Is Brazil Expensive to Visit? A Budget Breakdown

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As a budget traveler, anticipating travel expenses has always been one of the hardest parts of trip planning for me.

But over the course of my several trips to Brazil, I’ve finally learned what to expect when it comes to how expensive things are and what I’m likely to spend.

If all you want to know is “is Brazil expensive?” then I’ll give you the tldr: no. In fact, it’s more than doable on a budget — but we’ll get into it more in this guide!

We’ll break down some main spending areas — including accommodations, food, and sightseeing with estimates based on my experiences traveling in Brazil, as well as research of other travelers’ experiences, leaving you with a solid overview of what pricing looks like.

Table of Contents

Some quick disclaimers

A couple caveats before we get into it: of course, exchange rates fluctuate, as do the actual costs of things.

What’s considered expensive also varies so much from person to person, and while one place may seem super cheap to you, it isn’t always to others — particularly locals who actually live there.

But the exchange rate has always been on my side — during my first visit back in 2020, it was around 3.4ish Brazilian reals to the dollar. At the time of writing, (February 2025) 1 U.S. dollar is 5.81 reals.

So with that all said, as someone who has never had much expendable income, I’ve found that earning money in U.S. currency has allowed me to easily travel through Brazil.

But I’ll let you make your own conclusions about how budget-friendly Brazil is for you. Let me know your thoughts!

We’ll also mainly talk about costs in major cities (and some of the best places to visit in Brazil): Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Salvador, and Recife. It’s more than likely that you can find even more affordable options in smaller towns.

The currency in Brazil is the real, or BRL. In this guide, I’ll refer to prices in USD, as well as in R$, when applicable. Of course, the exchange rate is constantly changing, so check Wise for up-to-date conversions.

A cobblestone sidewalk in Recife, Brazil, with colorful buildings and tables. — *Recife*

A cobblestone street with palm trees and white, pink, and green buildings in Recife, Brazil. — *Recife*

Accommodation

Since this is generally the largest travel expense (apart from flights), we’re starting off with places to stay in Brazil.

While I’ve found that Rio is on the higher end price-wise compared to other cities in Brazil, like Salvador and Recife, it’s still more than possible to find a well-rated spot for under $30 a night.

And if your travel style leans more toward luxury accommodations, you’re really in luck. I’ve found that you get way more bang for your buck and can find really nice spots at affordable rates throughout Brazil.

And of course, it’s always possible to spend more if it’s in your budget! I’ve skipped including any really fancy places that I could never consider myself.

I’ve also included only places that have a substantial amount of positive ratings — places I would consider staying myself. All prices are in USD, and are of course, subject to change.

The iconic mountain in Rio de Janeiro is visible at Ipanema beach. It is sunset, and a wave has reached shore. — *Rio de Janeiro*

Low-budget: Dorm beds in hostels

In a six-person room at Aurora Hostel Rio: $25.70

A 10-person dorm at Vila Rock Hostel in Sao Paulo: $12.85

A 10-person dorm at Sao Paulo Global Hostel: $8.87

A seven-person dorm at HI Laranjeiras in Salvador: $15.30

An eight-person dorm at Hostel Barra in Salvador: $15.42

A six or eight-person dorm at Ramon HostelBar in Recife: $10.82

Medium budget: Private rooms in basic accommodations

A private room at Global Rio de Janeiro, a bed and breakfast: $20

A private room and bathroom at Hangar Rio Hostel: $37

A private room and bathroom, with A/C and breakfast included at B&B HOTEL Rio Copacabana Posto 5: $65 per night

A standard twin room at Ramada Encore Sao Paulo Tiradentes Centro with breakfast: $37

A stay at 155 Hotel in Sao Paulo with breakfast included: $43+

A room at Pousada Bahia Pelô guesthouse in Salvador with breakfast: $40+

Apto com Arte no Pelourinho, an apartment in a guesthouse in the historic center of Salvador with breakfast: $62

The beachside Park Hotel in Recife with breakfast: $54+

The oceanfront El Aram Beach Boa Viagem in Recife with breakfast: $39+

Colorful buildings in Salvador, a city in the Northeast of Brazil — *Salvador*

A church in Salvador, Brazil — *Salvador*

High budget: Luxury and boutique hotels

The four-star Windsor Tower Hotel in Rio de Janeiro: prices start at $71 per night

