It’s hard to sum up the spirit of South America’s largest country in a few sentences. This vibrant country’s wealth includes the world’s largest Carnival celebrations, acres of untouched Amazon forest, long stretches of white sand beaches, and even World Wonders like the Christ the Redeemer statue.
Despite all of this, it remains an accessible and affordable travel destination. Depending on what sorts of lodgings you like and the time of year you choose for travel, Brazil can be a luxury splurge or a penny-pincher’s paradise.
We’ll go over what you can expect to pay in different cities for different experiences. Pick and choose your travel priorities to figure out how much it will cost you to go to Brazil on your next vacation.
Average Trip to Brazil Cost in 2024
A week in Brazil costs around $2,100 for two people:
- Average Accommodation Cost: $50 per night
- Average Flight Cost: $550 per person
- Food, Drink & Activities: $30 per person, per day
- Transportation: $10 per day
- Total Cost: $2,100
Of course, how much you are going to spend depends a lot on the time of year you go and what kinds of accommodations you seek out. We’ll break it all down so you can get a better idea of what a trip to Brazil will cost you.
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When it comes to travel, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Your individual needs, preferences, and schedule will all play a part in how much you pay for your trip.
We’ve broken down costs by category so you can get a general idea how much other travelers spend on each. Pick and choose depending on your own priorities to get the trip you want at the right price.
Accommodation Costs
It is possible to find clean, well-located, well-appointed hotel rooms in Brazil for far less than you’d pay in other countries.
In Rio de Janeiro, for instance, your options include the well-reviewed Hotel Atlantico Tower. This three-star hotel is just a fifteen minute walk from Brazil Central Station, and only a couple of kilometers from attractions that include the AquaRio aquarium.
Some guests describe it as old, but say the central location and terrific service balances it out. Rooms run around $30 a night most times of year.
However, expect room costs to increase during big events like Carnival. A room at the Sant’ Matre during Carnival, for instance, may cost around $100. Expect to pay around $150 during that time of year at The Windsor Copa Hotel.
In other parts of the country, you may pay a bit more for your room. São Paulo, for instance, has a number of hotel options between $60 and $150 a night.
At the bargain end is the four-star Novotel São Paulo Jaragua Conventions, a modern hotel with an affordable $64 a night price tag. If you are looking for luxury, consider the Hilton São Paulo Morumbi, a five-star hotel with two restaurants and a spa on-site. Expect to pay a bit over $200 a night.
Flight Cost
Where you choose to land will have a huge impact on how much you will pay for your flight.
A flight from New York to Rio De Janero will cost around $550, depending on the time of year. A flight to São Paulo will cost anywhere from $400 to $900.
Other locations are often more expensive. The average cost of a flight to Salvador, for instance, will run around $750 per person.
Brazil is a large country, so you may wish to fly from destination to destination once you are there. A flight from Rio Di Janero in the south to Salvador near the country’s northern border will run you just under $200.
Food, Drink & Activity Costs
Food costs will depend largely on what sorts of meals you are looking for. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant will typically cost the equivalent of $5 per person.
If you are looking for something more formal, Numbeo says you can expect to pay around $28 per person for a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant.
When you see a price for a glass of beer, assume it’s for a .25 liter serving, which is about half the size of a pint. The price for this will be around $2. You also may be served a 600 cL bottle, which costs about $3 for an import beer.
Most Brazilians drink bottled water instead of tap water. A bottle of water will run you around 75 cents. Cappucino and espresso are the usual breakfast drinks, and should be around $1 to $2 a serving.
Brazil is mad for soccer, and it’s inexpensive to attend a game. Expect to pay less than $10 for a ticket. Carnival Brazil is one of the biggest attractions and occurs every year just before Lent.
The dates vary, so check your calendar. Carnival festivals are held in cities and towns throughout the country, and prices for attendance vary. Some smaller ones are free. But, if you want to see the parade in Rio de Janiero from the Samadrome, you’ll need to buy a ticket.
Ticket costs start around $30, but can go as high as $300 for VIP seats. Buy tickets early as they tend to sell out. A Sambadrome ticket includes the cost of a subway ticket to the event.
If you are going to be in the southern part of the country, be sure to take in some of the area’s German-influenced culture. One good way to do this is on the hop-on/hop-off bus tour, which highlights local breweries.
A ticket good for two days costs $65 per adult. Botanical gardens and national parks are great ways to see the country’s unique flora and fauna. Admission to the parks ranges from $15 to $20.
One exception is the Tujuca National Park in the mountains that surround Rio de Janeiro. Admission to this national park is free. However, tours that take you to the Christ the Redeemer sculpture may cost around $25.
Good researchers can find many more free activities for their time in Brazil. The Botanical Garden of Curitiba has free admission, and is a great place to observe art nouveau architecture and French-style gardens.
Lago Negro in Gramado offers free admission. Visitors can walk the trail or people watch from the many benches.
You can also rent a swan-shaped paddle boat for under $30. Public beaches can also be entered for free. Either bring your own towel and cooler, or rent one on the beach for a few dollars.
Transportation Costs
Because Brazil is such a large country, many people who are visiting more than one city choose to rent a car. Car rental is fairly inexpensive, with most sites quoting around $10 a day.
Bus service within the cities is considered excellent. Posters on Reddit were particularly impressed with bus service in Salvador. Paved bike lanes are also common in Salvador, making that another feasible option for transportation.
Trains are also available in many large cities. A Metro Card to take the subway in Rio de Janiero will cost about the equivalent of $1 per person per day.
Many cities in Brazil have low-cost bike rentals through services like Bike Rio for around $5 for 48 hours. The rentals are managed through an app on your phone and bikes can be picked up around town.
Things to Consider
- During the summer (January) it rains just about every day. The rain usually only lasts a couple of hours, though, so it is easy to plan around it.
- The country is warm and friendly, but be cautious after dark. Many travelers recommend getting a cab or Uber home if you’re out late.
- Download a Portuguese dictionary to your translator app of choice. (We like Google Translate.) Many Brazilians learn English in school, but it is not universally spoken, especially outside major cities.
- Tap water is safe to drink, but is often not palatable. Most locals drink bottled water instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a week enough in Brazil?
Brazil is the largest country in South America. A week is the bare minimum to spend in this rich and diverse country. Many travel guides suggest two to three weeks instead. If you only have a week, consider concentrating on a specific city or region.
Is a visit to Brazil worth it?
Travelers who’ve gone to Brazil consider it the trip of a lifetime. If you have the opportunity to visit this country, take it.
What’s the cheapest time to travel to Brazil?
May through September is Brazil’s low season and when you’ll likely find the cheapest prices on flights and hotels. The only exception is July, which is a school holiday month.
What are the best months to go to Brazil?
This all depends on what you want to see. June through December has less rainfall, which makes it the best time to visit the jungle. If your trip will take you to Rio, June to September is the sweet spot for dry, mild weather. However, temperatures are pleasant year round, making any month a good month to go to Brazil.
So, What Is the Average Trip Cost for Brazil?
🛎️ Average Accommodation Cost | $50 per night |
✈️ Average Flight Cost | $550 per person |
🍽️ Food, Drink & Activities | $30 per person, per day |
🚕 Transportation | $10 per day |
💲 Total Cost | $2,100 |
All in all, expect to spend about $2,100 for a one-week trip for two to Brazil. How much it will cost will depend heavily on when you are going and what you want to do while you are there.
The more open you are to experiencing the country like a local, the more affordable your trip will be.
So, get out of your comfort zone and open yourself up to the largest and one of the most diverse countries in South America for the trip of a lifetime. Happy travels!