The Amazon stretches across several South American countries, so the currency you’ll use depends on which country’s rainforest you’re visiting — most often Brazil. The good news: on a cruise or lodge stay, almost everything is included, so you’ll need surprisingly little day to day. Here’s what to know.
For the Brazilian Amazon, the currency is the Brazilian real (BRL); if your Amazon trip is in Peru or Ecuador instead, you’ll use the Peruvian sol or US dollars respectively — check your itinerary. Wherever you go, carry some local currency plus a little US cash as a backup, since USD exchanges more easily than other currencies. Pack two cards in case one isn’t accepted.
You’ll find ATMs in the gateway cities (such as Manaus) and some smaller towns — make sure your card has a 4-digit PIN, and tell your bank your travel dates. Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted, though some merchants add a card surcharge. Be alert for ATM fraud and skimming: use machines inside banks, carry a copy of your passport for ID, and leave the original in your hotel safe. Deep in the rainforest there are no ATMs, so withdraw what you need before you head out.
If you’ve booked an Amazon cruise or jungle lodge, your meals and drinks are included in the package, so your main expenses are tips and any meals in the city before or after your trip.
Tipping is appreciated: around a dollar per bag for porters, US$5 per day for tour guides, and US$2–3 per day for drivers, with up to US$10 for exceptional or private guides. You don’t need to tip taxi drivers.
Ready for the rainforest? Browse our Amazon tours — we handle the logistics so you can focus on the wildlife.
