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Brazil currency (Brazilian Real, BRL)
The Brazil currency, the Real (BRL), exists since 1500 when the Portuguese first introduced it. Though, the Dutch were the first to print the official currency of Brazil in 1954 after the Brazilian Northeastern part occupation. Real has been an official Brazilian currency from 1690 till 1942 when it was replaced by Cruzeiro currency with the rate 1 cruzeiro = 1000 reis.
All the notes are similar in dimension and are differentiated with the help of colors:
- R$1 - Green
- R$2 - Blue and gray
- R$5 - Violet
- R$10 - Crimson
- R$20 - Yellow and orange
- R$100 - Blue
Re-establishment of the real took place on July 1, 1994. The ISO 4217 regulation gives the 986 numeric code to the Brazilian real, that has replaced a temporary currency "cruzeiro", and its currency code is BRL. "Reais" is plural for real. Each real is divided into 100 "centavos" ("centavo" in singular). The notes are of the same shape but of the different colors to facilitate the differentiation of nominal: Green is used for R$1, blue and grey - for R$2, violet for R$5, crimson - for R$10, yellow and orange - for R$20 and blue for R$100.
The circulation of R1$ banknote continues whether its production has been cut off. Another version of R$10 note, polymer and more complicated, was launched in production and circulation lately.
There are two families of coins representing the currency smaller values: first was issued in 1994 and made of stainless steel and the second, representing different denominations with different colors - in 1998.
The modern real contains 100 centavos. There are 100, 50, 10, 5, 1 denominations of notes and the coins of 1.00 real; 50, 25, 10, 5 centavos as well as 1 centavo. The US dollars are easily exchanged easily within the country that's why it's best to take dollar to Brazil. American Express travellers' cheques have broad accepting in Brazil as well as Visa (mostly), MasterCard and American Express credit cards. It is easy to withdraw the currency with lots of ATMs as well as use the PLUS network for your card. Still you should find out whether your cards will be of use by consulting to bank before you leave.