in Brazil itinerary.
Of course some travelers will end up spending more for comfort, whilst others can even go less (George averaged around £20 a day). Always take your own likes and needs into account before deciding on a budget, not just because we say so!
Brazil Trip Planning
Whilst backpacking is definitely about being spontaneous and open to the new, solid planning beforehand really does go a long way.
Below we’ll go through some key things you should get sorted before heading out to Brazil.
What to Pack for Brazil?
Although Brazil is a massive country, temperatures are still pretty hot regardless of where you are. You’ll want to mostly pack light clothes when heading here, and perhaps a jumper when heading to the extreme south (for example in Porto Alegre or near Uruguay).
Rainfall can also be heavy in some parts like the Amazon Jungle (or if heading in the wet season), so be sure to carry a solid poncho if either of the two are in your travel plans.
Other things to remember include a solid folder to carry your documents, as well as specific equipment for different activities. Toiletries are also important, although try to pack liquids of less than 100ml, as this way you may be able to fly with just hand luggage saving you some dollar.
If you’re visiting Brazil as part of a longer trip through the continent, then please see this South America packing list.
Injections
Below is a basic list of the most common injections that travelers heading to Brazil can get.
As always, please see your doctor as we are not medically trained or qualified to give advice. They’ll tell you exactly what you need for each specific country.
- Hepatitis A
- Tetanus
- Rabies
- Typhoid
- Yellow Fever
Got travel insurance for Brazil?
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How to plan a trip to Brazil on a budget
And that’s all for our guide on how to travel Brazil on a budget.
Known as one of the most expensive of the lot, traveling to Brazil doesn’t need to break the bank. With careful planning and following our advice it’s definitely possible to travel Brazil on less than £25 a day, and trust us when we say you’ll want more time here rather than less!
Be sure to read our Brazil Itinerary for more ideas on what to do when in this giant Latin American nation.
👉🏽 P.S. If you’ve found this guide helpful, buy us a coffee here to say thanks! Or, support us by downloading our South America Travel Bible to get our best content.
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