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The full story
A durable guide can explain payment habits and budgeting choices without publishing stale prices. The Brazilian currency is the real (plural reais), abbreviated BRL or R$ (as used in this guide). It is the legal tender, and no other currency can be used within the country for everyday uses, such as shopping, taking a cab or paying for a meal. One real is divided into 100 centavos. There are two families of coins, the first one with all silver coins, and the second one as follows: R$0.01 and R$0.05 (copper), $0.10 and $0.25 (golden), $0.50 (silver) and $1 (silver with a golden halo), plus bills of $1 (green), $2 (dark blue), $5 (purple), $10 (red, paper and polymer), $20 (yellow), $50 (golden) and $100 (blue). As of December 2009, one pound sterling is worth about R$2.84, one US dollar is worth about R$1.75, and one Euro is worth about R$2.56. Most major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Amex and Diners) are widely accepted in shops and restaurants, but a few small shops may be an exception to this rule, accepting cash only. Note that ATMs are not as dependable as they are in the US or Europe, not many operate 24/7 and it is not unusual for your card to give you an error and then work when re-tried. Make sure.