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The Real Cost of Living in Florianópolis, Brazil
They say paradise comes with a price tag, but there are so many hidden gems around the world where the price tag is not as high. Florianópolis, Brazil is one of them, and today I am breaking down exactly what it really costs to live here.
If you are new here, hi, I am Danielle. I am a content creator, business coach, and new mom. I have built a location independent business that has allowed me to live all over the world, and right now I am based in Florianópolis, also known as Floripa, with my little family.
I first traveled here with my then boyfriend, now husband, in 2020 right before the pandemic and stayed for nine months. We actually did long distance between Bali and England back then and then ended up being quarantined together, but that is a story for another day.
This time around, I am staying for a year to get my Brazilian citizenship, and I have been here for six months now.
Why We Chose Floripa
We love this island because my husband and I both surf, and we love the beach lifestyle while still being super close to the city center with huge malls and shops. (Check out our Top 5 beaches in Florianópolis here). I also value convenience when choosing to live somewhere long term. That might be the American part of me coming into play.
Here, there is one day online shipping, Amazon, Ubers, food delivery, and grocery delivery. I am going to share what it costs to live here really comfortably, whether you are traveling solo, as a couple, or with a family.
Rent and Transportation Costs
Rent is always our biggest expense when traveling, so I am going to share personally what we paid back in 2020 as a couple and now what we pay as a family of three, which is significantly more.
As a couple, we had a one bed, one bath loft with a shared pool and an outdoor barbecue area, and that was $600 USD a month. We found the place for monthly rent on Airbnb and just extended our stay through the pandemic.
It was another $600 a month or so to rent a car. A car is non negotiable for us because we both surf, but it is also super easy to get by with just Ubers, buses, and public transportation here.
Fast forward to 2026. These numbers are based on the current rate of one US dollar at around 5.3 Brazilian reals. Keep in mind, Floripa is super seasonal, so it is a lot more expensive between December and February than the rest of the year.
Since we booked a place for one year this time instead of nightly on Airbnb, these costs are pretty consistent for us.
We pay about $1,700 for rent. It is a three bedroom, three bathroom condo right across the street from one of the best surf beaches, less than a five minute walk. On the other hand, we also have friends who live with roommates and still pay around $600 a month like we did years ago.
Although prices have gone up post pandemic, there are still many options depending on your needs.
Monthly Living Expenses as a Family
Groceries for us run at about $900 a month. We eat a lot of steak and meat and cook at home. We spend around $300 a month eating out or ordering in, usually one to three times per week depending on the week.
Childcare is about $600 a month for part time help. We have babysitters come in Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Baby formula, diapers, and other miscellaneous baby items are around $200 a month.
We also bought a car this time around, but renting would have been another $600 to $700 per month. Then there are extra family specific expenses like online shopping, getting my nails done, and massages that we enjoy treating ourselves to.
All in, our monthly expenses are just under $4,000, around $3,800 for a family of three. That covers everything we need to live our ideal life by the beach, surfing regularly, working efficiently, having the help we need, and not feeling restricted by budgeting.
If you do not have a baby, that would be around $3,000 for a couple. For a solo traveler, that breaks down to around $1,500 per month.
What This Lifestyle Actually Looks Like
So what does this budget actually buy us?
It looks like a five minute walk to the beach, which has been so good for my mental health post partum and for a baby to grow up by the ocean and in sunshine. It means we surf more often, stay active, and spend more time outside.
The help we are able to hire allows us both to work from home and gives us time to do our own things. We both surf every other day, and I am able to move my body before coaching calls or recording content, which makes such a big difference.
Nature is part of our everyday life. We have access to hikes, dunes, and some of the best surf spots in Brazil. We shop at local farmers markets and have access to fresh, affordable food. Lennon grows up eating clean, unprocessed food.
We live in a calm, safe, and friendly neighborhood. There are digital nomads, expats, and young families everywhere. The WiFi is fast enough for client calls, podcasting, and uploading videos. The tech and digital nomad scenes are booming here, and people are incredibly family friendly.
Healthcare is free. (So different to the US!) Hospitals and urgent care facilities are excellent. Pharmacies and anything we need are available via apps. Most importantly, I get quality time with my son every single day, including morning walks on the beach and a pace of life that works so well for our family.
Compared to New York City or even places like Bali today, the value per dollar here for families is honestly unreal.
The Trade Offs of Living in Brazil
Now let us talk about the trade offs, because I want to be fully transparent. No place is perfect, and I do not want you to think the grass is always greener.
One of the biggest challenges is that English is not widely spoken. If you do not speak Portuguese, it can be harder to get by compared to other digital nomad destinations. Google Translate and ChatGPT help, and I personally take Portuguese lessons twice a week. People are generally very kind and encouraging when you try.
Brazilian bureaucracy can also be slow. Paperwork and appointments require patience, which definitely tests the New York part of me.
Imported items are expensive. Tech gear, specialty foods, and some baby products can cost double what they do in the US.
Why We Chose Brazil Over Other Destinations
People often ask why we chose Brazil instead of Bali, England, or somewhere in Europe. For me, it came down to a few core things.
The biggest reason was giving our baby a third citizenship. We chose Brazil because of the quality of life and healthcare (see my previous episode if you want to know what it’s like to give birth in Brazil as a foreigner). If we stay one more year, we qualify for citizenship.
We chose Floripa because we lived here during the pandemic, it is very safe, and I wanted to raise my baby in sunshine and nature with less screen time and more ocean time.
I also wanted a place that was not overly saturated with digital nomads but still had a creative and connected energy. I wanted to learn a new language and fully immerse myself in a foreign country, and Floripa offered all of that plus incredible surf.
Practical Advice If You Are Considering Brazil
If you are thinking about life in Brazil as a digital nomad or young family, here are a few things to keep in mind.
First, do your visa homework. If you are coming from the US, you now need to apply for a tourist visa in advance. This changed in 2025, and policies continue to evolve. Tourist visas are limited to three months, with the option to extend for another three months. If you want to stay longer, look into digital nomad or family visa options.
Second, location matters. Brazil has many regions, (check out my comparison of Rio de Janeiro and Florianópolis here) and even within Floripa there are many neighborhoods. Some are quiet, some are social, some are beach focused, and others are closer to the city center. You do not need to commit long term right away.
Third, budget intentionally. You can live here for less than we do, or you can spend more. It depends entirely on your priorities. There is flexibility at many income levels.
Finally, be mindful of the seasons. Summer is magical but crowded. Winter is quieter and cooler, and some places close. Also be aware of Tainha season in June, when many beaches close for fishing.
Final Thoughts
This is transparently how I live, work, parent, and create in one of the most underrated digital nomad destinations in the world.
Florianópolis might not be on everyone’s radar, but that is exactly why I love it and why it works so well for us in this chapter of life.
Let me know what city I should break down next. And if you want to build your own freedom based life and business, download my free guide in the description to help you go from zero to $100,000 online.
Have an amazing week, my loves.
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