The five-star Hilton Copacabana Rio de Janeiro: $141+ per night

The four-star Transamerica Prime International Plaza in Sao Paulo with breakfast: $57+

The amenity-filled Meliá Jardim Europa in São Paulo: $127+

A stay at Bahiacafé Hotel in Salvador with breakfast included: $76+

The beachfront Monte Pascoal Praia Hotel Salvador with breakfast: $113+

The highly-rated oceanside Hotel Atlante Plaza in Recife: $100+

The luxurious Hotel Luzeiros Recife with breakfast: $79+

A sidewalk in São Paolo. Many trees and plants line the sidewalk. — *São Paulo*

A motorcycle parked in front of a building in São Paulo, Brazil, The building is pink and has green murals. — *São Paulo*

Transportation

Getting around cities

Transportation is in general quite affordable in Brazil.

I avoid taking taxis in Brazil (and in most places, to be honest) as they are known for up-charging you — just fyi! Here’s what I’d go with instead:

Ubers

Uber is almost always how I’ve gotten around in Brazil, and it’s the absolute best mode of transportation particularly in places like Rio, Sao Paulo, and Salvador.

It doesn’t operate in every small town, but it’s all-in-all a great choice across the country, because it’s safe, reliable, and extremely affordable.

In Rio de Janeiro, for example, because of traffic and the geography of the city, I’ve found that it can sometimes take 30 minutes or more to get across the city. The same could be said for São Paulo, since it’s a massive city. But there are definitely walkable neighborhoods, so I’d definitely find an accommodation in one of those areas so you only need to occasionally Uber when going somewhere farther.

But still, most Ubers will be just a few dollars. The most expensive Uber I’ve ever taken in Rio has probably been $11, if I had to guess. And that’s an unusually expensive Uber there!

The beach in Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro — *Rio de Janeiro*

Public transportation

Of course, like across South America, public transportation is affordable and commonly used across Brazil’s major cities.

Safety varies though, so personally, I’ve only ever used public transportation in Rio while with my husband (who’s from Rio) and in Sao Paulo while on a tour.

Especially if you’re traveling solo, I’d avoid using public transportation at night, and just Uber.

Are you wondering if Brazil safe for solo travel? Get my best tips for staying safe in Brazil in this guide.

In Rio de Janeiro, Metrô Rio has three different lines and even has women-only cars from 6 to 9 a.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. A single ride is R$ 7.50 ($1.30 at the time of writing).

Prices vary for the bus, but it typically costs around R$4.05 per trip ($.70 USD at the time of writing).

In São Paulo, costs are similar — standard bus fare is R$ 4.40 (roughly $0.76 USD) and metro tickets are R$ 5.00 (around $0.87 USD)

In Salvador, a one-way fare on the subway is R$4.10 ($0.71 USD), and the bus is R$5.20 ($0.90).

In Recife, a one-way subway ticket comes out to R$1.60 ($0.28 USD).

A red staircase leading up to a colorful building in São Paulo, Brazil — *São Paulo*

A mural painted on a garage door in São Paulo, Nrazil. It shows a pink woman with a flower tattoo on her arm and blush with a toucan bird on her head and a leaf. — *São Paulo*

Traveling to different cities

Renting a car

If you’re sticking to a city like Rio or Sao Paulo your entire trip, I’d advise against renting a car.

Driving is challenging to say the least, and considering how accessible and affordable Uber is, it doesn’t make sense, in my opinion.

However, there are some cases where it may make sense for you, such as if you’re wanting to explore different cities.

I only rented a car once while traveling in the northeast of Brazil. Since it’s been a while and unfortunately it was before my ~blogger era~ when I started tracking my prices better, I can’t remember the exact cost, but I believe it came out to around $200 for a week-ish.

Keep in mind that if you want to book a car ahead of your trip and you’re coming from a country like the U.S., you may want to use a VPN, as prices will be higher for you than if you’re in Brazil.

Movida, Unidas and Localiza are the most common car rental companies in Brazil. You’ll also find international companies like Hertz and Enterprise.

Based on my research, most people end up spending around $25 per day for a rental, including insurance. If you get car insurance another way, such as through your credit card, then this will save money. Keep in mind that you will also likely be charged a security deposit.

