Unlike Mexico or the Carribean, you will have to pay for things with the local currency, the Brazilian Real. At the current moment the Real has been fluctuating between 2.20 - 2.30 Reais to 1 U.S. Dollar. You should take SOME American dollars to have with you in case of emergencies ($100 is recommended), and we suggest withdrawing money from ATM machines for the rest of your cash needs. ATM machines usually ONLY accept the Cirrus and VISA logos so please check your debit and credit cards. When withdrawing money from ATM’s be careful with your surroundings. Additionally, please note that many ATM’s will not dispense money to you after 10pm (for security reasons) so please plan accordingly! A good location to withdraw money where most ATM cards and networks work is the Citibank on Ave Nossa Senhora de Copacabana.(located directly next to the Blockbuster Video Store on the Corner). Please also note that many restaurants and a few of the bars we will be visiting do accept credit cards. If you want to exchange currency, you can do this at the front desk of your hotel.
Please look below where we have compiled a list of things you will most likely be purchasing on your vacation to Brazil. Use these as bench marks and do not pay much more. Like any other place, Tourists are always charged more, especially American tourists. |
Chilling During the Day |
Item |
In Real $
|
| Beer |
1.5 - 3.0 |
| Cheesburger |
1.5 - 4.0 |
| Juice |
2 - 3 |
| Bottled Water |
1 - 2 |
| Caipirinha (Brazil's most famous drink; it contains Lime Juice, Cachaza (Brazilian tequila), and sugar ) |
4 - 8 |
| Beach Chair at the Beach (do not pay more than this, they will try to charge you more because you are American) |
2 - 5 |
| Umbrella at the Beach |
2 - 5 |
| Beach Massage |
50 for 1/2 hour |
| Internet Access |
5 - 10 per hour |
| Churrasqueria (all you can eat meat, sushi, and fish, as well as many side dishes) |
15 - 30 |
| Feijoada - (Brazil’s most typical dish; black bean stew with sausages, sun-dried meat served over rice) |
15 - 25 |
| Food by the Pound |
1.5 - 2.5 per 100 grams |
| Tip: If you want to spend less cash on food, do not go to places on or across the street from the beach. Go inland one or two blocks. |
Partying at Night |
| Bottled Beer (domestic) |
3 - 5 |
| Bottled Beer (import) |
7 - 10 |
| Chopp (Draft Beer) |
3 - 5 |
| Caipirinha |
8 - 12 |
| Well Drinks |
8 - 12 |
| Bottle |
150 - 300 |
| Soft Drink |
2 - 4 |
| Bottled Water |
3 - 5 |
Taxi Cab Estimator |
| Copacabana - Barra |
30 - 40 |
| Copacabana - Ipanema Beach |
8 - 11 |
| Copacabana - Downtown |
15 - 20 |
| Ipanema - Barra |
20 - 30 |
*Estimate R$ 1.20 per minute of taxi ride without traffic, R$ .80 with heavy traffic
*Add 20% for night time rides (after 9PM) |
| Tip: Always ask the taxi driver to turn on the meter when you get into the cab. In Portuguese: Voce pode acender o taxi metro? |
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