[QUOTE=JABangBang;2163726]Do they accept USD in Clinicas?[/QUOTE]It is better to change USD in Brazil. Bring your card with you, just in case. You ll get a better rate in Rio de Janeiro than in Sao Paulo. That's my own preference. On my last trip I got a better rate in Rio de Janeiro. There is no better security. All depends on how dump you are. You can lose money by withdrawing from any ATM and being scammed or robbed as well as by putting your money in your apartment and getting burglarized by the owner of the apartment. Life is a jungle with many predators. We all get screwed somewhere. Personally I've never had trouble with any owner. Most owners never enter your apartment until you leave. That doesn't mean every owner are good people. Owners have an apartment, that means they have money and must keep their business going. And don't want to sully their reputation. Most Brazilians from middle class backgrounds are not thieves. Rent an apartment from AirBNB. You can see many reviews on apartments. Thefts often happen outside in Brazil and rarely inside. When I say inside I mean Apartments.
I've never been to clinicas in SP, only been to clubs. I think clinicas have the same payment policy as those of Rio de Janeiro. They only accept reais. If they do they will try to screw you, for instance, by trying to give you a bad exchange rate.
I prefer bringing my cash along over using my card.