Automatic cars will also be more expensive than a manual car. If you return your car to a different location than where you picked it up, there will likely be additional costs, too.

A woman walks down the cobblestone street in Pelourinho, a colonial-style historic area of Salvador, Brazil. There are colorful buildings and a large church in the background, and a stand selling acaraje, a local street food. — *Salvador*

Flights

I’ve taken several domestic flights in Brazil and have always found them to be generally affordable and also the easiest way to get across the country.

Here are a couple examples of common routes:

To get from Rio de Janeiro to Sao Paulo, for instance, the flight is under an hour and is usually from $30 to $60 (but I have seen flights for some days as high as $130ish).

A one-way flight from Rio de Janeiro to Recife is just under three hours and typically ranges from $60 to $106.

Sao Paulo to Recife, a roughy three-hour flight, is usually around $103, but can be higher on certain days. The highest I’ve seen was $177.

A non-stop flight from Recife to Salvador is an hour and a half and is usually $64, based on what I’m currently seeing on Google Flights.

A cobblestone street and colorful buildings in Recife, Brazil. — *Recife (left) and Olinda*, *a neighboring town*

A look down a hill in Olinda, a town next to Recife, Brazil. The road is cobblestone, and colorful buildings are visible in the distance. It is sunset. — *Recife (left) and Olinda*, *a neighboring town*

Public transportation

I’ve never taken a long-distance bus ride in Brazil and have always opted for flying, but in some cases, if you have more time and are on a stricter budget, buses are also a popular way to travel across the country.

To get from Rio de Janeiro to Sao Paulo, it will take around 6 hours, and there are three main bus companies you can use: Auto Viação 1001, Expresso do Sul, and Itapemirim.

With each of these, you can choose your seating based on comfort and how much you’d like to spend — the most expensive option will recline fully.

A ride with Auto Viação 1001 will run around R105.38 or $18.27.

When going longer distances, I think taking a bus starts to make way less sense.

A bus from Sao Paulo to Recife, for example, will take two and a half days, two buses, and will be $102. 21, according to BusBud. So, the same cost as a flight!

A caiprinha on a green table with a water bottle and glass behind it in Salvador, Brazil — *A caipirinha and moqueca*

Moqueca, a Brazilian fish stew in Salvador, Brazil — *A caipirinha and moqueca*

Food and drinks

I personally have found food super affordable in Brazil. Only really fancy meals or all-you-can-eat places have been more than $20, regardless of which city I was in.

In general, you’ll find that most meals range from $5 to $15ish. If you go for street food, it’ll be even less.

If you’re on a budget, I think you could comfortably commit to a $30 per person, per day food budget, by sticking to street food and casual spots, meaning you would spend just $210 over the course of a one week trip.

Keep in mind that at sit-down restaurants in Brazil, it’s expected to tip 10%. Sometimes you’ll see it automatically included in your bill, other times, not.

These are just some average costs based on what I’ve seen, plus research.

Of course, prices can vary by city. Rio and Sao Paulo will be pricier than Salvador and Recife, or small towns, for instance.

A caipirinha cocktail: R$20 ($3.47 USD)

A fresh coconut: R$1 to $10 ($.17 to 1.74 USD)

A beer: R$10 to R$20 ($1.74 USD to $3.47)

A barbecued meat skewer from a beach vendor: R$10 to R$15 ($1.72 to $2.60 USD)

An açai bowl: R$10 to $20 ($1.74 to $3.47 USD)

A “buffet a kilo” or a pay-by-weight buffet: R$30 to R$70 ($5.17 to $12.07 USD)

A typical Brazilian meal of meat, rice, beans, farofa, and vinaigrette (a “prato feito”): ~R$20 to R$40 ($3.47 to $6.95 USD)

Feijoada, a classic Brazilian dish made of meat and beans: R$30 to R$60 ($5.21 to $10.42 USD)

Moqueca, a Brazilian seafood dish: R$30 to R$60 ($5.21 to $10.42 USD)

A meal from an all-you-can-eat steakhouse: ~R$172.76 ($30 USD)

A meal at an all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant: ~R$115.17 ($20 USD)

A view of Rio de Janeiro at sunset from the Sugarloaf Mountain. — *Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro*

Tours, sightseeing and activities

In general, there’s a lot to do in Brazil for budget travelers, regardless of what city you’re visiting.

