As of February 20, 2026, the official exchange rates for the Brazilian real are reported at $239.64 for buying and $239.87 for selling, according to information from Banco Nación. However, in the parallel market, known as the blue market, the rates are quite different, with a buying price of $276.75 and a selling price of $287.75. This considerable difference indicates that many Argentinians check these rates, especially before traveling to Brazil for tourism or business purposes.

The disparity between the blue real and the official real amounts to 13.41%, highlighting the challenges faced by travelers who rely on the informal market for better rates. The article also provides information on the number of reais if one exchanges $100, translating to R$513.10 at the informal market rate of R$5.13 per dollar. This conversion insight is crucial for those planning their finances while traveling.

The Brazilian real has been the official currency of Brazil since 1994, when it replaced the cruzeiro real. It is currently recognized as the twentieth most traded currency worldwide and holds the status of the most traded currency in South America. Notably, its symbol is R$, and it comes with denominations up to 200 reais, marking its importance in the regional and global market.