Rio de Janeiro Reports

[Steve 9696]

I've been in Brazil since October (save for detour to Buenos Aires) My Chase debit card gets hit with a $5 out of network ATM fee every time I use it to take out cash. Then the local bank charges a fee of 24 reias, for being a foreign card. None of this gets refunded like my Schwab bank card did. However, that one got stolen / lost (its a bit of a mystery still) on the beach in Floripa and I have had to use the Cap 1 Venture credit card as backup. But, the Cap 1 chip doesn't work well here in South America, so I have to insert the card in the card reader. The previous card I brought into S. A. had the same problem, so I got a replacement from Cap 1 and it's no better. Wish I had my Schwab card back. The chip works well on my Chase cards, too. Unfortunately my Chase Sapphire, an excellent card for travelers due to points and perks, also went along with the Schwab card, wherever that was. But for now, I'm using the Cap 1 credit card to accumulate miles, (which I just used to pay for my flight from Porto Alegre to Buenos Aires.).

You say you only take one card with you? I'd rethink that, specifically think about what you would do if you lost that one card you have.

There are only major two banks that take overseas cards: Santander and Bradesco. The commission is now 10% and 11%, up from 8% last year. Not good.

Itau, Banco do Brasil and God forbid, Caixa ATMs don't accept foreign cards, though someone told me Itau resumed handling foreign cards, an expat German woman told me it didn't.

Here in Porto Alegro, the main bank is Banrisul, and it has its own proprietary network. It doesn't take foreign cards, nor much of anything else. To make matters worse for the locals, not all merchants use the Banrisul network, you will see signs at businesses indicating it's not a payment option. The last GP I paid here with a CC, asked me what card I had. She accepted the Cap 1 Visa, but no Banrisul debit cards, nope. On that note, since the Schwab debit card got nicked, I've been able to use the Cap 1 Visa and acquire MILES through every sex provider. Prives, "escorts" and massage therapists accept Visa with a 8 to 10 reais surcharge. Still cheaper than all the fees that come with withdrawing cash from an ATM, if you don't have a card that reimburses the fees (like the Schwab bank card).

The Banco 24 Horas ATMs have a commission of 14%, so avoid them at all cost. Sadly, those are often the most convenient ATMs, as you will find them in Metro stations and grocery stores. And when the other bank ATMs don't work, theirs do. And those two banks have frequent network problems, which might have you going from on place to another.

Commissions on transactions with overseas cards are now up to 16% , which is displayed on the card reader, often to the amazement of the cashier, who is not familiar with all the extra screens that are generated when a foreign card goes through the reader. I recall my other lost cards, adjusted those fees.

You shouldn't be paying ANY conversion fees. ATMs have two options. To accept conversion or decline it. Always DECLINE. Then there is no conversion fee and your home bank gives you close to spot rate. They always try to trick you on this. Like at the Banco 24 horas ones it now says "CANCEL conversion" which is scary and makes you think you are cancelling the transaction. You are not. You are just declining local conversion at their exhorbitsnt rates. Always decline / cancel conversion.

[Rio Bob]

Thanks. Good advice from you and everyone who responded. Doing the Rosetta Stone learning now. 5 months until trip. "Eu quero fazar coito. Sem camisinha. " We'll see how far I get with that one.

Make sure you have a few extra 100 reais in your hand when you say that. Just say sem camisinha and show her the money, she'll understand.

[MaddTraveler]

Going to be in Rio for a month soon, I'm a degenerate and don't like more than 150/ HR hence ill be hitting up vm and prives. Thanks to Sperto, pokeris, mr ent, wyatt, exito, vagabundo for all the posts. Took until page 230 to hit some real prive reports for the deal hunters LOL.

Question: do you need the yellow fever vaccine to enter the country? So far I see it's recommended, not required, but unsure. AS far as I can tell you just need a PCR 3 days before entry and the attestation form thing. Thanks for the help, Ill be posting reports. Ready to fuck up some carioca bueta.

I know this is a late reply but I'm also on my way approx same times as you and had to so some research LOL.