I’ve included a mix of different types of activities, from tours to classes and cultural experiences to basic entry fees, to give you a feel for what pricing can look like.

As a budget traveler myself, I’ve skipped out on pricier experiences that I would love to do in the future, but I’ve never felt limited by my budget.

A “skip the line” train ticket to the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro: $42.90 USD

A ticket to the Sugarloaf Mountain cable car in Rio de Janeiro — this is a must during your time in Rio! $34 USD

Admission to the Museum of Tomorrow, one of the best museums in Rio de Janeiro: R$30 ($5.21 USD at the time of writing)

A helicopter ride over Rio de Janeiro (this is on my bucket list!): $298.37

A ferry ride to Ilha de Paquetá, an easy day trip from Rio: R$7.70 one way ($1.34 USD)

São Paulo Art Museum: R$50 ($8.68 USD at the time of writing)

Entry to Museu Afro Brasil in São Paulo: R$15 ($2.60 USD)

Admission to Foz do Iguaçu National Park: Prices apparently fluctuate a lot, but at the time of writing, it’s R$117 for foreigners, or $20.32 USD. Check here for updated pricing!

Entry to Casa do Carnaval da Bahia, a museum in Salvador: R$30, or $5.21 USD

A cooking class in Salvador, a region known for its amazing food: $78.15

A seven-hour city tour of Recife and the neighboring town, Olinda: $23

A mural of two women's faces in São Paulo, Brazil — *São Paolo*

A mural of the joker kissing Batman in São Paulo, Brazil. — *São Paolo*

Some of the best free things to do in Brazil:

The good news is that each city has lots of incredible things to do for free! So if it were me, I’d pick a couple main paid activities and balance them out with free activities.

Here are some of my favorites:

Hike in Tijuca Forest in Rio de Janeiro.

Visit Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil (CCBB), a museum in Rio de Janeiro that always has interesting exhibits.

Go on a free walking tour (I’ve done them in Rio and São Paulo, but I’m sure other cities have them too — just remember to tip).

Explore the street art in the Vila Madalena neighborhood in São Paulo (this is my #1 favorite thing to do in São Paulo!)

Listen to samba at Pedra do Sal in Rio de Janeiro.

Beach-hop in Recife and Porto de Galinhas.

Walk around Ibirapuera Park in São Paulo.

Visit the Museum of Modern Art of Bahia in Salvador (it’s also right next to the beach and is an amazing place to watch the sunset).

Wander around the colonial-style Pelourinho, Salvador’s historic center.

A street vendor selling coconuts, and a sign that says "Aqua de Coco R$1,00" in Salvador, Brazil. — *Salvador*

Sunset over a pebble beach in Salvador, Brazil. Two people are pushing a small boat near the shore, and some more boats are visible in the distance. — *Salvador*

Visas and travel insurance

While I’ve been spoiled by a few visa-free years of visiting Brazil, sadly, that time is coming to a close.

Starting in April 2025, residents of the U.S., Canada, and Australia wanting to visit Brazil will need a tourist visa which costs $80.90 USD.

The good news is that it lasts for 90 days at a time, and you can continue to use it for 10 years.

And lastly, I also always recommend travel insurance, and Brazil is definitely no exception.

I’ve always used World Nomads, and on the two unfortunate occasions I’ve had to use it, I was so glad I had it.

It’s the type of thing where it sucks a bit to have to spend a bit of extra money that may end up totally unused.

But in the case where you need to use it, it can save you so much money. The couple times I’ve had to use it, it reimbursed me for hundreds of dollars. (Be sure to keep copies and detailed records, as you’ll need those to file your claim.)

The cost of insurance will vary on a number of factors like how many people are traveling with you, length of your trip, and how much coverage you want, but in the past I’ve generally paid $95 to $130ish for two to three week trips.

Find out more and get your trip covered here.

A black and white striped car parked on a street in São Paulo with trees coming out of the car. — *São Paolo*

Colorful blue, yellow and red buildings on a street in São Paolo, Brazil. — *São Paolo*

So … is Brazil expensive?

To me, no, it’s not. I’ve been able to have several amazing vacations in Brazil (with more to come!) and have been able to avoid spending a ton.

Of course, if you have a higher budget, the sky’s the limit, but there’s really so much to experience for free or at a very low cost.

So, ready to get to planning?

Head to one of these guides next: