7 budget-friendly tips for your next Brazil trip

10.11.2023 - 11:43 / lonelyplanet.com

On top of its tropical weather, unmatched biodiversity and one of the world’s friendliest and most party-loving cultures, if done properly and with a little planning, Brazil can be a fantastic destination for budget travelers. 

You can save big on eating out and accommodation but be warned that luxury goods and certain hard-to-reach destinations come with a high price tag. Round-trip flights from São Paulo to the dreamy and very faraway island of Fernando de Noronha could cost between US$350(R$1762) and US$800 (R$4028), for example. 

Thankfully, there are plenty of affordable and stunning destinations along the coast and in the interior, where accommodation is cheap, and you'll find inexpensive alternatives and ways to save those Brazilian reais all across the country. Here's how to best stretch your budget in Brazil.

Average daily cost per person: R$415–950

Naturally, hotels in Brazil raise their rates in the summertime (between December and February), and even more so during big events, like Carnaval and New Year’s.

If you're looking to save money, planning a winter trip (between June and August) is a wise idea, especially if you stick to the northeastern regions, where good beach weather is pretty much constant. Just beware that Brazilian kids typically get the entire month of July off for winter break, which could affect hotel prices.

Grabbing a quick and cheap bite in Brazil is incredibly easy – just about every cafe you come across is sure to be selling salgadinhos, savory (and usually cheesy) treats like pão de queijo, coxinha and pastéis. For something with a little more substance but just as simple, order a misto quente, which is a toasted ham and cheese sandwich. 

If you’re hungrier, look for a buffet-style restaurant (although you typically pay by weight, so stack your plate carefully). If you want to fill up at an all-you-can-eat steakhouse, look around for a rodízio-style restaurant, where one price typically gets you an endless parade of succulent meats and access to a salad-and-sides bar.

It’s not impossible to find affordable accommodation in Rio and São Paulo. Still, you can get even better deals if you explore other big cities, like Florianópolis, Fortaleza, Belo Horizonte and Salvador. 

If you prefer a remote beach destination but have yet to recover from the shock of finding out just how much it really costs to get to Fernando de Noronha, consider the far more accessible island of Ilhabela, or travel around the beaches near Natal and Recife in the northeast. 

If you want to see major savings on your trip to Brazil, go off the beaten path and venture into the agricultural interior.

Far from the beaches, the Brazilian countryside will show you a completely different side to the country that’s