Is Brazil expensive?
Is Brazil expensive for backpackers and budget travelers?
Brazil is a really awesome country to travel around. From the perfect climate and beaches of cities like Rio to the festive vibes and atmosphere of Bahia, it’s got a lot going for it.
However Brazil tends to be a tricker one to budget for, given prices here tend to be more expensive than most other Latin American nations. This often confuses travelers on how to budget, and also how to keep costs lower when exploring this giant nation.
In this guide we’ll look at the typical costs you can expect when visiting Brazil, such as for accommodation, food and getting around. As well as recommending some of the best tours you can head on, we’ll also answer your most burning questions in our FAQ section.
Is Brazil Expensive for Tourists?
Quick Answer: Yes – Brazil is amongst the top 5 most expensive countries in Latin America – so you’ll need to adjust your budget to be able to extend your stay here.
This is assuming you are coming from neighbouring Argentina or Bolivia and are accustom to their rock-bottom prices, if you’ll be arriving from Central America, you’re in for a shock!
However, the good news is that savvy budget travelers can still expect a daily budget of $30, which includes sleeping in a dorm room and sticking to local Brazilian restaurants. Those who like a bit more luxury will want to budget anywhere from $45-55 a day.
Things to know before traveling to Brazil
Here are a couple of things to know before traveling to Brazil that may help you travel better and make smarter decisions when it comes to your budget.
- Giant Travel Distances – As you can imagine, the amount of miles here can quickly add up. Although buses are reliable and of good quality, some routes can easily exceed 20 hours. Even if you’re committed to saving like we are, sometimes a flight or two in this country will be better for you longer-term. Not only do you arrive quicker, however you can also get some much needed rest too.
- Plan Longer – Naturally following on from the last point, Brazil is not a country to rush. Even in each city you’ll find multiple awesome attractions, so you’re going to need to take it easier here. We’d personally say a minimum of 1 month when in the south, however if you’re heading to areas such as the Brazilian Amazon and further north then 2 months is much better.
- Staying Safe in Big Cities – Brazilian cities are quite unique, in that they are all sprawling and huge. Naturally this means there’s going to be more good and not-so-good areas, so be sure to lodge up in the better neighbourhoods. This is even more important in the north of Brazil where crime is more common, such as in Salvador (stay in Barra) as well as Fortaleza (stay in Iracema). If you’ll be traveling soon, see this list of safe Brazilian cities for more ideas on where to go here.
How much does a trip to Brazil cost?
This depends on your trip style (and length of course). Backpackers on a shoestring budget can simply multiply $25 by the amount of days that they are there. If you want a more comfortable experience, then it’s better to increase this to around $35 a day.
Always remember to factor in extra budget for tours, flights and transport, given these won’t be included in our usual day to day costs.
Cost of Accommodation in Brazil
Travelers who are staying in hostels generally won’t see a large increase in prices. You’ll still very much be able to pay under $10 for a dorm bed, although in the more popular areas (Copacabana in Rio, Vila Madalena in São Paulo) hostels will be more expensive.
If you’ll be visiting Rio first then The Solar Hostel is a great option, which is both inexpensive and is close to both Copacabana and Ipanema beaches.
You can also find reasonably priced private rooms too, which is great for couples or travelers looking to change things up once in a while. Average prices begin around $20-30 for a night (although this quickly rises in the bigger cities).
Those after a high quality private room in São Paulo will love the GoodStay São Paulo, which is located right next to Ibirapuera Park.
It’s also important to remember that prices can fluctuate around peak times. This includes the popular months of January and February, as well as carnival (when George was in Rio he saw prices triple when carnival hit!).
Cost of Food in Brazil
Whilst the most popular cuisine in Latin America, Brazilian food still packs quite the punch. Eating locally remains the best option of keeping things cheap, and a main dish will cost between $3-5.
If you like eating fast food then you’ll find prices here more expensive than other Latin nations. For example a Big Mac meal will cost $5+ depending on the city.
Other restaurants only get more expensive, and if you’re after a more romantic or exquisite setting then you could be looking as much as $25+ for one person.
Food tours are a popular way of exploring authentic Brazilian cuisine, given you’ll get lots of value (many dishes with a knowledgeable local in little time). We highly recommend this food tour in São Paulo where you’ll visit the market of Pinheiros to try various appetisers, mains and beer testing.
Cost of Transportation in Brazil
One of the biggest surprises has to be the costs of getting around Brazil. And it’s not good either, with bus costs being the largest expense of all.
The route from São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro is a good example. The journey is around 6 hours, and will cost $25.
We also need to remember that distance between further-afield destinations can be mammoth-sized, which only runs up the costs quicker. If heading directly from Recife to Salvador, then this can cost as much as $50 (and take over a day too!).
Of course we can also find cheaper routes too, which are more common in the north of Brazil. One of these is when heading from Fortaleza to the popular beach town of Jericoacoara, which can be bought for just $10 (it takes around 6 hours).
Always be sure to check out domestic flights in Brazil as an option, as similar prices can easily make the flight much more efficient than by going by bus.
Cost of Tours & Attractions in Brazil
Certain experiences such as seeing Christ the Redeemer are always going to be more expensive – that’s just the way it works with super touristy gems.
However you can often find better value when going with organised tours in Brazil. Not only are costs reasonable, however you’ll also usually have all transport, food and extras thrown in too.
One of our favourites has to be this highly-rated day tour around Rio de Janeiro. Here you’ll visit 6 of the very best stops, including Christ the Redeemer, the Maracanã Stadium as well as the legendary Sugarloaf Mountain. As well as having hotel pick-up and drop-off, you’ll also have lunch included too.
How expensive is Brazil FAQs
Got travel insurance for Brazil?
Is Brazil Expensive for Tourists?
That’s all for our guide on how expensive Brazil is and our tips on budgeting.
From exploring the deep Amazon jungle to partying in the festive coastal cities, Brazil isn’t slowing down for anyone. This means you’ll also want to plan more time for this beast, given the sheer size and amount of things to see and do.
In this guide we’ve looked at how much money you’ll need when traveling around Brazil. This guide focuses more on the minimum needed for low-budget travelers, so of course if you feel like upgrading then by all means go for it!
If you’ll be traveling to Brazil soon or already in the country, be sure to read our Brazil Itinerary to learn how to best use your time when in this South American giant.
👉🏽 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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