Copa Airlines is great if in your or you can still search requirements w them. On the bottom left on their main page (https://www.copaair.com/en-us/) they have a "check your travel requirement" page where you can verify what you must have to enter Brazil. And yes that Yellow Fever vaccine section is on there and their answer is no. I searched and used them since they are correct on the E-Visa requirement that will be effective on 4/10/24 for US / CA residents whereas Avianca as the wrong date and had to ditch them LOL. Kudos to Copa!

[Xpartan]

As I have written a lot here, you just go to Central train station, and there are many people selling TIM, CLARO, VIVO chips, registered (cadastra), meaning you don't need a CPF, you just need as little as 10 reais.

OK, so then all you Zohan's out there can get on the phone with someone in say, Israel, or Colombia, or Russia and register a zap for them remotely, and they can for you. If you don't understand that, well, we have a saying in the Swiss Navy, life is hard, but it is harder if you're stupid.

Alright then.

I'll take one for all Zohans out there by asking how much time this approach would save me. Specifically, there are two home bases I love to stay at when in Rio: Hyatt in Barra and Hilton in Leme. The first is 10 minutes away from Barra Shopping, the second is 5 minutes away from Rio Sul. Getting a sim card at either mall can take 1-2 hours depending on the crowds and TIM employee's level of ignorance, but you'll get it guaranteed.

Now Uruguaina. Commuting from Barra simply for a Sim card is just ridiculous. The trip from Hilton (if that's my first stop) is doable and will take 1-1. 5 hours RT depending on the traffic.

Of course, if you're going to Centro anyway for an architectural tour of its downtown buildings with their magnificent antique elevator systems, that's another matter entirely. The old, lazy me, however, balks at the prospect of long commutes on his first day in Rio after the 10-15 HR redeye. I'd rather take it easy -- with my phone fully functional.

Meaning: I either come here with a prepaid 1 G eSim card that would be more than enough for the first 1-3 days until I decide it's time for Centro. This card will cost me $10 (not reais), but to me it's worth the peace of mind. Or, I'll go to the nearby shopping mall even before I unpack to get this dreadful chore taken care of.

Zohan out.

They never charge me anything other that the 0.5% when I buy something or take money out of the ATM. I use it to travel all over the world, including Rio and it work great. It was so reliable that I only take one card with me when I travel. Six month ago, it did not work at any bank ATM in Rio. I'm wondering what ATM card do you guy use and what exchange rate do you get. Seem like no one want to volunteer this info.

Why? I use Schwab. Don't remember any issues with bad exchange rate, but I don't always pay attention.

[MaddTraveler]

Boots on the ground in few days, looking into Rio's smaller town Juiz de Fora although I may change my mind last min. Never been there but seems cozy and got a sweet luxury condo deal at normal pricing. Trying to stay away from party towns since I'll likely camp out 6 mo or longer. Any intel anyone can offer on that town let me know please in terms of P4P spots etc.

[Eszpresszo]

They never charge me anything other that the 0.5% when I buy something or take money out of the ATM. I use it to travel all over the world, including Rio and it work great. It was so reliable that I only take one card with me when I travel. Six month ago, it did not work at any bank ATM in Rio. I'm wondering what ATM card do you guy use and what exchange rate do you get. Seem like no one want to volunteer this info.

I've been in Brazil since October (save for detour to Buenos Aires) My Chase debit card gets hit with a $5 out of network ATM fee every time I use it to take out cash. Then the local bank charges a fee of 24 reias, for being a foreign card. None of this gets refunded like my Schwab bank card did. However, that one got stolen / lost (its a bit of a mystery still) on the beach in Floripa and I have had to use the Cap 1 Venture credit card as backup. But, the Cap 1 chip doesn't work well here in South America, so I have to insert the card in the card reader. The previous card I brought into S. A. had the same problem, so I got a replacement from Cap 1 and it's no better. Wish I had my Schwab card back. The chip works well on my Chase cards, too. Unfortunately my Chase Sapphire, an excellent card for travelers due to points and perks, also went along with the Schwab card, wherever that was. But for now, I'm using the Cap 1 credit card to accumulate miles, (which I just used to pay for my flight from Porto Alegre to Buenos Aires.).

