Travelling to Argentina or Brazil this summer: the real drops 4.5% in a week but is still 12.2% pricier for Chileans

For anyone thinking about travelling to Argentina or Brazil this summer, the exchange rate has moved sharply in recent days. The Brazilian real fell against the dollar: according to the Central Bank of Brazil (BCB), it went from R$5.04 per dollar on October 23 to R$5.50 on October 26, and closed at R$5.34 on October 28.

For a Chilean, that meant the real became 4.5% cheaper in one week: from CLP 195.50 to CLP 186.65 per real. Even so, it is still more expensive than last summer, because the dollar in Chile is at its highest level in almost two years.

CLP 186.65

Brazilian real

+12.2% vs. last summer

CLP 644.81

1,000 Argentine pesos

+4.3% vs. last summer

17.9%

Inflation in Argentina

January to August 2026

Source: SII, ECB, BCRA and INDEC; InfoByData calculation

View the data as a table

Brazilian real	CLP 186.65 | +12.2% vs. last summer
1,000 Argentine pesos	CLP 644.81 | +4.3% vs. last summer
Inflation in Argentina	17.9% | January to August 2026

Travelling to Argentina or Brazil: how the currencies changed

Compared with last summer's average (December 2025 to February 2026), the Brazilian real rose 12.2% in Chilean pesos: from CLP 166.41 to CLP 186.65. The Argentine peso rose much less, 4.3%: one thousand Argentine pesos cost CLP 618.37 and today cost CLP 644.81.

The chart shows the month-by-month trend, with December 2025 as base 100. The real has climbed almost without pause since March, while the Argentine peso has moved within a narrow range.

• Brazilian real
• Argentine peso
• US dollar

Source: SII (observed dollar), ECB and BCRA; InfoByData calculation. October, through the 28th

View the data as a table

	Brazilian real	Argentine peso	US dollar
Dec	100	100	100
Jan	98.5	96.4	96.5
Feb	98.6	96.8	94.1
Mar	103.4	103	99.3
Apr	106.1	102.6	98
May	107.2	101.4	98
Jun	105	98.6	98.6
Jul	108.2	99	101.6
Aug	106.1	96.7	100.2
Sep	109.5	98.9	103.4
Oct	114.7	101.9	107.1

The October average includes the days before the real's fall, when it was more expensive. That is why it sits above today's value.

The Argentine peso rose little, but prices in Argentina did not

The fact that the Argentine peso barely rose does not mean that travelling to Argentina is cheaper. Between January and August 2026, consumer prices in Argentina rose 17.9%, according to INDEC. In Brazil, inflation (IPCA) over the same period was 2.8%, according to IBGE data published by the Central Bank of Brazil.

Combining both effects (the exchange rate and local prices), a simple calculation shows how the cost changed for a Chilean since January:

• Exchange rate
• Cost with local inflation

Argentina5.7%24.6%

Brazil12.8%15.9%

Source: SII, ECB, BCRA, INDEC and BCB (IBGE's IPCA); InfoByData estimate

View the data as a table

	Exchange rate	Cost with local inflation
Argentina	5.7%	24.6%
Brazil	12.8%	15.9%

This is an estimate: it compares January's average exchange rate with today's and adds each country's inflation through August, the latest figure published by both. It does not include airfares, hotels or seasonal deals, which can vary far more.

Which exchange rate applies when you pay

• By card: the issuing bank converts each purchase at the exchange rate of the day it processes it, plus any charges set in your contract. That is why the final amount may differ from the reference rate.
• As a benchmark: InfoByData's currency converter shows the official value of the real and the Argentine peso in Chilean pesos, using the same sources as this article.

To compare with other destinations, see the ranking of exchange rates for holidays abroad.

Exchange rates can change from day to day. At InfoByData we will keep evaluating and analyzing them throughout the summer season, and we will update these figures when there are relevant changes.

This article is for information only and is not a recommendation to buy currency or invest.