Only buy Brazilian Real (BR$) in the country. All exchange rates outside Brazil are worse. Up to 10’000 US$ worth in cash can be brought to Brazil without declaration.
We do not recommend travelers checks. The exchange rate is more favorable but you hardly find any counters to cash them in and if you have to wait long hours.
Best is to retrieve money with your EC card at a Citybank, HSBC and some Banco do Brazil cashpoints. (Watch out for the Maestro logo). All you therefore need is your PIN. A maximum of 1’000 Real is distributed per day in HSBC banks, citybanks sometimes give you 2000 or 3000 R$/day. During high season like New Year or Carnival these cashpoints are however often empty. Thus better retrieve in advance. All cashpoints close out of security reasons at 10:00 pm.
And: Don't show your PIN to others, be careful typing your PIN in banks too.
Never hand your credit card to a waiter and leave him alone - always go with him to the credit card machine or ask him to bring the machine. |
