Essentials
- City
- Brasília, Federal District, Brazil
- Population
- 3,094,325
- Internet Speed
- Average 120 Mbps (Fiber optic widely available in Plano Piloto)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 BRL ≈ 0.20 USD / 1 USD ≈ 5.00 BRL (Fluctuates daily)
- Tap Water
- Drinkable in most areas, but bottled or filtered water is preferred for taste
- Power
- 220V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type N sockets (three-pin Brazilian standard)
- SIM Card
- Vivo, Claro, and TIM; available at Conjunto Nacional Mall (~R$15 for SIM, R$50/month for 20GB)
- Banking for Expats
- Nubank, Itaú, Banco do Brasil; Revolut is now available in Brazil
- Accommodation
- Hotels in Setor Hoteleiro Sul/Norte or loft apartments in Sudoeste
- Cashless Friendly
- Extremely high; PIX (instant mobile payment) and credit cards are used everywhere
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and QuintoAndar (for 3+ month stays)
- Budget Accommodation
- Joy Hostel (Asa Norte) - approx. R$90/night for a dorm bed
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Setor Hoteleiro Sul (SHS) for proximity to the TV Tower and Esplanada
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Asa Norte (CLN) or Sudoeste for a walkable neighborhood feel and local cafes
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Espaço 365 (Asa Norte) - Daily pass approx. R$60; Monthly R$700
- Best Cafe for Work
- Ernesto Cafés Especiais (CLS 115) - Quiet, great Wi-Fi, and excellent Pão de Queijo
- Networking Events
- Campus Party Brasília (Annual tech event); Meetups at Biotic (Technology Park)
- Social Events for Expats
- Internations Brasília; Language exchange meetups at O'Rilley Pub
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber (most popular) and 99 (often cheaper)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Tembici (Itaú orange bikes) - R$30/month for daily usage
- Best Beach Nearby
- Artificial beach at Pontão do Lago Sul (Lake Paranoá); real ocean is 1,000km away
- Top Regional Airline
- GOL Linhas Aéreas and Azul Brazilian Airlines
- Top International Airline
- LATAM Airlines and TAP Air Portugal (direct to Lisbon)
- Highway Access
- BR-020, BR-040, and BR-060 connect to the rest of Brazil
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Rodoviária do Plano Piloto (Central bus station) and Metro Station Central
- Public Transport Passes
- Cartão Mobilidade (BRB) - single fare R$5.50
- Regional Travel
- Executive buses from Rodoferroviária to Goiânia (approx. 3 hours, R$60)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital DF Star (Asa Sul) - Premium private facility
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Espaço Shanti (Asa Norte) - Hatha and Vinyasa classes
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- BlueFit or SmartFit (Multiple locations) - approx. R$120/month
- Laundry Services
- Lave & Pegue (Self-service kiosks found in malls like Liberty Mall)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- iFood (The dominant app in Brazil)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Arroz com Pequi (Cerrado fruit dish) at Mangai
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Aflora Gastrobar (Asa Norte) - Creative plant-based menu
- Best Dessert Spots
- Stans Chocolates (Asa Sul) - Famous local Swiss-style chocolate
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Feira da Torre de TV (Crafts and food) and Ceasa-DF for fresh produce
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Mercado Livre and Amazon Brazil (Very fast delivery in DF)
- Grocery Delivery
- Pão de Açúcar App or Rappi Turbo
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Setor Comercial Local Norte (SCLN) Quadras 408/409 (The 'Low-City' vibe)
- Local Brewery
- Criolina (Setor de Oficinas Sul) - Craft beer and live music
- Wine Bars
- Wine Garden (Pontão do Lago Sul) - Outdoor seating by the water
- Street Food Stalls
- Dogão (Brazilian style hot dogs with mashed potatoes) found in every commercial block
- Popular International Cuisine
- Taypá Sabores Del Peru (Lago Sul) - High-end Peruvian
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Cathedral of Brasília and Congresso Nacional (designed by Oscar Niemeyer)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museu Nacional da República (White dome structure)
- Historical Sites
- Catetinho (The first temporary residence of JK, the city founder)
- Religious Sites
- Santuário Dom Bosco (Stunning blue stained-glass interior)
- Annual Events
- September 7th (Independence Day Parade at the Esplanada)
- Cultural Districts
- Vila Planalto (Historical neighborhood where workers lived during construction)
- Theater Venues
- Teatro Nacional Cláudio Santoro (Currently undergoing renovation)
- Local Markets
- Feira do Guará - Famous for clothing and local snacks
- Music Scene
- Choro no Eixo (Sunday afternoon music on the Eixo Rodoviário)
- Street Art
- Galeria dos Estados (Graffiti and urban art passage)
- Cooking Classes
- Senac Gastronomia (Jessé Freire building)
- Art Galleries
- Referência Galeria de Arte (Asa Norte)
- Historic Buildings
- Palácio do Itamaraty (Stunning architecture and garden)
- Local Heritage
- Modernist urbanism (UNESCO World Heritage Site designated layout)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Parque da Cidade Sarah Kubitschek (Largest urban park in Latin America)
- National Parks Nearby
- Parque Nacional de Brasília (Água Mineral) - natural pools 15 mins from center
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Eixão do Lazer (The main highway closed to cars for recreation every Sunday/holidays)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Torre de TV Digital (The 'Flower of Cerrado') for sunset views
- Birdwatching Locations
- Jardim Botânico de Brasília (Lago Sul)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Chapada dos Veadeiros (3 hours drive away, designated camping zones)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Correios (Post Office) and Loggi for local courier speed
- Tech Repair Services
- Setor de Diversões Sul (Conic) - multiple electronics repair shops
- Table Tennis Spots
- Clube Nipo-Brasileiro (Setor de Clubes Sul)
- Language Classes
- UnB Idiomas (University of Brasília language branch)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Nacional de Brasília (Quiet, free, strong Wi-Fi)
- Community Centers
- SESC (Multiple units offering arts, sports, and lunches)
- Gaming Lounges
- Arena Gamer (Shopping Pier 21)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Legal gambling is limited to Poker Clubs e.g., P2W Poker (Sudoeste)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. R$15,000 per m² (e.g., 30 m² Kitnet = R$450,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. R$8,000 per m² (e.g., 30 m² in Águas Claras = R$240,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. R$13,500 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = R$675,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. R$7,500 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = R$375,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. R$12,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = R$960,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. R$6,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = R$520,000)
- Corporate Tax
- Standard rate 15% + 10% surtax on income > R$240k/year
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% (Current law, though reforms are frequently discussed)
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for tax residents
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 27.5%
- VAT
- Complex system (ICMS, PIS, COFINS) totaling approx. 25-35% on goods/services
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, taxation of profits from controlled entities abroad
- Property Tax
- IPTU (Annual), calculated on the market value of the property
- Property Transaction Tax
- ITBI (Municipal), approx. 3% in Brasília
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Brazil offers a Digital Nomad Visa (1 year) but income is taxed if staying >183 days