Financial Updates

Now that we are out of Brazil, we thought we'd post some financial information.

Brazil: With visas ($130 each), and including the time that we spent in the rainforest in Manaus, the average was $118 per day. The visas account for about $10 each day. The average would have been less had we travelled more slowly since buses are expensive in Brazil. However, the total amount spent would have been more. If you aren't stuck on seeing quite as much, it might be well worth it to take a couple flights. They aren't cheap, but are about the same as a couple of overnight bus trips.

Also, a tip on food in Brazil. Pay by weight restaurants are very common, but don't actually seem that cheap unless you just get a plate of meat. Many places also offer a plate of the day (prato feito) that is really cheap with rice, beans, salad, and whatever meat you select. They may also offer a single plate option for the buffet that is as much as you can get on the plate for a set price. These are both better than actually paying by weight. Also, if you turn down the side street or go one block from the main square, food is often half the price or less. The restaurants may not look as nice, but the food was nearly as good in our experience.

Paraguay: $158 per day, but this is rather unfair to Paraguay since we were only there for 1.5 days and had to pay $90 for the visas. The country is about half the price of Brazil and is small so transport is cheap. You could definitely live decently for $50 per day once there. Note that in an effort to completely discourage tourism, a mandatory fee of $5 exists anytime you take money from an ATM if it is a foreign card. $5 is about the same price as the average person in Paraguay makes in a day, I think (not kidding). So, you are better to take cash if you can. Foreign exchange places exist everywhere and seemed to take any major currency since every currency is more major than the Paraguay Gurani.