Cards work at beach kiosks and street stalls, so you barely need cash. Withdraw inside bank branches at Banco do Brasil, Itau or Bradesco, and know that ATMs cut withdrawals to BRL 300 to BRL 500 between 22:00 and 06:00.
- Card acceptance is extraordinary. Contactless works at beach kiosks, street food stalls, taxis and transit turnstiles, so you need very little cash.
- Pix is how Brazil actually pays, but it needs a Brazilian bank account and a CPF, so as a visitor you will be on cards.
- Withdraw inside bank branch lobbies - Banco do Brasil, Itau, Bradesco, Santander. Standalone Banco24Horas kiosks charge BRL 20 to BRL 35 on a foreign card.
- Night limits are a security feature, not a fault. Between 22:00 and 06:00 ATMs cap withdrawals at BRL 300 to BRL 500 to reduce express kidnapping - take out what you need in daylight.
- Restaurants add a 10% to 13% service charge automatically; paying it is customary but legally optional. Decline dynamic currency conversion, which costs 6% to 12%.
Money and paying for things
Brazil uses the Brazilian real (BRL, R$).
- Card acceptance is extraordinary. Contactless Visa and Mastercard work at beach kiosks, street food stalls, taxis and transit turnstiles. You need very little cash.
- Pix is how Brazil actually pays - the central bank's instant transfer system now carries most transactions - but it needs a Brazilian bank account and a CPF, so as a visitor you will be on cards.
- Use bank ATMs inside branch lobbies: Banco do Brasil, Itau, Bradesco and Santander. Being indoors matters here for safety, not just fees.
- Avoid standalone Banco24Horas kiosks at petrol stations and on street corners: BRL 20 to BRL 35 per withdrawal on a foreign card.
- Night limits are a security feature, not a fault. Between 22:00 and 06:00 Brazilian ATMs cap withdrawals at BRL 300 to BRL 500 specifically to reduce express kidnapping. Daytime limits are BRL 500 to BRL 1,500 per transaction. Withdraw what you need in daylight.
- Decline dynamic currency conversion and choose BRL; accepting the terminal's rate costs 6% to 12%.
- Airport cambio booths mark up 15% to 20%. Use a bank ATM or an exchange house in a commercial district instead.
Tipping
Restaurants add a 10% to 13% service charge to the bill automatically. Paying it is customary but legally optional. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip beyond rounding up. Hotel porters get BRL 5 to BRL 10 a bag.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Espresso | BRL 6 to 12 |
| Pao de queijo or coxinha | BRL 8 to 18 |
| Prato feito lunch | BRL 30 to 60 |
| Mid-range restaurant, per person | BRL 85 to 180 |
| Bottled water, 1 litre | BRL 4 to 8 |
| Bus or metro single | BRL 4.40 to 5.40 |
| Taxi, per kilometre | BRL 4 to 7 |
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