Home to some of South America’s biggest parties, best beaches, and some incredible natural beauty, Brazil might just be the perfect place for your next adventure. But if you’re a traveller on a budget, will it be too expensive for you to visit? Or what if you’re looking to splash out: what’s available to visitors who want a 5-star experience? Fear not: while Brazil has historically ranked as home to some of the most expensive cities in the world, the country is now much more accessible to travellers with all budgets.
Whether you’re pinching pennies or you’ve saved up for a luxury vacation, here’s our guide to spending two weeks in Brazil, at every budget.
Brazil on a shoestring budget
Brazil can be an extremely rewarding country to explore on a budget. With an average cost of around $20 USD per day, spending two weeks here totals about $280; a downright frugal adventure. Things like cafe food and public transit are cheap, and you’ll never lack things to do. After all, one of the best parts of Brazil is being able to see all of this amazing country’s natural beauty!
Costs
- Bed in a shared room in a hostel: $9-15 USD per night
- Quick meal, such as a sandwich and drink in a cafe: $3-5 USD
- Getting around: taking public transit like buses and subways are a cheap option, though, as with any major city, make sure you stay aware of your surroundings and don’t ride if you feel unsafe.
If you’re looking to travel within Brazil, there is a system of long-distance buses which run at a rate of about $4 USD per hour. Another option would be to join a group tour, as oftentimes many meals are included, and you’ll be able to keep a closer eye on your cash!
Brazil on a mid-range budget
If you have a little extra cash saved up, or if you’re looking to splurge here and there without totally breaking the bank, Brazil has many options for you. Travellers with a moderate budget are able to enjoy all the same nature and adventure that Brazil offers visitors, but with a bit more wiggle room for hotels and exploring the country’s amazing culinary scene. With an average cost of about $55 USD per day, two weeks in Brazil at a moderate budget totals around $770 USD.
Costs
- A standard double room in hotel: $40-$70 USD per night.
- Dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant: $20-40 USD
- Getting around: If you’re pressed for time, or just want to escape the crowds on public transit, ridesharing services like Lyft and Uber are available in major cities such as Sao Paulo and Rio. Just note that these ridesharing services may not be permitted to accept passengers at airports, and your best bet may be to take an airport-affiliated radio taxi to your hotel or destination.
Brazil on a high-end budget
Whether you’ve been saving up for the ultimate Brazilian getaway, or you just have some extra cash to burn, Brazil can be heaven for luxury travellers. Between trendy city hotels, in-depth river tours, and a booming food scene, you’ll never run out of luxury experiences here. With an average cost of about $165 USD per day, two weeks in Brazil at a luxury budget will cost you around $2315USD.
Costs
- Boutique hotels cost about $120-200 USD per night, but, if you’re interested in a luxury jungle lodge for a more unique experience, it will cost about $120-250 USD.
- Dinner for two at an upscale restaurant: $50-100 USD
- Getting around: again, taking advantage of ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft will allow you to get to your destinations relatively quickly, and safely.
If you’re interested in travelling around Brazil and prefer to take to the skies, one-way internal flights will generally cost around $110-125 USD.
Tipping in Brazil
Most restaurants will automatically add a 10% tip to your bill, so there’s no need to worry about doing quick math with an unfamiliar currency. If you take a river tour, for example, it’s customary to tip your guide, and appreciated to tip assistants and boat operators. Tipping is also common for housekeepers, baristas, beach vendors, and other similar services. If you’re driving yourself in Brazil, parking attendants are often dependant on tips, but it’s not expected to tip taxi drivers (however, rounding up to the nearest real is common).
No matter what your budget, Brazil is an incredible country that deserves to be visited and explored. If you’ve been worrying that a country this amazing is out of your price range, we hope this guide is the encouragement you need to start planning your Brazilian adventure.
What are your favourite money-saving tips while travelling? Let us know!