You say you only take one card with you? I'd rethink that, specifically think about what you would do if you lost that one card you have.

There are only major two banks that take overseas cards: Santander and Bradesco. The commission is now 10% and 11%, up from 8% last year. Not good.

Itau, Banco do Brasil and God forbid, Caixa ATMs don't accept foreign cards, though someone told me Itau resumed handling foreign cards, an expat German woman told me it didn't.

Here in Porto Alegro, the main bank is Banrisul, and it has its own proprietary network. It doesn't take foreign cards, nor much of anything else. To make matters worse for the locals, not all merchants use the Banrisul network, you will see signs at businesses indicating it's not a payment option. The last GP I paid here with a CC, asked me what card I had. She accepted the Cap 1 Visa, but no Banrisul debit cards, nope. On that note, since the Schwab debit card got nicked, I've been able to use the Cap 1 Visa and acquire MILES through every sex provider. Prives, "escorts" and massage therapists accept Visa with a 8 to 10 reais surcharge. Still cheaper than all the fees that come with withdrawing cash from an ATM, if you don't have a card that reimburses the fees (like the Schwab bank card).

The Banco 24 Horas ATMs have a commission of 14%, so avoid them at all cost. Sadly, those are often the most convenient ATMs, as you will find them in Metro stations and grocery stores. And when the other bank ATMs don't work, theirs do. And those two banks have frequent network problems, which might have you going from on place to another.

Commissions on transactions with overseas cards are now up to 16% , which is displayed on the card reader, often to the amazement of the cashier, who is not familiar with all the extra screens that are generated when a foreign card goes through the reader. I recall my other lost cards, adjusted those fees.

[Steve 9696]

They never charge me anything other that the 0.5% when I buy something or take money out of the ATM. I use it to travel all over the world, including Rio and it work great. It was so reliable that I only take one card with me when I travel. Six month ago, it did not work at any bank ATM in Rio. I'm wondering what ATM card do you guy use and what exchange rate do you get. Seem like no one want to volunteer this info.

I use capital one and have really liked it. Exchange rate is competitive and it generally works everywhere. Used to be they would flag all my inyernational as fraud. What a pain. But I guess they figured it out. As someone else said Bradesco is more reliable in Brasil but you have to go during day.

P.S. They pay like 5% on savings so I keep all my girl money there and just transfer a few K to checking when I am going on a trip.

[Explorer8939]

I constantly attract English speaking Brazilians.

I was just at the bakery and the baker asked in English "anything else"? LOL. During lunch, I told the server my order, I guessed he was expecting something else, and I heard him spoke a word in English, then I told him what I want in English and Portuguese.

I ran into so many Brazilians who speak English. I think there is a cultural influence judging by that one can see Batman everywhere. I know several families paid for their kids to learn English. There are many study on their own, and these usually are smart.

Having said the above, they are the small minority. It's difficult to get around the country in English alone.

My experience that there are so many Chileans and Argentines in Rio that the locals confuse me for someone who speaks Spanish, which I do.

I don't know how active the Chileans and Argentines are in our hobby.

[Nounce]

Revolut loos very interesting and professional. But what is the use case? What do you use Revolut for that provides value for a girl enthusiast like me?

For you, I am not sure. In my case, it is one of the backup cards. For safety reason, I use this card in Medellin and only put enough money on it while I store my other cards elsewhere.

[Sperto]

Doing the Rosetta Stone learning now. 5 months until trip. "Eu quero fazar coito. Sem camisinha. " We'll see how far I get with that one.

Very good. Tell the girls: "Eu quero fazar coito. Sem camisinha."

[Axel Heyst]

Revolut loos very interesting and professional. But what is the use case? What do you use Revolut for that provides value for a girl enthusiast like me?

