Currency in Brazil - A Full Guide 2024
Planning a trip to Brazil? Whether you’re heading there for work or pleasure, you’ll need to know how to pay your way as you travel.
This guide covers all you’ll need to know about the official currency in Brazil, where to get it and how to keep your costs down during your trip.
What is the currency in Brazil?
The official currency in Brazil is the Brazilian Real, which is issued and overseen by the Central Bank of Brazil. If you’re buying your travel money online you may also see the official code being shown - BRL. In stores and restaurants, Brazilian Real prices are likely to use the currency symbol R$.
Once you’re in Brazil you’ll see costs of items shown in BRL and you’ll need to start paying for things in local coins and notes which are often found in the following denominations:
banknotes - 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 BRL and coins - 5, 10, 25, 50 centavos; 1 BRL.
Can you officially pay in NZD when you are in Brazil?
You’re unlikely to be able to officially transact in NZD in Brazil, which is why it’s time to start getting used to BRL and learning more about the currency exchange rates so you’ll know what you’re spending on your trip.
This guide will walk through all you need to know, including US dollar/Brazilian Real rates and where best to get your travel money from.
| Brazilian Real | |
|---|---|
| Currency name | Brazilian Real |
| ISO code | BRL |
| Symbol | R$ |
| Subunit | Centavo |
| Central Bank | Central Bank of Brazil |
| Best travel cards to take to Brazil | Wise |
BRL coins and banknotes
Here’s a full rundown of the BRL coins and banknotes you’ll need to be familiar with when you’re in Brazil.
| BRL banknotes | BRL coins |
|---|---|
| banknotes - 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 BRL | coins - 5, 10, 25, 50 centavos; 1 BRL |
History of Brazilian Real currency
The Brazilian Real (BRL) was introduced in 1994 to stabilize the Brazilian economy from hyperinflation. It replaced the cruzeiro real as part of the Plano Real, a substantial monetary reform package that successfully curbed inflation and fostered economic growth.
Is NZD accepted in Brazil?
As we’ve seen, the official currency in Brazil is BRL. If you carry NZD with you on your trip, you’ll probably need to exchange it before you can spend.
Sometimes when you’re away on a trip abroad you’ll find that merchants will take payments in a selection of major foreign currencies. However, the chances are that where this is offered, you won’t get a good exchange rate for your NZD. Planning smart and convenient ways to spend in BRL when you’re away is likely to mean you save on costs in the end.
Usually, having a few different ways to pay and get cash is the best option for travelers and tourists. That’s because you’ll have a back up plan in case one payment method isn’t accepted for any reason, and you can pick the method that’s best suited to the specific transaction. Having a multi-currency card from a provider like Wise, plus your normal bank debit card, and some local cash in BRL should mean you’ve always got options. You can use your cash for small purchases and tipping, and make low cost payments and cash withdrawals with your multi-currency card, while keeping your bank card in reserve for emergencies.
Use a travel card on your next trip to Brazil
Using a travel debit card in Brazil is usually cheap, safe and convenient. A few providers in NZD offer multi-currency cards which come with a linked payment account that lets you convert, hold and spend in BRL. That allows you to add a balance in NZD and switch over to BRL to lock in the exchange rate and set your travel budget.
Once you have BRL in your account there are no extra fees to make payments, and you’ll not have foreign transaction charges to worry about, either.
Here’s a quick overview of a couple of handy travel debit cards you may want to order and use in Brazil.
Wise travel card
Order a Wise travel card online or in the Wise app, to hold and exchange 40+ currencies and manage your money from your phone. You’ll be able to spend conveniently in BRL - and all currency exchange uses the mid-market rate with no markup.
Card holders get some free ATM withdrawals available every month, and there’s no annual or monthly fees to pay, and no minimum balance requirement.
| Wise pros | Wise cons |
|---|---|
✅ Currency exchange uses the mid-market rate ✅ No foreign transaction fees apply ✅ Free to hold and spend 40+ currencies ✅ Receive payments to your Wise account in a selection of global currencies ✅ No minimum balance or ongoing fees | ❌ Card order fee applies ❌ ATM fees apply once you’ve exhausted your free monthly withdrawals |
What is the currency exchange rate for NZ$ 1 NZD/BRL?
It’s helpful to get to know the live NZD/BRL rate so you can easily calculate how much things are costing you while you’re on your trip abroad. The rate you need to focus on is the mid market rate, which is the one banks and major currency services get when buying and selling currencies. This rate isn’t always passed on to customers. Instead you may find that the NZD/BRL rate you get when exchanging travel cash includes a markup - an extra fee.
Find the NZD/BRL mid-market rate from a currency conversion site or a website like this, so you can keep an eye on the market and compare the rates you’re offered as you travel against the mid-market rate easily. Right now, the mid-market rate for 1 NZD to BRL is 0.54895.
