Costs, Money and Banks
Up until 1994 when the famous Plano Real was introduced, Brazilian inflation was astronomical, and the country was a very cheap destination for anyone who had hard currency like the dollar. At a stroke, the Plano Real stabilized inflation, and the tightly controlled exchange made Brazil no longer cheap to foreigners. In early 1999, however, the global markets lost confidence - virtually overnight - in the Brazilian economy, sending ripples of hardship throughout the country as prices of imported goods shot up, in some cases doubling, and property values dropped, along with the value of the real against the dollar. As a consequence, Brazil has once again become a relatively inexpensive destination for foreigners, certainly noticeably cheaper than Europe or the USA. US dollars are easy enough to change in banks and exchange offices anywhere, and are also readily accepted as payment by luxury hotels, upmarket restaurants, tour companies and souvenir shops in the big cities. Given the current instability of the real, we quote prices in this book in US dollars; this should give a reliable idea of what you'll be paying on the spot. At the time of writing, the Brazilian real is worth just over half a dollar - R$1.75=US$1 and R$2.80=GBP1 - but it is strengthening against it.
Fun Tipsmary says "Bring your inhaler if you have asma." tips for BrazilRobyn says "Dont go it so boring,so dont go " travellingayanda says "can anyone tell me about cheap accomodation in brazil?" Tour Brazil and Argentina On Line (Video + Stills)David Mundstock says "My recent movie, “Tango and Samba Falls”, presents highlights of Argentina and Brazil, starring Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, and Iguazu Falls.
Tango in Buenos Aires, meet Evita, enjoy Gaucho dancing from the Pampas; and then north to the Argentina side of massive Iguazu Falls, featuring “The Devil’s Throat”.
Across the border to Brazil, for a close-up of the falls from below. In Rio, gaze at the views from famous mountain tops, and look for the Girl from Ipanema at Rio’s beaches. Take in a Samba show, featuring costumes that range from almost nothing to extremely elaborate and colorful. With digital effects.
“Tango and Samba Falls” can be seen on the web, if you have a high speed internet connection. This is a free, non-commercial, streaming video on the Windows Media Player. No ads and no strings attached. I sell absolutely nothing.
With any modem you can view a gallery of Argentina/Brazil still pictures.
There are over 30 of my other amateur travel videos on-line including trips to China, Russia, Antarctica, Italy, Britain, Hawaii, Australia, Bali, American National Parks, Africa, Greece, and Turkey; see lions, whales, elephants, or penguins.
The planet is yours, including my Home Page giant galaxy of still pictures from every continent.
To watch videos or look at the stills, please ask a search engine for: Intrepid Berkeley Explorer"
Your Tip for Brazil
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