Revolut and their competitor Wise are interesting financial service companies, but at the entry level they seem to be just glossy debit cards that can send or receive money internationally to people with a Revolut or Wise account, I assume. There is nothing wrong with their concept, except both of these financial apps charge for ATM withdrawals after a small, limited number of free withdrawals and for purchases I do not see any reason to buy anything with a debit card when I have CC's like Cap One, Chase, Citi, BOA, or Wells Fargo, ect which offer points, miles, or cash back for purchases anywhere and in addition give the best FX money market bank rate available with no additional fees. Perhaps Revolut and Wise customers are young people who have not yet established a a solid good credit rating. Maybe that is their selling point. I don't not know.

But what Ido know is that the only additional card I need to bring on a trip, after my favorite CC's, to avoid bringing gobs of $$$ cash, is a zero fee ATM card like the Schwab debit card which reimburses the card holder at the end of the month for all ATM fees and bank charges incurred for withdrawals in local currency ie Brazilian, in this example.

There is another free, no fee, ATM cash withdrawal debit card issued by Needham Bank. I tried it out on my last trip and it worked just fine, so I will use it again as a backup, emergency debit card in the case something should happen to my Schwab debit card. No minimum balance is required with a Needham Bank checking account. Just set the up a checking account online and Zelle some money into the new account. I have around $100 sitting in it now, but I will move $500 into it before I fly to SP. It is for backup. I am only going to bring $500-$700 cash on my next 6 week trip. Pre Schwab, I used to bring soooo much cash with me on a 10 to 12 week trip to Thailand, Jakarta, Phnom, Macau it was insane. KKK, but I never got ripped off.

[NiteRiderCal]

I remember researching Resolute, and it charges a fee after reaching some very low allowance. Maybe they've improved, I don't know. CapOne does charge it too, doesn't it?

They never charge me anything other that the 0.5% when I buy something or take money out of the ATM. I use it to travel all over the world, including Rio and it work great. It was so reliable that I only take one card with me when I travel. Six month ago, it did not work at any bank ATM in Rio. I'm wondering what ATM card do you guy use and what exchange rate do you get. Seem like no one want to volunteer this info.

[Steve 9696]

Good to know. I will bring revolut, wise, capitalone and schwab card with me. In the past and the rest of the world. I only travel with just revolut. Simple, and if it ever get compromise, my lost would be limited. Brazil banking system is all over the place. Thing might work one day, the next it is not.

Revolut loos very interesting and professional. But what is the use case? What do you use Revolut for that provides value for a girl enthusiast like me?

[CCRider1008]

I am Americano but speak pretty good girl enthusiast level Portuguese. I took about 60 hours online just because I love Brasileiras so much. And it truly enhances things. And my colleagues are so impressed. If only they knew why. LOL.

That said you will be fine with google translate. My buddy Mark doesn't speak a lick and managed to get along just fine. Some girls speak some esp at Scandallo. But many don't. Just make sure to download the language to your phone in case internet is spotty.

Thanks. Good advice from you and everyone who responded. Doing the Rosetta Stone learning now. 5 months until trip. "Eu quero fazar coito. Sem camisinha. " We'll see how far I get with that one.

[Vagabundo1]

As I have written a lot here, you just go to Central train station, and there are many people selling TIM, CLARO, VIVO chips, registered (cadastra), meaning you don't need a CPF, you just need as little as 10 reais.

OK, so then all you Zohan's out there can get on the phone with someone in say, Israel, or Colombia, or Russia and register a zap for them remotely, and they can for you. If you don't understand that, well, we have a saying in the Swiss Navy, life is hard, but it is harder if you're stupid.

So.

Then.

You are sitting in Colombia or Tel Aviv or Moscow, and you start messaging the girls in Rio with a DDD 21 whatsapp, and you get local rates.

I agree this shit is ridiculously bad, but they lied to you, and you don't actually need CPF. At Shopping Rio Sul or another mall, go to TIM store with your passport and they will set you up on the phone with an English-speaking agent, albeit the whole damn thing will rob you of 1-2 hours of your precious vacation time. Alternatively, you can find a dedicated TIM shop anywhere in the city.