Should I exchange NZD to BRL before traveling to Brazil?
Because Brazil sees many tourists from New Zealand every year you might find you’re better off if you exchange your currency when you get to Brazil rather than worrying about getting your cash sorted out before you leave.
Get familiar with the exchange rates offered locally to you, and online, so you can decide whether it’s worth switching some funds in advance of travel, using a card to pay while you’re away, or converting cash on arrival. Both in New Zealand and in Brazil, steer clear of exchanging currency at the airport. A captive market means that NZD/BRL rates are often worse in the airport than in city centers.
Tips for exchanging money in Brazil
There’s a good network of ATMs across Brazil, and card payments are also widely accepted. Always pay in NZD to avoid sneaky extra dynamic currency conversion costs and to make sure your money goes further.
Avoid using exchange providers at airports or hotels in Brazil as they usually offer pretty poor exchange rates because they have a captive market and little competition nearby
Today’s mid market exchange rate for NZD/BRL is 0.54895 - look for this or as close as possible to it when you exchange your travel money
Use a travel debit card like the Wise card while you’re in Brazil for fast and cheap conversion between currencies and easy ways to manage your money from your phone
Best place to exchange currency in Brazil
You can get your BRL in Brazil in a couple of ways.
You’ll be able to use a travel debit card from a provider like Wise to make convenient payments and cash withdrawals and to convert funds online.
Or if you prefer an offline solution you can carry some cash in NZD to exchange when you arrive. Currency exchange providers are often in airports and hotels, although the exchange shops in a city center are likely to be cheaper overall.
How to pay in Brazil?
You’ll need to have BRL to spend in Brazil. However, generally having a few different payment methods is a good plan. That means that if a merchant won't accept one, you’ve got a back up. It’s also reassuring to know you have a different way to pay if you were unlucky enough to have a card or some travel cash stolen. Here are your key payment options in Brazil.
1. Debit or credit card
Card payments can be helpful in shops, restaurants and hotels but there will be places where cash is also important. Order a travel card from a provider like Wise for cheap and fast transactions, including card payments and cash withdrawals as and when you need travel money in BRL.
2. BRL cash
Cash is widely used in Brazil, so it’s worth having some with you at all times. You may want to exchange money to BRL before you leave, but it’s also usually convenient to make ATM withdrawals locally once you arrive in Brazil.
You’ll usually find you can use a card to make payments in Brazil, but carrying some cash in BRL is also reassuring. It’s often easier for tipping and making smaller purchases, plus you’ve got a nice backup if your card is ever out of action for some reason.
It’s a smart idea to have both a card and some cash in BRL when you’re in Brazil. Some merchants will prefer cash, but having a card for higher value payments and in busier more tourist places is also convenient. Consider using a travel card from a provider like Wise or Revolut alongside your cash for flexibility.
Paying for the trip in NZD
If you’re paying for things in Brazil with a NZD bank card you might find a foreign transaction fee is added. This pushes up your costs when you spend in a foreign currency, and can be tricky to calculate.
Travel debit cards don’t always work this way. When you make purchases in Brazil using the Wise card you can either choose to convert your account balance to BRL in advance in the Wise app, or just leave your balance in NZD and let the card handle the transaction when you pay. You’ll always get the lowest available fee and there are no extra foreign transaction charges.
Conclusion - Currency in Brazil
You won’t be able to pay in NZD when you visit Brazil - so learning about the currency you need is essential. Whether you decide to use a travel debit card from a service like Wise , or stock up on BRL in cash in advance, knowing the mid-market exchange rate can help you get the best available deal. Use this guide to learn all you need to know about the options, rates and fees for exchanging NZD to BRL, and make your money go further while you’re away.
The official currency in Brazil is BRL. You can’t usually pay in NZD in Brazil, so you’ll need to plan in advance to get your travel money sorted. Consider ordering a travel debit card from a service like Wise, for low cost conversions to BRL and convenient spending and withdrawals - and remember that knowing the NZD to BRL mid-market exchange rate is essential to check you’re getting a fair deal on currency exchange.
FAQ - Currency in Brazil
What is the currency in Brazil called?
The official currency in Brazil is the Brazilian Real. You may also see the code BRL and the currency symbol R$.
What's the currency in Brasília?
The official currency in Brasília is the Brazilian Real. You’ll only be able to spend in BRL while you’re there.
What is the old Brazil currency?
Today the currency in Brazil is the Brazilian Real. If you’re worried about currencies changing, why not get a travel debit card from a service like Wise which will automatically pick the currency needed in your destination when making a payment - with no penalties or inflated fees.
What is the best currency to take to Brazil?
You’ll only be able to spend in BRL while you’re in Brazil. Carrying some money in cash and using a travel debit card from a service like Wise is usually the best way to spend while you’re away from home.