World Country Guide

Money

Currency
Real/Reais (R$) = 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations of R$100, 50, 10, 5 and 1. Coins are in denominations of R$1, and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 centavos.

Currency exchange
All banks and cambios exchange recognised travellers cheques and foreign currency. There is an extensive network of ATMs around the country. The US Dollar is the most widely accepted foreign currency.

Credit & debit cards
Most major international cards are accepted. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Travellers cheques
Exchangeable at hotels, banks and tourist agencies. Tourists cannot exchange US travellers cheques for US banknotes but they may, however, benefit from a 15 per cent discount when paying hotel or restaurant bills in foreign currency or travellers cheques. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars.

Currency restrictions
The import and export of local currency is unlimited although it may be subject to prior approval by Brazil Central Bank. The import of foreign currency is unlimited, provided amounts over US$1000 are declared on arrival; the export of foreign currency is limited to US$4000 per person (amounts in excess of this need special approval from the Brazilian Central Bank).

Exchange rate indicators
The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Brazilian Real against Sterling and the US Dollar:

Date	May '04	Aug '04	Nov '04	Feb '05
1.00=	5.46	5.56	5.17	4.92
$1.00=	3.06	3.02	2.73	2.61

Banking hours
Mon-Fri 1000-1600.